March 26, 2008 School Committee Meeting

Agenda

Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee March 26, 2008

North Quincy High School
7:00 p.m.

I. Approval of Minutes: Regular Meeting minutes for March 12, 2008.

II. Superintendent’s Report:

A. Robotics (Student) (Dinner)

B. Partnership Breakfast and Golf Tournament

C. Saturday Strategies and Performing Arts

D. Marshall Academy (Math)

E. Partnership Recognition

  • BFDS
  • Masons

F. NQHS Vocal Student Recognition

III. Open Forum: 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. Ryan to report.
B. Update on the New Quincy High School: Mrs. Dwyer to report.
C. Update on Central: Building Committee Membership

B. 2008-2009 School Calendar: Remains on the table.

C. 2008-2009 School Committee Calendar: See Revised Attachment A.

V. New Business:

A. Math Assessment (Q-Math) and Vertical Team 2007-2008 Goals and Implementation: Mrs. Roberts to report.

B. Out of State Travel: BMMS to Providence. See Attachment B.

C. Out of State Travel: North Quincy High ROTC to Washington DC. See Attachment C.

D. Donation: Gift of $634.38 to CASASTART Program. See Attachment D.

VI. Additional Business:

VII. Communications:

VIII. Hearings: - none

IX. Reports of Special Committees:

A. Policy Subcommittee: Mrs. Bragg to report.

B. School Facilities Management Subcommittee: Mrs. Dwyer to report

X. Adjournment:

Subcommittees of the School Committee

Subcommittee Date Referred Business Pending
Budget & Finance
Mulvey/Bragg/Mahoney 1/7/2004 Marshall Remedial Action Plan
  5/27/2004 (Subcommittee) Transportation Fees
  4/11/2007 HS Health Curriculum
  3/12/288 Teacher Resource Libraries
School Facilities Management    
Dwyer/Mahoney/Mulvey 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
  1/25/2006 Fire Extinguishers
  1/25/2006 Outdoor Lighting
  2/8/2006 Conservation
Health, Safety & Security    
Puleo/Mahoney/McCarthy 10/18/2006 NQHS Traffic & Drop off
  4/11/2007 HS Health Curriculum
School Policy    
Bragg/Dwyer/McCarthy 1/10/2001 Policy Manual
  10/18/2006 Sliding Scale for Student Fees
  5/2/2007 Bullying
  11/28/2007 Progress Reports
  2/6/2008 Voting Places
  3/12/2008 Movies in Schools
  3/12/2008 Teacher Evaluations
Special Education    
Mahoney/McCarthy/Mulvey 1/17/2007 Emergency Information Form
  1/17/2007 Substitute Teachers for SPED
  3/21/2007 Implementation of IEPs
Rules, Post Audit & Oversight    
Dwyer/Puleo/Bragg    
     
AD HOC COMMITTEES:    
Channel 22    
Mahoney/McCarthy 10/17/2007 Encourage greater use of

 

Minutes

Quincy, Massachusetts - March 26, 2008
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee

Regular Meeting

A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at North Quincy High School. Present were Mrs. Anne Mahoney, Mr. Kevin Mulvey, Mr. Nick Puleo, Mrs. Elaine Dwyer, Mayor Tom Koch, Mrs. Jo-Ann Bragg, and Mr. Dave McCarthy, Vice Chairman. This meeting began at 6:30 p.m.

Vice Chairman Presiding

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The Superintendent called the roll and all members were present. Also present were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary, Mrs. Tefta Burrelli, Clerk. Messrs. O’Brien, Walsh, Mullaney, McPhee, Keith Segella, Dr. Pattavina, Ms. Powell, Hughes, and Roberts. Ms. Tracey Christello represented Citywide, and Mr. Paul Phillips, QEA President, was present. The Committee observed a moment of silence for Sonny Christello who recently passed away.

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Regular Mtg. Mins. Approved 3/12//2008

On a motion by Mr. Mulvey, seconded by Mr. Puleo, the Committee approved the Regular Session minutes for March 12, 2008. On a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously 7-0.

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Welcome by Principal

Mr. Earl Metzler, Principal of North Quincy High School, welcomed the Committee. He spoke to the Science Fair in its 50th year, the athletic teams, girls' basketball in the semi finals, and showed a film of 2008 Class Spirit Week. Three North Quincy choir students entertained the Committee singing the National Anthem and Jericho. The students invited everyone to the Spring Concert on April 16 at North Quincy High School.

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Gift: School Bus Masons

Janet Powell introduced Daryl Rhodes, Peter Carlson and Dave Smith of the Quincy Rural Masonic Lodge. Over the years, the Masons have given to the school department defibrillators, funds for emergency kits in every school, an Epi-pen for each school, life skills curriculum, scholarships for graduates, and the CHIP Program. This year, they are donating an 18-passenger yellow school bus with wheel chair capability which will help transport Special Ed Children. The Committee is invited Wednesday, June 11 at the Masonic Building for a dinner and presentation of an official check for the cost of the bus. The Mayor and Committee thanked them for their help they give to the children of Quincy.

