March 17, 2010 School Committee Meeting

Agenda

Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
March 17, 2010

7:00 p.m.
Montclair Elementary School

I. Approval of Minutes: Regular Session minutes for March 3, 2010.

II. Superintendent’s Report:

A. Assistant Superintendent of Schools Job Description

B. Quincy School Community Partnership Activities

C. Drop Out Status 2008-2009

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.

D. Approval of Food Services Policy - File 5.6

V. New Business:

A. Career and Technical Education Program Overview: Mr. Segalla to report

VI. Additional Business:

VII. Communications:

VIII. Hearings:

IX. Reports of Special Committees:

A. Special Education Subcommittee: Ms. Lebo to report.

X. Executive Session:

XI. Adjournment:

Subcommittees of the School Committee

Subcommittee Date Referred Business Pending
Budget & Finance
Mahoney/Bragg/Lebo 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/Lebo/McCarthy 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 Track
  10/7/2009 Garden @ Snug Harbor
  3/3/2010 Coddington Hall
Health, Safety & Security    
McCarthy/Isola/Dwyer 10/18/2006 School Zone, Traffic Safety Concerns
  4/11/2007 HS Health Curriculum
  3/26/2008 Increase School Breakfast Participation
  1/6/2010 Lunch Tables
School Policy    
Bragg/Isola/Dwyer 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.
  12/16/2009 School Tardiness Policy
Special Education    
Lebo/McCarthy/Mahoney 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    
Isola/Mahoney/Bragg 10/29/2008 Faxon Field
     
AD HOC COMMITTEES:    
Channel 22    
Mahoney/McCarthy 10/17/2007 Encourage greater use of

 

Minutes

Quincy, Massachusetts - March 17, 2010
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee

Regular

A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 in the Montclair Elementary School. Present were: Mr. Dave McCarthy, Mrs. Emily Lebo, Ms. Barbara Isola, Mrs. Elaine Dwyer and Mrs. Anne Mahoney, Vice Chairman.

Vice Chairman Presiding

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The Superintendent called the roll and Mayor Koch and Mrs. Jo-Ann Bragg were absent. Also present were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary; Mrs. Tefta Burrelli, Clerk; Messrs. Mullaney, Draicchio, and Keith Segalla; Ms. Roberts, Tenaglia, Todd, and Hughes. Paul Phillips, QEA President. Darius Varmahmoodi High School Student Representative.

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Reg.Mins Approved 3/3/2010

On a motion by Mr. McCarthy, seconded by Mrs. Dwyer, the Committee approved the regular session minutes for March 3, 2010. The minutes were changed to reflect that the QHS auditorium and gymnasium won’t be completed until October 2010. The ayes have it.

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Welcome to Montclair

Principal, Renee Lalumiere, welcomed the members to the Montclair Elementary School. The members were then entertained by the fourth and fifth grade students singing the “ABC’s of Democracy.” Montclair staff were also present. After a brief recess, the Committee went on with the business at hand.

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Supt’s Report

Student & Staff Recognition

The Superintendent thanked the Quincy Fire Department for their quick action putting out a small fire on the roof at Squantum Elementary School. Thanks also went to the Maintenance and Custodial staffs that did an extra ordinary job during the last Nor’easter. Atlantic Middle School and the Bernazzani Elementary School had to be closed down because of flooding. All schools are now open.

Supts. Report

He thanked the high school principals and staff for their successful “Open House.” and congratulations went to the Robotics team that placed 12 out of 53 teams. There will be a state Robotics competition on May 1 at Broad Meadows.

Quincy received our drop out rate from Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The trend for Quincy in the past three years has gone from 3.5% to 3.4%, and 2.2% for 2008/2009. Both high schools drop out rate are on the downward trend.

The Policy Subcommittee requested that the Superintendent call the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education about access to RTTT funding. An email from Ms. Conaway, DESE, said that the state is not allowing any changes. If the state does not win Phase 1, they may go a new revisal. The state will be notified in early April. If there is a Phase 3, the Federal government will let everyone know.

