Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts - March 21, 2012
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular Meeting
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday,
March 21, 2012 at the Charles A. Bernazzani Elementary School. Present were
Mr. Paul Bregoli, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Mayor Thomas Koch, Mrs. Emily Lebo,
Mrs. Anne Mahoney, Mr. Dave McCarthy, and Ms. Barbara Isola, Vice Chair.
Vice-Chair
Presiding
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There was a moment of silence in memory of Rick Bragg, custodian at the Montclair
School for many years and the husband of former School Committee member Jo-Ann
Bragg.
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The Superintendent called the roll and all members were present. Also present were:
Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary; Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk; Messrs. Diana,
Dionne, Draicchio, Mullaney, Mulvey, Murphy, Rendle, Santoro, Keith Segalla; Dr.
Metzler; Mrs. Morrissey, Mrs. Papile, Mrs. Roberts, Ms. Todd; Ms. Allison Cox,
President, Quincy Education Association; and Ms. Jill Gichuhi, President, Quincy
Parent Advisory Council to Special Education.
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Regular Meeting Minutes Approved
3/7/2012
Mr. McCarthy made a motion, seconded by Mayor Koch, to approve the regular
session minutes for March 7, 2012. On a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Executive Session Minutes Approved
3/7/2012
Mr. McCarthy made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hubley, to approve the Executive
Session minutes for March 7, 2012. On a voice vote, the ayes have it.
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Open Forum
Mr. William Zamzow addressed Mayor Koch about reconciling funding that was cut
for FY 2011 from the Quincy Public Schools budget as anticipated charges for
unemployment compensation.
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Bernazzani School Principal Dionne
Ms. Isola introduced Mr. Dionne, Principal of the Bernazzani Elementary School,
who welcomed the School Committee members, Superintendent, and Leadership
Team. He spoke about the Bernazzani school community, the dedicated staff, and
supportive Parent-Teacher Organization, and the school’s academic success. He
also welcomed the school’s new Assistant Principal and Guidance Counselor,
Mr. Diana, spoke of recent improvements to the school building, particularly in
the technology area, initiatives supported both by Quincy Public School’s
Instructional Technology Department and the school’s PTO. He concluded by
thanking the Bernazzani staff for their dedication, care, and concern for each
student every day.
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Superintendent’s Report
The Superintendent opened his remarks by introducing Athletic Director Mr. Rendle
who spoke about the winter sports championship teams: the Quincy High School
Boys’ Basketball (coached by Dave Parry) and Girls’ Basketball (coached by
Jeff Bretsch) teams and the North Quincy High School Boys’ Basketball (coached by
Kevin Barrett) and Boys’ Hockey (coach Matt Gibbons) teams. The captains from
each team were introduced and highlights of their seasons reviewed. Mr. Rendle
concluded his presentation by looking forward to the spring sports season, where
Quincy Public Schools will be fielding 35 teams, including 22 varsity teams.
Mr. McCarthy noted that the students’ parents play a large role in athletic successes
and thanked them. Mr. Bregoli thanked Mr. Rendle for his work as Athletic Director
and commended the coaches for their commitment to their players. Mayor Koch added
his thanks to the coaching staffs and teachers. Ms. Isola spoke about the intangible
value of participating in sports. Dr. DeCristofaro thanked the students for their
representation of the best of the Quincy Public Schools and also their parents, for their
support in and out of the classroom.
After a brief recess, the Superintendent continued with his report. He spoke about a
Quincy High School student, Denissa Touma who recently received a Silver Key Art
Award from the Boston Globe. He also spoke about upcoming plays being held at
Quincy High School (Fiddler on the Roof, March 30 through April 1) and also at the
Broad Meadows and Sterling Middle Schools, and the Squantum Elementary and
Lincoln-Hancock Community Schools in late April and early May.
The topic of financial literacy will be explored with students from both high schools
at the Credit for Life Fair on Friday, March 30, 2012 at the Tirrell Room. Over 80
business partners will be participating as well. The HYPER Robotics team will
compete at the regional competition at Boston University on March 24 and 25 and
special thanks are extended to our business partner, Bluefin Robotics, who sponsors
this program. At the recent regional Academic Decathalon, coaches Mera Kriz and
Evelyn Ryan led students from North Quincy High School and Quincy High School
to 4th and 5th place finishes, respectively. Dr. DeCristofaro also shared newsletters
from the Security department, the Information Technology department, and the
Montclair and Snug Harbor Curriculum Newsletters.