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Beechwood Knoll Environmental Classroom

Ms. Diane O’Keeffe, Beechwood Knoll Principal, shared with the Committee details of an Environmental Classroom proposal the school wishes to build in the wetlands behind the school. They would like to put in a wild flower garden and sitting area with benches and create a grassy area behind the school property. They will refurbish the nature trails. Teachers could bring their students along the trails for walks. There will be six animal track traps. They plan to reseed the recreational area for soccer. An outdoor classroom would be 32’x40’ platform two feet in the wooded area back from the marsh. There will be motion lighting in the evening for security. The lights will shine on the outdoor classroom itself. They wish to repair and install a fence that is there but is in disrepair. The DPW will take out hot top that was dumped there back in 1961. The PTO has financed the preliminaries. The Quincy Conservation Commission has approved plans for this project. They hope to get consideration from the Preservation Committee. This will be open to the whole community.

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Partnership Recognition

Tonight the Committee recognized partners Boston Financial Data Services. Mr. Keith Segalla introduced Jean Sternson and Donna Bears. They partner with North Quincy High School. Boston Financial Data holds mock interviews, a three-day mediation training, an art and photo show, $1,000 gift to two students annually. Boston Financial is committed to the partnership. They received a plaque in appreciation from the Committee in recognition of their commitment, dedication, and support to the Quincy Public Schools.

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Robotics

There is a Robotics competition at Boston University this weekend. Keith Segella and Tim Scow, Quincy High student, highlighted team accomplishments at the Florida Regional. Thanks went to the Gillette engineers and Paul Mauriello, program facilitator, for the endless hours they give to this program. There is a dinner on Saturday night. The Committee received an invitation.

The Committee received information on Student Expo/Building Bridges to the Future, the Golf Tournament on June 26, the Partnership Breakfast on April 3, Performing Arts Workshops, Drama Dance and Vocal Instrumental. Marshall Math Academy begins this Saturday with three additional Saturdays.

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School Leavers

Ms. Janet Powell was invited to speak to the Board of Education last Tuesday. She put together the School Leavers issue based upon the work done by the School Committee to try and keep our students in school. It was well received.

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Open Forum

As no one wished to be heard at the Open Forum, the Committee went on with the business at hand.

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Bldg. Update

Maintenance is working on the intercom system at North Quincy High and Lincoln Hancock. It has been determined that the North Quincy intercom is beyond repair. We are going through the bidding process. Installation for the intercom system at Lincoln Hancock is scheduled for Thursday and Friday. On Saturday, connections will take place.

Fire extinguisher inspections have been completed. We are into a rotation and the Superintendent will keep the Committee comprised of that.

Dave McCarthy thanked Mr. Ryan for the detailed report he gave at the School Facilities Management Subcommittee meeting. He answered a lot of questions.

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New QHS

Mrs. Dwyer reported that there is a Quincy High School Building Committee meeting scheduled for tomorrow. A Topping of the Tree ceremony was held on March 18. Ms. Mahoney and Mulvey were present along with Ron Mariano and Mike McFarland, and it went very smoothly. The Quincy High School Building Committee has scheduled a meeting on the last Friday of every month.

Mrs. Bragg asked that the School Committee and City Council receive copies of the minutes of those meetings. Mrs. Dwyer said she hasn’t received any as yet.

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Central Building Committee

Mayor Koch announced the membership for the Central Building Committee. Mayor Koch said it was a forgone conclusion that Central needs to be replaced. The members are as follows:

Superintendent DeCristofaro.
Jen Fay, Principal
Jim Timmins, Chair
Gary Cunniff
Chris Walker, Mayor’s Representative
Joann Bragg, School Committee
Anne Mahoney, School Committee, and
a citizen from the community at large to be announced.

Mrs. Dwyer recommended that a City Councillor be on the Committee. The Mayor will consider her recommendation.

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Calendar Tabled

The School Calendar for 2008/2009 remains on the table.

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SC Calendar 08/09 Approved

On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mr. Mulvey, the committee approved the School Committee Calendar for 2008/2009. The ayes have it.

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Q-Math Assessment

Mrs. Roberts gave an overview of the process of creating an internal Quincy teacher assessment in mathematic called the Q-Math Assessment. The Q-Math Assessment will help teachers and principals know when students are at grade level in math. We want to be able to identify students who are excelling, identify students who were struggling and reflect on the pace of the teaching Math through the school year. Teachers participated on a Design Team to create a system-wide assessment on Math in grade 3. The panel consists of Carolann Marx, Lauren Laub, Ann Pegg and Mary Fredrickson.

Ms. Marx and Ms. Laub went on to explain the design team process. Q-Math has extended beyond the elementary school and has been designed for grades 6 and 8. Middle school principals and teachers saw the benefit in the Q-Math assessment in the lower grades. Assessment results are currently being reviewed by both principals and teachers.

Mr. Puleo asked what was the benefit of this model vs. traditional bench- marks testing? The teachers answered that the format is similar to MCAS. Mrs. Mahoney praised the teachers for their accomplishments.

