Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts - October 23, 2013
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular Meeting
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday,
October 23, 2013 at the Wollaston Elementary School. Present were
Mayor Thomas Koch, Mr. Paul Bregoli, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Mrs. Emily Lebo,
Mrs. Anne Mahoney, Mr. David McCarthy, and Ms. Barbara Isola, Vice Chair.
Vice-Chair
Presiding
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The Superintendent called the roll and Mr. Bregoli was absent. Also present
were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary; Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk; Mrs.
Janet Baglione, Ms. Christine Barrett, Mrs. Kathryn Clancy, Mr. Michael
Draicchio, Mr. John Fagerlund, Mrs. Fay-Beers, Ms. Barbara Fenby, Mrs.
Joanne Fox, Mrs. Mary Fredrickson, Ms. Holly Golden, Ms. Mary Ann Hunter,
Mr. James Hennessy, Mr. Michael Joyce, Mr. Patrick Lane, Mr. Michael
Lorenziano, Mr. Kevin Mahoney, Ms. Lily Mei, Mr. James Mullaney, Deputy
Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Mrs. Deirdre Murphy, Mrs. Maura Papile, Ms.
Caitlin Plaskasovitis, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Keith Segalla, Ms. Brianne
Therrien, Ms. Meghan Therrien, Ms. Judy Todd; Ms. Lindsay Schrier, Quincy
High School Representative to the School Committee and Ms. Allison Cox,
President, Quincy Education Association.
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There was a moment of silence in honor of those serving in the military.
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Regular Meeting Minutes Approved
10/9/2013
Mrs. Lebo made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hubley, to approve the Regular
Meeting minutes for October 9, 2013. On a voice vote, the ayes have it.
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Open Forum
As no one wished to speak at Open Forum, the School Committee moved on to the
next item on the agenda.
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Superintendent's
Report
Wollaston Elementary School Principal James Hennessy and Assistant
Principal Deirdre Murphy welcomed the Mayor and School Committee to
Wollaston. The Wollaston School building opened 100 years ago and an event
will be held on April 12, 2014 to celebrate. Mr. Hennessy thanked School
Committee for their demonstrated commitment to the education of all students,
through providing access to technology and resources that support
individualized instruction. The school is a safe and nurturing learning
environment due to the many security upgrades and the emphasis on small
class sizes that directly benefit students. For the second year in a row,
Wollaston earned the designation of a Level 1 school from the Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education for demonstrating high achievement,
strong progress, and narrowing the achievement gap. The school's success is
also due to the partnership between staff, students, and families. Family and
community engagement is evident at Wollaston, volunteers are in the school
every day in the library and classrooms; fundraising has provided technology,
new stage curtains, and the sound panels in the gymnasium. The Wollaston
Elementary School is an important place in students’ and families' lives.
Dr. DeCristofaro thanked Mr. Hennessy and Mrs. Murphy and cited their
leadership in guiding the students to success.
The North Quincy High School NEASC visit began on Sunday, October 20,
including a panel discussion with the School Committee; the visiting committee
was impressed with the School Committee's knowledge and
presentation. North Quincy High School was also listed as a top 10 high school
in the state of Massachusetts by the Boston Globe, based on a number of factors,
including MCAS scores and rate of post-high school continuing education.
Representatives from the Massachusetts School Building Authority visited the
Sterling Middle School on October 15 for a Senior Study Visit to research the
educational program and physical plant. An invitation to a Feasibility Study
may be forthcoming after either the November or January MSBA Board
meetings.
Mr. John Fagerlund presented Mr. Sean Callaghan from the International
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 103. The IBEW are platinum level
sponsors, providing a $5000 contribution, student and site support, career
connections, apprenticeship and scholarship opportunities, training seminars,
and materials and equipment. Local 103 has a long history of volunteering, and
a tradition of involvement with the Career and Technical Education program at
Quincy High School. Ms. Isola presented a certificate of recognition to Mr.
Callahan. Mayor Koch thanked Mr. Callaghan for the Local's continued support
and generosity towards the city. Local 103 members were an integral part of
recent construction of Central Middle School.
The first Mentor Team meeting was held on October 15, 40 new teachers and
mentors met for the first in a series of meetings led by Senior Curriculum
Coordinator Madeline Roy and Principal James Hennessy.
Dr. DeCristofaro announced upcoming events including a visit to Central Middle
School on October 24 by Secretary of Education Matthew Malone. On October
29, $20,000 in Mini-Grants will be awarded to 60 professional staff members at
North Quincy High School. Beginning the week of November 12, the School
Improvement Plans will be presented to the School Committee at a series of
Subcommittee meetings.
