June 16, 2010 School Committee Meeting

Agenda

Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
June 16, 2010

7:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers

I. Approval of Minutes: Regular Session minutes for May 26, 2010 and Executive Session Minutes for May 26, 2010.

II. Superintendent’s Report:

A. High School Graduations

B. Quincy High School Dedication (August 29, 2010)

III. Open Forum: (7:15 p.m.) 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. District Improvement Planning (2010-2011)

VI. Additional Business:

VII. Communications:

VIII. Hearings:

IX. Reports of Special Committees:

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
  4/7/2010 RTTT
  4/7/2010 Curriculum Director
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
  3/3/2010 Coddington Hall
Health, Safety & Security    
McCarthy/Isola/Dwyer 3/17/2010 North Quincy Traffic Intersection
  4/11/2007 HS Health Curriculum
  3/26/2008 Increase School Breakfast Participation
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
  6/3/2010 (Subcommittee) Free & Reduced Lunch
  6/10/2010 Waivers
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 - June 16, 2010
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee

Regular

A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 in the City Council Chambers, City Hall. Present were: Mr. Dave McCarthy, Mrs. Emily Lebo, Ms. Barbara Isola, Mrs. Elaine Dwyer, Mrs. Anne Mahoney, and Mayor Thomas P. Koch, Chairman.

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. Mullaney, Draicchio, and Keith Segalla; Ms. Roberts, Tenaglia, Todd, and Hughes. Paul Phillips, QEA President and Ms. Tracey Christello, Citywide.

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Reg. Session Mins. 5/26/2010

On a motion by Mr. McCarthy, seconded by Mrs. Mahoney, the regular session minutes for May 26, 2010 were approved. On a roll call vote, the motion passed 6-0. Mrs. Bragg was absent.

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Ex.Session Mins. 5/26/2010

On a motion by Ms. Isola, seconded by Mrs. Lebo, the Executive Session for May 26, 2010 were approved. On a roll call vote, the motion passed 5-0. Mrs. Bragg was absent and Mrs. Dwyer ABSTAINED.

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Staff Recognition Phillip Connolly Retirement

At this time, the Committee recognized Mr. Philip J. Connolly, Principal of the Clifford H. Marshall Elementary School. Mr. Connolly began as a teacher in 1973 at Parker School. He was a teacher at Snug Harbor and in 1988 he became principal at Webster School. Mr. Connolly then went on to become principal of the new Clifford H. Marshall Elementary School. Mr. Connolly was accompanied by a large group of teachers and principals at the meeting.

Appointment Nick Ahearn

The Superintendent introduced Mr. Nicholas Ahearn whom the Superintendent has appointed as the Acting Principal of the Clifford Marshall Elementary School.

Supts. Report

The Elementary All-City Band and the Middle School Jazz Band played last evening at North Quincy High School. Sixty to seventy students participated and played beautifully. This is a great program that will continue to grow.

Quincy received a memo from the Mass Department of Elementary and Secondary Education that our Special Education Determination Level is Level 1. Congratulations to Ms. Todd and her staff for the gains made over the past academic year meeting the criteria for Level 1.

The Committee received a copy of Safety First. The newsletter by Mike Draicchio, Director of Safety and Security. This is a great communication piece.

The Mayor thanked everyone for the preparation work at the Veterans Stadium for the two high school graduations. He thanked Mr. Murphy and the Maintenance and Park Dept. staffs. It turned out to be two beautiful evenings and everyone was very pleased.

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Open Forum

Lori Hagborg presented the Committee with a letter written by Curtis DeBisschop, a fifth grader at Squantum School, and signed by 60 or so students to persuade the Committee not to cut the band program. She also presented a petition signed by parents that stated

“learning to play a musical instrument is an important and valuable experience in a young child’s education. Though not all children may wish this experience, the opportunity must remain available for those who do. We implore the Quincy School Committee to find a way to keep an instrumental music program available to our elementary schools students. We are willing to work together with you to find a way.”

There were 139 people who signed this petition.

Ms. Liz Angell, a reading teacher at the Atlantic Middle School, gave statistics on 2009 MCAS scores --42% of Central students did not receive a competent grade in science and technology, 56% of Atlantic students did not receive a competent grade in science and technology, 64% of Sterling students did not reach competency, 65% of Broad Meadows did not receive competency, and 72% of Point Webster students didn’t achieve competency in Science and Technology. Also in the English, Language Arts MCAS 16% of Atlantic students were not competent, 17% of Central students were not competent, 22% of Broad Meadows students were not competent, 36% of Sterling student were not competent and 41% of Point Webster students are not competent in reading comprehension.