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BM to Rhode Island

On a motion by Mr. Puleo, seconded by Mrs. Dwyer, the Committee approved Broad Meadows trip to Rhode Island on April 11, 2008. Mr. McCarthy asked that another chaperone go on the trip. The ayes have it.

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NQROTC to DC

On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mrs. Dwyer, the Committee approved the North Quincy ROTC students’ trip to Washington DC on April 9 -13, 2008. The ayes have it.

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Gift - Casastart

On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mayor Koch, the Committee accepted a gift of $634.38 to the Casastart program. The ayes have it.

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To Subcommittee

Mr. Puleo put into the Health Safety and Security Subcommittee an assessment of ways to increase the school breakfast participation in our elementary schools.

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Budget Subcommittee Scheduled

Mr. Mulvey has called a Budget Subcommittee meeting Tuesday, April 8 at 4:00 p.m. to review the quarterly budget.

Mrs. Bragg asked if they could also look at teacher resource libraries. However, Mr. Mulvey said he will call a separate meeting for that issue as we would need to see what types of funding are available and if we can afford that.

Track

The Committee inquired into the track. Mayor Koch answered that his administration is committed to building a track for our student athlete and the community. Mrs. Mahoney asked what the time frame was on it as there is a process involved in both locations—the Quincy Ave. site and Faxon Field. Mayor Koch however, said he didn’t know when it would be done. He thought Faxon Field would be an ideal location. However, Faxon Field will have to be reloaded and throwing events would not be allowed in the infield area. Discussions are on-going with the YMCA to use their facilities across the street for throwing events.

Mrs. Mahoney asked where could they have high school football practice. The Mayor answered that the track season is in spring, cross country fall, the infield would be used for football.

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SPED Subcomittee

Mrs. Mahoney announced a SPED Subcommittee for April 1 at Atlantic Middle at 7:00 p.m. She invited people to the Robotics on Saturday. Blue Man Group will be there. She promised an exciting event.

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Walk around Beechwood

Mc. McCarthy invited all to go to Beechwood Knoll on April 5, at 20 p.m. and take a 45 minute walk around to see where they want to put the outdoor classroom.

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Policy Subcommittee

Mrs. Bragg made a motion, seconded by Mayor Koch, to approved the January 31 Policy Subcommittee meeting minutes. The ayes have it.

Another Policy Subcommittee meeting on March 17 was held to discuss alternatives and options to voting places inside the schools. In gathering the information they found the situation to be more complex then thought. Mr. Joe Shea will be at the April 7 meeting. The policy manual, three parts of section 5 and all of section 11, were reviewed. Some policies were tabled for further action so the whole section will remain on the table. On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mr. Mulvey, the Committee approved the minutes. The ayes have it.

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School Facilities Mgt. Subcommittee

The School Facilities Management Subcommittee met on March 19. They reviewed the school system’s Critical Needs List. Mr. Ryan gave a presentation. Mrs. Dwyer briefly went down the list of what has been accomplished. Key was the money that came from a bond issue for this. There will be another meeting on April 16 at 4:00 p.m. to review the Honeywell project--what has been done what hasn’t been done and a time line for what needs to be done.

They discussed the intercom systems at Lincoln Hancock and North Quincy. However, there are no funds left. Mr. Puleo asked how much was left of the $50,000 that was appropriated. Mrs. Dwyer answered none.

The Superintendent said between Mr. Ryan and Mr. Cunniff, they might be able to get some funds from other areas. If there is money left it will come from the bond issue as well as other line items.

On a motion by Mrs. Dwyer, seconded by Mr. Mulvey, the committee approved School Facilities Management Subcommittee Meeting minutes. The ayes have it.

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Safety Subcommittee Traffic @ NQHS

Mr. Puleo gave a quick update on his February 28 Health and Safety Subcommittee meeting. They met to discuss the issue of traffic and pedestrians at North Quincy High School. They discussed the history of the issue, improvements made so far; and a number of additional traffic concerns which are beyond the School Committee’s role of responsibility. They focused on issues that the School Committee can be advocates for. Mr. McPhee has been in touch with the MBTA to discuss the fence that needs to be repaired.

Mrs. Mahoney asked the Mayor what the status is for the traffic study being done on Hancock Street. He answered that Mr. Gillan is working on it. There are other proposals forthcoming--the Foley Chrysler site. There is no timeline as yet. However, he is committed to coming up with the resources necessary for a long term plan of approach for that intersection. He will speak with Mr. Gillan again.

Mrs. Mahoney stated although there is a long term plan, they are looking for a short term solution. The Committee is looking for a dialogue and is requesting that representatives from the City side be in attendance at the next subcommittee meeting. They are asking for a timeline.

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Resignations

The Committee noted the following resignations:

Teachers: Jason Bialka,  Christa Clarke

Paraprofessional: Kathleen Nazzaro

Cafeteria Helper: Deborah Powers

Appointments

The Committee noted the following appointments:

Lunch Attendant: Eileen Bolger

Paraprofessional: Deborah Powers

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Adjournment

On a motion by Mrs. Dwyer, seconded by Mr. Mulvey the committee voted to adjourn at 8:55 p.m. On a roll call vote, the motion to adjourn passed unanimously 7-0. There was no executive session.