Oct. 27, 2010 School Committee Meeting

Agenda

Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
October 27, 2010

7:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers

I. Approval of Minutes: Regular Session minutes for October 13, 2010.

II. Superintendent’s Report:

A. North Quincy High Service Learning Project
B. American Education Week (11/17 @ QHS)
C. Quincy Community Business Partnership – Norfolk County Sherriff’s Office
D. John and Abigail Adams Scholarships

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.
D. Former Quincy High School:

V. New Business:

A. Anti-Bullying and prevention Plans: Student Support Services Presentation
B. Out of State Travel: Central Middle School to Lake George, NY. See Attachment A.

VI. Additional Business:

VII. Communications:

VIII. Hearings:

IX. Reports of Special Committees:

A. School Facilities Subcommittee: Mrs. Dwyer to report.
B. Budget Subcommittee: Mrs. Mahoney to report.

X. Executive Session:

XI. Adjournment:

Subcommittees of the School Committee

Subcommittee Date Referred Business Pending
Budget & Finance
Mahoney/Bragg/Lebo 10/7/2009 Half Time Teachers
  9/15/2010 Full Day Kindergarten
  9/15/2010 Opportunities & Challenges
  9/15/2010 Free & Reduced Lunch
  9/15/2010 Short & Long Term Goals
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, 9/29/2010 Coddington Hall
  9/29/2010 Old QHS Disposition
Health, Safety & Security    
McCarthy/Isola/Dwyer 3/17/2010 North Quincy Traffic Intersection
  3/26/2008 Increase School Breakfast Participation
School Policy    
Bragg/Isola/Dwyer 3/11/2009 MS Interim Letters
  3/11/2009 Naming of QPS schools/places/etc.
  12/16/2009 School Tardiness Policy
  6/10/2010 Waivers
  9/15/2010 Attendance Tardy Policy with High School principals
  9/15/2010 CPR/ADE Training
  9/15/2010 Students Use of Electronics
  9/15/2010 Open Enrollment Policy
  9/15/2010 Anti-Bullying 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 - October 27, 2010
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee

Regular

A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday, October 27, 2010 in the City Council Chambers, City Hall. Present were: Mr. Dave McCarthy, Mrs. Emily Lebo, Ms. Barbara Isola, Mrs. Jo-Ann Bragg, Mrs. Elaine Dwyer, Mayor Thomas P. Koch, and Anne Mahoney, Vice Chairman.

Vice Chairman Presiding

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The Superintendent called the roll and all members were present. Also present were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary; Mrs. Tefta Burrelli, Clerk; Messrs. Mullaney, Draicchio, Mulvey, Murphy and Keith Segalla; Ms. Roberts, Tenaglia, Todd, and Hughes. Ms. Allison Cox, QEA President and Ms. Tracey Christello, Citywide. Associate Members John Kozlowski (QHS) and Winifred Akoury (NQHS).

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Reg. Meeting . Mins. Approved 10/13/2010

On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Ms. Isola, the Committee approved the regular session minutes for October 13, 2010. The ayes have it.

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Student Recognition

Principal Earl Metzler presented the students on the North Quincy High School Service Learning Project. These students told the members of their experiences at Children’s Hospital in Boston. They are working to get donations for the hospital. Their art work will be displayed at North Quincy High School next Thursday evening and everyone is invited to purchase the art work. They are also printing a catalog of their art work. Proceeds will go to the Children’s Hospital in Boston. Over 200 students are involved in the project. The Committee was very proud of their work and thanked them very much.

Sheriff Bellotti Recognized

Mr. Mike Draicchio introduced Norfolk Country Sheriff Michael G. Bellotti who was recognized by the School Committee for the work he and his office does for the Quincy Public Schools. Among other services, Mr. Bellotti’s office was instrumental in the installation of surveillance cameras at North Quincy High School.

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Supts. Report

American Education Week will be on our November 17 School Committee agenda. John and Abigail Adams Scholarships were given to top 25% of our high school students who passed on the MCAS. This year, 194 scholarships were given to Quincy students. The National Honor Society students will be at the Church of the Presidents this Friday.

Gifts – Music Dept.

Quincy received a check for $10,000 for our music program. The money came from the estate of Randy California. The Superintendent met with Rich Kenneally, Music Department, on how the money should be best spent. This is a great thing for our Music Department. Secretary of Education, Paul Reville, was in Quincy and visited the Atherton Hough and Beechwood Knoll Schools to congratulate the students and teachers for their accomplishments in student achievement and for being named Commendation Schools.

