Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts – September 13, 2017
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular Meeting
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday,
September 13, 2017 at the Coddington Building at 6:30 p.m. The Superintendent
called the roll and present were School Committee Chairman Mayor Thomas Koch,
Mr. James DeAmicis, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Ms. Barbara Isola, Mrs. Emily Lebo,
Mrs. Anne Mahoney, and Mr. Paul Bregoli, Vice Chair.
Vice Chair Presiding
Also present were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary; Ms. Laura Owens,
Clerk; Mr. Michael Draicchio, Dr. John Franceschini, Dr. Beth Hallett, Ms.
Courtney Mitchell, Mr. James Mullaney, Deputy Superintendent Kevin
Mulvey, Mrs. Maura Papile, Mrs. Erin Perkins, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Keith
Segalla, City Solicitor James Timmins; Quincy Education Association
President Allison Cox; Citywide Parents Council Co-President Scott
Alessandro; Sterling Building Committee member Kristin Perry; and North
Quincy High School Student Representative Luke Molloy.
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There was a moment of silence in memory of Steve Moynihan, former Quincy
Public Schools Business Director for 23 years and Barbara Lawson, a secretary
for 32 years in the Building department and print shop.
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Regular Meeting Minutes Approved
6.14.2017
Mrs. Hubley made a motion, seconded by Mr. DeAmicis to approve the Regular
Meeting minutes for June 14, 2017. On a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Special Meeting Minutes Approved
8.22.2017
Mr. DeAmicis made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hubley to approve the Special
Meeting minutes for August 22, 2017. On a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Special Organizational Meeting Minutes Approved 9.6.2017
Mrs. Hubley made a motion, seconded by Ms. Isola to approve the Special
Organizational Meeting minutes for September 6, 2017. On a voice vote, the ayes
have it.
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Open Forum
Mr. Scott Alessandro, Citywide Parent Council Co-President, announced the
monthly meeting will be held on Monday, September 18 at 7:00 pm at Broad
Meadows Middle School. On October 16, Citywide will be hosting a School
Committee Candidates Night at Central Middle School at 6:30 pm. Email
[email protected] to submit questions for the candidates.
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Superintendent's
Report
Dr. DeCristofaro opened the Superintendent’s Report with the Inspire Quincy
video, featuring highlights from the Summer Scene programs at Snug Harbor,
Della Chiesa Early Childhood Center, Quincy High School, Bridge to Reading and
Farm to School at Clifford Marshall. Scenes from the New Professional Staff
Orientation, Backpack Distribution events, and interviews with Fall Athletics
Team Captains from both high schools were shared.
The New Professional Staff Orientation was held on August 30 and 31, for over 30
participants. Thanks to Deputy Superintendent Kevin Mulvey and the Human
Resources staff for planning the event. On September 7 and 8, donated backpacks
and school supplies were distributed at Lincoln Hancock, Clifford Marshall,
Montclair, Parker, and Snug Harbor.
Mr. Segalla reviewed upcoming Quincy School~Community Partnership events,
including the City of Presidents 5K Run/Walk on Sunday, September 24, 2017.
Sponsored by the Mayor’s Office, proceeds from the event benefit Quincy Public
Schools Health and Wellness programs. The 3rd Annual Welcome Back Reception
will be held September 28 at the Common Market.
Recent donations of furniture and equipment from School~Community partners
include the Quincy College donation of 165 desk chairs being used at Atlantic,
Broad Meadows, and Point Webster and the Boston Scientific donations of
furniture, technology, and food service equipment being used at all school sites.
Dr. DeCristofaro congratulated Curriculum Director Beth Hallett, who earned her
Ed.D. in August. Dr. Hallett announced that the 20th Annual ArtsFest will be held
on Saturday, September 16 and Sunday, September 17 at Adams Field. Over 200
Quincy Public Schools students have submitted entries and murals created by the
high school Art Clubs will be on display. Thanks to all Quincy Public Schools Art
teachers for their collaboration.
Dr. DeCristofaro noted that Parent Academy events are planned throughout the
school year, updated dates will be shared as the dates are finalized. Through the
support of the Quincy Public Schools Budget and grant funding, over 100 teachers
participated in Summer Professional Development.
The City of Quincy Public Buildings department oversaw the successful
completion of many summer projects that affected all of our school buildings.
Thanks to Commissioner Paul Hines, Directors Walter MacDonald and Kevin
Murphy for their efforts in overseeing these projects. MSBA Boiler Replacement
projects at Atherton Hough, Beechwood Knoll, Merrymount, and Wollaston are
about a month away from final completion, with remaining work to be done
during off hours as much as possible.
The annual School Committee Organizational Meeting was held on September 6,
2017, emphasizing the connection between the School Committee and the District
Improvement Plan, through review of Program and School Improvement Plans,
monitoring new and continuing initiatives at Subcommittee meetings.
Dr. DeCristofaro noted that preliminary enrollment is up 2% over last year. At the
October 11 meeting, the official October 1 enrollment submitted to the
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will be reviewed, including
class sizes. In mid-year, the Opportunities and Challenges presentation will
explore facilities needs for the next school year.
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Old Business
There was no Old Business on the Agenda.
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New Business
New Middle School
Project Update
City Solicitor and Building Committee Chair James Timmins introduced Owner’s
Project Manager Director Tom Kerwin from PCA360. This summer, the hard work
of planning at the school site has been realized and the school successfully
welcomed back the staff and students with the selective demolition completed and
the school site secured. Mr. Kerwin introduced Ken Johnson, VP at Bond Brothers
and Project Manager Brian Laroche from PCA360. Mr. Laroche then presented an
update on the project status. Over the summer, good progress has been made in
terms of schedule and budget; some of the more challenging aspects of the project
are completed, including very deep excavation, including blasting and removing of
rock and granite ledge in a neighborhood with homes in close proximity.
