Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts - October 21, 2009
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular Meeting
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday,
October 21, 2009 in the City Council Chambers, City Hall. Present were
Mrs. Anne Mahoney, Mrs. Elaine Dwyer, Mr. Nicholas Puleo, Mrs. Jo-Ann
Bragg, Mr. Ron Mariano and Mr. Dave McCarthy, Vice Chairman.
Vice Chairman
Presiding
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The Superintendent called the roll and Mayor Koch was absent. Also present
were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary; Mrs. Tefta Burrelli, Clerk; Messrs.
Mullaney, Murphy, O’Brien, Draicchio, Segalla, Ms. Roberts, Tenaglia, and
Hughes. Ms. Tracey Christello, Citywide and Paul Phillips, QEA. Donna Niosi
and Daruis Varmahmoodi, Quincy High Student Representatives.
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Reg. Session Mins. Approved 10/7/2009
On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mr. Puleo, the Committee approved
the regular session minutes as amended for October 7, 2009. The ayes have it.
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Supts. Report
The members received a booklet announcing all of the 65 professional staff
that received Teacher Mini-Grants sponsored by the Quincy School Community
Partnership. The Quincy Foundation for Educational Excellence group did an
outstanding job at screening and selecting the very best grants. Thanks went to
Mr. Keith Segalla, Janice Erler, Mr. Mullaney, and principals for a fine event.
Our newest partner and Board of Directors from Stop Shop well be rescheduled
for the November meeting.
The Superintendent will share with Mayor Koch and Vice Chairman McCarthy
representatives for the Opportunities and Challenges Initiatives. We are just
about at 100%. The Superintendent will share with the School Committee by
the end of the week. The next steps in beginning the process will be discussed
at the first meeting.
Congratulations to 176 of our students who have qualified to receive a John and
Abigail Adams Scholarship--a free scholarship at a state college or university.
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Open Forum
As there was no one who wished to speak at the Open Forum, the Committee
went on with the business at hand.
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Bldg. Update
Mr. Kevin Murphy reported that carpenters are still working at the Stadium.
They have completed re-roofing the concession stand, replaced ceiling tiles
at Beechwood and Snug Harbor, repaired and secured several doors at
various schools, completed a fresh air circulation fan at Montclair.
Maintenance is working on emergency exit signs at all schools. Plumbers
repaired the heating system at Veterans Stadium for locker rooms. They are
checking to make sure all school heating systems are working. A new score-
board was installed at Lincoln Hancock, new floor tile repairs at Marshall
and the Early Childhood Ctr. Painters are working on the common area at
North Quincy High.
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QHS Bldg. Committee Mrs. Dwyer reports
Mrs. Dwyer gave a hand out regarding Phase 4 of the new Quincy High School.
It is the last part of the project. This is where the old building came right up
against the new building. Originally, we could have a temporary hallway between
the old and new buildings, but once the school was finished, we had to separate
the two buildings. In 2002, we were required to rip down part of the old Quincy
High School building, right around the elevator to create a 60’ buffer. We asked
the School Buildings Authority if we could first use the old building and that
was a “no.” Then we asked if the buildings could be connected, and that was a
"no." They insisted on a 60’ buffer. When we created the buffer zone, the land
sloped down so much, there was a drainage problem, windows were exposed, and
it destroyed the back of the building.
We had to build the 60’ buffer zone. Then after the new administration took over,
the 60’ buffer requirement went away. We redesigned that area of Quincy High
School. We did get a credit of $997,137, but from that credit, we had to redesign
that and other issues – façade, etc.
New SMMA design $49,500,
Misc. charges 110,000
Five items that aren’t done yet,
Change to façade 35,000
A gated area 40,000
Repairing doors and 103,000
Old boiler room stairs
Misc. items 50,000
The new credit is $609,637. This phase will not be done until next August or
September.
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Central Bldg. Committee Mrs. Mahoney reports
Mrs. Mahoney reported that the Superintendent is working with the
MSBA on the enrollment projection and will have a report at the next
meeting.
Supts Reports
The MSBA has said that the Committee does not have to revote. We have
to do a refreshing that involves Sterling. Most things have not changed. This
Committee has already voted.
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Physical Restraint Policy Policy File 10.9.3
On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mrs. Dwyer, the Committee
moved approval of the Physical Restraint of Students Policy File 10.9.3.
On a roll call vote, the motion Passed 6-0. Mayor Koch was absent.
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Observation of SPED Programs Policy 11.10.1
On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mrs. Dwyer, the Committee
approved the Observation of Special Education Programs Policy
File: 11.10.1. On a roll a call vote, the motion Passed 6-0. Mayor Koch
was absent. Mrs. Bragg read #9 of the Policy –
“Should the observer choose to submit his/her report of the observation to the
TEAM, the observer will be asked to submit it 10 days in advance of any
TEAM meeting. This is particularly important if the report is going to be used
to determine eligibility, develop an IEP or consider placement. The TEAM will
convene within 10 days of receipt of the written report.”
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Anti Bullying Programs
Ms. Maura Tanaglia gave a presentation of Anti Bullying programs in
the schools. Children who engage in bullying behavior are at risk of
dropping out of school, 60% of students that have been identified as bullies
will have an experience with the criminal justice system. Quincy’s hope
is to help children build social networks and get involved in school activities,
especially those students that may be at risk of being a target of bullying.
