A meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday, June
14, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. in the School Committee Room at the Coddington Building. Superintendent Kevin Mulvey called the roll
and present were Mayor Thomas P. Koch, School Committee Chair, and School
Committee Members Mr. Paul Bregoli, Mrs. Tina Cahill, Mr. Douglas Gutro, Mrs.
Kathryn Hubley, Mrs. Emily Lebo, and Mr. Frank Santoro, Vice Chair.
Also present were:
Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Assistant Superintendent Erin Perkins, Ms.
Kim Connolly, Ms. Dawn Ciardi, Ms.
Rebecca Cordero, Ms. Allison Cox, Mr. Michael Draicchio, Ms. Julie Graham, Ms.
Andrea Huwar, Mr. James Mullaney, Ms. Maura Papile, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr.
Keith Segalla, Mr. Lawrence Taglieri, Ms. Bridget Vaughan; Department of
Natural Resources Commissioner David Murphy; and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.
A moment of silence was observed for Mary O’Connor, a retired
teacher who taught at Gridley Bryant, Parker, and Snug Harbor Elementary
Schools for over 30 years.
Mr. Santoro read the following
statement into the record: Pursuant to the Open Meeting Law, any person
may make an audio or video recording of this public meeting or may transmit
the meeting through any medium.
Attendees are therefore advised that such recordings or transmissions
are being made whether perceived or unperceived by those present and are
deemed acknowledged and permissible.
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Regular Meeting
Vice-Chair Presiding
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Mrs. Lebo made a motion to approve
the minute of the Regular Meeting for May 17, 2023. Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a
voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mrs. Cahill made a motion to
approve the minutes of the Executive Session for May 17, 2023. Mr. Gutro seconded the motion and on a
voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mr. Bregoli made a motion to
approve the minutes of the FY2024 Budget Public Hearing for May 31,
2023. Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion
and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
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Approval of
Minutes
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As
no one wished to speak at Open Forum, School Committee went on to the next
item on the Agenda.
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Open Forum
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Mayor Koch presented a Chairman’s
Report, noting that this is the last meeting of the 2022-2023 school
year. At the recent graduation
ceremonies, the students were positive and inspiring, very impressive. There were challenges throughout the school
year, thoughtful work by the School Committee focused on what is best for the
school system, thanks to the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent,
Leadership Team, and the Principals for all of their hard work. Each building has a unique spirit and
culture, a collaboration of all of the teachers, paraprofessionals,
administrators, lunch staff, custodians, and support of city departments.
Superintendent Mulvey addressed the incident at Central
Middle School on Tuesday, June 13 where a student brought an unloaded firearm
to school, thanked the parent and students who came back to school after
dismissal to report that the weapon had been shown to students after
school. Thanks to the Quincy Police
Department for a thorough and swift response and investigation. Student discipline procedures have been
initiated as this is a very significant incident, families and staff were
notified through a letter last evening.
This morning, the Superintendent’s Leadership Team and Quincy Police
Department staff met with the Central Middle School staff prior to the start
of the school day. The staff were
concerned with the student receiving appropriate assistance and then focused
on assisting students in processing the incident and addressing
concerns. Further information for families
will be shared by the Quincy Police Department on gun safety, they will put
together a flyer. Superintendent
Mulvey thanked Principal DeCristofaro, Assistant Principal Mahoney, all of
the Central Middle School staff.
Superintendent Mulvey then resumed his report by noting that
the weather cooperated for our two graduation ceremonies last Monday and
Tuesday at Veterans Memorial Stadium, where over 750 graduates were
recognized by Mayor Koch, the Quincy School Committee and City Council, the
state legislative delegation, the high school staff, and administrators. Thanks to the City of Quincy Maintenance
Department, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Quincy Police
Department for their support in these events.
Superintendent Mulvey presented an
update on Spring High School Athletics:
for Boys Volleyball:
after defeating South Lancaster Academy in a preliminary round, #32 seed
Quincy High School was defeated by #1 seed Needham; after winning against
Nipmuc in the first round, #3 seed North Quincy won over Longmeadow in the
2nd round before being defeated by O’Bryant High School in the Quarterfinals. 20 students from the combined QNQ Outdoor
Track & Field team qualified for the Division 1 state championships with
two students placing in the top 5 for 400-meter hurdles. In Baseball, North Quincy High School beat
Grafton in a preliminary round game before being defeated by Milton High
School in the first round. In Tennis,
both the boys and girls North Quincy High School teams qualified for the MIAA
tournament, but were eliminated in first round matches against Melrose and
Wellesley. Congratulations to all of
our Spring Athletes for Boys Volleyball, Lacrosse, Softball, Baseball,
Outdoor Track & Field, and Girls Golf. Special thanks to the
Department of Natural Resources for their support in maintaining the fields
and collaborating on scheduling during the busy spring season.
