Dec. 8, 2010 School Committee Meeting

Agenda

Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
December 8, 2010

7:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers, City Hall

I. Approval of Minutes: Regular Session minutes for November 17, 2010.

II. Superintendent’s Report:

A. Quincy Lodge of Elks, Dictionary Donations (Partnership Recognition)
B. Drug Awareness Week (January 4-7, 2011)
C. Lions Club Speech Contest, December 15
D. Quincy High School Re-dedication December 10
E. Fall Institute 2010 Highlights
F. Patriot Ledger All Scholastic Students

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. Final Approval of the Anti Bullying Policy 10.18:
E. Approval of the Anti-Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan:
F. Final Approval of the Naming School Facilities Policy 6.4:

V. New Business:

A. District Improvement Plan 2010-2011 Overview
B. Gift: Donation of 695 dictionaries from the Quincy Lodge of Elks. See attachment A.

VI. Additional Business:

VII. Communications:

VIII. Hearings:

IX. Reports of Special Committees:

A. Policy Subcommittee: Mrs. Bragg 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 & Transportation    
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
  12/16/2009 School Tardiness Policy
  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
  10/2010 Harassment Policy
  11/17/2010 Jewish Holidays
  11/17/2010 Polling Places
  11/17/2010 Internet/Technology Policy re: Social Networks
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 - December 8, 2010
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee

Regular Mtg.

A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday, December 8, 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

- - -

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. Associate Members Donna Niosi (QHS) and Winifred Akoury (NQHS).

- - -

Reg. Meeting Mins. Approved 11/17/2010

On a motion by Mayor Koch, seconded by Mr. McCarthy, the Committee approved the regular session minutes for November 17, 2010. The ayes have it.

- - -

Supts Report

For the fifth consecutive year, dictionaries have been donated to all our third graders by the Quincy Lodge of Elks. Mr. Jim Folk and Ms. Maureen Mesheau representing the Elks, were recognized by the Committee and presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for the annual donation of dictionaries. This year, the Elks donated 697 dictionaries.

Gift-Dictionaries to 3rd. Graders

On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mayor Koch, the Committee accepted the gift of dictionaries. The ayes have it. Mayor Koch thanked the Elks for not only do they provide dictionaries to our students, but they provide thousands of dollars to the community.

QHS Gym & Fitness Ctr. Dedication

The rededication of the Munroe MacLean Gymnasium and the George Burke Fitness Center is scheduled for Friday, December 10 at 7:00 p.m. at Quincy High School.

The Lego Robotics competition was held last Saturday at North Quincy High School. Thanks went to all those people who helped put together a very successful event.

Drug Awareness Week

Drug Awareness Week is January 4 -January 7, 2011 at both high schools.

The Mayor’s Drug Task Force, Quincy Public Schools and Quincy’s Rotary Club have collaborated in sponsoring an array of events for high school students to combat teen substance abuse and promote healthy choices. Parents, students, teachers, and administrators are encouraged to be part of the programs generously sponsored by the Mayor’s Drug Task Force and Quincy’s Rotary Club.

The Superintendent thanked Mr. Jim Rendle, Maintenance, and the Park Department for the successful Thanksgiving Day events.

The Lions Club Speech contest for grades 11-12 will be held on December 15 at 6:00 p.m. at Eastern Nazarene College.

Thanks went to Keith Segalla, John Green, Tim Carew, Janice Erler, Brian Smith, Rich Kenneally, Linda Santoro for Tis the Season….. This was a huge success. and enjoyed by the whole community.

- - -

Open Forum Anti bullying

The Chair extended an opportunity for anyone who wished to speak to the new Anti-Bullying Policy. As no one wished to be heard at the Open Forum, the Committee went on with the business at hand.

- - -

Building Update

Maintenance staff has been busy with heating systems which require a lot of attention at this time of year. They have been busy with glazing, caulking at the Squantum St. side of Montclair School. They rented an aerial lift to do this. The carpenters completed over 60 work orders, installed new desk hinges, door knobs, hung white boards, shelves and windows. Painting continues at Atherton Hough. Thanks went to Dennis and Tony for draining and winterizing the heating systems at Veterans Stadium this week. A lot of effort in renovations has been done to the Stadium.

Mrs. Bragg asked if the boilers in the schools are all set for the winter. Mr. Murphy said he’s getting a price to put Glycol into the force hot water systems and putting in anti freeze. They are working fine right now but he will be winterizing them as soon as he gets the bids.

Mr. McCarthy inquired at the third floor leaks at Sterling. Mr. Murphy has not worked on that yet.

Mrs. Mahoney asked about the 11 or 12 schools that have hot water systems that requires Glycol. Mr. Murphy said there is heat in all of our schools. She inquired about the lights heading into the gym in the pool area at Lincoln Hancock Community School. Mr. Murphy said it was the timing schedule.

