Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts - June 10, 2010
Special Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Special Mtg.
A special meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Thursday, June 10,
in the City Council Chambers, City Hall. Present were: Mr. Dave McCarthy,
Mrs. Emily Lebo, Ms. Barbara Isola, Mrs. Elaine Dwyer, Mrs. Jo-Ann Bragg,
and Mrs. Anne Mahoney, Vice Chairman.
Chairman
Presiding
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The Superintendent called the roll and Mayor Koch was absent. Also present
were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary; Mrs. Tefta Burrelli, Clerk; Messrs.
Mullaney, Draicchio, and Keith Segalla; Ms. Roberts, Tenaglia, Todd, and Hughes.
Ms. Tracey Christello, Citywide.
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Open Forum
At Open Forum, Daniel A. Long stated there is money in the City budget but
the City side is getting more money. Money should not be taken out of the
school budget. What’s going to happen next year when they face more crisis?
Peggy Ferris spoke to cutting the office aides at the Beechwood Knoll School.
This is a major concern. She was hired in September 2000 as a security office
aide to prevent unwanted people from coming into the school, i.e. restraining
orders, etc. four new cameras were installed, however, no one will be able to
watch as the secretary’s work load is doubled. Scott Allesandro suggested ways
to make more money for the City – send out one mailing in the beginning of the
year, use emails, don’t plow unless there is over 5” of snow, have students clean
streets. Debra Barrett spoke to the cut in libraries. She asked the Committee
not to accept the budget without some kind of K-8 library program. The
librarian’s role is to make children want to read and write. Laura Innis told the
Committee that we are spending money, just not in the right priorities. She
is concerned that people will sell their homes in Quincy and some will send
their children to private schools because of the cuts. Dennis Salfity is happy
we are keeping the literacy program and full day K. He asked why we need
eight deans at the two high schools. What happens to those kids that can’t pay
for sports?
The Open Forum closed at 7:27 p.m.
Mrs. Mahoney Speaks
Mrs. Mahoney said that this has been a tough year. “The School Committee’s
job is to go through the budget and advocate for all of the students. We can
beg and we can plead to the Mayor but the allocation is what it is. In the course
of the budget process the QEA has stepped up and joined us to close a $9
million gap. The leadership has deferred their raises for a second year in a row.
The Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent have taken a pay cut. These are
big sacrifices our employees have taken. We are extremely grateful for that.
We have tried to close this gap. It will have an overwhelming impact on our
students. The Mayor gave back $500,000 in unemployment and $500,000 in
Comcast money. This is a short term solution to a very big problem. This
solution will have long term repercussions to our City and students for a long
time. It is unfortunate, but this is what it is. We have put forth a level funded
budget and our job on the School Committee is allocating these monies.
Be assured this is not what any of us we wanted. We did the best job we could
with the money we received.”
Mayor arrives at 7:30 p.m.
Supt Speaks
The Superintendent said that this has been a difficutl budget for our City and
school system. He thanked the School Committee for their time, the concerned
parents, staff and students. He thanked every one for giving so much time
meeting on this budget and listening to many concerned parents and students
and community members and our leadership team. The Committee met for hours
on May 11, 12, 18, 25 and May 26 for discussions and deliberations and open
forums, a public hearing on June 2, 3, another subcommittee meeting on June 9
and tonight on June 10. When Mr. Mullaney presents our Budget Summary
Overview, it certainly will become apparent to everyone that the Committee has
worked together with the Mayor. Additional funding—unemployment money
coming back into our school system, the QEA and their deferment, and this
Committee listening and learning and creating and making critical decisions based
on a sensitive balance of collective hearts and minds. This summary does not
really present the amount of time deliberatively thought or operation dedication you
placed in this process, but thank you for that.
Summary Overview
Mr. Mullaney again presented an overview of the summary of the deliberations
that went on previously. We had a $9 million cut. Our original proposal to you
met that deficit and came up with a 201 positions cut and moved forward from there.
What happened since that original budget was several large items (QEA deferral,
$500,000 unemployment and $500,000 Comcast) that helped lessen the impact
on our budget.
Mr. McCarthy inquired about the music line. He wanted the parents to know
that we are still cutting one instrumental from the elementary. He asked about
the Renaissance at North Quincy and drama at Quincy High School.
Mrs. Roberts said the Renaissance program is in tact at North Quincy. The
drama teacher did retire but is willing to come back to do drama one period
a day and the drama club. There is a variety of classes into one class. Mrs.
Spencer thought it was “doable.” She was excited we were able to do something.
It is a start back to growing to what it has been.
Mr. McCarthy asked about the reading teachers at the middle school. How
is that going to be addressed?
Mrs. Roberts said that most of the teachers are reading specialists. Specifically,
grade 5 at Sterling and Point Webster will have reading classes. We are not
having a specific reading teacher, but we will have reading. She is working with
the principals to take a look at a 6-period day for grades 6 and 7. We are working
on adjusting the reading program. In the middle school fifth grade classrooms,
there are four elementary teachers. They also are considered highly qualified.
