Quincy Public Schools

A meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. at the Coddington Building.  Superintendent Kevin Mulvey called the roll and present were Mayor Thomas P. Koch, School Committee Chair, Mr. Paul Bregoli, Mr. Doug Gutro, Mrs. Emily Lebo, Mrs. Courtney Perdios, Mr. Frank Santoro, and Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Vice Chair.

Also present were:  Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Assistant Superintendent Erin Perkins, Ms. Allison Cox, Mr. Michael Draicchio, Ms. Julie Graham, Ms. Jennifer Leary, Mr. James Mullaney, Ms. Maura Papile, Ms. Kimberley Quinn, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Keith Segalla, Mr. Edward Smith, Mr. Christopher Tierney, Ms. Bridget Vaughan; and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.

School Committee observed a moment of silence for former Mayor, City Councillor, and School Committee member Francis McCauley, 32 years total serving the City of Quincy; Richard “Dick” Young, a retired custodian with over 30 years service to Quincy Public Schools and Quincy College; Gertrude “Trudy” Prescott, retired Cafeteria Manager at Quincy High School for 23 years; and Patricia Callahan, retired Elementary School teacher with over 30 years at Lincoln Hancock, Parker, and Snug Harbor.

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Regular Meeting

Chair Presiding

Mrs. Hubley made a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting and Executive Session for October 13, 2021.  Mrs. Lebo seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

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Approval of Minutes

There were four letters submitted for Open Forum, the first from the Citywide Parent Council Executive Board and co-signed by fifty Quincy Public Schools parents, grandparents, staff, and community members urging School Committee to resume negotiations with the Quincy Education Association.  There were also letters from Maggie McKee and David Shiga on the same topic.  The final letter was submitted by Liz Speakman, requesting that School Committee convene the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Subcommittee to address the incidents that took place in the last week and to open School Committee meetings to the public.

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Open Forum

Mayor Koch’s deferred the Chairman’s Review as there is a lengthy agenda this evening.

Superintendent Mulvey opened his report by addressing the events that took place over the last week, the rap song containing racist and sexist language, the videos containing racist language, and the subsequent altercation and student walkout.   Superintendent Mulvey reviewed the investigation and disciplinary process around the offensive audio and video recordings and the outside resources, including Walker Therapeutic and DESE’s Associate Commissioner Russell Johnston, who have assisted with the immediate response.

Mr. Santoro thanked the Superintendent and Leadership Team, as well as the administrative team at Quincy High School, for the quick response.  Mr. Santoro emphasized that the community needs to clearly understand how the process works, suggested including parents from the Citywide PTO EDI Subcommittee, Quincy High School and Point Webster parents in a future Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Subcommittee meeting.

Mrs. Lebo agreed with Mr. Santoro, and asked for any notes taken at the student assembly to be shared with School Committee.  Mrs. Lebo asked if the grade level assemblies were required attendance, Ms. Perkins clarified that there were mandatory assemblies for all grades.  There was also an early morning meeting that was voluntary, open to all students.  Mrs. Lebo asked about the VISIONS report, the report has been delayed by Dr. Pinderhughes’ health issues.

Mr. Gutro asked for clarification, School Committee meetings cannot be broadcast live from any other location due to Quincy Access Television equipment issues. 

Mr. Gutro asked for the Superintendent to share the audio and video files with School Committee during Executive Session. 

Mrs. Perdios agrees with increasing parent participation opportunities at meetings, the acknowledgment of the crisis is important.  School Committee needs to make a commitment to work on this, the outside resources need a deliverable plan of action. 

Mrs. Lebo reminded Superintendent Mulvey of her request for a Curriculum Map for Social-Emotional Learning.  Mrs. Lebo said that the student who created the racist video has had his life severely impacted, the online presence of this will affect his life for years.

Mayor Koch thanked Superintendent Mulvey and the team for moving quickly and professionally, these incidents are based in ignorance and a lack of long-term thinking about consequences.  Quincy High School is an excellent school, he does not want the reputation to be tarnished by the actions of a few students, has faith in the students and staff at the school.  Mayor Koch said that School Committee can meet at Quincy High School, but the meeting cannot be broadcast live.

Mrs. Lebo mentioned that the acoustics at Quincy High School, Central Middle School, and South~West are problematic, School Committee cannot hear each other across the stage.

