Nov. 18, 2009 School Committee Meeting

Agenda

Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
November 18, 2009

7:00 p.m.
Clifford Marshall Elementary School

I. Approval of Minutes: Regular Session Minutes for October 21, 2009.

II. Superintendent’s Report:

A. School Community Partner Recognition, Tom Zukauskas

B. Opportunities and Challenges, Representatives

C. Snug Harbor Community School, Assistant Principal

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. Murphy to report.

B. Update on the New Quincy High School: Mrs. Dwyer to report.

C. Update on Central: Mrs. Bragg and Mrs. Mahoney to report.  

V. New Business:

A. School Committee approval: Donation of 635 dictionaries. See Attachment A.

B. American Education Week Celebration

C. The New Quincy High School Building Committee and Representatives

VI. Additional Business:

VII. Communications:

VIII. Hearings:

IX. Reports of Special Committees:

A. Policy Subcommittee: Mrs. Bragg to report.

B. Budget Subcommittee: Mr. Mariano to report.

X. Executive Session:

XI. Adjournment:

Subcommittees of the School Committee

Subcommittee Date Referred Business Pending
Budget & Finance
Mariano/Bragg/McCarthy 4/11/2007 HS Health Curriculum
  3/29/2008 Bus Rental Fees
  3/29/2008 Building Rental Fees
  9/10/2008 Revolving Funds 5-yrs. History
  5/6/2009 Advanced Placement Policy 10.15.1
  10/7/2009 Half Time Teachers
School Facilities Management    
Dwyer/Mahoney/Mariano 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
  2/8/2006 Conservation
  4/9/2008 11.6 School Facility Policy
  4/9/2008 Track
  9/10/2008 NQHS gym floor named
Health, Safety & Security    
Puleo/Mahoney/McCarthy 10/18/2006 School Zone, Traffic Safety Concerns
  4/11/2007 HS Health Curriculum
  3/26/2008 Increase School Breakfast Participation
School Policy    
Bragg/Dwyer/McCarthy 3/12/2008 Teacher Evaluations
  9/10/2008 Grade Configurations
  3/11/2009 MS Interim Letters
  3/11/2009 Naming of QPS schools/places/etc.
  6/10/2009 Classroom Observations
  9/9/2009 School Calendar
  10/7/2009 Food Services Policy 5.6.1
  10/7/2009 Graduation Requirements Policy 9.11.5
Special Education    
Mahoney/McCarthy/Mariano 1/17/2007 Emergency Information Form
  1/17/2007 Substitute Teachers for SPED
  3/21/2007 Implementation of IEPs
  9/24/2008 INSPIRE Initiative
Rules, Post Audit & Oversight    
Dwyer/Puleo/Bragg 10/29/2008 Faxon Field
     
AD HOC COMMITTEES:    
Channel 22    
Mahoney/McCarthy 10/17/2007 Encourage greater use of

 

Minutes

Quincy, Massachusetts - November 18, 2009
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee

Regular Meeting

A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 in the Clifford Marshall Elementary School. Present were Mrs. Anne Mahoney, Mrs. Elaine Dwyer, Mrs. Jo-Ann Bragg, Mayor Koch, and Mr. Dave McCarthy, Vice Chairman.

Vice Chairman Presiding

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The Superintendent called the roll and Mr. Ron Mariano and Mr. Nicholas Puleo were absent. Also present were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary; Mrs. Tefta Burrelli, Clerk; Messrs. Mullaney, Murphy, O’Brien, Draicchio, Keith Segalla, Ms. Roberts, Tenaglia, Todd, and Hughes. Ms. Tracey Christello, Citywide and Paul Phillips, QEA. Daruis Varmahmoodi and Lawrence Liuzzo, high school Student Representatives.

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Reg. Session. Min. Approved 10/21/2009

On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mrs. Dwyer, the Committee approved the regular session minutes for October 21, 2009. The ayes have it.

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Welcome by Principal

Mr. Phillip Connolly, Principal, welcomed everyone to the Clifford Marshall Elementary School. Ms. LeeAnn Maki read the book Have you Filled a Bucket Today? which is used throughout the school, and Barbara Christenson directed the chorus. They sang “This Land was Made for you and Me.”

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Partnership Recognition

The Committee recognized Mr. Tom Zukauskas with a Certificate of Appreciation. The Cerebral Palsy and the school department have had a wonderful relationship. Among other services, they have given their playground equipment worth well over $10,000. The equipment will be stored and then put up for the Snug Harbor School. Mr. Zukauskas thanked everyone for acknowledging the Cerebral Palsy Board of Directors and staff.

Appointment SH Asst. Principal

The Superintendent has appointed Ms. Margaret MacNeil to the Assistant Principal position at the Snug Harbor School.

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American Ed. Week Student Winners

Ms. Colleen Roberts introduced the winners of the American Educational Week Essay Contest. Their essay was entitled “What Education Means to Me, My Family, and My Country.” Ms. Roberts introduced the first, second, and third place winners, their teachers, and their principals who were present. The first place winners read their essays to the Committee.