The second subject they will teach is reading.
Mrs. Mahoney added we will bring back six literacy teachers, but we are able
to use for one year the Title 1 ARRA money. We will bring back three additional
literacy teachers.
Cap on Busing Fee
Mrs. Mahoney made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bragg, to put in a cap on the
fee for busing at $400.00. On a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously
7-0. Parochial students will be paying also unless they are over the two mile
limit. Mr. Mullaney said if there is space available, we can bring some children
within the 1 mile limit on board.
Ms. Isola asked about Media. How do we plan on integrating that through
the English Language Arts. Mrs. Roberts will be meeting with the principals
to schedule time and “book borrowing.” It will be part of the teachers response-
bilities. The libraries will be utilized. There will be a full time person at the
libraries in Quincy High and North Quincy high School.
Mrs. Lebo wanted to assure the public that the Career and Technology classes
are still there.
Mr. McCarthy inquired about the aides at the schools when the secretary is
out so that someone is there. Mr. Mullaney answered there will always be a
person in the office. If the secretary is out, we will have a guidance person
or a principal in the office.
Ms. Isola asked if the $38,100 is set it aside for curriculum assistance and
protective services, since that program is going to be seeking certification
by the state. Mr. Mullaney said it was mentioned for curriculum assistance
and possible Protective Services and Chapter 74 may need additional help.
This money will be used at the Superintendent’s discretion. That money
has been placed in the Curriculum Director’s line. We have not spent the
money.
To Policy Subcommittee
Mrs. Bragg put into the Policy Subcommittee, verification for free and re-
duced lunches and waivers to students for athletics.
Mayor speaks
Mayor Koch expressed his gratitude to the Superintendent, his Leadership
Team and the QEA for their deferral of their raises. He is very proud of our
school system. He is not scrapping the Central project. There are great days
ahead for the Quincy Public Schools.
Motion to cut deans
Mrs. Mahoney made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Lebo, to move the
two deans into phase 5. Mayor Koch and Mr. McCarthy said they could
not support the motion. They are security people and very important. The
Superintendent said the deans are critical to the high schools. They each
work with around 350 students. It has a connection with the drop out rate.
Mrs. Lebo thought although they have a very important job, the Assistant
Principals could deal with the Senior Classes.
Motion fails
On a roll call vote, the motion failed 3-2. MS. ISOLA, MR. MCCARTY and
MAYOR KOCH VOTED NO. MRS. LEBO and MRS. MAHONEY voted
YES. MRS. BRAGG and MRS. DWYER ABSTAINED.
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FY2011 Budget Accepted
At this time, Mrs. Mahoney made a motion, seconded by Mr. McCarthy
to accept the FY2011 Quincy school budget. On a roll call vote, the
motion passed 6-1. Mrs. Dwyer voted NO.
Mrs. Dwyer said she could not accept this budget.
Ms. Isola said we should look at our foundational budget formula to try
and get more funding from the state. The Mayor said he is asking the
City Council for $3 million bond money for the schools. Mrs. Bragg
asked him to keep in mind the safety concerns (large potholes) with the
parking lots at some of our schools. She has been asking since the fall
to have them repaved. She will send the Mayor a list of the schools.
Mrs. Mahoney speaks
Mrs. Mahoney said “this budget offers no progress and is a major step back-
wards. She will ask Mr. Mullaney for updates. She did not want to vote
for this budget tonight, but knows they had to. The only person that can
make a difference is the Mayor. A vote of “no” on this budget would put
it back into subcommittee. I will continue to advocate for our schools
and our budget. I will focus on the vision of restoring our school system
and protecting our home values and making a better City to live in. I will
do my best to move forward and make it better. I really and truly did
not want to vote in favor of this budget.”
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Bernazzani to Canobie Lake
On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mr. McCarthy, the Committee
approved a trip request for the Bernazzani School to visit Canobie Lake
Park on 6/16/2010. The ayes have it.
Central to Camp Wing
On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mr. McCarthy, the Committee
approved a trip request for the Central Middle School to go to Camp Wing
from June 15 to June 18, 2010. The ayes have it.
Trip Request Forms
Mrs. Bragg cautioned that she would not approved any more trip requests
unless they come before the Committee two months before the schools
start collecting money. Mrs. Bragg made a motion, seconded by Mr.
McCarthy, that the Superintendent notify the principals that on any field
trip, School Committee approval is needed before any money is raised or
collected. Ms. Isola added a friendly amendment that the statute says that
“The field trip approval form needs to be put in before any monies are
raised or collected.” Mrs. Bragg accepted the friendly amendment. On a
roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously 7-0. Mrs. Lebo asked that
the school’s name is on the front of the form.
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Adjournment
On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mr. McCarthy, the Committee
adjourned for the evening at 8:55 p.m. There was no Executive Session.
On a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously 7-0.