The custodian set the timer for three hours too early. There are ten lights that are still out. The light by the alcove is working. The electricians are working on heating systems. Mrs. Mahoney said she has received several phone calls from people. She will give them Mr. Murphy’s phone number.

Mrs. Dwyer will meet with Mr. Murphy regarding the School Improvement Plans. The Parker School does not have a working intercom. The “all call” button works only some of the times. Mr. Murphy said this will be replaced the beginning of January.

Also, Mrs. Bragg said according to the Parker principal, the plaster is falling down from the ceiling in rooms 6, 11, 11b, and 16 because the roof is leaking. Mr. Murphy said he will work with principals when the students are out of school on vacation. The Parker School is on the list for a new roof.

Mrs. Mahoney asked for a copy of the list he referred to.

- - -

QHS Building Committee Mrs. Dwyer Reports

The Quincy High Building Committee met on Friday, December 3, to discuss any major problems. The gym floor at the new school is flaking in some areas. This happened because they used a water-base finish. It will not be fixed until the summer. Gilbane and Tishman will be evaluating this. There are some problems with Signet, the PA system, phones and camera access. With regard to the punch list, there are 73 items left. They feel all of these will be fixed in December. The Committee voted to buy seven wall cameras at a cost of $24,673.

Mr. Timmins is working with the City Council to write a policy against skateboarding on public property for the whole City. “No trespassing” signs have been put up around Quincy High School to deter skateboarding.

- - -

Central Middle School Supt. Reports

Central Middle School has been approved by the MSBA to be a model school. Ai3 has been meeting with the Superintendent and staff to talk about the site -- what the school will look like, the educational programs, how the school will be best situated. The Superintendent said Ai3 is outstanding, and it is a pleasure working with them.

- - -

Anti Bullying File:10.9.8 Policy Approved

On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mr. McCarthy, the Committee approved the Anti-Bullying Policy 10.9.8. On a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously 7-0.

Mrs. Bragg thanked Maura Tenaglia and all the people who worked on the plan. It has been shared with QPAC. The Policy subcommittee reviewed it on Monday.

Send to DESE

Mrs. Bragg made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Lebo, to approve it and submit the revised plan to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The ayes have it.

Naming a School Facility File 6.4 Approved

Mrs. Bragg made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Lebo, for final policy approval of the Naming a School Facility File 6.4. On a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously 7-0. Mrs. Bragg asked that the new/revised policies be forwarded to the principals.

- - -

District Improvement Plan (DIP)

At this time, Dr. DeCristofaro, Mrs. Roberts, and Mr. Keith Segalla gave a presentation of the District Improvement Plan (DIP). This plan strives to communicate, collaborate, contribute and work to create an effective, safe and nurturing environment. Our District Improvement Plan underscores and acknowledges our school system’s need to consistently assess and be accountable for achievement of all students in the Quincy Public Schools.

Over 80 teams have been established to consistently examine and assess the many aspects of the school system. These teams are comprised of teachers, department heads, counselors, principals, directors, other professional paraprofessional staff and parents. Their task is to identify areas in need of improvement to establish goals and work within a specific process of managed change.

The DIP is designed to manage and communicate information within the school system. The communication occurs internally through the distribution of team meeting notes and externally through the use of our website.

The standards, indicators, benchmarks, sources of evidence, teams and team goals have been entered into a database as separate tables that are linked together. At year end, after the status of each goal has been reported, the tables are updated. Benchmarks may be added along with additional sources of evidence, team members may be added or removed, new team goals entered or revised, and team meeting times and locations updated for the following year. All this information can then be viewed or printed from a series of reports. These reports are distributed and are on line.

The team goal setting process initiates actions that can be monitored by our sources of evidence. Ultimately, improvement can be evaluated by the success of each team’s completion of their goals which in turn facilitates the change process for improvement in the school system.

The members were very impressed with the District Improvement Plan and that it is now on the Quincy Public Schools website.

- - -

Mrs. Bragg asked that the Student Support Team report on the Harassment Policy in a Policy Subcommittee by April.

Mrs. Lebo inquired about the tutorial in the School Improvement Plans. She said that the schools were going in different directions regarding the MCAS section. The Committee was getting different types of information because their school needs were different. She asked if there could be some standard in what they see.

Mrs. Roberts said she will sit with the principals and look at the different pieces of data. Although each school wants to look at the positives, there are needs and issues in every school. She will take a look at that and try to make those charts much more standard.

Mrs. Mahoney requested that they add them to the Budget Subcommittee and tie in the PIPs and explain our programs and tie them to Jim Mullaney in our budget so we can see how this goes together. She would like the Budget Subcommittee meetings taped and shared with the general public.

