Feb. 27, 2008 School Committee Meeting

Agenda

Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee February 27, 2008

City Council Chambers
7:00 p.m.

I. Approval of Minutes: Regular Meeting minutes for February 6, 2008.

II. Superintendent’s Report:

A. Middle School Jazz Band Presentation
B. Welcome Mr. Puleo
C. School Committee Orientation
D. Draft School Calendar (2008-2009)
E. Extended School Programs (Spring 2008)

III. Open Forum: An opportunity for community input regarding the Quincy Public Schools. After giving his or her name and address, each speaker may make a presentation of no more than four minutes to the School Committee.

IV. Old Business

A. Update on building projects, renovations, and construction: Mr. Ryan to report.
B. Update on the New Quincy High School: Mrs. Dwyer to report.
C. Update on Central: March 12 Meeting with MSBA.

V. New Business:

A. North Quincy ROTC to Pease Air Force Base, New Hampshire. See Attachment A.
B. QPS Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Registration (2008-2009) Mrs. Hughes to report.
C. NEW DOE Competency Determination and Educational Proficiency Plans (Class 2008) Mr. O’Brien to report.

VI. Additional Business:

VII. Communications:

VIII. Hearings: - none

IX. Reports of Special Committees:

X. Executive Session: Contract Negotiations

XI. Adjournment:

Subcommittees of the School Committee

Subcommittee Date Referred Business Pending
Budget & Finance
Mulvey/Bragg/Mahoney 1/7/2004 Marshall Remedial Action Plan
  5/27/2004 (Subcommittee) Transportation Fees
  4/11/2007 HS Health Curriculum
School Facilities Management    
Dwyer/Mahoney/Mulvey Major Building Projects  
  3/4/98 QHS/Central/Sterling Building Plans
  10/20/2004 ADA Report
  9/7/2005 Alternative Plans for Central Middle School
  1/25/2006 Fire Extinguishers
  1/25/2006 Outdoor Lighting
  2/8/2006 Conservation
Health, Safety & Security    
Puleo/Mahoney/McCarthy 10/18/2006 NQHS Traffic & Drop off
  4/11/2007 HS Health Curriculum
School Policy    
Bragg/Dwyer/McCarthy 1/10/2001 Policy Manual
  10/18/2006 Sliding Scale for Student Fees
  3/21/2007 Student Records/Transfers, etc.
  5/2/2007 Bullying
  11/28/2007 Progress Reports
  2/6/2008 Voting Places
Special Education    
Mahoney/McCarthy/Mulvey 1/17/2007 Emergency Information Form
  1/17/2007 Substitute Teachers for SPED
  3/21/2007 Implementation of IEPs
Rules, Post Audit & Oversight    
Dwyer/Puleo/Bragg    
     
AD HOC COMMITTEES:    
Channel 22    
Mahoney/McCarthy 10/17/2007 Encourage greater use of

 

Minutes

Quincy, Massachusetts - February 27, 2008
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee

Regular Meeting

A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at the City Council Chambers, City Hall. Present were Mrs. Anne Mahoney, Mr. Kevin Mulvey, Mrs. Elaine Dwyer, Mr. Nick Puleo, Mayor Tom Koch and Mr. Dave McCarthy, Vice Chairman. Vice Chairman Presiding

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The Superintendent called the roll and Mrs. Bragg was absent. Also present were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary, Mrs. Tefta Burrelli, Clerk. Messrs. O’Brien, Walsh, McPhee, Mullaney, Ms. Powell, Todd, Hughes, and Roberts. Ms. Tracey Christello represented Citywide, and Mr. Paul Phillips, QEA President, was present. The Committee observed a moment of silence for John Gilfeather, a QPS bus driver, who recently passed away.

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Regular Mtg. Mins. Approved 2/6/2008

On a motion by Mr. Puleo, seconded by Mrs. Mahoney, the Committee approved the Regular Session minutes for February 6, 2008. The ayes have it.

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Supt’s Report

The Committee was entertained by the Middle School Jazz Choir under the direction of David Buckley. The middle school students represented Broad Meadows, Atlantic, and Central. The band played three songs and received a standing ovation from the audience. Music Chair, Tracy O’Sullivan, thanked the Committee for their support and reviewed all the after school programs now available for students interested in music. The Music Department now has a newsletter, and a music website is coming in April. The core curriculum music programs are thriving.