With the last few weeks of school, there are many events and
activities for Quincy Public Schools students, including field trips, flyup
days for students transitioning to new schools, field days, school dances,
Memorial and Flag Day observances, concerts, and promotion ceremonies. Recent
highlights include the annual Leadership Summit for 100 incoming seniors from
Quincy High School and North Quincy High School on June 8 at Granite
Links. These students learned about communication, appropriate social
media usage, and positive interactions with peers. Thanks to the
support of the Quincy School~Community Partnership and grant funding from the
Battelle Institute, 730 Grade 2 students enjoyed field trips to Holly Hill
Farms in Cohasset in May and June. The annual Special Education Track
& Field Event took place on May 26 at Creedon Field. Elementary and middle school Special
Education students enjoyed the games and activities and a cookout, supported
by high school student volunteers. Thanks to the Quincy High School
Culinary Department for providing the boxed lunches and the Quincy Police
Department for providing comfort dogs.
Quincy Public Schools first-ever All-City Middle School Chorus recently competed in the Music at
the Parks Festival at Six Flags New England. After an outstanding
performance, the students won first place in their division as well as Best
Overall Performance for middle schools. Thanks to Choral teacher Joanna
Compitiello for her work with the students this year.
Superintendent Mulvey recognized Senior Curriculum Director
Madeline Roy, who is leaving Quincy Public Schools at the end of June. Superintendent Mulvey thanked Ms. Roy for
everything she has done for the school system over the eleven years at Quincy
Public Schools. Ms. Perkins echoed
Superintendent Mulvey’s remarks, will miss Ms. Roy, appreciates the
leadership, mentorship, and guidance. Mayor
Koch Mr. Gutro, Mrs. Lebo, and Mr. Bregoli thanked Ms. Roy for everything she
has taught School Committee, her work touched every student throughout the
school system. Ms. Roy was always professional
and prepared and supported the staff throughout her time in Quincy Public
Schools.
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Superintendent’s
Report
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Mayor Koch made a motion to approve the FY2024
Quincy Public Schools Budget. The
motion was seconded by Mr. Gutro and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it,
7-0.
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Old Business
FY2024 Quincy
Public
Schools Budget (VOTE)
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Department
of Natural Resources Commissioner David Murphy presented an update, thanking
the department staff and noting the collaboration with Athletic Director
Kevin Mahoney, very proud of the facilities provided by the City of
Quincy. Furnace Brook Golf Course is
the home of the combined QNQ Girls Golf team and through the Recreation
program, beginning Golf lessons, youth golf clinics and league are being
offered.
Cleaner
Greener Quincy was strongly supported at many school sites and the department
partnered on the Multicultural Festival at Fore River Field in May, hosting
school field days, and the Arbor/Earth Day celebration at Lincoln Hancock.
Challenges
include stormwater management at Central and South~West Middle Schools,
maintenance on outdoor classrooms and raised garden beds, phenomenal collaboration
with principals. Looking ahead, the Natural
Resources department will be Planting trees at Montclair and Atlantic in
collaboration with the state Department of Conservation & Recreation;
remodeling the Clifford Marshall basketball court in late summer; and replenishing
safety materials at school playgrounds before the start of the school year.
Mrs.
Lebo asked about increasing collaboration with the Recreation department for
the Special Education students. Mr.
Murphy said that Ms. Hanly has expanded the Therapeutic Recreation programs,
would be happy to collaborate on additional options.
Mr.
Gutro said that the quality of the fields and school grounds is evident
throughout the city.
Mayor
Koch expressed gratitude, the department has been expanded into five
divisions (Cemeteries, Forestry, Parks, Recreation, and Conservation) and additional staff have
allowed for focus on the City’s trees and shoreline.
Mrs.
Cahill thanked the Mayor for his focus on the department, his and Mr.
Murphy’s leadership, the importance is clear to residents.
Superintendent
Mulvey thanked Commissioner Murphy, he is always responsive and the
partnership with the schools is critical.