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Old Business
Teaching and Learning Subcommittee
Mrs. Lebo reviewed the first meeting of the Teaching and Learning Subcommittee,
held on February 13, 2012. At the meeting, the newly-formed subcommittee reviewed
its purpose and goals, discussed a preliminary timeline for the development and
review of School Improvement Plans and Academic Program Improvement Plans.
Mrs. Roberts spoke about the transition to the Massachusetts Common Core State
Standards and the timeline and plan for implementation at the elementary, middle,
and high school levels. Student testing under the new standards will begin in the
2012-2013 school year. There was also a discussion of the overlap with the
implementation of the new educator evaluation regulations.
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to accept the minutes of the February 13, 2012 Teaching
and Learning Subcommittee meeting. Mayor Koch seconded the motion, and on a
voice vote, the ayes have it.
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New Business
Food Services Presentation
The Superintendent introduced Mrs. Joanne Morrissey, Director of Food Services,
who presented on the new federal regulations that will come into effect on
July 1, 2012 for the National School Lunch program, the School Breakfast Program,
and the Summer Food Service Program for Children. Key provisions of the federal
legislation update meal patterns and nutrition standards for school lunch and school
breakfast programs, set guidelines for establishing meal charges for paid student
meals, require review of local policies on meal charges, and changes the review cycle
from five years to every three years. In addition, the regulations require the USDA to
establish national nutrition standards for competitive food sold and served in schools
at any time during the school day and establish professional standards for food
service directors. Five meal components are now required for a typical lunch: fruit,
vegetables (including specific subcategories), grains (all whole-grain by 2014-2015),
meat/meat alternates (eggs, cheese, yogurt, tofu), milk (fat-free or low-fat only).
Fruits and vegetables can be fresh, frozen, or canned, but have imposed limits on
sodium. Calorie levels for meals will have minimum and maximum levels, new
limits for trans fats found especially in baked goods and solids such as margarines
(QPS eliminated trans fats two years ago).
Competitive food standards were created by the state to supplement the federal
standards. Provisions that overlap both the state and federal standards include free
water must be available during meal service and changes to school wellness policies
(not yet determined). Competitive foods are foods available to students free or with
a charge but not part of the meal plans (a la carte items, school stores, snack bars,
vending machines, concession stands, booster sales, fund-raising activities), available
during the school day or thirty minutes before or after school. Calorie, sugar, fat, and
sodium restrictions will eliminate almost everything currently sold as an a la carte
item in school cafeterias. Whenever food is offered for sale, fresh fruits and
vegetables must be offered as well and nutritional information for non-packaged
foods must be provided (not for booster sales or fundraisers). The existing School
Wellness Policy may need to be updated based on the new guidelines; information
will be forthcoming from Mrs. Kisielius and Mrs. Morrissey after they attend an
upcoming conference.
Mr. McCarthy inquired about the pricing impact on the budget; Mrs. Morrissey said
that material prices will be rising, along with serving sizes. Mr. McCarthy asked
about regulations covering what schools can sell and Mrs. Morrissey explained that
competitive food provisions apply to food provided for students for a party, for
example, but not a bake sale that is for the public on election day. One example of
conflicting requirements between the federal and state regulations is that no fat
chocolate milk will be available for students who buy lunch, but students who bring
lunch and buy milk will not be able to buy that same chocolate milk. Mrs. Mahoney
asked about the potential impact on equipment costs and the computerized POS
systems (these will be implemented at all middle and secondary schools by the end of
April). Mrs. Lebo asked for clarification that any pricing change for meals is being
imposed by the federal regulations which require meal pricing at the level of
reimbursement; parents should know that this is not city or School Committeeimposed price increase. Mayor Koch asked for data on free and reduced price lunch
trends and comparative data for other South Shore towns. Mrs. Morrissey said that
47% of students system-wide are currently eligible for free and reduced meals.