In closing, Dr. DeCristofaro thanked everyone involved with planning,
designing, and constructing the new Central Middle School. At the school's
opening on October 21, members of the School Committee opened the doors at
the new Central for the students in the same way they open door of opportunity
for so many students across the city.
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New Business
Middle and High
School Health
Educators
Senior Director of Student Support Services Maura Papile introduced
representatives from the Health Education department to present on the Middle
and High School Health programs. Central Middle School Health teacher Mrs.
Plaskasovitis reviewed the middle school health curriculum and associated skills
and Point Webster Health teacher Ms. Barbara Fenby spoke of the upcoming
Rachel's Challenge presentation for all Grade 7 students; health teachers tie this into
the curriculum stressing social-emotional issues and positive school climate,
empowering students to realize that it starts with them. Mrs. Fenby talked about
Point Webster's Safe and Positive School Climate where students teach each other
in a peer leader model.
Quincy High School Health Interventionist Mike Laurenziano and North Quincy High
School Health Interventionist Lily Mei thanked the School Committee for funding to
restore their positions. The Health Interventionists' goal is to improve student
overall well-being and promote positive social interactions; students need to be
engaged and successful in their educational process and to know the value of
education. The Health Interventionists are collaborating with each high school's
teaching and nursing staff, Guidance, administration, Deans, School Resource
Officers, Athletic Directors, and outside agencies. They are involved in their school
Wellness Teams, SADD, Peer Mediation, and the Student Support Team. Individual
student interventions include academics, discipline, bullying, mental health and
substance abuse. At the beginning of the school year, there is a lot of effort
expended on helping Freshmen adjust to High School schedule and coursework
demands. Interventionists provide opportunities for check-in, mentoring, weekly
progress reports, and referrals to outside agencies. School wide interventions are
focused on positively impacting school culture through clubs and activities, such as
SADD, Friends of Rachel, Peer Mediation, Freshman seminar; planned interventions
include Health/Wellness Curriculum, Anger Management, Peer Leadership, ELL
Transition, Boys and Girls Grade 9 Transitional/Study Skills; Nutrition and Exercise
with PASS program.
Mr. McCarthy thanked the presenters for their presentation and the great vision for
age-appropriate middle school curriculum. He is pleased to see the high school
positions reinstated and the integration with outside agencies. These are
important life skills and a great complement to middle school program.
Mrs. Lebo asked whether the high school Interventionists are doing any formal
instruction and suggested getting involved with the Physical Education classes as a
means of meeting more students. Mrs. Papile agreed that the Health
Interventionists will focus on building relationships and cultivating peer leaders
within all grades. They are also working with Community Service Coordinators and
getting involved in service projects.
Mrs. Mahoney complimented the High School Health Interventionists, noting they
have only been on the job for three weeks. Mrs. Mahoney encouraged the open
discussion of issues and students developing a comfort level with the
Interventionists. Ms. Isola complimented the age-appropriate scaffolding of the
Health curriculum.
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Athletics Department
Program
Improvement Plan
Athletic Directors Michael Joyce and Patrick Lane presented their Program
Improvement Plan. Both are enthusiastic about the new opportunity and feel their
being teachers will help the athletic programs to grow. The Athletic Directors
mentioned partnerships with Quincy Medical Center, Quincy Fire Department
Local 792, Quincy Youth Baseball, Fallon Ambulance, and the Quincy Track
Club. The new Athletic Advisory Team includes Kathryn Clancy (parent), Roger
Bacchieri (teacher), Kerry Ginty (high school Physical Education teacher), Carolyn
Parsley (middle school Physical Education teacher), and Point Webster Principal
Christine Barrett.
Athletic Improvement Plan Goals for 2013-2014: (1) Continue to work with
coaches in order to monitor the School Committee Policy of no tolerance in regard
to hazing, harassment, and bullying to ensure compliance during the school
year. (2) Continue to work in collaboration with High School Deans to monitor
students who may be at-risk or who have attendance/disciplinary issues during
the 2013-2014 school year. (3) Collaborate with the system-wide Wellness Team
to ensure compliance of current Quincy Public Schools Wellness Policy to comply
with the new state and federal regulations governing nutrition and wellness in
schools and to provide guidance and support to individual school wellness teams
throughout the school year. (4) Collaborate with the Athletic Advisory Team to
address current QPS athletic issues, with specific focus related to increasing the
participation rate in athletics at our respective high schools. It is our goal to raise
the total athletic participation rate in QPS high schools by 5% for school year
2013-14 as compared to 2012-2013. (5) Collaborate with the Athletic Advisory
Team to address current QPS athletic issues, with specific focus related to
increasing the participation rate in athletics at our respective high schools via the
retention and successful transition of middle school student-athletes to high
school athletics.