Superintendent Mulvey moved to the next section of the Superintendent’s Report, noting that Quincy Public Schools enrollment is 9,711 for Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12, an increase of 100 students since October 1.   For COVID-19 positive cases, there were 31 student and 5 staff cases in the two weeks October 27-November 9.  There were 106 close contacts:  66 Test & Stay, 26 quarantined; 14 vaccinated/exempt from quarantine with no symptoms.  Over 1,900 staff and students are participating in weekly pooled testing

On October 26, DESE extended the mask requirement to January 15, 2022.  As previously discussed, schools that reach an 80% vaccination rate can request to DESE to waive the mask requirement.  Currently, no school meets this threshold with student vaccination rates of:  Atlantic 47.6%; Broad Meadows 26.6%; Central 49.7%, Point Webster 25.4%, South~West 24.6%, North Quincy High School 74.8%, and Quincy High School 63.8%.  Vaccination rates will continue to be monitored and updated at subsequent School Committee meetings, including elementary school data now that students ages 5-11 are eligible to be vaccinated. 

Mrs. Perdios asked for clarification, the staff have not yet been polled because even if 100% of staff are vaccinated, it would not allow any school to reach 80%.

Superintendent Mulvey said that staff can be polled and submit an affidavit of vaccination, this would be voluntary. 

Mr. Gutro asked for the positive case data to break out the number of families affected.

Mr. Bregoli asked about the process of requesting a waiver, the School Committee would send an affidavit to DESE for approval, requests have been approved to date.

Mrs. Lebo clarified that only vaccinated staff and students would be allowed to remove their masks, which sets up a complication for the administrators.

Superintendent Mulvey thanked Manet Health Community as an important partner for COVID-19 vaccinations, operating in the 180 Old Colony building for testing as well several days a week. 

Mrs. Perdios asked about the long-term use of the building impeding the construction of the DeCristofaro Learning Center.  Mayor Koch clarified that the Manet Health use of the building is not impeding the construction, the project is currently out for bid.  Mrs. Perdios requested a presentation of updated plans for the building.  Mayor Koch agreed that Mr. Hines will appear before School Committee in the new year, he was unfortunately not able to appear at the recent Facilities Subcommittee meeting due to illness.

Mr. Gutro asked for an update on the Chromebook shipment, Superintendent Mulvey said they are being configured and will provide an update on arrival projections at the next meeting.

The Quincy Public Schools Mentor program is underway for the new school year with 65 newly-hired educators, nurses, and support staff being mentored by 60 veteran staff members.  Mentor Team meetings are held five times over the course of the year for presentations and there are also monthly meeting opportunities at the school level.  Thanks to the National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) for their continued support of the Mentor Program through providing funding for mentor stipends.

Superintendent Mulvey updated that the Educator Mini-Grants were awarded to 114 educators through the generosity of the Quincy School~Community Partnership.  Quincy Public Schools will support local food pantries through food drives held at all school locations and the Coddington Building.

Superintendent Mulvey recognized Commended National Merit Scholars  Caroline Cavicci, Alexander Gu, Jaden Liang, Amy Truong, and Jilin Zheng from North Quincy High School and Maurice Ampane, Amyah Davis, Natalya Desmond, Maya Dijkstra, Zach Donohue, and Cassandra Gordon from Quincy High School.  Of the 1.6 million students who took the PSAT in October 2020, these students are among the top 50,000 nationwide.  Superintendent Mulvey also recognized the 110 graduating seniors in the class of 2022 who have been awarded the John & Abigail Adams Scholarships for scoring in the top 25% district-wide on the MCAS Assessments.  The scholarship covers eight semesters of tuition at any University of Massachusetts, state university, or community college campus.   

Mrs. Lebo congratulated the students and their educators for these achievements.

Superintendent reviewed recent Quincy Public Schools and Community Events, including the Homecoming Dances were held for North Quincy High School students on October 2 and Quincy High School students on October 23.  Thanks to the support of Mayor Koch, the events were safely held outdoors in tents with refreshments provided by parent organizations at each school.  Special thanks to Principals Keith Ford and Larry Taglieri and their staff members who volunteered to make these events special for over 1,000 students.

High School Open House events were held for middle school students and their families on November 3 for Quincy High School and November 9 for North Quincy High School.  Attendees toured the schools and learned about the academic and extracurricular activities at each school.  Thanks to Principals Larry Taglieri, Keith Ford; Assistant Principals Ellen Murrary, Helena Skinner, and Noreen Holland; and the Department Chairs, guidance staff, deans, Athletic Directors, and staff members at both high schools for planning and hosting these important events.

