Oct. 21, 2009 School Committee Meeting

Agenda

Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
October 7, 2009

7:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers

I. Approval of Minutes: Regular Session Minutes for October 7, 2009.

II. Superintendent’s Report:

A. Opportunities and Challenges

B. Quincy Community Business Partner Recognition – Stop & Shop Companies

C. Partnership Teacher Mini-Grant Event

D. Team Goal Booklet (2009-2010)

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. Murphy to report.

B. Update on the New Quincy High School: Mrs. Dwyer to report.

C. Update on Central: Mrs. Bragg and Mrs. Mahoney to report.

D. Physical Restraint of Students Policy- File 10.9.3: Final approval of this policy is requested. .

E. Observation of Special Education Programs Policy – Final approval of this policy is requested. See attached policy.

V. New Business:

A. Educational Proficiency Plans: Mr. O’Brien to report. See Attachment A.

B. Student Support Services: Anti Bullying Intervention: Ms. Tenaglia to report.

VI. Additional Business:

VII. Communications:

VIII. Hearings:

IX. Reports of Special Committees:

A. Policy Subcommittee: Mrs. Bragg to report.

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

X. Executive Session:

XI. Adjournment:

Subcommittees of the School Committee

Subcommittee Date Referred Business Pending
Budget & Finance
Mariano/Bragg/McCarthy 4/11/2007 HS Health Curriculum
  3/29/2008 Bus Rental Fees
  3/29/2008 Building Rental Fees
  9/10/2008 Revolving Funds 5-yrs. History
  5/6/2009 Advanced Placement Policy 10.15.1
  10/7/2009 Half Time Teachers
School Facilities Management    
Dwyer/Mahoney/Mariano 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
  2/8/2006 Conservation
  4/9/2008 11.6 School Facility Policy
  4/9/2008 Track
  9/10/2008 NQHS gym floor named
Health, Safety & Security    
Puleo/Mahoney/McCarthy 10/18/2006 School Zone, Traffic Safety Concerns
  4/11/2007 HS Health Curriculum
  3/26/2008 Increase School Breakfast Participation
School Policy    
Bragg/Dwyer/McCarthy 3/12/2008 Teacher Evaluations
  9/10/2008 Grade Configurations
  3/11/2009 MS Interim Letters
  3/11/2009 Naming of QPS schools/places/etc.
  6/10/2009 Classroom Observations
  9/9/2009 School Calendar
  10/7/2009 Food Services Policy 5.6.1
  10/7/2009 Graduation Requirements Policy 9.11.5
Special Education    
Mahoney/McCarthy/Mariano 1/17/2007 Emergency Information Form
  1/17/2007 Substitute Teachers for SPED
  3/21/2007 Implementation of IEPs
  9/24/2008 INSPIRE Initiative
Rules, Post Audit & Oversight    
Dwyer/Puleo/Bragg 10/29/2008 Faxon Field
     
AD HOC COMMITTEES:    
Channel 22    
Mahoney/McCarthy 10/17/2007 Encourage greater use of

 

Minutes

Quincy, Massachusetts - October 21, 2009
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee

Regular Meeting

A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 in the City Council Chambers, City Hall. Present were Mrs. Anne Mahoney, Mrs. Elaine Dwyer, Mr. Nicholas Puleo, Mrs. Jo-Ann Bragg, Mr. Ron Mariano and Mr. Dave McCarthy, Vice Chairman.

Vice 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, Murphy, O’Brien, Draicchio, Segalla, Ms. Roberts, Tenaglia, and Hughes. Ms. Tracey Christello, Citywide and Paul Phillips, QEA. Donna Niosi and Daruis Varmahmoodi, Quincy High Student Representatives.

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Reg. Session Mins. Approved 10/7/2009

On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mr. Puleo, the Committee approved the regular session minutes as amended for October 7, 2009. The ayes have it.

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Supts. Report

The members received a booklet announcing all of the 65 professional staff that received Teacher Mini-Grants sponsored by the Quincy School Community Partnership. The Quincy Foundation for Educational Excellence group did an outstanding job at screening and selecting the very best grants. Thanks went to Mr. Keith Segalla, Janice Erler, Mr. Mullaney, and principals for a fine event.

Our newest partner and Board of Directors from Stop Shop well be rescheduled for the November meeting.