With these results, Ms. Angell said we need more teachers for technology and reading, not cuts. Reading is the only licensure that requires a Masters degree to be certified . It is an acquired skill, not innate. It is not in the best interest of students to cut reading and technology teachers.

Scott Allesandro responded to the City Council comments raised Monday night. The percentage of money given to the school department is far below the state average. He is concerned about the per pupil spending. Education, he said, should not bear the brunt of the cuts.

Ann Marie Burke has two children at Beechwood Knoll. She has been hearing about the possible elimination of one of the 2nd grade classes at Beechwood. She can’t image adding another 8 students to the 18 already there. There will be 25 students with different learning styles, language barriers and IEPs.

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Bldg. Update Mr. Murphy Reports

Mr. Kevin Murphy thanked the Maintenance staff, Park Dept., security staff and custodial staff for all the hard work put into Veterans Stadium to bring about the success of the high school graduations. It was a collaborative effort. The Maintenance staff assisted in several other graduations going on at other schools. They have been busy delivering chairs, music equipment, setting up and breaking down the equipment for the Special Olympics at Pageant Field. Maintenance has been busy with repairs--plumbing and electrical repairs at North Quincy High, painters touched up Sterling’s auditorium for their graduation, currently painting the exterior doors at Atherton Hough, installed two new benches at the Marshall Elementary School donated by the PTO. The carpenters built a retaining wall surrounding the exterior at Bernazzani, new tile floor in room 319 at North Quincy High. With the new high school opening, it promises to be a very busy summer.

Mr. McCarthy asked for a list of security checks . Mr. Draicchio is still working on it. Mr. McCarthy asked for a copy of the list.

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New QHS Mrs. Dwyer Reports

The New Quincy High School Building Committee will be meeting the end of June. Mrs. Dwyer said she received two calls about activity at Faxon Field Mayor Koch answered that moving fill around the field is high school related, the stakes are related to the track. The engineers are staking it out. Mrs. Dwyer asked if a company has been hired for the track. Mayor Koch said an engineer was hired to design it, but it has to be rebid because time has lapsed. The stakes are for the appeal. We are still in environmental court. The Mayor said there is funding set aside for the track sitting in an account. Mrs. Mahoney said those funds were site specific to Pageant Field. Why hasn’t he gotten approval to appoint that money to Faxon Field? The Mayor said he is exhausting the appeals process. He won’t go to the City Council until the appeals process is finished some time in the early fall.

Mrs. Mahoney asked about litigation costs and the price tag for the cost of the track. Mayor Koch said that $1 million was set aside for the track and it will go out to bid some time in this fall.

Mr. McCarthy inquired about the contract changeorder list. Mrs. Dwyer said it is the Gilbane contingency account. Mr. McCarthy will call Mr. Cunniff and review these changeorders.

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Central Bldg. Comm. Mrs. Mahoney reports

The Central Building Committee met in April. Mrs. Mahoney asked about St. Anne’s as a potential site for the new Central. She was told by the chair that it was a closed decision. The Mayor said they are checking to see if we are able to obtain that property. They have spoken to the pastor who said it was not for sale. Mrs. Mahoney thought they needed to talk to the Archdiocese. Mayor Koch said the parish first and then the Archdiocese.

Old QHS

Mrs. Mahoney asked the Mayor what his plan was for the old Quincy High School. The Mayor is having an architect collect data. The front of the building may have to be saved. However, the entire building is in need of repair –bringing it up to code, a complete roof, new elevators, ADA, etc. It is very costly. He should have a report next week or two and will share it with the Committee.

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DIP

Mrs. Colleen Roberts gave an overview of the District Improvement Plan. She spoke to the six standards and how they work. Goals are set and the teams strive to meet those goals. Mrs. Mahoney said she was concerned about the challenge because there are less people in the school system who handle these plans.

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Senate Bill

Mrs. Isola said there is a bill in the Senate to extend the recovery money to keep teachers in the classroom. Specifically, this bill is to prevent layoffs of teachers in local districts.

Chapter 70

Ms. Isola presented a listing of 29 districts in Massachusetts with school populations over 5,000 that are receiving 30% or more of their foundational budget from state aid. The average state aid for these communities is 59.9% the student enrollment for these 29 communities represents 35% of the statewide enrollment and these 29 communities get 53% of the statewide Chapter 70 money.

