Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts - April 1, 2009
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular Meeting
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday,
April 1, 2009 in the City Council Chambers, City Hall. Present were Mrs. Jo-Ann
Bragg, Mrs. Anne Mahoney, Mr. Nicholas Puleo, Mr. Ron Mariano, Mayor Tom
Koch, and Mr. Dave McCarthy, Vice Chairman.
Vice Chairman
Presiding
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The Superintendent called the roll and Mrs. Dwyer was absent. Also present
were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary; Mrs. Tefta Burrelli, Clerk; Messrs.
Mullaney, Murphy, Draicchio, Keith Segalla, Ms. Roberts, Powell, Hughes,
and Dr. Sylvia Pattavina. Ms. Tracey Christello, Citywide and Mr. Paul Phillips,
QEA. Ms. Emily Hajjar, Quincy High School Student Rep. The Committee
observed a moment of silence for Anthoney Wilkerson, a QHS student who was
killed last week in a car accident, and Janice Erler’s son, Shawn, who passed
away last week.
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Reg. Mins.Approved 3/18/2009
On a motion by Mr. Puleo, seconded by Mayor Koch, the Committee
approved the regular session minutes for March 18, 2009. The ayes have it.
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Supts. Report
The Superintendent thanked Committee members, Mayor Koch, and administrators
for consistently exemplifying the “surround care” philosophy of the school
system – whether it is a funeral, the caring for a family member after a fire,
principals, teachers, and other staff are all there to help and assist in making
families know we care beyond the classrooms and into the community.
The MCAS testing schedule has begun and will continue through April,
May, and June.
Business Partnership Event
We will recognize our volunteer partners tomorrow morning at the Tirrell
Room. Principals, students, teachers, School Committee, and Mayor Koch,
will take this opportunity to recognize the many accomplishments of our
partners. The Board of Directors will also be present. The breakfast begins
at 8:00 a.m.
Student/Staff Recognition
Congratulations went to the Drama Program at Quincy High School for the
an outstanding play Oliver. The show played for two weekends and was
a tremendous success.
As well, congratulations went to the QPAC for the Special Education Resource
Fair they held this weekend at North Quincy. It was very well planned and
well attended.
The members received “Come Celebrate the Arts” notices containing significant
activities offered by the Physical Education/Art/Music, Media staff and students.
Mr. Paul Mauriello, the facilitator of the Robotics program, and his students
shared some details of this year’s program. It consisted of 40 students, 9 staff
members, 9 volunteers, parents and alumni. The team was very successful.
They have a close partnership with Gillette, outstanding support from the school
department and an outstanding group of students.
Sterling Middle School students were present to share their prize winning video,
filmed by Brian Smith, “Environmental Eagles.” Foreign Language staff and
students were present to share their successes.
Parent Forums
Quincy will host a presentation for parents on bullying and cyber bullying at
Central Middle School on April 14. The presentation will focus on common
causes of bullying and tips for parents on how to partner with school effectively,
and on Monday, May 4, there will be a parent information night on Making A
Difference on Underage Drinking at North Quincy High School. Quincy was
asked by the Mass Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to host
a Task Force on Behavioral Health and the Public Schools as they had heard that
Quincy had some of these linkages in place. All of the many initiatives have
been embraced and supported by Quincy Public Schools over the years. Quincy
will be recognized at the state house tomorrow as a drama sensitive school.
All the students present this evening received an “Outstanding Student Award”
Certificates from the Committee. After a short recess, the Committee went on
with the business at hand.