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New Business
Department of
Natural
Resource Update
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Coordinator of English Language Arts Bridget Vaughan and
REACH teachers Dawn Ciardi and Rebecca Cordero presented a program
update. REACH program teachers work
with identified students in Grades 4 (77) and 5 (164). Grade 4 students are in the top 10% of students
in their school and Grade 5 students are in the top 20% of the students at
their school, based on fall math and reading MAP data. REACH teachers are providing enrichment
support for Grades K-3 and are working on creating an online collection of
materials for classroom teachers to draw from.
Grade 5 students meet weekly, curriculum highlights include
logic and problem-solving, year-long novel study, research and presentation,
a science symposium, digital student portfolios, stem challenges and stock market
tracking/analysis. Year-long projects
include the tiny house project and a narrative writing project with a
published book is an end product.
Grade 4 students meet monthly on early release days,
curriculum topics include binary code, the Fibonacci sequence, forensic
science, algebra, philosophy, artist Alma Thomas, Shakespeare, and bridge
engineering.
Mrs. Hubley asked if students or parents have feedback about
the REACH curriculum and lessons. Ms.
Cordero said that there was feedback last year that there was too much
overlap for projects, so the schedule was adjusted for this year.
Mrs. Lebo asked for demographic data for both grades of the
REACH program and the students who will be attending APC.
Mr. Gutro asked if this is a national curriculum, Ms.
Vaughan said this is specific to the Quincy Public Schools and has continued
to evolve over the two years of the expanded program. Mr. Gutro asked if there are programs in
other districts, Ms. Ciardi said there is no state guidelines for
high-achieving students, each district is unique. Ms. Ciardi said that grade-level
appropriate standards are being applied, lessons expand on the regular
classroom curricula and provides challenging material for enrichment.
Mr. Gutro asked for clarification, the students MAP data is
reviewed along with historical data.
Ms. Vaughan said that there is also analysis whether the program is
appropriate for the student.
Mr. Gutro asked about the feedback, Ms. Ciardi said the
program is rigorous and challenging, some students struggle with time
management or interest in a specific project.
All students may not connect with all of the components, there are
different interests and learning styles.
Students have the opportunity to provide feedback through Google
surveys.
Mr. Gutro asked about expanding to Grades K-3, Ms. Vaughan
said that the goal would be for teachers to have professional
development/training and bring components of this to curriculum expansion to
all classrooms. Ms. Vaughan said that
having the structured pullout program in lower grades could impact student
development of foundational skills.
Ms. Perkins said that expanding the program to other grades would
require additional staffing. There is
also discussion about creating an iCAP plan for individualized learning for
students. Ms. Perkins said that
supporting staff members in differentiating within classrooms is the next
area of focus.
Mrs. Cahill said that having the students at the school
sites is key to the program success, students may be more willing to try the
program without the complication of leaving school once a week.
Mr. Bregoli is concerned that younger students may not be
developmentally ready for this type of a program in a primary grade. Ms. Perkins said we need to do more for our
younger learners within their classrooms, will provide updates at future
meetings. Mr. Bregoli thanked the
teachers for their innovation, their efforts have made a difference for the
school system.
Mrs. Lebo said the creation of the Advanced classes at all
middle schools addressed the needs of students who may be stronger in one
subject or another. For future
considerations would be figuring out how to address elementary strengths in
math or science or ELA but not necessarily all subjects.
Mrs. Hubley is concerned about the impact on
social-emotional learning for the youngest students. Ms. Perkins agreed, in-class
differentiation would allow students to be challenged within their familiar
environment.
Mr. Santoro said the evolution of the program over the years
has expanded the impact of the program to additional students.
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New Business
REACH Program
Update
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Director
of Business James Mullaney presented recommendations for FY2023 Quincy Public
Schools Budget transfers to reconcile deficits and surpluses for the end of
the fiscal year. Deficits include
$45,000.00 for Teacher Professional Discretionary; $350,000.00 for
Electricity; and $200,000.00 for Natural Gas.
Surpluses in Salaries, Translation Services, Telephone, Legal Fees,
Gasoline, and Postage can be applied to these deficits. In addition, allocating $983,000.00 for
Technology & Security from additional Salary surplus (Paraprofessionals
and Substitute Teachers) would allow for investment in needed upgrades.
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to approve the FY2023
Quincy Public Schools Budget Transfers as presented. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Hubley and
on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 7-0.
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New Business
FY2023 Quincy
Public
Schools Budget
Transfers
(VOTE)
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Superintendent
Mulvey shared that an additional $90,000.00 in funding has been granted by
the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education to support the Early
College High School program. This brings the total to $417,000.00 for
this school year, including the summer program.
