Minutes
Facilities and Security Subcommittee Meeting
Monday, March 18, 2013
A meeting of the Facilities and Security Subcommittee was held on Monday, March 18, 2013 at
5:00 pm in the 2
nd Floor Conference Room at the NAGE Building. Present were Mr. Paul Bregoli,
Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Ms. Barbara Isola, and Mr. David McCarthy, Chair. Also attending were
Superintendent Richard DeCristofaro, Assistant Superintendent Colleen Roberts, Mr. Michael
Draicchio, Mr. Keith Segalla, Mr. Kevin Murphy, Mr. Kevin Segalla; Ms. Allison Cox, President,
Quincy Education Association; and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.
Mr. McCarthy called the meeting called to order at 5:00 pm.
The first item on the agenda was a joint presentation by Mr. Michael Draicchio and Mr. Kevin
Segalla, giving an overview of ongoing monitoring of Safety and Security issues and an update
of school building interior and exterior security issues and proposals. Dr. DeCristofaro reviewed
recent meetings with Mayor Koch, who has asked the City Council to appropriate funding to
cover the school safety and security updates. Mr. Draicchio began with the overview of Safety
and Security issues monitored by Principals and school staffs through the School Improvement
Plans, including alarms, emergency drills, visitor protocols, evacuation and contingency plans,
emergency medical response plans, communication through Instant Alerts, procedures for safe
dropoff and pickup at individual school sites, and home to school safe walking routes. In terms
of Safety and Security at the district level, activities include monitoring and updating emergency
procedures and conducting safety drills, overseeing video surveillance and camera installation,
monthly meetings with the Safety and Security Roundtable Team of community members/
outside agency resources, Quincy Police Department safety training/drills at school facilities,
and improved signage inside and outside of school buildings. Mr. McCarthy and Mr. Bregoli
asked about additional training for Quincy Public Schools staff; Mr. Draicchio noted that he has
been asked to be a part of the Norfolk County District Attorney’s School Task Force and that will
be an opportunity to hear about options that other communities are utilizing that could be
implemented in the Quincy Public Schools. For the Transportation program, there are
evacuation drills for students and staff, collaboration with the Quincy Police Department Traffic
Supervisors, professional safety training with the Registry of Motor Vehicles, and enhanced
driver communication to respond to emergency situations.
For the Custodial and Maintenance Services, the custodial staff opens each school building daily
and perform routine door checks throughout the day. Communication has been enhanced with
email capabilities and new two-way radios; the Custodial staff coordinates with Maintenance
staff to request work orders. Mr. Kevin Segalla noted that between November and March,
Custodial staff perform weekend building checks to ensure that heating systems are
operational and look for signs of vandalism or break-ins. Mr. Bregoli asked about whether the
door checks are performed on a schedule and Mr. Kevin Segalla responded that each building
performs the door checks multiple times per day but that times vary from building to building.
Mr. Draicchio reviewed the many outside agencies that partner with the Quincy Public Schools,
including the Quincy Police and Fire Departments, Quincy Probation, Quincy District Court, the
Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office, the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office, the Transit Police,
Fallon Ambulance, the Department of Children and Families, and the Department of Youth
Services. These agencies are involved in multiple ways, including participating in the Safety and
Security Roundtable and the sharing of resources and ideas. On-site support includes high
school security officers, school attendance officers, and the Quincy Police Department School
Resource officers and Traffic Supervisors deployed at 40 locations throughout the city.
For new building construction, Quincy High School and the new Central Middle School both
include many security systems and features designed to provide a safe, secure, and controlled
educational environment, including access control, intrusion detection, closed circuit television
monitoring, and amplifiers to ensure communication ability throughout the building.
All of these programs and initiatives support the overall goal of ensuring safety and security at
all schools. In order for all schools have the same level of security as the newly constructed
school buildings, information about recommended upgrades has been gathered. Suggested
interior upgrades include new locksets and cylinders for all classroom and office doors citywide,
classroom exit devices for secondary doors, non-duplicable master keys for each school, and
new doors and hardware where necessary. For exterior upgrades, an exterior door card reader
for building entry would be installed; each staff member will receive a photo ID card coded for
their building. Mr. Draicchio noted that hours of access can be customized as necessary; most
staff will have regular school day access, with exceptions for custodial staff, building
administration, coaches, and security staff. Mr. Draicchio said that identification will be issued
for all Quincy Public Schools staff, plus city staff who travel to school buildings such as
Maintenance and City IT. Mr. Draicchio continued by explaining that each school would have
an exterior intercom with camera entry system at the front door. Mr. Draicchio noted that
additional lock boxes would be installed for Quincy Police Department access, at their request.
Mr. Bregoli asked about the technology for scanning drivers’ licenses that was discussed at a
previous subcommittee meeting. Mr. Draicchio said that on further exploration, the technology
does not deliver the level of information originally anticipated and there is a very large expense
associated it. Mr. Draicchio is exploring options and is in contact with other cities and towns.
Mr. Bregoli also asked about the discussion of limiting access at the high schools and asked for
an update; this is still a discussion in process, but all agree that changes to the procedure
should and will be made. Dr. DeCristofaro said that at both high schools, the installation of the
camera and intercom at each entrance will allow for a visual check before visitors are admitted
to the building. At schools with open floor plans, there are explorations underway for building
lockdown devices that would block off entrances to sections of the building.
Mr. McCarthy thanked Mr. Kevin Segalla and Mr. Draicchio for their work and research and
noted that Mayor Koch is bringing an appropriation forward to the City Council to fully fund
these upgrades. Mr. McCarthy asked if the work would begin immediately after the funds are
made available. Dr. DeCristofaro said that QPS would work with Public Buildings to prioritize
and that work could be done after school hours. Ms. Isola asked what might be done in the
meantime to assist with security issues identified; Dr. DeCristofaro is looking into possible
temporary solutions at a school building level. Mr. McCarthy asked if the QEA membership
would make suggestions about situations/scenarios where they would like additional training.
Mr. McCarthy asked about the Quincy Police Department Resource Officers and how concerns
could be addressed. Dr. DeCristofaro noted that they are Quincy Police officers and we would
need to share any concerns with Chief Keenan. Mr. McCarthy asked about the high school
security officer schedules; Mr. Draicchio said their assignments are done by the high school
principals. Mr. McCarthy asked about the A.L.I.C.E. program, which is an alternative approach
to school security issues. Mr. Draicchio noted that he attended a training and while there are
components that could be implemented, other facets are concerning.
Mr. Kevin Murphy reviewed the updated Maintenance SIP Requests and Lighting Audit status
report. There are additional items that have been completed, many items in progress along
with regular work orders received daily, and still others are scheduled for the summer. Major
projects that require collaboration with the DPW will be reviewed and others that require
funding, such as carpet, will be reviewed in budget discussions with the Mayor’s office. Ms.
Isola asked about the number of requests that require the use of a bucket truck; Mr. Murphy
said that the Maintenance department is requesting acquiring a new vehicle and possibly an
additional electrician under the FY2014 budget.
Mr. Bregoli noted that Mr. Christopher Cassani has been appointed as the new Parks Director
and Mrs. Kristin Powers has moved to Constituent Services.
Mr. Bregoli made a motion to adjourn the Facilities and Security Subcommittee Meeting at 6:15
pm. Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.