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Mr. Paul Phillips, QEA President, announced that the QEA had a meeting
today to vote on accepting a wage freeze for one year. Eighty-seven per cent
voted “no” and thirteen percent voted “yes.” The motion failed. A subsequent
motion passed that the team should remain in place in case the City wants to
talk further. The QEA feels that the City is asking more of the teachers than
the other unions. There is plenty of ARRA money promised. The amounts are
not fixed. Title I is not nailed down and Chapter 70 funds are subject to legislative
approval. The amounts will be significant, and the money is specifically aimed
at layoff reductions. The City is unwilling to budget without all the facts and
the QEA is unwilling to take a wage freeze without all the facts. Right now
among the teachers it is “no.” They voted for the GIC and the state is already
raising the co pay. The QEA feels that the City is doing quite well. The QEA
wants the public to know that they are willing to listen and talk, but right now
they are saying “no, not now.”
Mrs. Susan Early spoke about her daughter, who she feels is at risk. She
said she hasn’t felt any support for her from the school department. Today
she said she spent $1,000 going to a meeting to talk about a $3,000 evaluation
for her daughter for reading. Her daughter is severely dyslexic. She wants help
for her daughter.
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Bldg. & Grounds
Mr. Kevin Murphy reported that the four corner light poles have been
installed at the Stadium. The electrical work is done at Broad Meadows.
The new computer room at Squantum is finished. Tables will be there on
Friday. Maintenance will now start exterior work on the buildings. Mayor
Koch said the Stadium job was done in-house, and if it had gone outside, it
would have cost the City a lot more than $100,000.
With regard to graffiti, the custodians call in on Monday mornings with any
complaints. If it’s vulgarity, Maintenance will take it off right away, but they
can’t use the sand blaster in the cold weather.
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There was no update to report on Central Middle School.
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Student Transitioning
Ms. Janet Powell, Student Support Services, and Ms. Colleen Roberts,
Curriculum, gave a comprehensive report on students transitioning
from home to school and from level to level. These are major events in
the lives of students and parents. They explained how the schools assist
students in the transition from Pre-K-to K, elementary to middle school
and from middle to high school. They gave an overview of the student
support activities, academic support and parent communication. As of
today, 315 new students have enrolled.
Quincy got in touch with 669 students in the 2007 graduating class. Out
of the 669 students, 82% of pursued higher education, 58% entered 4 yr.
colleges, 21% entered 2 year colleges, 2% entered other education, 16%
went right to work, 2% into the military and 1% were unemployed.
The Student Support Department did this survey every year, however
they have decided to do it every other year. They found that the personalized
information doesn’t change that much every year.
Mrs. Bragg asked for a comparison of Graduate Follow-ups for the last five
years.
Mayor Koch inquired what is done about students who go to school in Quincy
but don’t live here. Mrs. Powell answered that there are two Supervisors of
Attendance who check on anyone who is questionable. Anonymous phone calls
are followed up.
Mr. Mariano inquired about the 30% of Quincy’s students whose language
is not English. He asked if there was any recognition by the state of the
increased cost that comes with this. Mrs. Roberts answered that there is
a Title 3 grant. It is difficult for our ELL students who are here only one
year and have to pass the same test as native Americans. We are training
our teachers to work with ELL students, but the State doesn’t provide the
money for it. It is a testament to the teachers in our system.
Mrs. Dwyer arrives at 9:00 p.m.
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New QHS Update by Mrs. Dwyer
Mrs. Dwyer reported that Gilbane has come in to demolish the old Center for
Technical Education building. However, the glue around the bricks has asbestos
in it. It is on every wall, every floor. Bricks have to be taken down individually.
It will add another week or so. This is another unforeseen cost as it is a time
consuming project. Wheatstone will remove the leaky oil tanks. Some of the
underground tanks have leaked oil around the area. This will add a $20,000
additional cost. The high school is delayed about one week. She is still waiting
for the minutes from their January and February meetings.
Mrs. Dwyer attended a Conservation Commission meeting. A corroded pipe
on Coddington Street, across from the YMCA had broken. The DPW replaced the
pipe. They were trying to file it under the high school DEP permit and Mrs.
Dwyer was nervous that would open up the permit for appeal. They did take
the DEP number off the project. It is not part of the high school project. The
pipe was replaced. It had deteriorated over the years.