Ms. Isola’s Resolve

Ms. Isola prepared the following resolve:

“WHEREAS there are inequities inherent in the formula used to calculate the percentage a district receives as their foundational budget under MGL Ch. 70 which result in an inequitable allocation of funds to various communities, and

WHEREAS there are inaccuracies in the manner in which the net school spending calculation, which dictates the amount of money a district must spend on education, is determined.

NOW, THEREFORE the Quincy School Committee seeks the assistance of the members of the Massachusetts Legislature:

  1. To address inequities in the allocation of state funding for education to various districts by revising the formula used to calculate the percentage a district receives as their foundational budget under MGL Ch. 70, and

  2. to revise the net school spending formula to account for all expenditures related to educational spending made by a district not currently included in the net school spending calculations, so that the amount of money a district spends on education can be accurately credited towards a district’s obligation to meet its Net school spending mandate.”

Ms. Isola made a motion, seconded by Mr. McCarthy, to send this motion to our Mass Legislature. Ms. Isola wants to start a conversation with the legislatures to find out why we get 17% and other communities get 60%. On a roll call vote, the motion passed 6-0. Mrs. Bragg was absent. Mayor Koch said he will forward that to the Senate President.

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Security

Mr. Mike Draicchio reported that all the cameras in all the schools have gone to a DVR system. There will be four security guards at both high schools. There are 24 cameras at North Quincy High, and all doors have alarms. The Hunt St. lobby entrance can be viewed at the main lobby desk. Mr. McCarthy recognized Mr. Chris Barrett who has resigned. A majority of the issues we addressed have been put in place at North Quincy High School.

Mrs. Mahoney asked the Mayor about the intersection at North Quincy and Walgreens. What is the traffic plans for improvement? The Mayor said he has been working with Walgreens on Hancock Street and East and West Squantum Streets intersections to complete it. It is at 25% design and approaching 100% design for Mass highway purposes. It is on the state list. It is his hope it will be under construction in 2011. They are widening Hancock Street and East and West Squantum Streets and land will be taken.

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Budget Transfers Approved

On a motion by Mrs. Dwyer, seconded by Mrs. Lebo, the Committee voted to accept the year end transfers as presented by Mr. Mullaney. 

Transfer to: Transfer From
Special Ed. Transp. $ 190,000 Computer Ed Repairs $ 6,853.98
Special Ed. Tuitions 397,519.24 Audio Visual Repair $ 5,000.00
Staff Development $ 29,250.60
Print & Advertising $ 5,401.50
Gasoline $114,000.00
Testing $ 12,148.14
Library Books $ 19,136.80
Audio Visual Supplies $ 6,951.00
Library Supplies $ 7,194.00
Software $ 20,222.43
Professional Discretionary $ 35,221.09
Data Process supplies $ 5,636.70
Dues $ 20,405.00
Insurance $ 51,398.00
Employees Benefits $248,700.00
Total $587,519.24 $587,519.24

 

On a roll call vote, the motion passed 6-1. Mrs. Bragg was absent.

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Overnight NQ ROTC Trip Approved 9/22-9/26/2010

On a motion by Mrs. Dwyer, seconded by Ms. Isola, the Committee approved a trip request for North Quincy ROTC students to go to Camp Edwards, Bourne, MA from September 22, 2010 to September 26, 2010. The ayes have it.

Mr. Kevin Coughlin lost his mother this past week. Mrs. Evelyn Coughlin was a family member of the Quincy Public Schools. She worked in the Food Services Department for 17 years.

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Gifts Parker & Marshall Libraries

On a motion by Mr. McCarthy, seconded by Mrs. Dwyer, the Committee accepted checks for $167.09 to the Parker Elementary School Library and $167.09 to the Clifford H. Marshall School Library from the Boston Financial Data Services. The ayes have it.

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Retirement QEA President

Mayor Koch thanked Mr. Paul Phillips, QEA President, for his 14 years of service as QEA President. He appreciated his work on the GIC.

New QEA President

He wished Ms. Allison Cox, the new QEA President, best wishes.

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Retirements

The Committee noted the following retirements:

Principal: Philip Connolly

Teacher: Mary Ann Lencki

Media Specialist: Margaret O’Neill

QEA President: Paul Phillips

Paraprofessional: Claire McGillicuddy

Resignations

The Committee noted the following resignations:

Security: Joseph Barrett

Café Helper: Constance Boudreau

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Executive Session

On a motion by Mr. McCarthy, seconded by Mrs. Mahoney, the Committee voted to go into Executive Session at 8:35 P.M. for the purpose of negotiations. They did not return to open session. On a roll call vote, the motion passed 5-0. MRS. DWYER ABSTAINED and MRS. BRAGG was ABSENT.