Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts - November 12, 2008
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular Meeting
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday,
November 12, 2008 at the Point Webster Middle School. Present were
Mr. Ron Mariano, Mrs. Jo-Ann Bragg, Mrs. Anne Mahoney, Mr. Dave McCarthy
Mrs. Elaine Dwyer, and Mayor Tom Koch, Chairman.
Chairman
Presiding
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The Superintendent called the roll and Mr. Puleo was absent. Present were:
Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary, Mrs. Tefta Burrelli, Clerk. Messrs.
O’Brien, Mullaney, Draicchio, Keith Segalla, Ms. Powell and Roberts. Ms.
Tracey Christello, Citywide, and Mr. Paul Phillips, QEA. Haley Shaughnessy,
NQHS associate member and Emily Hajjar, QHS associate member was present.
The Committee observed a moment of silence for all our troops. The Mayor
offered congratulations to Kristen Koehane Powers, Park Director, and Mrs.
Elaine Koehane, Quincy Public Schools secretary, on the birth of Kristen’s daughter.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the Point Webster chorus.
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Reg. Session Mins. Approved 10/29/2008
On a motion by Mr. Mariano, seconded by Mrs. Bragg, the Committee
approved the regular session minutes for October 29, 2008. The ayes have it.
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Principal’s Welcome
Principal, James McGuire, welcomed everyone to the Point Webster Middle
School. Point Webster is the new home of the Print Shop and system meeting
rooms for the school system. There is a large diverse population at each grade.
Clubs are popular – The Green Team, Book Worms, Student Council. These
programs give students an opportunity to extend the day and to make a difference
in the school and community. The chorus, under the direction of Ms. Rogers, sang
Chocolate and the National Anthem. Under the direction of Mr. David Carroll,
the band played the Marine Corps Hymn and the When the Saints go Marching In.
Staff Recognition
Ms. Colleen Roberts introduced the 2008 MAST Award winners, Robert
McGillicuddy and Gina Joyce, both are teachers at Sterling. They received a
Professional Development Award grant of $1,000.
Amer. Ed. Contest Winners Present
Ms. Roberts then introduced the winners of the American Education Contest.
Then ranged from kindergarten students to high school students. The students
introduced their posters and the high school students read their essays. The
students received a Certificate of Appreciation from the School Committee
and a gift. At 7:55 p.m. there was a brief recess for photographs and handshakes.
The meeting resumed at 8:06 p.m.
Student Recognition
This year there are 184 high school students in Quincy awarded the John and
Abigail Adams scholarship. The School Committee congratulated them.
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Open Forum
Mr. Paul Phillips passed out copies of an interview in Education Week with
Finnish Education Expert, Reijo Laukkanen, and asked the members to read
it at their leisure. He also thanked everyone who took a stand on Question 1.
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Building Update
Mr. Kevin Murphy spoke to a meeting he and the Superintendent had with
Honeywell representatives. Several topics were discussed and heating was
one of them. There is a procedure in place now to report any problems to
Honeywell. Level One training has been completed and it was very successful.
A computer lab at Broad Meadows was ruined due to a leak. Honeywell replaced
everything. He thanked Honeywell for responding so quickly. The PA system at
Atherton Hough School second floor is complete, the electrician will move on to
Atlantic and then Bernazzani. The move is going well in the old Vocational
School. We are ahead of schedule.
With regard to the additional lighting for North Quincy High School, Mr.
Murphy has spoken with Joe Carndell of National Grid. They are going
to put SMA lights up for Hancock and East Squantum Streets. The lights
will be facing the building and should light up the front. Mr. Murphy thinks
that should fix the problem.
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QHS Bldg. Committee
Mrs. Dwyer reported that there will be a Quincy High School Building
Committee meeting tomorrow.
Central Bldg. Committee
Mrs. Bragg reported that the RFP for the Project Manager will be advertised
next week. They expect a Project Manager on board by March.
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Homeless Policy 10.5.7 Approved
On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mrs. Dwyer, the Committee
approved the Homeless Policy, 10.5.7, On a roll call vote, the motion passed
6.0. Mr. Puleo was absent.
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QHS to Italy/France Approved
On a motion by Mrs. Dwyer, seconded by Mr. McCarthy, the Committee
approved a trip to France and Italy for Quincy High School students from
April 18 – 25, 2009. The ayes have it.
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Title I Supplement Policy to Policy Subcommittee
On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mrs. Dwyer, creating a Title One
Supplement Policy into the Policy Subcommittee was approved by the Committee.
The ayes have it.
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Communications
The Superintendent reminded everyone of the events coming up –
Professional Teacher Status Recognition, Community Service Learning Event.
Mayor Koch commended Sterling Middle School for their Veterans Day
celebration which he attended.
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Policy Subcommittee Update by Mrs. Bragg
Mrs. Bragg reported that the Policy Subcommittee met on November 5
for an update on the Quill Program. This program seems to be in limbo
right now. She is hoping to get the program back in the spring. She will
continue discussion with Ms. Stice. Also, they discussed the closing
of schools on November 4 for election. Some employees did not receive
pay for that day. Those employees that did not work, won’t get paid until
the end of the school year when the day is made up. If it was made a “snow
day,” it would cost the school system $57,000. It was the decision of the
subcommittee to make “no changes.” They asked the Superintendent to try
and reduce the number of polling places in the schools. The Superintendent
is checking into how other school systems handled that day. On a motion
by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mrs. Dwyer, the Committee approved the Policy
Subcommittee minutes. The ayes have it.
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Budget Subcommittee Update by Mr. Mariano
Mr. Ron Mariano reported that the Budget Subcommittee met prior to
the School Committee meeting to review the quarterly report. This
report showed expenditures through September 30. It is not a telling
determination of where we are at this time. There are a couple of line items
that we need to watch – the Directors line, Utilities, SPED tuition. We will
see where we are at the end of the year. Mr. Mariano suggested there may
be more cuts at the state level in January. On a motion by Mr. Mariano,
seconded by Mrs. Bragg, the Committee accepted the Budget Subcommittee
report. The ayes have it.
The Committee sent well wishes to Nick Puleo who has not been feeling
well. He did not attend tonight’s meeting.
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Resignations
The Committee noted the following resignations:
Nurse: Lorraine Kelly
Appointments
The Committee noted the following appointments:
Occ. Therapist: Tara MacLeod
Paraprofessional: Diane Markarian
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Adjournment
On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mr. Mariano, the meeting
adjourned at 8:27 p.m. for the evening. There was no Executive Session.
On a roll call vote, the motion passed 6-0. Mr. Puleo was absent.