The Superintendent will share with Mayor Koch and Vice Chairman McCarthy representatives for the Opportunities and Challenges Initiatives. We are just about at 100%. The Superintendent will share with the School Committee by the end of the week. The next steps in beginning the process will be discussed at the first meeting.

Congratulations to 176 of our students who have qualified to receive a John and Abigail Adams Scholarship--a free scholarship at a state college or university.

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Open Forum

As there was no one who wished to speak at the Open Forum, the Committee went on with the business at hand.

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Bldg. Update

Mr. Kevin Murphy reported that carpenters are still working at the Stadium. They have completed re-roofing the concession stand, replaced ceiling tiles at Beechwood and Snug Harbor, repaired and secured several doors at various schools, completed a fresh air circulation fan at Montclair. Maintenance is working on emergency exit signs at all schools. Plumbers repaired the heating system at Veterans Stadium for locker rooms. They are checking to make sure all school heating systems are working. A new score- board was installed at Lincoln Hancock, new floor tile repairs at Marshall and the Early Childhood Ctr. Painters are working on the common area at North Quincy High.

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QHS Bldg. Committee Mrs. Dwyer reports

Mrs. Dwyer gave a hand out regarding Phase 4 of the new Quincy High School. It is the last part of the project. This is where the old building came right up against the new building. Originally, we could have a temporary hallway between the old and new buildings, but once the school was finished, we had to separate the two buildings. In 2002, we were required to rip down part of the old Quincy High School building, right around the elevator to create a 60’ buffer. We asked the School Buildings Authority if we could first use the old building and that was a “no.” Then we asked if the buildings could be connected, and that was a "no." They insisted on a 60’ buffer. When we created the buffer zone, the land sloped down so much, there was a drainage problem, windows were exposed, and it destroyed the back of the building.

We had to build the 60’ buffer zone. Then after the new administration took over, the 60’ buffer requirement went away. We redesigned that area of Quincy High School. We did get a credit of $997,137, but from that credit, we had to redesign that and other issues – façade, etc.

New SMMA design $49,500,

Misc. charges 110,000

Five items that aren’t done yet,

Change to façade 35,000

A gated area 40,000

Repairing doors and 103,000

Old boiler room stairs

Misc. items 50,000

The new credit is $609,637. This phase will not be done until next August or September.

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Central Bldg. Committee Mrs. Mahoney reports

Mrs. Mahoney reported that the Superintendent is working with the MSBA on the enrollment projection and will have a report at the next meeting.

Supts Reports

The MSBA has said that the Committee does not have to revote. We have to do a refreshing that involves Sterling. Most things have not changed. This Committee has already voted.

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Physical Restraint Policy Policy File 10.9.3

On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mrs. Dwyer, the Committee moved approval of the Physical Restraint of Students Policy File 10.9.3. On a roll call vote, the motion Passed 6-0. Mayor Koch was absent.

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Observation of SPED Programs Policy 11.10.1

On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mrs. Dwyer, the Committee approved the Observation of Special Education Programs Policy File: 11.10.1. On a roll a call vote, the motion Passed 6-0. Mayor Koch was absent. Mrs. Bragg read #9 of the Policy –
“Should the observer choose to submit his/her report of the observation to the TEAM, the observer will be asked to submit it 10 days in advance of any TEAM meeting. This is particularly important if the report is going to be used to determine eligibility, develop an IEP or consider placement. The TEAM will convene within 10 days of receipt of the written report.”

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Anti Bullying Programs

Ms. Maura Tanaglia gave a presentation of Anti Bullying programs in the schools. Children who engage in bullying behavior are at risk of dropping out of school, 60% of students that have been identified as bullies will have an experience with the criminal justice system. Quincy’s hope is to help children build social networks and get involved in school activities, especially those students that may be at risk of being a target of bullying. Quincy has implemented classroom lessons that teach mutual respect and conflict resolution skills as preventive intervention to address bullying on a school wide level.

She gave an overview of the programs system wide. “Steps to Respect” has been purchased for elementary and middle schools. She urged parents to contact classroom teacher, guidance counselor or school principal with concerns. Work with the school to resolve the situation and monitor child’s cell phone and computer regularly.

Maura Shaughnessy spoke to the anti bullying programs in the elementary schools, and Brian Sasso spoke to the anti-bullying programs in the middle schools. At the high schools level they speak about internet safety programs, what is harassment, and dating safely.

There will be a Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center (M.A.R.C.) presentation for Quincy parents city wide on November 19 at 7:00 p.m. in Central Middle School.