Additional Business

Mrs. Lebo asked for an overview of the Common Core coming from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education which the state signed. Mrs. Roberts said that is scheduled for the January 5 presentation.

Mrs. Lebo inquired about funding for a new position at Lincoln Hancock. Mr. Mullaney answered that there was a .2 not filled in a speech position and a .4 teacher who retired. This is how they funded the .6 position. Mrs. Roberts added that the Title 1 funds need to be expended by July 1. This position is at Lincoln Hancock which is a Title 1 school.

Maura Tenaglia, Pupil Personnel Services, will be presenting at the next Citywide meeting on Monday, December 13 at Broad Meadows 7: 00 p.m.

Mrs. Lebo represents Quincy and Boston on the CVT Advisory Council to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. That group is charged with presenting to the Commissioner the needs of Vocational Technical education. The group as a whole has very little knowledge on how a comprehensive high school works. They have requested that one of the meetings be held in a comprehensive high school. Mrs. Lebo suggested Quincy High School. She would like to meet there on February 2 from 10:00 – 3:00 p.m. She would like an overview, a tour, lunch, and a place to hold the meeting. She asked that Frank Santoro and Keith set that up and get back to her.

- - -

12/1 Policy Subcommittee Mrs. Bragg Reports
SIPs approved SQ,BERN,AH,MARSH, MONT, PR

The Policy Subcommittee met on December 1 and Mrs. Bragg made a motion seconded by Mr. McCarthy to move approval of the following School Improvement Plans: Squantum, Bernazzani, Lincoln Hancock, Atherton Hough, Marshall, Montclair and Parker. On a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously 7-0.

On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mr. McCarthy, the Committee approved the Policy Subcommittee minutes for December 1, 2010. The ayes have it.

12/6 Policy Subcommittee Mrs. Bragg reports

The Policy Subcommittee met again on December 6. The Superintendent presented a chart showing open enrollment trends. He expressed concern about exceeding the educational cap. He asked the members to call him with their thoughts. The Superintendent will report back regarding admission to the Center for Technical Education programs at a later date. The Committee then discussed Progress Reports. At a prior meeting, the School Committee added numerous conditions for the teachers to use on the Progress Reports. However, many teachers are not utilizing the comments section and the Committee is still hearing complaints. They discussed various alternatives. They suggested “trending up and trending down,” but did not come to any conclusion. This item will remain in Subcommittee. The members discussed polling places. Mr. Joe Shea, City Clerk, told Mrs. Bragg that he has tried to find other locations for polling but has not had much success. Parents have expressed concern with safety and traffic. Mr. Shea said that one of the reasons they like using the schools is because the custodians do such a wonderful job setting up and cleaning up after the polls closed. Members suggested setting up cones; contacting Mr. Shea again, speaking with the Police Chief for more coverage, our principals, and Mike Draicchio for more suggestions. The findings will be report back in the first meeting in March.

The Policy Subcommittee will meet again in January 26 to discuss mostly high school issues --the school tardy/attendance policy, update on the CPR and ADD training in the schools, student use of the Electronics/Internet Social Networking policy, and work on Progress Reports that tie into both middle and high school.

On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Ms. Isola, the Committee approved the Policy Subcommittee minutes for December 6, 2010. The ayes have it.

- - -

The Committee noted the following appointments:

Teacher: Joanna Kearns

Counselor: Kathleen McCarthy

- - -

Executive Session

At 8:42 p.m. on a motion by Mayor Koch, seconded by Ms. Isola, the ` Committee voted to go into Executive Session for the purposes of collective bargaining and the Superintendent’s contract. On a roll call vote, the motion passed 5-0. MRS. BRAGG ABSTAINED, MRS. DWYER ABSTAINED. Minutes for the Executive Session will be taken by Mr. Timmins.

3-yr. Contract for Supt. reached by SC

At 9:47 p.m. the members returned to Open Session,

Mr. McCarthy made a motion, seconded by Ms. Isola, that after a short deliberation and a few weeks of negotiating with the Superintendent he was pleased to announce that the Committee had reached a draft agreement for a three year contract with Dr. DeCristofaro.

Ms. Isola said she was pleased with the contract that they have come to an agreement and hopefully the Superintendent will be pleased with the contract. She is also pleased that his contract is not going to cost the City additional monies and that we’ll be able to move forward in the interest of the Quincy Public Schools over the next three years.

Mrs. Dwyer said on a personal note, Dr. DeCristofaro has been a terrific, passionate Superintendent and it is their pleasure to extend his contract for three more years. She looks forward to working with him. He is doing a great job and thanked him for his hard work.

Mrs. Bragg told the Superintendent that he has done a great job and looks forward working with him three more years.

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

- - -

Adjournment

On a motion by Mr. McCarthy, seconded by Ms. Isola, the meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m. The ayes have it.