Mr. Gutro made a motion to accept the Grant of
$90,000.00 for the Early College High School program from the Department of
Elementary & Secondary Education.
The motion was seconded by Mrs. Cahill and on a roll call vote, the
ayes have it, 7-0.
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New Business
DESE Grant for
ECHS (VOTE)
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Clifford
Marshall Elementary was selected for a surprise bike and helmet
donation. As part of their commitment to getting kids outside, Can'd
Aid partnered with the Yasso Game On! Foundation to donate 110 new bicycles
and helmets to every 1st grade student. The approximate value of this
donation is $16,500.00 and the students were thrilled to receive these items
last week.
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to accept the
Donation of 110 bicycles and helmets from Can’d Aid and the Yasso Foundation,
valued at $16,500.00. The motion was
seconded by Mrs. Lebo and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 7-0.
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New Business
Donation of
Bikes and
Helmets to
Clifford
Marshall Grade
1
(VOTE)
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Mr. Santoro made a motion to refer Naming the
Quincy High School Basketball Court to the Policy Subcommittee. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bregoli and
on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
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New Business
Referral to
Policy
Subcommittee
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Mrs. Hubley made a motion to refer Special
Education Transportation to the Special Education Subcommittee. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Lebo and on
a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to refer Special
Education Staff Training to the Special Education Subcommittee. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bregoli and
on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to refer Special
Education Communication to the Special Education Subcommittee. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Cahill and
on voice vote, the ayes have it.
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New Business
Referrals to
Special
Education
Subcommittee
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Mayor Koch made a motion to take the Agenda out
of order and return to New Business, Items K and L following Executive
Session. The motion was seconded by Mr.
Bregoli and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
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Agenda Out of
Order
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There was no Additional Business.
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Additional
Business
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There
were no Communications.
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Communications
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Mayor
Koch waived the review of the May 22, 2023 Budget & Finance Subcommittee
minutes since the FY2024 Quincy Public Schools Budget was approved earlier in
the meeting.
Mr.
Gutro reviewed that the May 22, 2023 Facilities, Security &
Transportation Subcommittee meeting took place in Executive Session due to
the confidential nature of the security audit report submitted by the outside
firm.
Mrs.
Hubley reviewed the Special Education Subcommittee meeting held on May 31,
2023 where the North Quincy High School LEAP students presented and the
Quincy Parent Advisory Council to Special Education presented their goals for
2023-2024.
Mrs.
Lebo reviewed the Teaching & Learning Subcommittee meeting held on May
31, 2023 where DOVE presented on their partnership with Quincy Public Schools
middle and high schools and a review of the elementary Digital Literacy
program was presented.
Since
there were no corrections, the minutes of the May 22, 2023 Budget &
Finance and Facilities, Security & Transportation Subcommittees and the
May 31, 2023 Special Education and Teaching & Learning Subcommittees were
approved as presented.
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Reports of
Subcommittees
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Mrs. Hubley made a motion to move to
Executive Session for the Purpose of Contract Negotiations at 8:05 pm. Mrs. Lebo seconded the motion and on a roll
call vote, the ayes have it, 7-0. School Committee will return to Regular
Session.
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Executive
Session
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School Committee returned to regular session at 8:15 pm and
returned to New Business, Item J.
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Regular Session
Resumed
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Mayor Koch made a motion to approve the
Contract between the Quincy School Committee and Superintendent Kevin
Mulvey. Mrs. Lebo seconded the motion
and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 7-0.
On
the motion, Mayor Koch explained that this is a three-year contract for
Superintendent Mulvey, July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026.
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Contract Approval:
Superintendent’s
Contract (VOTE)
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Mayor Koch made a motion to approve the
Memorandum of Agreement between the Quincy School Committee and the Painters
& Allied Trades District Council No. 35, Local 1911, Units A &
B. Mr. Gutro seconded the motion and
on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 7-0.
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MOA Approval:
Painters & Allied Trades District Council
No. 35, Local
1911,
Units A & B
(VOTE)
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Mayor Koch made a motion to approve the
Memorandum of Agreement between the Quincy School Committee and the Quincy
Education Association, Unit C. Mrs.
Lebo seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 7-0.
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MOA Approval:
Quincy Education
Association,
Unit C
(VOTE)
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Mrs. Hubley made a motion to adjourn at 8:20 pm. Mr. Bregoli seconded the motion and on a
roll call vote, the ayes have it, 7-0.
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Adjournment
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