Quincy Public Schools

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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)

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)

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)

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

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

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

There was no Additional Business.

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Additional Business

There were no Communications.

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Communications

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