Welcome Mr. Puleo

After a brief recess, the Superintendent welcomed Mr. Nick Puleo, the new Committee member. The Committee received a “draft” copy of the 2008-2009 School Calendar.

Ms. Janice Erler reported on the Spring Extended Day options. Literacy Matters is being held at five locations. Prep for Success, has eight weeks of English followed by eight weeks of math. Prep for Success is offered at each elementary school, middle, and high school. There are three new extended programs -- Saturday Strategies for Success, Science Technology and Math Program; Performing Arts Workshops; and Serve and Learn Quincy stressing transitioning from eighth grade into high school.

Athletic Highlights

The Quincy High Boys’ Varsity Basketball is playing tonight at Plymouth North, this is their second round in the playoffs. North Quincy Girls Varsity Basketball playing tonight @ North Quincy against Bridgewater, first round, North Quincy Boys Varsity Hockey tonight at Franklin, Quincy High School Varsity Hockey tomorrow at Foxboro and North Quincy Boys Varsity Basketball at North against Bridgewater Raynham.

Beef Recall

There is a recall of USDA Processed Beef Products. Quincy Public Schools has received cooked beef products from three of the companies that sold contaminated beef. We have a total of 37 cases. Per DOE instruction, 37 cases will be destroyed by this Friday.

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Open Forum

As there was no one wishing to be heard at the Open Forum, the Committee went on with the business at hand.

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Bldg. Update

Superintendent DeCristofaro reported that roof repairs at Sterling, have been completed and we will monitor it during rain. Destination Math computer programs that need special counter tops and connections are being installed at Sterling. At Point Webster, roof repairs were made over the gym. At Wollaston, ceiling tiles in the boys’ bathroom were replaced. Central classrooms 1 and 2 were painted over vacation as well as hallways. Replacing floor tiles has been ongoing. As we look toward the new high school, the Superintendent is looking for a new home for the print shop. We are looking for a spots for Food Services freezers. Maintenance is still working on intercom issues at some of our schools as parts are not that easy to come by. Lincoln Hancock is still waiting for parts.

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New QHS

Mrs. Elaine Dwyer reported on a letter dated February 19 to Mayor Koch on behalf of the MSBA. The Quincy High School Building Committee has been working for the last three or four years to get some relief on the phase 4 project whereby we had to keep 60’ between the old and new building. Thanks go to Jim Anderson and Alex Pitkin for trying to get that through for the last year. Mrs. Dwyer publicly thanked Mayor Koch for getting that relief. This is great news for the taxpayers and students.

There will be a QHS Building Committee meeting Friday at 9:00 a.m. to tie up some bids that have come in, pick paint colors, etc. Letters went in the mail to the Huntley neighbors from Wheatstone on what is going to take place in March.

Mayor Koch thanked Mrs. Dwyer and acknowledged Ron Mariano and thanked Katherine Craven and Tim Cahill for that decision. He is looking forward to a good relationship with them.

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Central Middle School

There will be a meeting with the MSBA regarding Central Middle School on March 12, 2008. The Mayor is sending the Superintendent and a couple of people with him.

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NQ ROTC to Pease Air Force Base in NH

On a motion by Mrs. Dwyer, seconded by Mrs. Mahoney, the Committee approved the trip request for North Quincy ROTC students to Pease Air Force Base, New Hampshire on March 13, 2008. The ayes have it.

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Pre-K Program

Ms. Edie Hughes, Early Childhood Coordinator, and Early Childhood teachers, Alysia Brandoleni and Meghan Cartis, highlighted the Pre-K program. The Pre -K program is an integral part of the QPS District Improvement Plan. All the classes are accredited. The teachers went on to share with the members a day in the life of their Pre-K students. The Pre-K classes are staffed by creative nurturing teachers. All 12 of the teachers, have or are completing masters programs. There are two different programs. Integrated learning environment classes at Snug Harbor have 218 students, 117 are on IEPs. At the Early Childhood Center, there are 76 students, 41 are on an IEP. At Wollaston, Multi-lingual Pre-K provides an opportunity for limited English speaking students. Wollaston has 12 students, and 5 are English language speakers. Funding comes from a QCAP grant, Title 1 and QPS funds. We are participating in the Mosaic study a 2.5 study funded by the US Department of Education. Mrs. Hughes went on to talk about assessment.

