Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts - May 2, 2007
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular Meeting
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday,
May 2, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, City Hall. Present
were Mrs. Anne Mahoney, Mr. Kevin Mulvey, Mr. Dave McCarthy, Ms. Linda
Stice, Mr. Jim Timmins, Mayor Phelan and Ms. Elaine Dwyer, Vice, Chairman.
Vice Chairman Presiding
The Superintendent called the roll and all members were present. Also present
were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary, and Mrs. Tefta Burrelli, Clerk; Drs.
Mariano and Pattavina. Messrs. O’Brien, Ryan, Walsh, McPhee, Keith Segalla,
and Mullaney; Ms. Powell, Lebo, Hughes, and Roberts. Associate Member,
Paige Newman.
Reg. Session. Mins. Approved 4/11/2007
On a motion by Ms. Stice, seconded by Mr. Mulvey, the Committee
approved the regular session minutes for April 11, 2007. On a roll call vote,
the motion passed unanimously 7-0.
Open Forum/QEA Members Speak to Negotiations
& Health Care Benefits
There was a large contingency of teachers who assembled in the Chambers.
Mrs. Dwyer reminded them that this was a business meeting. She did not
want any noise makers or disruptions and that it is the School Committee’s
policy not to respond during Open Forum. Speakers had a four-minutes limit.
Some speakers went over the four minute time limit, however, other
QEA members yielded their four minutes allowing members to finish
their speeches. The following teachers spoke at the Open Forum:
Jessica Davis-Myers, Elizabeth Angell, Brian Angell, Dr. Nancy SheehanMelzack, Beverly Quilty, Wendy Hanlon, Ellen Power, Paul Phillips, QEA
President, Mark Connerty, Bill Pavao, Amy Mulcahy, Tiffany Riley, Brian
Casey, Linda Monaco, Amy Litchfield, Allison Cox, Kim Quinn, Deborah
Barrett, Carolyn Treacy, Vin McGuire, Paul Conti, Peggy Walker, Cristopher
Natalizia, Paulette D’Oyley, Debbie Brown, Connie Graham, Ron Pettinelli,
Jeff Braetch, Kevin Bell, William Doyle, Sheri Eldridge, Fred Harris, Donna
Willoughby, Janet Little, Janice Sullivan, Roberta DiTullio Martin, Jane
Lundquist, Lorraine Kusi, Sean Greene, Jane Southwick, Eric Clark, Stacy
Reed, and Janet Bargar.
The teachers spoke to the QEA negotiations. The spoke to the change in
health care benefits which the City has proposed. They consider this
proposal a pay cut. Most teachers stated they take jobs in the Quincy
Public Schools not necessarily because of salaries, but due to the great
benefits. Teachers also spoke to a letter mailed to Quincy residents by
the Mayor which asked who else has such a generous deal. The current
health care contributions help offset salaries that are lower than those in
area communities. QEA President, Paul Phillips, spoke about past negotiations
whereby teachers and city officials came together and worked out solutions
to help bring down health care costs. Mr. Philips reiterated what teachers
said about lower salaries but the benefits were excellent. Teachers feel that
they are being asked to do the same job next year they did this year with
less money. If the city wants them to pay more in health benefits, it is only
fair that they increase salaries by that amount. The teachers listed all the
other activities they do for students without compensation. The QEA has
set June 8 as the “drop dead date” for a new contract. The teachers asked
for a fair contract that reflects the importance of their jobs.
Mrs. Mahoney leaves at 10:25 p.m.
NQAFROTC to Pease Air Force Base in NH
On a motion by Mr. Timmins, seconded by Mr. Mulvey, the Committee
approved the Out of State Travel Request by the North Quincy ROTC
to go to Pease Air Force Base in New Hampshire on May 14, 2007.
The ayes have it.
Report Cards Grades 1-5 Approved
On a motion by Ms. Stice, seconded by Mr. Mulvey, the Committee
approved the revised report card for grades 1-5. The ayes have it.
Bullying into SubCommittee
On a motion by Ms. Stice, seconded by Mayor Phelan, the Committee put “bullying” into the Policy Subcommittee. The ayes have it.
School Choice
On a motion by Mr. Mulvey, seconded by Ms. Stice, the Committee
approved the Superintendent recommended that the Quincy School
Committee withdraw from the obligation to enroll non-resident students
in the Quincy Public Schools for the 2007-2008 academic year for the
following reasons:
- Continued projected enrollment conditions at the elementary
and middle schools based on current and projected enrollments
- Policy of the Quincy School Committee to adhere to class size
guidelines.
The ayes have it.
Gift-Accepted
On a motion by Mr. McCarthy, seconded by Mr. Timmins, the Committee
accepted a gift of $464.00 from Boston Financial to be used in the Snug
Harbor Community School library. The ayes have it.
Mr. Timmins commended QPAC and especially Linda Perry for putting
together an outstanding program at Quincy High School. They had a speaker
who spoke on “fluency in the reading brain” He commended them for hosting
that program.
Retirements
The Committee noted the following retirements:
Café Mgr. Jeanne Silva
Resignations
The Committee noted the following resignations:
Teacher: Anne Schnarr
Paraprofessional: Nora Flynn
Lunch Attendant: Nicole Fransoso
Adjournment
On a motion by Mr. Mulvey, seconded by Ms. Stice, the Committee
adjourned for the evening at 10:53 p.m. for the evening. There was no
Executive Session. On a roll call vote, the motion to adjourn passed
unanimously 6-0. Mrs. Mahoney was absent.