Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts – September 30, 2015
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular Meeting
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday,
September 30, 2015 at the Coddington Building. Present were Mr. Paul Bregoli,
Mr. Noel DiBona, Ms. Barbara Isola, Mayor Thomas Koch, Mrs. Anne Mahoney,
Mr. David McCarthy, and Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Vice Chair.
Vice-Chair
Presiding
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The Superintendent called the roll and all members were present. Also
present were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary; Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk;
Mrs. Rita Bailey, Ms. Christine Barrett, Mr. Michael Draicchio, Mrs. Mary
Fredrickson, Mrs. Renee Malvesti, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Mr.
James Mullaney, Mrs. Maura Papile, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Keith Segalla, Mr.
Stephen Sylvia, Ms. Judy Todd, Mrs. Ruth Witmer; and Student
Representatives to School Committee Sarah Clancy (Quincy High School) and
Molly Donohue and Nassim Touill (North Quincy High School).
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There was a moment of silence in memory of retired teachers Susan Reilly
and Gail Paton, Della Chiesa student Victoria Scheurch, Quincy High School
graduate Jason Savage, and parent Paul Andrade.
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Regular Meeting Minutes Approved
9/16/15
Mr. Bregoli made a motion, seconded by Mr. McCarthy, to approve the Regular
Meeting minutes for September 16, 2015. On a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Special Meeting Minutes Approved
9/29/15
Ms. Isola made a motion, seconded by Mr. Bregoli, to approve the Special
Meeting minutes for September 29, 2015. On a voice vote, the ayes have it.
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Open Forum
As no one wished to speak at Open Forum, School Committee moved to the next
item on the agenda.
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Superintendent's
Report
Dr. DeCristofaro opened the Superintendent’s Report by introducing Senior
Director of Student Support Services Maura Papile. The Rural Masonic Lodge is
being recognized for their many contributions to the Quincy Public Schools:
sustainable programs, such as Rachel’s Challenge, holiday assistance, and the PBIS
program. For Health and Wellness, two new AEDs were purchased, one for Snug
Harbor and the other for Lincoln Hancock, both the kits and wall cabinets. For
PBIS, Mrs. Papile introduced Principals Christine Barrett, Stephen Sylvia, Renee
Malvesti, and Ruth Witmer who shared video presentations and details of the PBIS
implementation at their elementary and middle schools. Through the generosity
of the Rural Masonic Lodge, elementary and middle school teams have had
multiple days of training provided by the May Institute.
Mrs. Papile presented the Rural Masonic Lodge with a certificate on behalf of the
Quincy School Committee and Quincy Public Schools. Dr. DeCristofaro said that
with the support of the Rural Lodge of Masons, our phenomenal principals and
teachers have swiftly implemented this PBIS system. He also thanked Mrs. Papile
for the organization of this PBIS Initiative.
After a brief recess, Dr. DeCristofaro discussed upcoming Quincy
School~Community Partnership events, including the Health Symposium, Teacher
Mini-Grant Ceremony, and Professional Educator Status Reception.
Quincy Public School’s preliminary enrollment is 9,339 students; average class
size for elementary students is 20 for Kindergarten and Grades 4-5; 19 for Grades
1-3. At the middle school level, 87% of class sections are 23 students or fewer.
For the two high schools, 76% of class sections are 23 students or fewer. A few
sections are in the 29-30 range and the schools are working to remedy that. A full
report will be shared at the October 14, 2015 School Committee meeting.
The Sterling Building Committee met on Monday, September 28 to share the
Preliminary Schematic Design in advance of the October 1 submission to the
MSBA. On October 13, a meeting will be held with Sterling Middle School staff to
review this preliminary design. On October 28, the design will be presented to the
MSBA Facilities Subcommittee, followed by the full MSBA Board Meeting on
November 18. Presentations to School Committee and City Council will be
scheduled.
The Full-Day Kindergarten grant which was cut from the state budget last spring
has been funded for $250,000. Mayor Koch made a motion to place this into the
Budget & Finance Subcommittee for discussion. Mayor Koch suggested one-time
needs could be addressed. Mr. Bregoli seconded the motion and on a voice vote,
the ayes have it.
Dr. DeCristofaro noted that the Special School Committee Meeting held on
September 29, 2015 emphasizes School Committee’s connection to the District
Improvement Plan, attention to the items currently in Subcommittee in the many
meetings to come this year. Dr. DeCristofaro thanked School Committee for their
throughtful review of goals and initiatives.
Sterling Middle School’s 5K Fun Run/Walk had over 100 participants on Saturday,
September 26. Over 40 parent volunteers organized the event and a family fun
day to follow, led by Physical Education teacher Kyria DiPietro.
