Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts - October 29, 2008
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular Meeting
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday,
October 29, 2008 at the City Council Chambers, City Hall. Present were
Mr. Ron Mariano, Mr. Nick Puleo, Mrs. Jo-Ann Bragg, Mrs. Anne Mahoney,
Mr. Dave McCarthy and Mayor Tom Koch, Chairman.
Chairman
Presiding
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The Superintendent called the roll and Mrs. Dwyer was absent. Present
were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary, Mrs. Tefta Burrelli, Clerk. Messrs.
O’Brien, Mullaney, Draicchio, Keith Segalla, Dr. Pattavina, Ms. Powell and
Roberts. Ms. Tracey Christello, Citywide, and Mr. Paul Phillips, QEA. Meghan
Peterson, QHS associate member was present. The Committee observed a
moment of silence for all our troops and long time food service worker, Jean
Ball, who recently passed away.
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Reg. Session Mins. 10/15/2008
On a motion by Mr. Mariano, seconded by Mr. McCarthy, the Committee
approved the amended regular and executive session minutes for October 15,
2008. The ayes have it.
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Events
Commissioner of Education, Chester Mitchell, visited the Marshall School
last Friday. The Commissioner was here to listen to trauma sensitive initiatives
in the schools. He was impressed with the school and their programs. Representa-
tives from Mass Advocates for Children and Principals from Ludlow and Brockton,
who are putting these strategies in their schools, were present. A small luncheon
at Point Webster was served. The CSL recognition celebration will be held on
November 20.
The Superintendent has been visiting schools and walking through to measure
the comfort level, the climate, the cleanliness. He invited the members to go
with him at any tine.
There was a water main break at 6:30 a.m. at Snug Harbor. The Superintendent t
thanked Brian Carlisle, Commissioner Prenderville, Kevin Segalla, and Kevin
Murphy. It was a team effort and the water was turned back on and the
students went to school.
There will be no school on November 4, Election Day. All parents will be
notified by Instant Alert.
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Open Forum
Ms. Tracey Christello, Citywide, thanked the Mayor, Mrs. Bragg, Mrs. Mahoney
and Dr. DeCristofaro on behalf of North Quincy High School parents for attending
the PAC meeting in October. There was a lot of information they were able to
take back to their schools.
Mr. Paul Phillips, QEA President, acknowledge the programs that the
Commissioner visited. He was hoping the School Committee would take
a stand against Question 1.
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Building Update
Mr. Kevin Murphy reported that Maintenance is in the process of disassembling
the first floor of the Vocational Technical building. They have completed the
Point Webster Lab for the Print Shop. The Print Shop is moving in there on
Saturday. Mr. Dennis McGillvrary partially tore his Achilles’ heel and will be
out of work four to six weeks. Work continue with Honeywell on some issues
at some schools. Work continues on desk hinges.
The steam pipe gave way at Broad Meadows because it was not properly
patched. Honeywell has assumed all responsibility and is replacing everything
in that computer lab. It will take at least a month to finish.
The Mayor added that Mr. Cunniff continues to work with Honeywell. A lot
of issues still are not fixed. The City is withholding funds until everything is
finished.
Mr. Puleo inquired about heat complaints at some schools. Mr. Murphy said
the new system is not functioning properly. They are working with Honeywell.
Mrs. Mahoney has received complaints about the front doors at North Quincy
High not locking properly. Mr. Murphy said the foreman is working on
the doors. There was a pipe leak at the photo lab which did a little damage. It
should be fixed next week. Mrs. Mahoney inquired if any chemicals leaked and
if they were dangerous. However, everything has been cleaned out.
Mr. McCarthy asked about the electrical issues at the Carpentry Shop at
Broad Meadows. Mr. Murphy said there are power issues. The Atrium
glass will be re-glazed and re-flashed this Friday.
The intercoms at Atherton Hough and Atlantic have issues. Maintenance is
working hard at Merrymount and Atherton Hough. The problem is work
can’t be done during the day. The intercoms need to be fixed at night. Mr.
Murphy will set up night times with the principals.
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QHS Bldg.Comm. Update by Supt.
Mrs. Dwyer was absent, but the Superintendent thanked her for organizing the
tour last Saturday of the new Quincy High School. Everyone was very
impressed with the new building. Mr. McCarthy added that the new high
school is very impressive. Principal Santoro did a wonderful job explaining
the whole lay out.
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Central Bldg. Comm. Update by Mrs. Bragg
Mrs. Bragg reported that they are still waiting for the state to come back with
Central’s paper work. Mayor Koch has spoken to Katherine Craven and she
said they are reviewing everything and then we will look toward getting the
Project Manager.
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MCAS/AYP Report
The team of Rich O’Brien, Mary Fredrickson, Edie Hughes, Colleen Roberts,
and Janet Powell shared the MCAS/AYP results and the growth in the school
system. Mr. O’Brien commended Mary Fredrickson. The task involved with
the administration and management of the MCAS testing is a phenomenal task.
Mary does a tremendous job every year. The No Child Left Behind law requires
school districts to have every student demonstrate proficiency by 2014. In
Massachusetts, proficiency is determined by a student achieving a minimum
ELA and Math MCAS score of 240. It used to be 220, but the bar has been
raised to 240 and 220 in Science. The team reviewed the scores from grades
3 to 10. Quincy’s Composite Proficiency Index for 2007 & 2008 is 85.4 in
ELA and 76.5 in Math. By 2014 we need to reach 100. Ms. Fredrickson
reviewed how MCAS results are converted to AYP Points. The high school
AYP Performance Rating in ELA was one high school very high and one
high school high, in Math, both high schools were rated high. Quincy’s students
are meeting the challenge.