On Sunday, October 24, Quincy hosted the Massachusetts Instrumental & Choral Conductors Association State Marching Band Championships.  25 marching bands from high schools all over the state participated.  Congratulations to the Quincy/North Quincy Band & Colorguard under the direction of Michael DeMarco and Matt Cavanaugh for their 2nd place finish!  The combined Marching Band & Color Guard now have over 150 members and thanks to the support of Mayor Koch and School Committee members over the years as well as the Quincy Band Boosters in providing funding for new uniforms and equipment and additional staffing, and rebuilding the program over the last 8 years.

Mrs. Perdios noted that the students who assisted with the Open Houses were very impressive.

Mr. Santoro commended the students who were recognized, many are also involved in Athletics and Extracurriculars, examples of how our two good high schools are producing academic scholars supported by teachers in many ways.

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Superintendent’s

Report

Mr. Bregoli made a motion to approve the update of School Committee Policy 5.5.1 Transportation Services.  Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it 7-0.

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Old Business

Coordinator of English Language Arts & Literacy Bridget Vaughan presented the 2021-2022 Literacy Program Improvement Plan, noting that the in-person Literacy services are critical to supporting the foundational reading skills for our youngest learners in Kindergarten through Grade 3.  Using the three-tiered system for supports, student data is analyzed in Integrated Learning Team meetings where students are identified as Tier One (no risk for low reading achievement), Tier Two (some risk for low achievement), or Tier Three (at risk for low reading achievement).  During the 2020-2021 school year, Literacy teachers were utilized as classroom teachers to facilitate remote and in-person learning and the typical Literacy program was not implemented.  In reflecting on last years goals, the achievement levels were not as desired due to the decrease in services provided.

For the 2021-2022 school year, goals are (1) During the 2021-2022 school year, K-2 students will improve their foundational reading skills as evidenced by an overall decrease in the number of Tier 3 students.  This will be measured by a decrease of 5% for K-2 student as indicated by the Amplify mCLASS with DIBELS 8^th Comparing Populations Report.  (2) During the 2021-2022 school year, the Literacy Team will support the district goal of combatting learning loss in the area of reading comprehension through small group instruction and implementation of targeted reading interventions, as evidenced by an increase of 10 RIT points for Grades 2 and 3, as indicated by the NWEA MAP District Growth Summary Report.  Ms. Vaughan shared the many interventions available to Literacy teachers for use with individual student needs, updated on the GLEAM grant of $208,000 for FY2022 for curriculum, professional development, and developing leadership.  Ms. Vaughan concluded her presentation by sharing videos Literacy classrooms, an overview of Professional Development, and the twenty Literacy Team members.

Mr. Santoro is concerned about the identification of English Learner Education students who may have Literacy or Special Education issues in addition to acquiring language.  Ms. Vaughan said that the goal is to identify students as early as possible, including implementing a dyslexia screening that flags students at risk through the identification of numbers.  Efforts would be coordinated between teams.

Mrs. Hubley asked about professional development for integrating Literacy skills into academic support programs such as Art, Music, Physical Education.  Ms. Vaughan said these teachers are part of professional development for close reading skills and strategies. 

Mrs. Hubley asked about developing skills for note taking, Ms. Vaughan said the close reading techniques have early note taking skills and strategies, these are progressively more complex with the age of the student and the type of content.

Mrs. Lebo congratulated Ms. Vaughan for receiving the GLEAM grant.  Mrs. Lebo asked about the HILL for Literacy, Ms. Vaughan said this is a consulting group hired by DESE and assigned to us under the grant.  Our consultant is a former principal from Weymouth.  Mrs. Lebo asked to attend a virtual leadership meeting.

Mrs. Lebo asked about the use of the NWEA MAP K-2 screener rather than the Grades 2-5 screener, for Grade 2 students.  Mrs. Lebo said students who are expected to be independent readers should be using the Grades 2-5 screener, asked to revisit the earlier decision.  Ms. Vaughan said based on the current data, feels that the K-2 screener is more appropriate for the ability of the students.  Ms. Vaughan said that some 2^nd grade students do take the Grades 2-5 screener based on their abilities.

Mrs. Perdios compared the goals for 2020-21 to 2021-22 and asked for reasoning.  Ms. Vaughan said this has to do with the new screening tools and the composite scores provided for all of the subtests.  Ms. Vaughan said the goals are challenging and factor in the growth possible in the face of the learning loss. 