The Special Olympics will be held October 29 at Squantum Elementary School. The Superintendent thanked Mr. and Mrs. Guarino for helping with the event. They will be talking to staff on how to use the money. The Superintendent was invited to speak at the Citywide meeting. He spoke to them about bullying and what the school system is doing to prevent it.

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Open Forum

Mrs. Tracey Christello thanked the Superintendent for spending the evening with them at Citywide. She spoke of the High School Department Chairs taking on more classroom time. At middle schools, technology and reading programs are lacking. Everyone, she said, is stretched to the limit.

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Bldg. Update

The Maintenance Department completed the last of their five construction projects at North Quincy High School which they began this summer –new Science, Math, Social Studies and English, Technology labs Plumbers installed a new condensation receiving tank for a heating system at Coddington Hall. A meeting was held with Kevin Segalla, Sr. custodial staff, and Dennis McGillvray. They discussed the start up of boilers, making sure all exhaust fans are working, maintenance responsibilities and building inspection forms for our schools. They discussed a system for custodians, maintenance and administrative staff to make sure schedules are being implemented.

Mrs. Bragg asked if all of the staff has been trained by Honeywell to work on new equipment. Mr. Murphy said no, he is working on that. Mrs. Bragg said it was her understanding that it was part of the agreement that all of the staff would be trained.

The Superintendent added there are a lot of issues going on especially with Quincy High School. We are focusing on Quincy High School training that we will need and the City may look at contractual services. We are working with the building committee, Mr. Timmins and Mayor Koch. The other training has been off and on and comes from the city side. We’re working with Mr. Cunniff and it has not gone as smoothly as we would like. Mr. Murphy will get back to the Committee with a schedule. However, all of our heating systems are ready to go. This is an on line problem. The training piece is still outstanding. We do have some people trained. Our goal is to have everybody trained.

Mr. McCarthy said that the front overhangs at Broad Meadows and Atlantic need to be painted. There are birds nests there and light timers are off. There is a small storage shed at the Quincy High School tennis courts that has graffiti on it. The North Quincy High gym floor is chipped. Some of the boards are broken. He asked Mr. Murphy to look at these issues.

Mr. Murphy told the Committee that the electrician has checked and there are plenty of lights at the rear of Lincoln Hancock. The custodian changed the bulbs and reported that some of them didn’t light up, but the majority of lights are now working. The electrician will go again and check to see if we have an electrical problem.

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New QHS Mrs. Dwyer reports

Mrs. Dwyer spoke to Tishman about the roof leaks at the Quincy High School gym. Everything has been repaired and the roof is under warranty for one year. Mr. McCarthy asked about the punch list for the Science and Technology wings. He asked if they are they finished in Building A. Mrs. Dwyer will inquire.

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Central Middle School Supts. Reports
Mtg. with Ai3

The Superintendent and staff met with Ai3 architects. They looked at the drawings of the Lynnfield Middle School and how it would fit in the new Central space. The architects were very excited about the project and many more meetings will be planned.

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Former QHS Land Disposition

The School Facilities Subcommittee met to discuss the former Quincy High School building earlier this evening at 6:30 p.m. and to discuss the Committee’s concern with what would happen to the land once the old building was torn down.

Vote to turn former QHS to City

On a motion by Mrs. Dwyer, seconded by Mrs. Lebo, the Committee voted on the following motion:

WHEREAS the City of Quincy has recently opened the newly constructed Quincy High School building, and in doing so, discontinued the use of the building that formerly served as home to Quincy High School; and

WHEREAS, the School Committee has reviewed options for the use of the old high school building and the costs for same, and thereupon concluded that the building does not allow for financially-feasible reuse options, but the land on which it sits will serve as an important part of the grounds and campus of the new Quincy High School.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF THE CITY OF QUINCY that, in accordance with the provisions of Section 33 of the Charter of the City of Quincy, the School Committee discontinue the use of the building that formerly served as Quincy High School, but retain the land on which the building now sits and the grounds surrounding it to serve as an integral part of the campus of the newly constructed Quincy High School.

The members wanted to know if they vote in the affirmative, does the City have to do anything else to guarantee that the land stays with the School Committee. The Mayor stated he would go to the City Council for funding for demolition of the old Quincy High School. There is no interest on the city side but to make it part of the campus. The only role the City Council will have is to approve the money. Mr. Timmins added that “the Committee didn’t need to go further after this vote. The Committee considers this land to be an integral part of the Quincy High School campus. That is contained within the motion. The City doesn’t need to take any action. You are saying you want to keep this as part of the campus. By doing that, you maintain control over the buildings and grounds. This will remain part of the grounds of Quincy high School by virtue of this vote and that should end it. The School Committee will maintain control of the land. It will come down in the summer.” Mrs. Mahoney asked if we don’t have the City Council bond, what will happen to the building? The Mayor said he suspected that the City Council will approve it. The City Council cannot take the land and sell it.