Mr. Bregoli asked about the potential budget impact and Mrs. Morrissey said that we
will hopefully qualify for the additional $.06 increase in federal reimbursement, but
will need to do more research about the impact. Ms. Isola asked for information on
food waste, concerned about students being forced to take food that they will then
throw away. Mrs. Morrissey clarified that students with medical issues can have
substitutes as prescribed by their doctors. Ms. Isola inquired about moving towards
organic items or growth-hormone-free products. Mrs. Morrissey said QPS milk
vendor does not use growth hormones. Ms. Isola complimented Mrs. Morrissey on
her grasp of the complex regulations. Mrs. Hubley asked about how this will impact
the Quincy High School restaurant and school stores at both High Schools. It impacts
what is sold to students, so they will have to meet the state a la carte standards.
Mrs. Morrissey clarified that the Wellness Policy is still a work in progress, state
regulations are available, but the federal policy not yet established. We are in good
stead because QPS already has school-based Wellness teams, which are now
recommended by the state.
Dr. DeCristofaro thanked Mrs. Morrissey for her work in preparing the presentation
and her day-to-day leadership. He suggested that the Wellness Policy update be
added to the Health, Transportation, and Safety Subcommittee and then any attendant
issues would be shared with the Policy and Budget and Finance Subcommittees as
needed.
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Consolidation of Maintenance Department budget
The next item on the agenda was the Acceptance of Massachusetts General Law,
Chapter 71, Section 37M. Mayor Koch spoke to the issue which involves
consolidating the School Maintenance budget with the City’s Department of Public
Works. Acceptance of this provision would require a majority vote of the School
Committee and the City Council. Mayor Koch moved that this item be added to the
School Facilities and Security Subcommittee. Mr. McCarthy seconded the motion
and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mr. McCarthy noted that he had provided the School Committee members with a
packet of meeting minutes from School Committee and Subcommittee meetings
from 2004 and 2008 where this issue had been previously discussed. He will be
scheduling a Facilities and Security Subcommittee meeting shortly. Mrs. Mahoney
asked for cost projections, cost savings, and draft of the proposed organizational
structure; Mr. McCarthy responded that he would be requesting these items from
City Solicitor Timmins and asked the School Committee for any other items they
would like to see. Mrs. Mahoney asked for data on the actual hours School
Maintenance employees have worked on city projects after 4:00 pm (a provision of
the existing Memorandum of Agreement).
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Out of State Travel
Mayor Koch made a motion to approve the Out of State Travel of North Quincy High
School Air Force Junior ROTC to Washington, D.C. and George Mason University,
Fairfax, VA from June 22 to June 26, 2012. Mr. McCarthy seconded the motion, and
on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
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Additional Business
Mrs. Hubley announced that there will be a Health, Transportation, and Safety
Subcommittee meeting on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at 4:30 pm in the 2nd floor
conference room of the NAGE Building.
Mr. McCarthy spoke about the information provided to each School Committee
member that details the security concerns for each building in the Quincy Public
Schools and the progress towards resolving them. Mr. McCarthy thanked Mr.
Murphy and Mr. Draicchio for their work on the recent outside lighting audit.
Ms. Isola announced that there will be a Budget and Finance Subcommittee meeting
on Monday, March 26, 2012 at 4:30 pm in the 2nd floor conference room of the
NAGE Building.
Mrs. Mahoney announced that there will be a Special Education Subcommittee
meeting on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at 7:00 pm in the 1st Floor Teacher’s Room
at Quincy High School.
Mrs. Mahoney asked that at a future Facilities and Security Subcommittee meeting,
an update for Coddington Hall be added to the agenda. She also requested
information about the square footage at the NAGE building (12,903 sq. ft. of office
space, not including conference rooms) and whether the City Clerk’s Office will be
moving to Coddington Hall. Mayor Koch stated that the City Clerk’s Office will be
moving back to City Hall when the renovations are complete. Another city
department may move to the third floor of Coddington Hall, but this is still to be
determined.
Mrs. Mahoney also asked that at a future School Facilities and Security
Subcommittee meeting there be an update on the status and costs of the school
roofing projects. Mayor Koch clarified that the terms of the bond appropriation was
for building improvements across the city and it is possible to spend additional funds
on school roofing projects if necessary.