Mrs. Perdios asked about the mask requirement and phonics instruction, Ms. Vaughan said it presents some challenges for teachers to develop alternate techniques.  Mrs. Perdios suggested conducting classes outside when the weather allows.  Ms. Vaughan said teachers are also recording themselves to allow students to hear the sounds unfiltered.

Superintendent Mulvey thanked Ms. Vaughan and her team for all of their efforts.

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New Business

Literacy Program

Improvement Plan

Special Education Director Julie Graham and Team Administrator Jennifer Leary presented the Early Childhood Program Improvement Plan, encompassing the Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten programs.  Currently there are 300+ students enrolled in Pre-Kindergarten at the Della Chiesa Early Childhood Center, Point Webster Middle School, and the Snug Harbor Community School.  Pre-Kindergarten classrooms are either integrated Special Education and typically developing students or fully Special Education CARES classrooms.  Thanks to the support of School Committee, all Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten classrooms have a full-time paraprofessional to assist the classroom teacher.  Ms. Graham reviewed the curriculum materials and supports, including assessment options available for the Early Childhood program. 

In reflecting on the goals for the 2020-2021 school year, Ms. Graham noted that they were aligned with the Massachusetts Preschool and Kindergarten Standards in Social-Emotional Development and Approaches to Play and Learning.  As with older students, Early Childhood students were both remote and in-person during the 2020-2021 school year, so participated in professional development related to enhance technology skills in the Google Suite.

For the 2021-2022 school year, goals include (1) the Integrated Pre-Kindergarten team will implement Community Circles in the classroom setting by creating and successfully implementing weekly lesson plans and (2) the Pre-Kindergarten team will collaborate to develop and implement a minimum of three daily classroom practices to help students identify feelings and emotions in themselves and others.  These goals address the learning standards of Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, and Responsible Decision Making.   The Kindergarten teachers will (1) implement the Illustrative Mathematics core math resource to meet the academic standards presented in the 2017 MA Curriculum Framework for Mathematics and (2) implement the new early literacy universal and dyslexia screener Amplify mClass with Dibels 8.

Mrs. Perdios suggested that the Pre-Kindergarten program videos would be good information to share with parents on the QPS website, would be helpful for parents of typically developing students to understand how the program works. 

Mrs. Lebo thanked the presenters, agreed tgat the videos are really important to see how the classrooms work.

Mr. Gutro thanked the presenters, is in favor of universal Pre-Kindergarten, but understands the space and funding constraints.  Mr. Gutro asked for clarification on the current program, Snug Harbor has four integrated classrooms, Point Webster has two integrated and two CARES classrooms, Della Chiesa has five integrated classrooms and nine CARES classrooms. 

Mayor Koch left the meeting at 8:45 pm.

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New Business

Early Childhood

Education PIP

Superintendent Mulvey reviewed the research done by Director of Business James Mullaney about daily substitute pay rates for local cities and towns.  Quincy Public Schools is currently paying $85.00 per day which is on the low end of the scale with the average at $100.00 per day.  Mr. Mullaney said we are short daily substitutes as compared to the 2019-2020 school year. 

Mrs. Hubley asked about the number of hours per day, $100 averages out to $16 per hour.

Mr. Santoro asked how this increase would be paid for, Mr. Mullaney said there is a surplus in the budget line because of unfilled substitute openings to date.

Mr. Gutro asked how the information presented was generated, Mr. Mullaney called the districts.  Mr. Gutro asked about using ESSER funding to bump the rate up even higher.

Mrs. Lebo said that $100 per day is not enough, suggested $125 per day.

Mr. Santoro asked how using the ESSER funding would impact the budget that was already created.  Mr. Mullaney said that for this year, we may not need to go into the ESSER funding because of the surplus.

Mr. Gutro asked about long-term substitutes, they receive the same daily rate.

Going forward, maintaining this rate would add $500,000 to $600,000 to the Quincy Public Schools annual budget.

Mrs. Perdios asked if there are more substitute requests or fewer substitutes.  Mr. Mullaney said some of both.  Mrs. Perdios noted that principals and SLT including Ms. Perkins are sometimes teaching classes. 

Mr. Bregoli asked about staff absences, Superintendent Mulvey said some of these are related to COVID-19 cases and will follow up with a breakdown.