Elvis will be at the Marriott Quincy on March 26. The money from this concert will go to fund teacher mini grants.

The Superintendent thanked the principals for all the time they spend after school in the community. They attend many events after school hours. Congratulations went to our middle and high school students who participated in the school science fairs.

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Open Forum

At the Open Forum, Ms. Linda Perry invited everyone to the 2nd Special Education Resource Fair at the Clifford Marshall Elementary School on March 27 from 10:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Mr. Bill Zamzow spoke to the QEA’s rejection of the RTTT funds and the upcoming budget. He rebutted the reasons Mr. Phillips gave for the QEA not signing the MOU. Quincy would have received $1.4 million, but because the QEA didn’t sign the MOU, Quincy is not eligible.

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Bldgs. Update Mr. Murphy Reports

The Maintenance staff made repairs to heating systems, replaced floor tiles removed graffiti, fixed desk hinges, repaired several door locks, a hot water heater at Lincoln Hancock pool, fixed roof drains, installed security cameras at North Quincy and door alarms, and painted bathrooms at Parker. Mr. Murphy said they lost several ceiling tiles, and had roof leaks to address. However, there was no serous damage to any classrooms. The new Quincy High School had leaks in rooms 401/402. Gilbane has been notified. There was no significant damage to any classrooms.

Five security cameras have been installed at the Hunt St. Lobby in North Quincy High and 14 cameras on the bottom floor at North which covers the lobby, atrium, cafeteria, and Hunt St. lobby. Mr. Draicchio will give an overview on door locks completed. There is a permanent security desk at the Hunt Street Lobby. Phones for the front lobby of North Quincy High School are waiting for installation.

The Merrymount had some rain damage to it. The Mayor asked Mr. Murphy for a survey of all roofs – leaks, etc.

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Career & Technical Programs - Overview

Mr. Keith Segalla and his staff gave an in-depth overview of the Career and Technical Programs offered in the Quincy Public Schools. Both high schools principals, Mr. Santoro and Mr. Metzler spoke to all the wonderful technical programs that are available in their schools. Virginia Fidalgo spoke to the Career and Technical programs offered at North Quincy High. Jaren Martin, a senior spoke of the business courses he takes at North. Marcia Forrester spoke to the Credit for Life Fair at the Boston Marriot on March 26. This program will instruct high school seniors on all aspects of finance. It is an interactive one-day seminar on the basics of credit and finance. Seniors from North and Quincy High will attend. Paul Tully, Engineering Instructor at Quincy High spoke to the 16 Technical Education students and their teachers who visited the new Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Academy (STEM) building and were treated to engineering activities. Today is Engineering Day. He thanked the Committee for their support. Debbie Lipton, Youth Director of the South Coastal Workforce Investment Board gave an overview of the Advisory Board 2009/2010 report. Their goals for next year are: teachers will be OSHA trained by May 2010, Chapter 74 approval for Business Technology and Early Education and Care, Market Career and Technical Education programs, complete competency profiles online, update and revise current syllabi and curriculum guides in preparation for the NEASC 10-yr. visit in 2011, Interwrite Boards by February 2010, and incorporate MCAS Technology tests into the eight sections of Freshmen Seminar/Pathways by June 2010.

Ms. Gina Scanlan shared highlights of all the programs ongoing at Quincy High School. There are 15 majors, a new pilot program “Protective Services.” A new Initiative Pathways for 9th grade students.

Ms. Mary Fredrickson spoke to the on-line career assessment program “Career Cruiser.” This program helps students determine what they want to do when they leave high school. Mr. Patrick Noe spoke to the Culinary Arts Program at the new Quincy High School. The Vocational Technical student of the year of the year, Jessica Drago, was present. She is a culinary arts major and told why she chose to go into the culinary arts program. Donna Coleman spoke to preparing the Center for Technical Ed students for positions secondary education or the world of work. How to prepare for a job search. Nancy Brown, culinary arts Future Chiefs received a $40,000 scholarship. She is a graduate of the Quincy High School Culinary Arts Program. Rita Wang graduated from UMAss Department at Dartmouth is now a Research Manager and volunteers as a tax preparer.