Mr. Bregoli announced that the next Policy Subcommittee meeting will be on
Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 4:30 pm in the 2nd floor conference room of the NAGE
Building.
Mr. McCarthy explained that he would be scheduling two Facilities and Security
Subcommittee meetings, one for the Maintenance consolidation discussion and one
for Coddington Hall. He has an updated status chart of the school roof repair and
restoration projects that will be shared with all School Committee members.
Mrs. Lebo reminded her colleagues of her request about annual safety checks for the
school Science labs and asked that it be addressed in one of the upcoming
Subcommittee meetings, possibly Health, Transportation, and Safety or Facilities and
Security. Mrs. Lebo also requested a complete list of all the Subcommittee meetings
that were announced at this evening’s School Committee Meeting.
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Reports of Special Committees
Teaching and Learning Subcommittee
Mrs. Lebo presented a report of the Teaching and Learning Subcommittee meeting
of March 12, 2012. At that meeting, Mrs. Roberts gave a review of the Professional
Development activities for the quarter, discussed plans for a Math night in Fall 2012,
shared information about the MCAS Reporting timelines for 2012, and the recently
granted waiver from the federal No Child Left Behind regulations. For Common Core
and Curriculum updates, Mrs. Roberts shared planned purchases of both core and
supplemental materials, particularly for Mathematics instruction. For Reading
instruction, a pilot of a new Common Core-aligned Reading program is planned at
several elementary schools. Cost estimates for these initiatives will be shared at the
Budget and Finance Subcommittee meeting on March 26, 2012. For timeline
considerations, the Subcommittee discussed agenda items for the April, May, and
June meetings.
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to amend the Teaching and Learning Subcommittee
Meeting minutes for March 12, 2012 to add “Review of the System Profile and
Progress Report” to the agenda items for the May 14 meeting (page 4) and then
accept the minutes as amended. Mayor Koch seconded the motion and on a voice
vote, the ayes have it.
Mrs. Lebo then made a motion to accept the Teaching and Learning Subcommittee
Executive Session minutes from March 12, 2012. Mayor Koch seconded the motion,
and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Central Building Committee
Mrs. Mahoney then reported on the Central Building Committee meeting that was
held on Monday, March 1, 2012. Subcontractor RFPs were sent out on
February 13, 2012 and were due back on March 8, 2012; for the general contractor,
bids will be released on March 22, 2012 and are due back on March 28, 2012.
Mayor Koch clarified that there has been a legal challenge to the city’s Responsible
Employee Ordinance by several companies. The federal judge hearing the case has
requested that bids remaining sealed until she has reviewed the briefs. It is anticipated
that this may delay the general contractor award by a week.
Policy Subcommittee
Mr. Bregoli reviewed the Policy Subcommittee meeting from March 19, 2012. At
this meeting, there was a discussion of the Community Service Pilot and the pros and
cons of this idea. Information on other communities’ programs and guidelines was
shared with all of the School Committee members. At the end of the discussion, it
was suggested that working with the two high school principals, a draft proposal
would be created for review at a subsequent meeting in late April. The second item on
the agenda was a review of the Substitute Teacher Hiring and Evaluation practices.
Mr. Mulvey reported on the requirements and Mrs. Roberts spoke of the process of
informally evaluating substitutes and the process for hiring long-term substitutes. All
agreed that an area of concern is substitutes with Special Education certification. At
the conclusion of the discussion, it was agreed that this item could be removed from
the Policy Subcommittee. Two North Quincy High School students asked to be
recognized and requested consideration of adding CPR/ADE certification as a
graduation requirement.
Mr. Bregoli made a motion to accept the Policy Subcommittee Meeting minutes from
the March 19, 2012 meeting. Mayor Koch seconded the motion and on a voice vote,
the ayes have it.
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Resignation
The School Committee noted the following teacher resignation:
Teacher
Katie Kunevich
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Leave of Absence
The School Committee noted the following leave of absence:
Nurse Andrea Huwar
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Adjournment
On a motion by Mrs. Lebo, seconded by Mrs. Hubley, the School Committee
went into Executive Session at 9:20 p.m. for Collective Bargaining. On a roll call
vote, the ayes have it 7-0. The School Committee did not return to Open Session.