In order to get into the Pre-K class there are certain regulations. There has to be two working parents, not above a certain income. Those regulations were relaxed at Snug Harbor and the Early Childhood Center this year. At Wollaston, there has to be two working parents and they can’t make above a certain income level. Screening are done in March. Half of the spots are open for SPED that may come in. SPED students that are referred from early intervention at three years old. The others are at a first come first serve basis. Notices go home with students, press releases are in newspapers, on the website, and on the radio. All SPED students are tuition free. All others pay on a sliding scale fee.

Mrs. Mahoney thought it was important to open it up to more students since these programs are beneficial to the system because they identify problems. She suggested we reach out to Governor Patrick to let him know what we’re doing in Quincy.

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Competency Determination

The Department of Education has new guidelines concerning the testing of students. There are two major components, testing and perimeters. This will have a major impact on students. The competency determination is a prerequisite for graduation. For the class of 2010, three tests will count this year. The DOE has raised the passing standard to 240 beginning with 2010, this year’s sophomores. Or they can still pass with 220 however, this Educational Proficiency Plan (EPP) kicks into affect. Beginning with 2010, the DOE has added a Science and Technology component. Beginning in 2012 students will have to pass the US History test. If they score under 240, they will need to complete courses in grades 11 and 12 in the subject that they did not achieve proficiency.

The students will be requried to either meet or exceed the scale 240 in both ELA and math. Or if they don’t reach that mark, they will be required to fulfill the requirements of Education Proficiency Plan. The purpose is to increase the likelihood that Massachusetts students will succeed in college or in the workforce.

Mr. O’Brien showed the DOE timeline. They are behind, but the mandate is there. Quincy has been working and is fully in gear to identify strengths and weakness. Extra programs are in place. However, 240 is a challenge. If this were in place last year, 125 students would fall into this range.

Mr. McCarthy asked for a copy of this presentation.

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Mr. Puleo announced a Health, Safety and Security Subcommittee meeting at 7:00 p.m. in North Quincy High School.

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Additional Business/Request for traffic Study Date

Mrs. Mahoney reported that PAC had a meeting and Jack Gillon was present. There were some questions and a request to find an approximate time frame when he can do a comprehensive study for traffic at NQHS. She asked Mayor Koch to get back to the Health Safety & Security Subcommittee with that information.

Quincy High School will hold a Science Department Fair Thursday March 6, at Quincy High School.

Student Recognition

Mrs. Mahoney reported that there were Quincy recipients in the Scholastic Art Awards. 3,487 pieces submitted and there were 376 participants. Three students from Quincy won-- From North, Pauline Nichols, received an honorable mention; Helen Young, submitted three pieces and she got a gold key, a silver key, and an honorable mention. Quincy High student, Briana Bursten, was a gold key winner. She asked the Superintendent to have these students back in May.

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Exec. Session Cancelled

Mr. McCarthy announced that Mr. Walsh, Mr. McGrath and he were going to meet tomorrow regarding negotiations. Therefore, there would be no executive session this evening. There may be an executive session on March 12 to discuss the articles in the newspaper regarding former personnel with the lawyers to make sure they as a school committee have a good understanding of what went on and what is going on in the future.

Mrs. Dwyer said would like to reschedule the Executive Session for contract negotiations to March 12, and if Mr. McCarthy has anything to add on negotiations, to contact her. The Superintendent will contact the school attorneys

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Retirements

The Committee noted the following retirements:

Teachers: Peter Conroy, Antoinetta Daly, Thomas DiTullio, Cynthia Gurwitch, John Henderson, Ellen Power, Patricia Quintiliani, David To

Dept. Chair: Kathleen Swanson

Asst. Principal: Janet Kane, Robert Limoncelli

Resignations

The Committee noted the following resignations:

Café Helper: Virginia Donovan

Paraprofessional: Gina Dwyer

Appointments

The Committee noted the following appointments:

Teacher: Robert LaRaia

Lunch Attendant: Jean Grande

Paraprofessional: Susan Maloney

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Adjournment

On a motion by Mrs. Dwyer, seconded by Mr. Mulvey, the Committee adjourned for the evening at 8:58 p.m. There was no executive session. On a roll call vote, the motion to adjourn passed 6-0. Mrs. Bragg was absent.