Also, parents can access information on bullying through NetSmartz , a web based resource through the Quincy Public Schools website.

Mr. McCarthy asked that a presentation be done on what they are doing at both high schools at a future date.

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Educational Proficiency Plan

Mr. Rich O’Brien and Mary Feredrickson gave a brief overview of the MASC Educational Proficiency Plan (EPP). An EPP is a plan that schools develop to help individual students make progress towards proficiency in English Language Arts and/or Mathematics. An EPP must include a review of the students strengths and weaknesses based on MCAS tests and other assessment results, coursework, grades, and teacher input. A list of the courses in the relevant ELA and/or Math content areas that the student must take and complete successfully in grades 11 and 12 and a description of the assessments the school will use at least once each year to make sure that the student is making progress toward or has achieved proficiency. Quincy has developed a computer program to help keep a handle on these students. Mrs. Fredrickson showed an electronic EPP. Students now need to score a 220 in Science. The principal is the one ultimately responsible. The student needs to complete the plan in order to graduate.

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Additional Business

Mr. McCarthy commended Mr. Keith Segalla for a wonderful Center for Tech Ed Advisory Board meeting and presentation at the high school. Mrs. Mahoney also attended the Advisory Dinner and commended the Skills USA student who spoke and the culinary arts student. Students did an incredible job presenting.

Communications

The Quincy High Horizons Choir had a presentation of songs and open mike on Saturday night at Adams Hall, Quincy High School. Mr. McCarthy said it was a wonderful event.

Mr. McCarthy inquired about the bus for Bernazzani and if a transfer of funds from the Technology line is needed to cover the cost of the driver. Mr. Mariano answered that he will schedule a Budget Subcommittee meeting before the next regular School Committee meeting.

Mrs. Mahoney has called a Special Ed Subcommittee Meeting at Broad Meadows on October 28. Mr. McCarthy will chair the meeting.

Mr. McCarthy read a letter from Nancy Scanlan thanking the School Committee for reinstating a school bus at the Bernazzani School.

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Policy Subcommittee Mrs. Bragg reports

Mrs. Bragg reported that the Policy Subcommittee met to discuss two issues. The Committee has been asked by the high schools to consider a change in the Graduation Requirements File 9.11.5 policy. The high school principals would like to be able to provide waiver rights for students to change a schedule. The Committee is not waiving it’s graduation requirements. Principals can replace a social studies class with a science class. This proposal has been reviewed by everyone.

Mrs. Bragg made a motion, to change to give waiving rights to each high school principal on an individual basis. This item will lay on the table until the next School Committee meeting.

The school calendar was also discussed. Unions, principals, everyone was contacted. The unions did not respond. Special Education parents don’t want to alter the Special Education summer programs by beginning earlier. The new Quincy High school won’t be ready until the beginning of September. Therefore the Subcommittee decided to make no change to the calendar. It will be done as it has historically been done which is to begin after Labor Day.

On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mr. Mariano, the Committee approved the Policy Subcommittee minutes for October 7, 2009. The ayes have it.

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School Facilities Subcommittee Mrs. Dwyer reports

The School Facilities Subcommittee met on October 19. They reviewed the maintenance issues on the School Improvement Plans. The overall comments are that those things that are still not done, cost money. We would have to do a Capital Improvement plan. There is no money in our budget for repairs. Repaving school yards has gone to the DPW. They will review these requests. If the members had any questions, they were to contact Mrs. Dwyer. She thanked the Maintenance Department as they accomplished a lot with a little money.

The report for the ADA Accessibility of school buildings was sent out to the Committee. At the high school level, the new Quincy High School will be in full compliance. At the Middle School level, we have two schools with accessibility to elevators—Broad Meadows and Point Webster. Because we have open enrollment, we have a building that a handicapped student can go to. The new Central will be fully compliant. At the elementary level, five schools need minor repairs to become compliant with ADA standards for accessibility--Beechwood, Bernazzani, Marshall, Della Chiesa and Parker. Mr. Murphy will prepare a report of what the needs are for minor repairs to bring those buildings into ADA compliance for January. He will come back with a list of what’s needed and what the cost will be. We would like to bring one or more elementary schools into compliance. That will go into subcommittee.

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Adjournment

On a motion by Mr. Puleo, seconded by Mrs. Dwyer, the Committee adjourned for the evening at 9:12 p.m. There was no executive session. On a roll call vote, the motion passed 6-0. Mayor Koch was absent.