Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts – May 16, 2018
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular Meeting
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday,
May 16, 2018 at Central Middle School at 6:30 p.m. Superintendent
DeCristofaro called the roll and present were School Committee Chair
Mayor Thomas Koch, Mr. Anthony Andronico, Mr. Paul Bregoli, Mr. James
DeAmicis, Mr. Douglas Gutro, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, and Mrs. Emily Lebo, Vice Chair.
Vice Chair Presiding
Also present were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary; Ms. Laura Owens,
Clerk; Mr. Michael Draicchio, Ms. Mollie Goode, Dr. Beth Hallett, Mr. Don
Martin, Mr. James Mullaney, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Ms. Maura
Papile, Ms. Cara Pekarcik, Ms. Erin Perkins, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Keith
Segalla, Mr. Robert Shaw, Mr. Lawrence Taglieri; Quincy Education
Association President Allison Cox; Citywide Parent Council Co-President
Scott Alessandro; and Quincy High School Student Representative Timothy
Nguyen.
§
Regular Meeting Minutes Approved 5,2.2018
Mr. DeAmicis made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hubley to approve the
Regular Meeting minutes for May 2, 2018 as presented. On a voice vote, the have it.
§
Open Forum
Mr. Mark Jaehnig spoke of concerns about large-diamond baseball fields in
Quincy, specifically the number of fields available and proposed upgrades of
Bishop Field, including a perimeter fence and restroom facilities.
Mr. Scott Alessandro, Citywide Parent Council Co-President, requested that
School Committee fund an administrative position for data reporting and
analysis, essential questions can be answered through data.
Ms. Mary Grace Montalto spoke in support of making upgrades to Bishop Field.
Mr. Gutro submitted an email from Mr. Jon Green in support of Bishop Field
upgrades.
§
Superintendent's
Report
Dr. DeCristofaro opened the Superintendent’s Report by introducing 2018
Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Cara Pekarcik, Biology teacher at North Quincy
High School. Ms. Pekarcik thanked Mayor Koch, Dr. DeCristofaro, and the School
Committee for all their support, Mr. Shaw for nominating her, the staff at North
Quincy High School and her students.
Mrs. Lebo thanked Ms. Pekarcik for her representation of Quincy Public Schools
and thanked the Superintendent and the Leadership Team for the increased
emphasis on Professional Development and developing teacher leaders over the
last few years.
The graduating senior members of the National Honor Society were recognized by
School Committee. From Quincy High School: Stephen Andrews, River Barrett,
Alexandra Case, Ziuling Cheung He, Dashiell Chin, Liana Cunningham, Terry Deng,
Paul Donahue, Ava Falco, Shannon Foley, Endi Gjeli, Christina Haley, Klei Hamzallari,
Brandon Ho, Julie Hong, Reagan Hutchens, John Kelly, Smriti Kumar, Catlinh Le,
Izadora Lenna, Ami Lesha, Justin Li, Kevin Lin, Michelle Lo, Brian Mahabir, Julia
Mayo, Carly McMorrow, Kevin Mortimer, Ashley Murphy, Celia Murphy, Emily
Nguyen, Emma Nguyen, Jamie Nguyen, Timothy Nguyen, Brielle O’’Malley, Danielle
Pacione, Benjamin Parrish, Michaela Pettinelli, Norapat Rerngkastkig, James
Robinson, Lauren Saccoach, Erika Sato, Rachel Shen, Victoria Shen, Whitney Tang,
Amy Trillcott, Chi Jung Tsao, Catheleen Veiga, Tina Vo, Chan Juan Weng, Yasmina
Zaharian-Touirto, Anthony Zero, Zhen Hao Zheng. From North Quincy High School:
Isabel Altaf, Nicholas Andrade, Jennifer Butka, Jessica Caldwell, Steven Chen, Wilson
Chen, Brendan Chow, Cora Cluett, Elizabeth Dimattio, Christopher Donaghey, Connor
Donaghey, Ina Hoti, Ali Hussein, Cynthia Lau, Nina Lin, Jonathan Liang, Tamara
Liang, Eric Mei, Joanna Rafti, Aymen Sadaka, Genevieve Santilli, Jessica Tai, Kristen
Thornton, Allison Wong, Gigi Wong, Angela Wu, Fiona Xu, Brian Zou, Jame Zou
Mrs. Lebo said that this is an incredibly impressive group of students and we are
looking forward to see you go out into the world and make us proud.