Mrs. Lebo asked about long-term substitutes and benefits, a small number of highly qualified substitutes on modified contracts receive benefits.

Mr. Gutro asked about the need for principals and SLT to cover classes, Ms. Perkins confirmed that this is much more frequent than in previous school years.

Mr. Santoro suggested that more information on where the additional funding needed before School Committee makes a decision on the rates.

Mrs. Lebo made a motion of a minimum increase to $100 for the daily rate for substitutes.

Superintendent Mulvey said this is affordable using the breakage available and then School Committee can monitor further. 

Mr. Santoro seconded the motion.

Mr. Gutro asked for the item to be revisited after two months.

Superintendent Mulvey said this will help make Quincy more competitive with other cities and towns and maintain and hopefully increase the ranks of substitutes.

On a roll call vote, the ayes have it 6-0.  Mayor Koch was absent.

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New Business

Substitute Pay Rates

(VOTE)

Mayor Koch returned to the meeting at 9:15 pm.

Mrs. Hubley attended the Massachusetts Association of School Committees General Meeting and reported that all of the Resolutions passed.  Since School Committee did not meet due to the storm, School Committee did not have an official position on each resolution and so Mrs. Hubley voted present on all.

Mr. Santoro thanked Mrs. Hubley for representing the School Committee at the conference.

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New Business

MASC Conference

Update

Mr. Bregoli made a motion to move School Committee Policy 10.5.3 Career & Technical Education Admission Policy to the Policy Subcommittee.  Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it.

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Mr. Bregoli made a motion to move the School Committee Meeting Calendar for 2022-2023 to the Policy Subcommittee.  Mrs. Lebo seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it.

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Mr. Bregoli made a motion to move the Quincy Public Schools 2022-2023 School Year Calendar to the Policy Subcommittee.  Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it.

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Mrs. Lebo noted that elementary schools with voting have been impacted by the change of early release day from Tuesday to Wednesday.  Mayor Koch agreed that for general elections, schools should be closed.

Mrs. Perdios noted that Clifford Marshall’s gymnasium is now a voting site and does not have direct outside access.  Mayor Koch said that 1000 Southern Artery was the home of the precincts but COVID-19 and a change in ownership for the building has caused the Election Department to seek another location.

Mayor Koch said that if schools are closed for elections, the schools may pick up more precincts, as this would help the Election Department.

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New Business

Referrals to Policy

Subcommittee

There was no additional business.

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Additional Business

Mayor Koch noted that the last School Committee of 2021 will be on December 8, 2021, at 6:30 pm in the School Committee Room at the Coddington Building.

Subcommittee meetings will be held on December 6, 2021 (Athletics & Wellness, Policy, and Special Education), beginning at 6:00 pm.

Mayor Koch announced the return of the City’s Annual Christmas Festival the weekend after Thanksgiving, a flyer will be shared with families with the details of the events November 26-28, 2021.

Mr. Gutro noted that all School Committee members received a letter from the Veterans Council about the ROTC program.  Mayor Koch said as this is a Personnel matter, it will be discussed in Executive Session.

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Communications

Mayor Koch noted that Subcommittee Meeting minutes can be found on the School Committee page of the Quincy Public Schools website quincypublicschools.com.

Mayor Koch updated on the Quarterly Budget & Finance Subcommittee Meeting held on October 20, 2021, where the FY2022 1^st Quarter expenditures were reviewed.  All budget lines are on track for expected expenditures for this time of year.

Mr. Santoro reviewed the Facilities, Security & Transportation Subcommittee Meeting held on October 20, 2021 where Mechanical Engineer David Scott reviewed the report on HVAC performance in school buildings; School Committee discussed a Feasibility Study on school building usage/space; and the updated Quincy High School security system.

Mrs. Perdios asked for an update on the Point Webster Middle School grounds, Mayor Koch said the city is very close to identifying a funding source.

Superintendent Mulvey said the Quincy High School security upgrade is still on schedule to begin later this month.

Mr. Santoro also updated on the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Subcommittee meeting held on October 20, 2021 where a review of QPS staff diversity initiatives and QPS school EDI initiatives were shared.

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Reports of

Subcommittees

Mrs. Lebo made a motion to go into Executive Session at 9:35 pm.  Mr. Bregoli seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 7-0.  School Committee will not return to Regular session.

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Executive Session

Since School Committee moved to Executive Session at 9:35 pm, the Regular Meeting was adjourned.

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Adjournment