Motion passes to turn former QHS to City

On a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously 7-0.

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Bullying Presentation

Ms. Maura Tenaglia and her staff gave a presentation on anti bullying. They showed where we were last year, where we are now and where we are going with our classes, policies and procedures. All levels of the Student Support team were present and spoke. All teachers and principals are very supportive of the initiative. Everyone is united in addressing this issue. On September 7 Ms. Tenaglia and staff did a presentation on how to report and recognize bullying. They have given training for bus drivers, senior custodians, and café works. In January Quincy will file a curriculum review for teachers. Ms. Tenaglia has to submit a plan to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The members inquired about the new incident report form for bullying. This new form is already in use. The schools automatically notify parents if they see bullying. The members asked that the form be posted on our website for parents.

The Policy Subcommittee is still working on the Bullying Policy and will get back to the full Committee when it’s finished.

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Out of State Travel CMS to Lake George

On a motion by Mayor Koch, seconded by Ms. Isola, the Committee approved the request by Central Middle School to go to Lake George, New York from June 1-June 2, 2011. The ayes have it.

NQHS auditorium named after Chrisom

On a motion by Mayor Koch, seconded by Ms. Isola, the Committee put into the Policy Subcommittee a request to name the auditorium at North Quincy High School after Peter J. Chrisom, the former principal of North Quincy High School. The ayes have it.

Gift to Music Dept.

On a motion by Mrs. Bragg. seconded by Mr. McCarthy, the Committee approved the gift of $10,000 from the estate of the late musician Randy California ne Wolfe’s estate “to the Quincy Public Schools to enlighten the students on the music and works of Randy California.” The ayes have it.

The Committee remembered Ms. Doris Dooner, a long time teacher at Quincy, who passed away recently.

Mrs. Bragg asked if the listing of members requests that School Committee previously received be reinstated.

The Mayor’s Golf Tournament raised $53,000 which is going to various charities. Mrs. Mahoney asked the Mayor if the School Department could get some of that money. Mayor Koch stated that the money received from the Mayor’s Golf Tournament will go through a process where they identify some local non profit organizations. They will be making a contribution to the Quincy Educational Fund.

Mrs. Lebo attended a fundraiser in a Brookline home for “Future Chefs.” She was pleasantly surprised to see Quincy alumni and current Quincy students there. Over 500 people attended the fundraiser.

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Budget Subcommittee Mrs. Mahoney reports

Mrs. Mahoney reported that we’re keeping an eye on some line items – security, drivers and overtime. There was some discussion in regard to requests for short term and long term goals from the Superintendent with regard to what we have identified as approximately $5 million shortfall for next year’s budget and we have approximately $1.4 million worth of ARRA money that can be spent over the next couple of years. The Committee is being very cautious how they use that money because of the shortfall. Mrs. Mahoney stated that their hands are tied because we do not know where we’re going in regards to budgets for next year. Until we have that we are not going to be able to make any decisions. We will have a Budget Subcommittee meeting at 6:00 p.m. on November 17 at Quincy High School prior to our regularly scheduled meeting to begin discussion on full-day Kindergarten and implementing a tuition based full day Kindergarten.

Full Day K Discussion

Mrs. Dwyer asked for information regarding full day Kindergarten. She asked the Superintendent to see what our surrounding towns are doing for full day kindergarten. See what other towns are charging. Have the information updated to see if any other towns have increased their fees, the status, and see what their success is for those towns that have instituted a fee. Take a look at what we know currently for the free and reduced to see what the impact will be with regards to going forward with a fee based full day Kindergarten.

The Budget Subcommittee will meet on Wednesday, November 17 prior to the next School Committee meeting at Quincy High School @ 6:00 p.m. to begin discussion on implementing a tuition based full day Kindergarten.

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To Exec. Session

At 8:48 p.m. and on a motion by Mayor Koch, seconded by Mr. McCarthy, the Committee voted to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing the Superintendent’s. contract. On a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously 7.0. The Committee will return to Open Session. Minutes for the Executive Session will be taken by Mr. Timmins.

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Committee returns
Supts. contract extended to 12/31/2010

At 10:48 p.m. the Committee returned to Open Session. On a motion by Mrs. Dwyer seconded by Mrs. Mahoney, the committee voted to extend the Superintendent’s contract to December 31, 2010. On a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously 7-0.

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Adjournment

At 10:40 p.m. on a motion by Ms. Dwyer, seconded by Mrs. Lebo, the Committee voted to adjourn for the evening. On a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously 7-0.