Superintendent DeCristofaro noted that 62% of the National Honor Society
seniors have been Quincy Public Schools student since Kindergarten and 88%
have been Quincy Public Schools students since elementary school. These
students represent the pillars of the National Honor Society, thanked the students
for their hard work and their parents for supporting them.
After a brief recess, the Superintendent resumed his report by noting that
Beechwood Knoll Elementary School Principal Diane O’Keeffe will be retiring at
the end of this school year. Mrs. O’Keeffe will be recognized at the June 13 School
Committee meeting and her retirement party will be from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm on
June 13 prior to the meeting.
Deputy Superintendent Kevin Mulvey reviewed the process for hiring a new
principal: after the position description has been posted internally and on
Schoolspring for 30 days, 30-minute panel interviews will be scheduled with
candidates. Each interview will consist of an opening statement, questions from
the panel, and an opportunity for a closing statement. The panel will consist of
Deputy Superintendent Mulvey, Special Education Director Erin Perkins, Senior
Director of Student Support Maura Papile, one or more Beechwood Knoll staff
members, a representative from the Quincy Education Association and one or
more parent representatives. After all candidates are interviewed, the panel will
deliberate and recommend one or more candidates for the Superintendent’s
consideration.
Mr. Gutro asked if all candidates are given the same questions. Mr. Mulvey said
that the questions are developed prior to the interviews and each panel member
asks a question based on their area of expertise. All candidates are asked the
same questions.
Dr. DeCristofaro continued his report by announcing a Massachusetts Capital
Skills Grant of $132,000 for technology to support Project Lead the Way at Quincy
High School.
The final Mentor Team meeting of the year was held on Tuesday, May 15, thanks
to Principal Jim Hennessy and Senior Curriculum Director Madeline Roy for
leading the team. Thanks also to the National Association of Government
Employees (NAGE) for their multi-year support of the Mentoring program.
The Parker 100th Anniversary was held on Saturday, May 12 and was very well
attended. Dr. DeCristofaro thanked Mayor Koch and School Committee members
who were able to be there. Thanks also to Commissioner of Public Buildings Paul
Hines and Park Department Executive Director Don Martin for all the work done
to the prior to the event to make the school shine. Thanks to Principal Margaret
MacNeil, Assistant Principal Scott Perfetuo, and Secretary Tracy Pickering for the
planning and organizing.
The Quincy Retired Teachers Association Scholarship event was held on May 15,
over 30 scholarships were given to graduating seniors.
Upcoming events include the Middle School Robotics Challenge on May 19;
Welcome to Kindergarten Parent Academy on May 22; the Quincy Public Schools
Health Symposium on May 23; ELC Celebration of Excellence on May 24; All-City
Choral Festival on May 24; Girl Rising Celebration on May 30. The Montclair May
Festival is May 19 and the Bernazzani Spring Fair is June 2.
Upcoming Quincy School~Community Partnership events include the Community
Service Learning Breakfast on May 30, the Student Athlete Summit on June 1, the
Grade 5 Student Leadership event on June 4, and the QPS Retirement Luncheon on
June 7.
The high school graduations will be held on Monday, June 11 for Quincy High
School and Tuesday, June 12 for North Quincy High School. Both ceremonies are
at Veterans Stadium (weather permitting) at 6:00 pm and in case of inclement
weather, will be held indoors at the respective high school gymnasiums.
§
Old Business
There was no Old Business on the meeting agenda.
§
New Business
Parks Department
Update
Executive Director of the Park & Cemetery Department Don Martin presented an
overview of recent events including Cleaner Greener on May 5 and the
presentation of the plans for the Kincaide Park redesign. The goal is for the
Kincaide Park project is to be out for bid in August or September 2018.
The Parks & Playground Improvement Plan will begin Phase 1 construction after
school closes at the end of June. The Wollaston Elementary School playground
design is complete and contractors are in place for a summer 2018 installation.
The Beechwood Knoll Elementary School playground design will be presented to
the community at the PTO’s Friday, May 18 fundraiser and along with a new
basketball court, will be installed in Summer 2018. Lincoln Hancock Community
School’s playground design was approved this week and installation will begin in
July 2018. The Della Chiesa Early Childhood Center playground design is with the
school and community for review with installation planned for this summer. The
Clifford Marshall playground and outdoor classroom will also be installed in
Summer 2018. At Broad Meadows, two new basketball and tennis courts and new
fencing will be installed in Fall 2018.