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Open Forum

Ms. Linda Perry commended the Clifford Marshall School. It is an example of what inclusion in the community is all about. Also, kudos to Point Webster for their newsletter which includes information about substantially separate classrooms. It shows what’s right about the Quincy Public Schools.

Ms. Carol Dumas announced that QPAC is hosting a documentary “Including Samuel” on Wednesday, December 9 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Thomas Crane Public Library. She invited everyone to watch a family’s effort to include Samuel who has Cerebral Palsy.

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Bldg. Update

Mr. Kevin Murphy reported that electricians installed additional lighting at Broad Meadows, wired the scoreboard at Lincoln Hancock gym. The carpenters completed a storage facility at Beechwood Knoll, a computer closet at Wollaston, refurbished exit doors at Lincoln Hancock, repaired the exterior columns at Atherton House and completed many work orders. Plumbers have freed a major blockage at the Bernazanni. They are continuing their work on the automatic soap dispensers throughout the schools and custodial closets. The Maintenance staff stays busy with heating calls, moving and making repairs.

The roof over the North Quincy auditorium has been completed and repairs and painting to the walls has begun. The bids for the tile at Squantum elemen- tary school’s library are coming in. The Mayor has approved $42,000 for the elevator at North Quincy to be repaired. It will be a complete overhaul. It will be ADA compliant and should be ready by December 10.

Mrs. Bragg asked Mr. Murphy to review the School Improvement Plans. There is a list of repairs that need to be made and some are marked critical.

Mr. Murphy said he was asked by Mr. Timmins to speak at the City Council last Monday evening about his current budget. He wanted to be clear that when he said we were approximately 50% through our budget to the Council that they know that our budget is for supplies and services, and we aren’t using any of that money for anything but supplies and services.

Mrs. Mahoney said to Mr. Murphy that she was confused with his statements to the City Council.

Mr. Murphy answered that he meant to say is that we’ve used approximately 50% of his budget for services and supplies and the money he is currently using for heating issues for Honeywell repairs is not coming out of that. That’s the money we are looking for from the City Council.

Mr. Murphy said he was asked by the Mayor and Mr. Timmins to show up at the meeting to answer questions about Honeywell issues currently going on at our schools. He put together a list of deficiencies. The reason why he was there is because the City is looking for more money from the Council to fix the schools deficiencies.

Mr. Mahoney thought that the School Committee should have been made aware before he went to the City Council. When the Committee is asked questions about Honeywell, and where our buildings stand, we are being told that it is in Gary Cunniff’s hands. So, she was surprised to see him representing the schools with regard to Honeywell. Although the Committee has asked for information regarding Honeywell, they haven’t received anything.

The Mayor said that all contracts come out of the City side. The City is using an inordinate amount of contract lines on issues because they have not resolved the Honeywell issue. They went to the City Council to ask for a $200,000 appropriation in order to keep the heating systems throughout the schools working. Some may be related to Honeywell, some may not.

There are a number of issues the City is dealing with Honeywell. It is all City side funding. The School Committee didn’t take a vote. A lot of issues involve the schools buildings. In order to keep things going the City is taking appropriations and moving it into Mr. Cunniff’s line.

The Mayor said that Mr. Murphy was not asking for any money, the Mayor of the City was asking the City Council for a transfer. Mr. Murphy was asked to be there in case questions came up relating to some heating issues. There was no request by the school system.

Mrs. Mahoney thought it was the wording that there was a shortfall on the school side and that Mr. Cunniff should have been up there. The School Committee would like to have Mr. Cunniff here to educate them on Honeywell issues.

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Mr. McCarthy asked Mr. Murphy to look at the Stadium boiler room. He noticed a significant leak in the boiler room.

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New QHS Update

Mr. Gary Cunniff; Mr. Jim Anderson; Mr. Eugene Caruso, Tishman Project Mgt.; Mr. Ed Frenette, Symmes, Maini & McKee Design Status / MA Chips; Mr. Jim Driscoll, Gilbane Construction; and Mr. Frank Santoro, Quincy High School Principal were present and gave an update on the progress of the new Quincy High School building.

Update on Project

Mr. Cunniff began the update and said that the new high school is a success story in the making. The building is 2/3 of the way finished. Mr. Gene Caruso gave and overall presentation on the building budget. We are on schedule and under budget. The cost of the school is $126,579,607 and we are now at $82,999,897 and the school is 65% complete. We had a contingency fund of $8 million and we have spent $5 million. We will be opening on schedule and the gym and auditorium will be ready by the end of September. There are seven to twelve Quincy residents working there every week. We have been awarded a Mass CHIPS grant for $300,000 for a photo tank system.

Mr. Ed Frenette spoke to the Mass CHIPS grant. Quincy should be receiving a letter this week announcing that we have achieved 34 points on the Mass renewable trust. We will get a 30-kilowatt system for that $300,000.

Mr. Jim Driscoll showed a series of pictures of the building progress. They had a “topping off” on October 15. They are working to close in the building for the winter. All the floors and roof are complete. We are on schedule and on budget. The project is going well.

Mr. McCarthy asked who the Quincy person was that is there to check on the progress of the building. Mr. Cunniff is there all the time. He does the checks.