The Athletic Directors are focused on increased participation and as a first step,
middle and high school students will be surveyed for their reasons for
participating or not participating. (17% of high school students participated in a
fall sport.) Increasing student access to Athletics Information will be assisted by
Coordinators Kevin Mahoney, and Meghan Therrien. In collaboration with the IT
Department, the Athletic Department website has been updated and the Athletics
Directors are using Facebook and Twitter to communicate with students. Weekly
calendars are published on the Quincy Public Schools website and Channel 22.
Mayor Koch thanked the Athletic Directors and asked for clarification on how our
percentage of participation compares to other school districts. Mr. Joyce said that
we are on the low end for the Patriot League. The average schools have
participation rates in the mid-20s. Mayor Koch asked about connections to youth
sports leagues. Mrs. Lebo asked about adding sports to attract new athletes; Mr.
Joyce mentioned Rowing and Rugby as club sports and student interest in Field
Hockey. Mrs. Lebo asked about the MIAA Coaches Training; not all coaches are
trained yet, but Quincy Public Schools will be hosting an upcoming training. Mrs.
Lebo asked to see the Athletic Coordinator job descriptions and asked for details
about equipment managers and that they be added as budget line items.
Mr. McCarthy asked about the Athletic Directors ability to manage teaching and
along with the Athletic Department responsibilities. Mr. Lane said that things are
working out well, he teaches periods 2-4 in a block every day, so is not available
for Athletics until after 11 am. Students also understand that he is available for
academic issues any time of the day. Mr. Joyce agreed that teaching is at the
forefront of his responsibilities. He is teaching familiar classes and also available
for academic consultation throughout the day. This reinforces to student athletes
the value of academics in conjunction with athletics. Mr. McCarthy asked which
teams are combined: Girls Hockey, Boys Swimming, and Rowing are combined
high school teams. Mr. McCarthy talked about the importance of varsity athlete
involvement with the youth league players. He inquired about game admissions;
the Patriot League sets the prices. Non-league games are at our discretion, but we
tend to conform to the norms.
Mr. Bregoli arrived at 8:45 pm.
Mr. Joyce said that in an effort to encourage students, we only charge admission
for basketball and hockey. Mr. McCarthy asked whether there have been any
issues with the Park Department about field reservations. Both Athletic Directors
agreed that the fall weather has cooperated and so no games have been cancelled,
but the city has also added Faxon Field and Cavanagh Field recently and they work
closely with Mr. Cassani.
Mrs. Mahoney asked about their work with the Deans on at-risk studentsand
whether they can access to information through Aspen. The Athletic Directors do
not currently have access to all Aspen data, but this will be granted shortly. Last
spring’s grades determine eligibility for Fall sports, so that was all verified before
seasons began. Interim grades will soon be available for Athletic Director
review. Mrs. Mahoney asked if other towns encourage multiple-sport
participation as a training benefot. Mr. Lane said that in his experience, direct
encouragement for sports or club participation shows results.
Mrs. Mahoney requested a breakdown of how many coaches are paid from the
budget line item and how much they are paid. Mr. Mullaney will follow up with
detail and also the detail of per sport participation and expenditures.
Ms. Isola asked about Girls Golf and there are plans to re-launch the program for
the Spring season.
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to accept the Athletics Program Improvement Plan. Mrs.
Hubley seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
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Mayor Koch briefly left the meeting and returned at the conclusion of the
following item.
MASC Conference
Resolutions
Mrs. Lebo introduced the five Massachusetts Association of School Committees
(MASC) Resolutions which will be voted on at the upcoming convention general
assembly on November 8. Mrs. Hubley will be the delegate representing the Quincy
School Committee at the general assembly. The five resolutions are: (1) Funding
for K-12 Transient Student Success MASC will file or support legislation that will
provide supplemental funding directly to affected school districts to help obtain
academic records and provide proper student supports to better integrate transient
students into their current school districts. (2) Performance Assessment for
Readiness for College and Careers MASC will call upon the Governor to petition the
Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to direct the
Commissioner to allow sufficient time for educators to prepare students for the new
testing system and for cities, towns, and school districts to secure appropriate and
adequate technology services and devices to administer the PARCC program. (3)
Teacher Evaluation MASC will be suggesting consideration of an updated Chapter
70 formula to reflect the increased costs associated with this enhanced
leadership/supervision of all teachers in Massachusetts. (4) Evaluation of the
Commissioner of Education MASC is requesting that the Board of Elementary and
Secondary Education be requested to solicit and consider in the evaluation process
for the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education meaningful input and
comment from stakeholder constituencies and that aggregated comment and input
be made available for public review. (5) Confirming Actions from 2012 MASC is
reiterating commitment to the resolutions approved at the 2013 MASC Conference
general assembly.