Phase 2 of the Parks & Playground Improvement Plan will include Atherton
Hough, Snug Harbor, and Parker for fall and winter 2018 planning, summer 2019
installation.
Mr. Gutro congratulated Mr. Martin on his appointment as Parks Department
Executive Director and requested a copy of his presentation. Mr. Gutro requested
that the baseball field at Kincaide be weeded for the summer season. Mr. Gutro
asked about Pond Street and cited a specific email, which he will re-forward to Mr.
Martin. Mr. Gutro asked about safety issues at Bishop Field, specifically the lack of
fencing and the condition of the field. Mr. Martin said there are only a few secured
baseball fields and while it is desirable, it will be a matter of funding.
Mr. Gutro made a motion to look at Bishop Field for upgrades in light of the
diminishing availability of baseball fields.
On the motion, Mayor Koch noted that Bishop Field has both a baseball and
softball field and the center portion is sometimes used for soccer. Mayor Koch
does not necessarily agree that all of the baseball fields should be secured as it is
an issue of public access. Mayor Koch does not believe that this are matters of
School Committee jurisdiction. There is a Park & Recreation Board and Mr.
Bregoli is the School Committee representative to that board, so these concerns
can be referred to him for exploration.
Mayor Koch thanked Mr. Martin, Mr. Doherty, and Mr. Franz for all of their work
with the school administrators, parents, and community members and the City
Council for funding these playground improvements. In the future, consideration
will be made for expansion of baseball and softball fields at Faxon Park.
Mr. Bregoli agreed that these are items for discussion at the Park & Recreation
Board.
In light of the discussion, Mr. Gutro amended his motion to request Mr. Bregoli
share the petition with the Park & Recreation Board on behalf of the School
Committee and to update the School Committee on the discussion. Everyone is
appreciative of the continued investment in parks and Mr. Gutro is looking for an
idea of what can be done and timeline for completion.
The amended motion is a dual referral to the Park & Recreation Board and the
Athletics & Wellness Subcommittee for continued updates.
Mrs. Lebo made a friendly amendment, feels that this is a matter between City
Council and Park & Recreation Board.
Dr. DeCristofaro noted that Bishop Field is in the Athletics Subcommittee and with
the Mayor’s permission, we can request updates.
Mrs. Lebo clarified that the motion is for Mr. Bregoli to take the petition to the
Park & Recreation Board.
Mrs. Hubley seconded the amended motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mrs. Lebo asked Mr. Martin what are the conditions under which Adams Field, the
Stadium, and Creedon Field may be used. Mr. Martin said that weather and field
conditions sometimes affect usage of the fields. Mayor Koch said that the Park &
Recreation Board has the mandate of school sports as the first priority, followed
by Quincy youth sports, and then outside groups.
Mr. Martin said he takes the safety of our students and the field conditions very
seriously and has personally inspected each site.
§
New Business
City of Quincy
FY2019 Budget
Mayor Koch presented an overview of the City of Quincy FY2019 Budget, which
includes an increase of $3.2 million for Quincy Public Schools and allows Quincy
Public Schools to retain any potential difference in salaries from retirements vs.
new hires.
Mayor Koch reminded School Committee that there are many City resources
dedicated to the Quincy Public Schools outside the direct appropriation, including
the Parks, Public Buildings, Public Works departments’ support of Quincy Public
Schools, Police Department School Resource and DARE officers, plus crossing
guards.
Mrs. Lebo noted that employee health care costs are in the City budget, which is a
benefit to Quincy Public Schools. Many other school systems carry these costs in
their budget.
§
New Business
Draft FY2019 Quincy
Public Schools Budget
Presentation
Dr. DeCristofaro thanked Mayor Koch for the level-services plus funding which is
the basis of next year’s Quincy Public Schools budget. In the last month, Dr.
DeCristofaro has met with each principal, the members of the Superintendent’s
Leadership Team, and the members of the School Committee to discuss staffing,
class size, and priorities for program expansion.
Director of Business James Mullaney reviewed the Quincy Public Schools budget of
$110,106,951, which is based on the Mayor’s appropriation of $104,856,951 plus
projected Circuit Breaker funding of $5,250,000 as partial reimbursement for
Special Education tuitions. Mr. Mullaney noted that the Quincy Public Schools
share of City services over and above the direct appropriation is $41,021,887.00
and that Quincy Public Schools net spending is well above the foundational
requirement for educational spending. The budgets over the last 8 years have
provided for steady incremental growth in the Quincy Public Schools.