Quincy has implemented classroom lessons that teach mutual respect and
conflict resolution skills as preventive intervention to address bullying on
a school wide level.
She gave an overview of the programs system wide. “Steps to Respect”
has been purchased for elementary and middle schools. She urged parents
to contact classroom teacher, guidance counselor or school principal with
concerns. Work with the school to resolve the situation and monitor child’s
cell phone and computer regularly.
Maura Shaughnessy spoke to the anti bullying programs in the elementary
schools, and Brian Sasso spoke to the anti-bullying programs in the middle
schools. At the high schools level they speak about internet safety programs,
what is harassment, and dating safely.
There will be a Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center (M.A.R.C.)
presentation for Quincy parents city wide on November 19 at 7:00 p.m. in
Central Middle School.
Also, parents can access information on bullying through NetSmartz , a web
based resource through the Quincy Public Schools website.
Mr. McCarthy asked that a presentation be done on what they are doing at
both high schools at a future date.
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Educational Proficiency Plan
Mr. Rich O’Brien and Mary Feredrickson gave a brief overview of the
MASC Educational Proficiency Plan (EPP). An EPP is a plan that schools
develop to help individual students make progress towards proficiency in
English Language Arts and/or Mathematics. An EPP must include a review
of the students strengths and weaknesses based on MCAS tests and other
assessment results, coursework, grades, and teacher input. A list of the
courses in the relevant ELA and/or Math content areas that the student must
take and complete successfully in grades 11 and 12 and a description of
the assessments the school will use at least once each year to make sure
that the student is making progress toward or has achieved proficiency.
Quincy has developed a computer program to help keep a handle on these
students. Mrs. Fredrickson showed an electronic EPP. Students now need
to score a 220 in Science. The principal is the one ultimately responsible.
The student needs to complete the plan in order to graduate.
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Additional Business
Mr. McCarthy commended Mr. Keith Segalla for a wonderful Center for
Tech Ed Advisory Board meeting and presentation at the high school.
Mrs. Mahoney also attended the Advisory Dinner and commended
the Skills USA student who spoke and the culinary arts student. Students
did an incredible job presenting.
Communications
The Quincy High Horizons Choir had a presentation of songs and open
mike on Saturday night at Adams Hall, Quincy High School. Mr.
McCarthy said it was a wonderful event.
Mr. McCarthy inquired about the bus for Bernazzani and if a transfer
of funds from the Technology line is needed to cover the cost of the
driver. Mr. Mariano answered that he will schedule a Budget Subcommittee
meeting before the next regular School Committee meeting.
Mrs. Mahoney has called a Special Ed Subcommittee Meeting at Broad
Meadows on October 28. Mr. McCarthy will chair the meeting.
Mr. McCarthy read a letter from Nancy Scanlan thanking the School
Committee for reinstating a school bus at the Bernazzani School.
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Policy Subcommittee Mrs. Bragg reports
Mrs. Bragg reported that the Policy Subcommittee met to discuss two
issues. The Committee has been asked by the high schools to consider a
change in the Graduation Requirements File 9.11.5 policy. The high school
principals would like to be able to provide waiver rights for students to change
a schedule. The Committee is not waiving it’s graduation requirements.
Principals can replace a social studies class with a science class. This proposal
has been reviewed by everyone.
Mrs. Bragg made a motion, to change to give waiving rights to each high
school principal on an individual basis. This item will lay on the table until
the next School Committee meeting.
The school calendar was also discussed. Unions, principals, everyone was
contacted. The unions did not respond. Special Education parents don’t want
to alter the Special Education summer programs by beginning earlier. The new
Quincy High school won’t be ready until the beginning of September. Therefore
the Subcommittee decided to make no change to the calendar. It will be done
as it has historically been done which is to begin after Labor Day.
On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mr. Mariano, the Committee approved
the Policy Subcommittee minutes for October 7, 2009. The ayes have it.
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School Facilities Subcommittee Mrs. Dwyer reports
The School Facilities Subcommittee met on October 19. They reviewed
the maintenance issues on the School Improvement Plans. The overall comments
are that those things that are still not done, cost money. We would have to
do a Capital Improvement plan. There is no money in our budget for repairs.
Repaving school yards has gone to the DPW. They will review these requests.
If the members had any questions, they were to contact Mrs. Dwyer. She
thanked the Maintenance Department as they accomplished a lot with a little
money.
The report for the ADA Accessibility of school buildings was sent out to
the Committee. At the high school level, the new Quincy High School will
be in full compliance. At the Middle School level, we have two schools
with accessibility to elevators—Broad Meadows and Point Webster. Because
we have open enrollment, we have a building that a handicapped student can
go to. The new Central will be fully compliant. At the elementary level, five
schools need minor repairs to become compliant with ADA standards for
accessibility--Beechwood, Bernazzani, Marshall, Della Chiesa and Parker.
Mr. Murphy will prepare a report of what the needs are for minor repairs to
bring those buildings into ADA compliance for January. He will come back
with a list of what’s needed and what the cost will be. We would like to bring
one or more elementary schools into compliance. That will go into subcommittee.
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Adjournment
On a motion by Mr. Puleo, seconded by Mrs. Dwyer, the Committee adjourned
for the evening at 9:12 p.m. There was no executive session. On a roll call vote,
the motion passed 6-0. Mayor Koch was absent.