Jan. 6, 2016 Policy Sub Meeting

Agenda

Quincy School Committee
Policy Subcommittee
Mr. Paul Bregoli, Chair
Wednesday, January 6, 2016, 5:00 pm
Coddington Building

NARCAN Administration/Policy 10.11.4 - Mrs. Maura Papile, Mrs. Rita Bailey

2016-2017 School Year Calendar - Dr. Richard DeCristofaro

Minutes

Quincy School Committee
Policy Subcommittee Meeting
January 6, 2016

A meeting of the Teaching & Learning Subcommittee was held on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at 5:00 pm in the Coddington Building. Present were Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Ms. Barbara Isola, and Mr. Paul Bregoli, Chair. Also attending were Superintendent DeCristofaro, Mrs. Rita Bailey, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Mrs. Maura Papile, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Keith Segalla; Quincy Police Lieutenant Patrick Glynn, Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey; Mr. David Blaton and Ms. Kristin Perry from the Citywide Parents Council, and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.

Mr.Bregoli called the meeting to order and introduced the first item on the agenda, consideration of allowing Narcan to be available for administration in Quincy Public Schools. Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey gave an overview of the increasing opioid abuse problem and the accompanying issue of overdosing. Training school nurses and athletic personnel is the next logical step, representatives from every school district in Norfolk County were present at a recent training. Schools are used for many events and there is the potential for all types of medical emergencies. DA Morrissey congratulated the Quincy Police Department for being on the recognized nationally for being in the forefront of this issue.

Mrs. Papile noted that this week is Substance Abuse Awareness Week and that Quincy Public Schools has long partnered with the Quincy Police Department, Norfolk County District Attorney’s office, Bay State Community Services, and Brewster Ambulance. Throughout the school year, we are engaging with students and parents on drug awareness prevention and education.

QPD Lt. Glynn said that in 2010, Quincy first recognized the epidemic of opioid abuse. Quincy’s holistic approach is law enforcement plus education about abuse and prevention. While we know there is not a drug problem in schools with students, students live in families with drug abuse issues. In 2015, 190 overdoses were reported and 107 reversed with Narcan. The Quincy model is the Police Department and District Attorney’s office working together with the Department of Public Health, and the outcome is safe community and family supports to treat the disease of addiction, many need counseling, not criminal interdiction. Opiods are powerful pain medications, many that are legally prescribed. Individuals can overdose inadvertently, for example, by mixing opioids with alcohol. Quincy Public Schools buildings are open to the public and a tragedy can be averted in the same way AED device or EpiPen can be used to save someone’s life. Narcan is a necessary tool and a proactive approach to the issues that exist in society today.

Mrs. Bailey defined opioid overdose in medical terms: these medication bonds to receptor sites in the brain, sometimes suppressing respiration and Narcan breaks the bond, reverses the effect and allows for regular breathing. It is a prescription medication, and the Quincy Public Schools physician has issued a standing order for this to be onsite for all Quincy Public Schools health professionals. Narcan is currently the only approved medication capable of reversing the effect of an opioid overdose. Narcan does not have a “high” effect and there are no needles. School nurses are first responders to all emergencies in schools, not just for students. School Resource Officers and DARE Officers are currently carrying Narcan in Quincy Public Schools.

Lt. Glynn said that 37 states and 900 police departments nationwide have adopted Narcan policies and in a recent survey, the City of Quincy was ranked first in the nation in implementing the Narcan policy. Regardless of our neighboring community decisions, we want to be a safe community.

Mrs. Papile said this will be adding a medical intervention to the policy in place whereby nurses administer medications. Mr. Bregoli asked about training athletic trainers to be responders as well. Dr. DeCristofaro agreed that the athletic trainers should be trained as well.

Mrs. Hubley fully supports the training of school nurses and athletic trainers.

Ms. Isola thanked everyone for the fabulous presentation, they are speaking to the choir. Anything that School Committee can do to support this effort is there.

Mr. Bregoli asked about the life of the Narcan, 18-24 months. Mr. Bregoli asked how many nurses have been trained; Mrs. Bailey and two school nurses have already attended training. Mrs. Bailey is a certified trainer and Lt. Glynn will also assist with training the nurses. Mrs. Bailey said it is a 45- minute training, can be done at upcoming Professional Development meeting. Dr. DeCristofaro said the athletic trainers can be trained separately.

Mr. Bregoli asked in the substance abuse education of students, how much time is spent on specifics of opioid abuse. Ms. Isola suggested that this become an agenda item for the Health, Transportation, and Safety Subcommittee meeting.

A draft of the 2016-2017 School Year Calendar was shared with School Committee.

Mr. Bregoli asked about changing to a March vacation week. Given the holidays in February and April, there would only be a savings of three days.

Ms. Isola suggested that the graduation rain dates be eliminated. If it rains on the scheduled date, the graduation could be inside. Mrs. Hubley and Mr. Bregoli agreed with the suggestion.

Ms. Isola made a motion to bring the 2016-2017 School Year Calendar to School Committee. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Hubley and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

Mrs. Hubley made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:45 pm. Ms. Isola seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.