Mr. Mullaney reviewed that in the FY2019 Budget, there are contractual
obligations for percentage raises and step and level increases and increased need
for Special Education tuition funding. The next bottom line is $475,701 for budget
building. For Academic Classroom Teachers, positions will be shifted between
school sites with no overall increase in the number of positions for elementary,
middle, and high school. Since FY2014, the Academic Classroom Teaching staff
has grown by 17.5 positions. For Academic Programs, a total of 8.9 positions
would be added: 1.7 for English Learner Education, 0.7 Career & Technical
Education, 3.5 Special Education, and 3.0 to create Digital Support Teachers for a
new Digital Literacy program at the elementary school level. Since FY2014, the
Academic Program staff has grown by 41.6 positions as there were program
rebuilding efforts for media, literacy, and expansion for Special Education, English
Language Learners, Health Interventionists, Music, and Art. For Academic
Support Programs, there is additional funding to increase the daily rate for
substitute teachers to $85/day, which would be more competitive to surrounding
cities and towns. Academic Support has also been an area of growth since
FY2014, with 69.9 positions added. For Non-Academic Support, the proposal is to
move $100,000 for Custodial Services to be charged to the Food Services
Revolving Account. This is the cost for custodial services associated with meal
service.
Mr. Mullaney reviewed the Subsidized Services (Revolving Accounts). No changes
are recommended for fees associated with Food Services, Building Rentals,
Transportation, or Athletics for FY2019.
For Academic Expenses, an additional $2,504,401 will be allocated to Special
Education tuitions. For Non-Academic Expenses, anticipated savings in natural
gas costs will offset increased costs for acquisition of new vehicles. Additional
funding from Mayor Koch over the last four years has included Safety & Security
upgrades ($500,000), technology funding of $1,200,000 plus fiber optic
connections at $178,177, new telephone system for 16 buildings $354,610 and
$500,000 for new buses.
Next steps in the FY2019 Budget process include discussion of line items at the
May 21 Budget & Finance Subcommittee meeting, the Public Hearing on May 30,
and the City Council presentation still to be scheduled. School Committee will
vote on the FY2019 Quincy Public Schools Budget at the June 13, 2018 meeting.
§
New Business
New Middle School
Name (Referral)
Mr. Bregoli made a motion to refer New Middle School Name to the Policy
Subcommittee. Mr. Andronico seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes
have it.
§
New Business
Potential Athletic League
Change for NQHS
(Referral)
Mayor Koch made a motion to refer Potential Athletic League Change for North
Quincy High School to the Athletics & Wellness Subcommittee. Mr. Andronico
seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
§
New Business
Out of State Travel
(One Day)
Mayor Koch made a motion to approve the Out of State Travel (One-Day) of
Sterling Middle School Grade 6 to Canobie Lake Park, Salem, New Hampshire on
June 15, 2018. Mr. Andronico seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes
have it.
Mayor Koch made a motion to approve the Out of State Travel (One-Day) of
Montclair Elementary School Grade 5 to Canobie Lake Park, Salem, New
Hampshire on June 20, 2018. Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a voice
vote, the ayes have it.
Mayor Koch made a motion to approve the Out of State Travel (One-Day) of
Atherton Hough Elementary School Grade 5 to Canobie Lake Park, Salem, New
Hampshire on June 22, 2018. Mr. Andronico seconded the motion and on a voice
vote, the ayes have it.
§
Additional Business
Mr. Gutro asked for an update on Quincy College whenever appropriate.
§
Communications
Upcoming meetings were announced: Regular Meetings on May 16, 2018 at
Central Middle School and June 13, 2018 at the Coddington Building, both at 6:30
pm.
Subcommittee Meetings: On May 21, 2018, the FY2019 Budget meeting is
scheduled for 6:00 pm, followed by the Special Education Subcommittee at 6:30
pm. On May 30, 2018, the FY2019 Budget Public Hearing is scheduled for 6:00
pm, followed by the Policy Subcommittee at 6:16 pm, the Athletics & Wellness
Subcommittee at 6:30 pm and Facilities, Transportation, and Safety Subcommittee
at 7:00 pm.
§
Reports of
Subcommittees
There were no Reports of Subcommittees on the meeting agenda.
§
Executive Session
There was no Executive Session.
§
Adjournment
Mayor Koch made a motion to adjourn for the evening at 8:30 p.m. The motion
was seconded by Mr. Andronico and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.