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to support the five resolutions. Mrs. Hubley seconded the
motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 6-0. Mayor Koch was absent.
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Out of State
Travel
Mr. McCarthy made a motion to approve the Out of State Travel of North Quincy
High School Juniors and Seniors to the University of New Hampshire in Durham,
New Hampshire on November 13, 2013. Mr. Bregoli seconded the motion and on a
voice vote, the ayes have it, 7-0.
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Out of the Country
Travel
Mrs. Mahoney made a motion to approve the Out of the Country Travel of Quincy
High School students to Italy and France from April 17 to April 26, 2014. Mr.
McCarthy seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
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Overnight Travel
Mrs. Mahoney made a motion to approve the Overnight Travel for Broad Meadows
Middle School Grade 8 students to Camp Wing, Duxbury, Massachusetts from June 4,
2014 through June 6, 2014. Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a voice vote,
the ayes have it.
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to approve the Overnight Travel for Central Middle
School Grade 8 students to Washington, D.C. from June 4 through June 6, 2014. Mr.
McCarthy seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
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Additional Business
Mrs. Mahoney noted that over 400 Local 103 members are Quincy residents. She
asked if there was any information available about how many Local 103 members
are graduates of Quincy High School’s Career and Technical Education program.
Mrs. Lebo asked Mayor Koch to speak to the site plans for the former Quincy High
School that he had brought to the meeting at her request. Mayor Koch showed the
first plan which detailed finishing the facade of new Quincy High School where the
building had been attached to the former Quincy High School building. The City
Council has appropriated funding for both the facade work and landscaping. There
is a 16' change in grade between Coddington Hall and Quincy High School to be
accounted for in the designs. The Massachusetts Historic Society requires a
commemorative area, so the design will incorporate the former Quincy High School
building cornerstone. The landscape plan will include significant trees planted
throughout the space and fencing will be similar to Faxon Field. There will be a
community garden area outside the President's Cafe and a sitting wall. There will
be lighting as well and an additional 20 parking spaces that can be used for visitor
parking for either Quincy High School or Coddington Hall. Quincy High School
Principal Taglieri and Superintendent DeCristofaro were involved in the design
concept development.
Ms. Isola asked about the band uniform status, $10,000 total was allocated from the
rental of the Veterans Stadium for a movie. Each student will receive a polo shirt
(red or blue), khakis, and black shoes. Band members will purchase sweatshirts
personalized with their name. To outfit the band with traditional uniforms would
be in the $25,000 to $30,000 range. Mayor Koch reminded the School Committee
that the uniform allocation was part of the movie rental money, additional funds
were allocated to other parts of the music programs for new instruments and
equipment.
Mayor Koch left the meeting at 9:20 pm.
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Reports of
Subcommittees
Special Education
Subcommittee
Mrs. Mahoney reported on the October 16, 2013 Special Education Subcommittee
meeting. Items on the agenda included the Substitute Teacher Information Form,
implementation of which is being deferred until the new Aspen X2 Special
Education module is integrated as a source of information. Ms. Todd clarified the
Special Education Mediation Policy, noting that mediation is not applicable in all
situations. Mediation is not used for placement decisions, both sides must agree at a
team meeting to resolve placement. Mediation is never refused for situations that
can be resolved through this process. QPAC is working on establishing a
Community Service Collaboration project with UMass/Boston.
Ms. Todd then presented the Special Education Program Improvement Plan.
After reflecting on last year’s goals and Assessment results, Ms. Todd outlined the
Special Education department goals for 2013-2014. (1) During the 2013-14 school
year, all students with Math goals in their IEPs in Grades 7 and 8 will increase their
MCAS percent correct in the domain of Number System by 1%. (2) In 2012-13, the
average gain in word reading for Grade 3 Resource Room students was 14.9 words.