Due to the 2008 change in the square footage between the old high school
and the new high school, the building committee voted to spend some money
to cosmetically restore the exterior of the old high school –about $50,000.
Currently, the total cost savings to the project because of the footage change
is at $505,000.
Motion to use only Energy Star Equip.
Mrs. Dwyer made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bragg, that the Quincy School
Committee agrees and commits that they will only purchase Energy Star
equipment and appliances in the construction in the new Quincy High School
and prohibit the purchase of low efficiency products, including halogen torchieries
and portable electrical resistance heaters. On a roll call vote, the motion passed
unanimously 7-0.
Mrs. Puleo commented that a number of people are concerned with the cost
of the high school. Mrs. Dwyer responded that the Building Committee is
constantly following a budget. There are two contingency funds—owners
and the contractor’s contingency funds. Money has been set aside for problems.
Most of ours was $1,965,709 spent on leaky oil tanks, $477,614 construction
issues and $222,776 miscellaneous. We still have $5,465,095 in our contingency
fund. The process at the old CTE will be costly. This is a labor intensive process.
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NQ ROTC to NJ,NY & Penn.
On a motion by Mayor Koch, seconded by Nick Puleo, the Committee approved
a trip from the North Quincy ROTC students to go to New Jersey, New York,
and Pennsylvania on April 3-7, 2009. The ayes have it.
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QH ROTC to NH
On a motion by Mayor Koch, seconded by Nick Puleo, the Committee approved
a request for Quincy High ROTC students to go to Pease Air Force Base in New
Hampshire on April 9, 2009. The ayes have it.
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Communications
Mrs. Bragg asked for a presentation on Special Education Budget and Opportunities
and Title I.
Mr. McCarthy commended Mr. Santoro and Peggy Spencer for the production
over the weekend. “Oliver” was presented four times.
Mrs. Mahoney recognized Tim Bell, a Central Middle School Student, who won
the South Shore Spelling Bee. He will get an all expense trip to the Capitol Spelling
Bee contest.
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SPED Subcommittee Mrs. Mahoney Reports
Mrs. Mahoney reported that the Special Education Subcommittee met on
March 25, 2009. There was a transportation update from Nick Puleo and an
update on stimulus funding from Ms. Todd. QPAC announced their upcoming
events. Parents requested that other members of the School Committee attend
their meetings. On a motion by Mrs. Mahoney, seconded by Mrs. Dwyer, the
Committee accepted the minutes. The ayes have it.
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Policy Subcommittee Mrs. Bragg Reports
Mrs. Dwyer reported that the Policy Subcommittee met on March 25, 2009.
A “draft” School Recess Policy/Guidelines was presented. Mrs. Bragg
will ask Citywide to review the policy, and Mrs. Roberts will give it
to the principals and School Committee members. The Subcommittee
also reviewed policies 10.8.10 – 10.17. The policies that deal with
health issues were tabled until Mrs. Kisieluis can review them. On a motion
by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mr. Puleo, the Committee accepted the minutes.
The ayes have it.
Mrs. Puelo asked that the guide by the Department of Children and Families
regarding 51 A explaining when it’s appropriate to report abuses and neglect
be made available to the schools. Mrs. Powell said the counselors have the
guide on a disk. Each year there is training for all in-coming teachers. She
will look into having it distributed to all of the staff.
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Retirements
The Committee noted the following retirements:
Teachers: Paul Haight, Barbara Hanrahan, Donna Miller
Resignations
The Committee noted the following resignations:
Teacher: Daniel Reynolds
Transportation Monitor: Mary Gibson
Paraprofessional: Maryanne McLellan
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Adjournment
On a motion by Mayor Koch, seconded by Mr. Mariano, the Committee
voted to adjourn for the evening at 9:21 p.m. On a roll call vote, the motion
passed unanimously 7-0. The ayes have it.