Mr. Frank Santoro said that all the men are easy to work with. His only concern is the noise from the coffee truck. Staff and students are very excited. It is a whole new way of teaching. Students are very well versed. We have begun our “move” meetings.

Mrs. Bragg questioned a Wheatstone letter the Committee received about a decision whether we are going with Class C or a Phase 4/5 report? Mr. Cunniff said there are still two wells that are capped and are monitored. They are required to monitor them. Wheatstone comes out and checks.

Mr. Cunniff said as they get towards the close out, they will make another punch list. They are working with a consolidated punch list.

The Superintendent thanked the gentlemen for coming to the meeting. On December 14, they will make a presentation to the City Council and share with them plans for parking.

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QHS Bldg. Comm. Mrs. Dwyer reports

Mr. Dwyer reported that the QHS Building Subcommittee voted to go with the Class C filing for Wheatstone. Gilbane has hired Day and Zimmerman Security Service. There is 24-hr. security around the new building.

Mrs. Bragg asked where the contingency fund money goes if it is not used? Mrs. Dwyer said she would like to see it go to restore some of the items that were cut. However, she thought the money would go back to the City. Most of the $5 million contingency fund went to the leaky oil tanks and new sewer pipes.

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Central Building Committee Mrs. Mahoney reports

Mrs. Mahoney reported that the enrollment projections have been submitted to the SBA for Central Middle School. The refreshed Statement of Interest for Reay E. Sterling has also gone to the SBA.

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Gifts Elementary Students

On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Ms. Dwyer, the Committee accepted a donation of 635 dictionaries for elementary students from the Quincy Lodge of Elks. The ayes have it.

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Communications

The Committee commended the Quincy High School Culinary Arts Program. Mr. Noe and his Quincy High students are doing an exceptional job on the many functions being held in the school.

Congratulations went to the Quincy High School Girls’ Volleyball Team. They will be present on the December 16 meeting for recognition.

The MASC acknowledged Senator Michael Morrissey and Representative Ronald Mariano as “Legislators of the Year.” Quincy is very fortunate to have them.

Mrs. Bragg congratulated Mrs. Lebo and Mayor Koch for winning on election day.

The Mayor mentioned the Patriot Ledger article naming Quincy the “greatest place to raise a family.” Congratulations to everyone for the good work they do, especially the outstanding school system in Quincy.

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QPS Robotics to Florida 3/11-3/13/10

On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mayor Koch, the Committee approved the QPS Hyper Robotics Team’s travel request to go to Florida Regional Competitions held at the University of Central Florida on March 11- March 13, 2010. The ayes have it.

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Mrs. Bragg hoped that Quincy’s high schools would submit stories about what’s happening in their schools to the Patriot Ledger. The Ledger has begun a section on area high schools.

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Hanlin Charter School

Mrs. Mahoney reports The City Council joined the School Committee’s resolve regarding the Charter School. Ron Mariano did write a letter against the Hanlin Charter School in Quincy that will go with the package to the Department of Education asking them not to approve the Hanlin Charter School. Mrs. Mahoney attended a information night sponsored by the charter school. There was a lot of miscommunication. Some of the things in their presentation were misleading. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will be at the Crane Library from 4-6 p.m. The public is invited to speak to the final application.

Mrs. Bragg was concerned with some of the statistics they presented. She asked that the Superintendent look it over. Also, they are going to explore using Quincy Public School buses for their students.

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Policy Subcommittee Mrs. Bragg reports

The Policy Subcommittee met on October 28, November 5 and November 12 and reviewed all the School Improvement Plans. These were the best plans they have ever seen. There were many corrective ideas, some new program. Mrs. Bragg made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Mahoney, to approve all of the high school, middle and elementary school plans. The ayes have it.

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Graduation Requirements Policy 9.11.5 approved

On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mrs. Dwyer, the Committee approved the Graduation Requirements Policy 9.11.5. On a roll call vote, the motion passed 5-0. Mr. Mariano and Mr. Puleo were absent.

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Budget Subcommittee

Mrs. Bragg reports The Budget Subcommittee met on Monday and reviewed the Quarterly Budget which went through to September 30. Everything looks great. We are hoping for a mild winter. We are where we should be. Mrs. Bragg made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Mahoney, to approve the Quarterly Budget Report. The ayes have it.

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Appointments

The Committee noted the following appointments

Teachers: Colleen McDonnell, Breanne Therrien

Paraprofessional: Christina Conley

Resignations

The Committee noted the following resignations:

Guidance Counselor: Lauren Gallo-Heston

Teachers: Nicole McGovern,  Matthew Reggiannini

Café Helper: Lillian Shionis

Retirements

The Committee noted the following retirements:

Paraprofessional: Kathleen Cashman

Sr. Clerk-Typist: Diane McNiff Jr.

Custodian: Raymond Scanlon

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Adjournment

On a motion by Mrs. Dwyer, seconded by Mrs. Mahoney, the School Committee meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m. for the evening. There was no Executive Session. On a roll call vote, the motion passed 5-0. Mr. Mariano and Mr. Puleo were absent.