Dr. DeCristofaro noted that Director of Safety & Security Michael Draicchio was at
all weekend events from Friday night’s high school football game, to the Sterling
event, and the President’s City 5K Run/Walk on Sunday, which drew 450
participants and raised $20,000 to support Quincy Public Schools Health &
Wellness initiatives.
Upcoming Parent Academies were announced: two Elementary Report
Cards/Aspen Overviews on November 17 at Central and December 1 at Atlantic,
5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Open House for parents to drop in.
Dr. DeCristofaro noted that the Beechwood Knoll Fall Festival has been
rescheduled to Saturday, November 7, due to weather forecast for October 3.
Program Newsletters for Special Education, Elementary and Middle School
Curriculum and Home-School Connections for the Beechwood Knoll Elementary
School was shared with the School Committee.
Dr. DeCristofaro noted that new middle school athletics opportunities include a
competitive swimming team, a tennis program, and a wrestling program to begin
in January. The Inspire Quincy video highlighted the Medal of Honor speakers at
North Quincy High School, Health Screenings, Junior Gardeners at Squantum,
Sterling Middle School 5K Fun Run/Walk, Community Service, Middle School
Tennis program, Middle School competitive swimming, City of Presidents 5K
Walk/Run, Community Service update.
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New Business
Special School Committee Meeting
Mrs. Hubley asked each School Committee member to review the items that were
reviewed and added to each Subcommittee. For the Budget and Finance
Subcommittee, their goal and purpose will remain as presented.
For the Facilities and Security Subcommittee, Mr. McCarthy removed the Sterling
Building Plans item, now that the project is underway and a Sterling Building
Committee established and meeting regularly. Mr. McCarthy also removed the
Saville Avenue houses item as those are now being used for City of Quincy offices.
Mr. McCarthy also asked for an update on the Presidents City Inn from the owner’s
Attorney Edward Fleming. At an upcoming Facilities meeting, Mr. McCarthy would
like to review school security upgrades completed over the last year. Mr. Draicchio
has done a superb job with keeping up with Quincy Public Schools security needs.
For the Health, Transportation and Safety, Mr. DiBona removed School Meal Charges
(addressed during last year’s Coordinated Program Review); Science Lab Safety
procedures; and Food Services Technology (installations complete). The
intersection at North Quincy High School item will remain until all construction
complete; for Solar Panels, Mr. DiBona asked for an update from Public Buildings.
Mr. DiBona asked to retain the remaining items and to add Peer Mentoring for
Grade 9 students, a new initiative this year.
For the Policy Subcommittee, Mr. Bregoli requested information on how many
current seniors will take four years of Mathematics and how many of last year’s
graduates took four years of Mathematics. Mr. Bregoli removed the New Educator
Evaluation, High School Community Service, and Residency items. Mr. Bregoli
requested that the Attendance Officers present mid-year and end of year updates on
Residency issues pursued. The remaining items will be retained. Mr. Bregoli
suggested surveying parents about beginning school before Labor Day in the next
year with a September 9 start date, 2021.
Mrs. Mahoney presented for Special Education and requested to remove the
program assessment item, as this is part of the PIP review. The item related to
substitute information will be reviewed at the May 25 meeting, once the year of
Special Education IEPs in the Aspen module is completed.
Ms. Isola reported that the Teaching and Learning Subcommittee agreed to revise
the second and third goals and these will be shared at a Teaching & Learning
Subcommittee meeting. Ms. Isola removed the New Educator Evaluation item from
the items in Subcommittee and asked to rename the second item “Advanced
Program Pathways.”
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Out of State Travel
Mr. McCarthy made a motion to approve the out of state travel of Quincy High
School to University of New Hampshire in Durham, New Hampshire on October 21,
2015. Ms. Isola seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
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Additional Business
Mrs. Mahoney asked for an update on the fine levied to the City of Quincy for the
equalization pipe under Faxon Park and the response to Massachusetts Department
of Environmental Protection
Communications
Upcoming meetings were announced: Regular Meetings on October 14 and 28,
2015; Subcommittee Meetings for Teaching & Learning on Monday, October 5 and
Tuesday, October 27; Health, Transportation, and Safety on Wednesday, October 7;
and Special Education on October 21. Mr. McCarthy noted that he would be out of
town on October 19 through 21 and requested to reschedule the Budget & Finance
and Facilities & Security Subcommittees scheduled for October 20.
Mrs. Hubley announced that the Wollaston School Harvest Festival will be held on
Saturday, October 10 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Mr. Bregoli announced that the Faxon Field Track dedication will be held on
Saturday, October 10 at 10:00 am.
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Adjournment
Mr. Bregoli made a motion to adjourn for the evening at 8:20 p.m. The motion was
seconded by Ms. Isola and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.