The members were very happy with the presentation and hoped tonight’s presentation gave awareness to the people at home what Quincy offers its students. Mrs. Lebo said she was very proud of everyone. She thanked the staff and the partners and gave congratulations to Jessica. She is happy to hear about programs moving to Chapter 74 approval. Congratulations went to the Office Tech program. She thought the Protective Services major is a a lot of work. She asked that Brendan Welch gets more assistance with that program. Competency tracking has begun electronically with three or four teachers. We are using the state’s program and it’s going to take some time.

With regard to the Quincy High School Career Guide booklet, Mrs. Lebo asked that it include that electrical and plumbing students get credit for their hours toward their license.

She asked that the Career Pathways mention the technical majors. The exploratory program is a gatekeeper. Mrs. Lebo asked that there be some language in there that it is part of the process. And, because we are changing the name, we might have to write a new admissions policy.

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Quincy High School

There was no update on the new Quincy High School.

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Central Bldg. Comm. Mrs. Mahoney reports

The Central Building Committee is meeting on Thursday, March 18. On April 6 three members are going into MSBA to participate in designer selection to help choose the new architect. The informational meeting on March 11 on the proposed site was well attended.

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Food Services Policy 5.6 Approved

On a motion by Mrs. Lebo, seconded by Mrs. Mahoney, the Committee took the Food Services Policy 5.6 off the table. On a motion by Mrs. Lebo, seconded by Mrs. Dwyer, the Committee approved the revised Food Services Policy 5.6. On a roll call vote, the motion passed 5-0. Mayor Koch and Mrs. Bragg were absent.

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NQ ROTC to Virginia-Approved

On a motion by Mr. McCarthy, seconded by Mrs. Isola, the Committee approved a trip for the North Quincy ROTC students to travel to Virginia on April 9 – 12, 2010. The ayes have it.

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Asst.Supt.Job Description Tabled

Mrs. Lebo tabled the job description for the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Student Achievement. She asked to see the previous job descriptions for the past three Assistant Superintendents and organizational charts for the past years and the potential organizational chart with this job description.

Health,Safety Subcommittee

Mr. McCarthy took Lunch Tables off the Health Safety and Security Sub- committee and replaced School Zone, Traffic Safety Concerns with North Quincy Traffic Intersection. Ms. Isola would like to see the plans for Walgreens to see how the traffic is going to enter the parking lot.

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Mrs. Isola told the members that Mrs. Christello and members of the North Quincy PAC are very appreciative of the COMCAST money and the technology coming forth to the high school.

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Sp.Ed.Subcommittee Mrs. Lebo Reports

The Special Education Subcommittee met on March 10, 2010. Thanks went to Mr. Draicchio and Ms. Gropp for their presentation. Parents were especially pleased with the way we choose our vendors. They discussed Professional Development for bus drivers and contact cards. Judy Todd is working on developing a card for the buses in case there is an accident. They discussed the second year AARRA funding for special education. Judy Todd and her team gave an overview of the special education program improvement plan. On a motion by Mrs. Lebo, seconded by Mr. McCarthy the Committee approved the Special Education Subcommittee minutes. The ayes have it.

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Policy Subcommittee Mtg. Announced

On March 23 there will be a Policy Subcommittee meeting to discuss Open Forum, Residency, Tardy Policy, Naming of Schools and Maintenance Dept.

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Appointments

The Committee noted the following appointments:

Teachers: Joseph Gugino, Joseph Salvucci

Sr. Clk Typists: Maria Anastasi, Mary McDonald

Resignations

The Committee noted the following resignations:

Teacher: Nancy Duffy

Retirements

The Committee noted the following retirements:

Teachers: Donna Dunbar, Colleen Manning Jr.

Custodian: Dennis Delorey

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Adjournment

On a motion by Mrs. Dwyer, seconded by Mrs. Lebo, the Committee adjourned for the evening at 9:33 p.m. There was no executive session. On a roll call vote, the motion passed 5-0. Mayor Koch and Mrs. Bragg were absent.