The Committee asked questions regarding the diverse population in Quincy,
ELL and SPED classes, the Committee thought that no mater what, people
get nervous. They assured the families at home that all of our schools are good.
We should focus on individual students. The Committee was impressed with
all the work being done.
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Gifts: Elem. Schools
On a motion by Mr. McCarthy, seconded by Mrs. Bragg, the Committee accepted
a gift of 600 dictionaries donated to the elementary schools by the Elks Lodge.
The ayes have it.
Gifts Epi-pens
On a motion by Mr. Puleo, seconded by Mrs. Mahoney, the Committee accepted
a gift of $2,218.15 donated by the Rural Masonic Lodge for the purchase of epi-
pens. The ayes have it.
Gifts Sterling Middle
On a motion by Mr. McCarthy, seconded by Mr. Mariano, the Committee
accepted a gift of 12 computers and $5,000 donated from Arbella Insurance
to Sterling Middle School for the installation of new auditorium curtain.
The ayes have it.
Gifts Sterling Middle
On a motion by Mr. Mariano, seconded by Mr. McCarthy, the Committee
accepted a gift of $1,000 from Fallon Ambulance to Sterling Middle School.
The ayes have it.
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Question #1
Mr. Nick Puleo spoke to Question 1 which is on the ballot. He urged everyone
to vote “No.” This question is asking to repeal the Massachusetts Income Tax.
If the Income Tax is repealed he said, it will cause great harm to cities and towns
throughout the state. Mr. Puleo made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bragg, that the
Quincy School Committee adopt a resolution to oppose Question #1. On a roll
call vote, the motion passed 5-1-1. MR. McCARTHY voted NO and Mrs. Dwyer
was absent.
Election Day
A this time, Mrs. Bragg brought up the issue of closing the schools on election
day. She called a Policy Subcommittee meeting for Wednesday, November 5
at 3:30 p.m. in the Superintendent’s Conference Room to come up with a
resolution so that no one will lose any pay. They will also discuss the Quill
Program.
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Additional Business
Mr. McCarthy inquired about the Carpentry Shop move to Broad Meadows. Mr.
Keith Segalla answered that work there is scheduled with two carpentry
instructors – while one is in the classroom, the other is in the shop or in the
field. With regard to Robotics, we are very close to finding a home.
Mr. McCarthy passed out copies of a memo from Mr. Timmins, City Solicitor,
regarding Faxon Field and the GIC. Attached were copies of deeds to Faxon
Field and an act enacted in 1964. He pointed out Chapter 42, Section 2 where
it states that both the City Council and School Committee have to vote on the
land. Mr. McCarthy made a motion to put this into the RULES, POST AUDIT
& OVERSIGHT Subcommittee. Mrs. Mahoney seconded the motion. The ayes
have it. He wants to look at the legality and the proper procedures to take a vote
with the City Council.
Mr. McCarthy recognized Siobhan Carnell, a soccer player at North Quincy
High School She received “Athlete of the Week” in the Ledger.
Mrs. Bragg noted a letter the Committee received from District Attorney
Keating on cyber bullying and media violence. The Committee is thankful
for all his help.
Mr. McCarthy informed the Committee that there will be a presentation by
Gale Associates on the track design at Faxon Field on November 3 at Quincy
High School at 7:00 p.m.
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Mrs. Bragg removed the garden at Snug Harbor, Maintenance/Custodial training
schedule, Lincoln Hancock pool reserve, enrollment at North Quincy High
off the School Committee listing of projects/reports to be completed.
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Policy Subcommittee Report by Mrs. Bragg
The Policy Subcommittee met on Wednesday, October 8, and reviewed the
polices for Section 10.2, Equal Educational Opportunities, 10.5.4 Admission
Residency and Parental Responsibility, 10.5.7 Homeless Students, 10.6 High
School and Middle School Attendance and Tardiness Policy, and 10.6.1 Student
Dismissal Precautions. She reviewed the changes made on these policies. She
will bring them back at a later date for final approval.
On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mr. McCarthy, the Committee approved
the changes to the Homeless Policy 10.5.7. The ayes have it.
On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mr. McCarthy, the Committee
approved the Policy Subcommittee minutes for October 8, 2008. The ayes
have it.
Middle School SIPs Approved
On October 20, the Policy Subcommittee met to review the School Improvement
Plans for all middle schools. On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mr.
McCarthy, the Committee approved all five middle school school improvement
plans. The ayes have it.
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SPED Subcommittee Report by Mrs. Mahoney
Mrs. Mahoney held a Special Education Subcommittee meeting on Wednesday,
October 22 at Broad Meadows Middle School. They met with interested parents to receive an update on new programs, they discussed INSPIRE, they received
an overview from Lois Constantino regarding SPED transpiration, they received
a report from Carol Dumas on the Mayor’s Drug Task Force. Their next meeting
is scheduled for January 28, 2009 where they will discuss in more depth the
Coordinated Program Review results for Special Education. On a motion by Mrs.
Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Puleo, the Committee approved the Special Ed Sub-
Committee minutes. The ayes have it.
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Mr. Puleo asked that the next meeting the subcommittee discuss politically –
related bumper stickers on transport vehicles or contractor vehicles.
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Appointments
The Committee noted the following appointment:
Occup. Therapist: Tara MacLeod
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Adjournment
On a motion by Mr. McCarthy, seconded by Mrs. Bragg, the Committee
adjourned for the evening at 8:55 p.m. for the evening. There was no Executive
Session. On a roll call vote, the motion passed 5-0. Mrs. Dwyer was absent.