Jan. 3, 2012 Organizational Meeting

Minutes

Quincy, Massachusetts - January 3, 2012
Organizational Meeting of the Quincy School Committee

Organizational Meeting

An Organizational Meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on January 3, 2012, at 6:30 p.m. at Quincy High School. The following members were present: Mr. Paul Bregoli, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Ms. Barbara Isola, Mrs. Emily Lebo, Mrs. Anne Mahoney, Mr. David McCarthy, and Mayor Thomas P. Koch, Chairman. Also present were Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.

Chairman Presiding

New Members Sworn In

The Chairman proceeded to swear in Mr. Paul Bregoli, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, and Mr. David McCarthy.

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Vice Chairman Elected

The Chairman asked for nominations for the Office of Vice Chairman of the School Committee. Mrs. Emily Lebo nominated Ms. Barbara Isola for the Office of Vice Chairman. Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, Ms. Isola was unanimously elected by a vote of 7-0.

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Ms. Isola’s Address

Ms. Isola thanked her colleagues and noted that she is looking forward to the challenge of her new role. She outlined her goals including collaborating with the members of the School Committee, the Superintendent and his Leadership Team, the Principals, teachers, and parents. The School Committee will hold a Special Meeting to examine their purpose as an organization and what impact they wish to have on the Quincy Public Schools going forward. The School Committee and subcommittees will establish SMART goals, working within the District Improvement Plan Framework.

The School Committee will establish a new subcommittee, focused on Teaching and Learning. Mrs. Lebo will chair this new subcommittee, which will focus on study and analysis of the issues surrounding curriculum and instruction, including data, the District Improvement Plans, School Improvement Plans, and Program Improvement Plans. These discussions will help to create guidelines and policies for the Quincy Public Schools and provide information for the School Committee to consider during the budget process. In today’s economic climate, Quincy Public Schools is operating in a system of doing more with less and being creative and cost-effective simultaneously. The dedicated staff of Quincy Public Schools are striving to create a culture of achievement for all students; it is up to the School Committee to support them. The question for us all is in this data- and test-driven world, how can we provide students with the tools to both achieve and think outside the box. Ms. Isola concluded by stating that she was looking forward to working with her colleages and the Quincy Public Schools staff with collaboration and common spirit.

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Adjournment

On a motion by Mrs. Mahoney, seconded by Mrs. Lebo, the Organizational Meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m. The ayes have it.