At the conclusion of the 2014 school year, students in Grade 3 will have increased
word reading on an average of 17 words. (3) The Special Education Administration
will develop a presentation for general educators regarding their responsibilities
under IDEA and Massachusetts Special Education Regulations which will be placed
on the website by May 2014. In addition, the other Special Education teams have
goals and professional development. Ms. Todd concluded the presentation by
noting the lengthy Appendix, containing information on staffing, budget, student
population, program description, and the procedural manual.
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to approved the minutes of the October 16, 2013 Special
Education Subcommittee Meeting. Mr. Bregoli seconded the motion and on a voice
vote, the ayes have it.
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to approved the Special Education Program
Improvement Plan. Mr. McCarthy seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes
have it.
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Budget and Finance
Subcommittee
Ms. Isola reported on the Budget and Finance Subcommittee Meeting held on
October 22, 2013. Mr. James Mullaney presented the Professional Staff
Reconciliation, which includes the additional funding appropriated in September.
Adjustments were made to add and remove classroom teachers at the elementary,
middle, and high school levels to reflect shifts in student populations. For Academic
Program staff, the two Health Interventionist positions were added, plus the half
time middle school Library position expansion for Central Middle School.
Mr. Mullaney then presented the Quarterly Budget Review for the first quarter of
FY2014. He reviewed the salary budget for Academic Classroom Teachers,
Academic Programs, Academic Support, and Non-Academic Support. All line items
are within expected ranges for this point in the year; all step and level increases are
accounted for. Non-Academic Support is also on budget, including filling two open
positions in Payroll and the Business Office. All salary needs are anticipated to be
covered by the FY2014 budget. For Academic Expenses, current expenditures are
typical with QPS historical spending, with expenditures for textbooks, supplies, and
testing. For Non-Academic Expenses, funding has been encumbered for natural gas
and electricity by the issuing of purchase orders. Other lines are on target; the other
major account is transportation, the majority of which is Special Education and that
spending is on track.
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to approved the minutes of the October 22, 2013 Budget
and Finance Subcommittee Meeting. Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a
voice vote, the ayes have it.
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Policy Subcommittee
Mr. Bregoli reviewed the Policy Subcommittee Meeting that was held on October 22,
2013.
Mr. McCarthy made a motion to approved the minutes of the October 22, 2013
Budget and Finance Subcommittee Meeting. Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and
on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to name the flagpoles at the Faxon Field track in honor of
Mr. Geoff Hennessy, Mr. Christopher Kennedy, and Mr. Lou Tozzi. Mrs. Hubley
seconded a motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it 6-0. Mayor Koch was
absent.
Mr. McCarthy made a motion to name the new Central Middle School gymnasium in
honor of Mr. Mario Casali. Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a roll call vote,
the ayes have it 6-0. Mayor Koch was absent.
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to name the Atherton Hough Elementary School
Computer Lab in honor of Mr. William B. Dunn, Jr. Mrs. Lebo seconded a motion and
on a roll call vote, the ayes have it 6-0. Mayor Koch was absent.
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Facilities and Security
Subcommittee
Mr. McCarthy reported on the Facilities and Security Subcommittee Meeting held
on October 22, 2013.
Mr. Kevin Segalla presented the Custodial Program Improvement Plan reflecting on
2012-2013 goals and reviewing the 2013-14 Custodial staff goal to design and
develop an equipment inventory survey to identify outdated equipment for the
purpose of replacement; this information can be used to inform the budget process.
For FY2015 budget considerations, Mr. McCarthy asked Mr. Segalla to monitor the
staffing for the new Central Middle School. Mr. McCarthy also noted that Custodial
services will be needed for Coddington Hall. Mr. McCarthy complimented Mr.
Segalla’s leadership on the supply buying consortium.
Mr. Draicchio presented the Safety and Security Program Improvement Plan. For
2013-2014, the department’s goals are focused implementing the new security
initiatives. Additional goals include consistently reinforcing emergency procedures;
updated emergency charts were distributed to all school offices. The Security
Newsletter will be published quarterly, emergency safety drills will be conducted at
all schools twice during the school year, professional development will be provided
to the security staff, and the Safety and Security Roundtable meetings will be held
monthly. The third goal is focused on continuing camera installation, in
collaboration with the City IT and School IT department.
Mr. McCarthy made a motion to approved the Custodial Program Improvement
Plan. Mrs. Lebo seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mr. McCarthy made a motion to approved the Safety and Security Program
Improvement Plan. Mrs. Lebo seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes
have it.
Mr. Bregoli made a motion to approved the minutes of the October 22, 2013
Facilities and Security Subcommittee Meeting. Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion
and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Adjournment
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to adjourn at 9:30 p.m. The motion was seconded by
Mr. McCarthy and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.