In terms of schedule, selective demolition is complete: the gymnasium, locker
rooms, and a section of classrooms were removed in July. Prior to the start of
school, parking for staff was established on Roberts Street, along with a new
basketball court. A new path has been created for students and staff to walk up to
the front of the school on Granite Street from Roberts Street. Air conditioners
have been installed in classroom windows facing the construction site. From
September and December, the site preparation, utility installation, and foundation
construction will be completed. Beginning in January, the construction of the
building envelope will begin.
Mr. Laroche shared architectural renderings created by Ai3 Architects. On the
Granite Street side, the building is two stories and on the Roberts Street side, the
building is three stories. Grade 5 will have a dedicated entrance and share an
academic wing with Grade 6 on the second floor of the building. Grades 7 and 8
will be on the top floor, along with the Library/Media Center.
Mrs. Lebo complimented the project team, the building design is impressive and
different from the Central building.
Mrs. Mahoney asked about opportunities for union labor and Quincy residents
working on the project. Mr. Kerwin said that all major trades have been procured
at this time through the Public Building process. Mr. LaRoche will follow up with
figures. Mrs. Mahoney also asked if there might be opportunity for Career &
Technical Education students to observe and/or participate in the construction.
Dr. DeCristofaro said this will definitely happen over the course of the
construction. Mr. Laroche said there is also a lot of opportunity for STEM learning
for the Sterling Middle School students.
Dr. DeCristofaro thanked Bond, PCA 360, and Ai3, extraordinary partners in this
building project. He also thanked Dr. Franceschini and Ms. Mitchell for their
leadership in planning for the demolition phase and getting reading for the new
school year.
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New Business
2017-1018 Initiatives
Update
Dr. DeCristofaro reviewed that in the 2017-2018 school year, there are over
twenty new and continuing initiatives across Curriculum and Operational teams.
Dr. Hallett presented on Year 3 of Dual Enrollment: Quincy High School and North
Quincy High School staff have aligned with Quincy College to issue credits for
successful completion of coursework. Seventeen courses are being offered,
including Honors Chemistry and Physics at Quincy High School. Information
packets will be mailed to eligible students. Parent information will be available at
the North Quincy High School Back to School Night on September 28 from 6:30 to
8:30 pm and at Quincy High School on October 5 from 6:00 to 7:30 pm.
Ms. Isola asked if we have heard from students that the credits are being accepted
at colleges and universities and Dr. Hallett said we have heard mostly positive
feedback about private colleges; the credits are accepted at any school in the
University of Massachusetts system. Mr. Malloy asked about the deadline for
enrollment and Dr. Hallett said it should be around the end of October.
Senior Director of Student Support Services Maura Papile shared the Substance
Use Education & Prevention Timeline, outlining all of the programming for our
elementary, middle, and high school students. Support for the programming is
provided by a $28,000 donation from the Thompson Family; Mayor Koch and the
Substance Use Task Force; Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey;
and Norfolk County Sheriff Michael Bellotti. The Quincy Public Schools
programing is uniquely proactive, focused on specific needs of the students and
community and supported through PBIS and Wellness initiatives at each school.
On September 5, all Student Support teams met together to review goals, all are
focused on wellness, prevention, and student leadership. At Freshman
Orientation, mentoring programs began and the first meeting of the Mayor’s Task
Force took place that day as well. On Monday, Dr. DeCristofaro and Mrs. Papile
met with Quincy Police Chief Keenan, Lt. Glynn, and the DARE officers to discuss
the changes in marijuana status due to recent legalization. On September 25, Blue
Cross and Children’s Hospital is sponsoring professional development from the
CESAR program to plan out Science-based curriculum on brain function and
addiction. Large group professional development allows for staff to bring back
curriculum and programming to their school site and personalize for their
students’ particular needs. Knowing that peer leadership is critical to consistent
messaging, all middle schools will have Students Against Destructive Decisions
(SADD) chapters beginning this year.
Mrs. Lebo was impressed with the range of programming and asked about the
CESAR program; Mrs. Papile said the funding for this professional development is
being provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield in partnership with the Mayor’s Office.
Mrs. Hubley asked about DOVE peer leadership, noting that a program at Quincy
High School is planned. Mrs. Papile said DOVE has met with all middle school
health teachers and was at North Quincy High School last spring, working with
students on developing and sustaining healthy relationships.
Director of Special Education Erin Perkins updated on the Principals Path
initiative. This year, Bernazzani, Beechwood Knoll, Lincoln Hancock, Clifford
Marshall, Snug Harbor, Squantum, Wollaston, Broad Meadows, Central, and
Sterling will all collaborate on expanding opportunities for student achievement
under the Principals Path umbrella. Atherton Hough, Parker, Point Webster, and
Quincy High School will join this initiative, design teams are being formed at each
site to begin the process.
Senior Curriculum Director Madeline Roy updated on the Advanced Pathways
initiative, which is focused on strengthening the vertical alignment in content
areas for Grades 6 through 12. Through the development of these pathways, it is
emphasized that middle and high school students may become eligible for
advanced work at any point in their educational career. The Advanced Science
pathway at the middle schools is being rolled out for Grades 6 and 7 this year.
Differentiated strategies and updated placement tools for middle school to high
school transition have been developed. Summer work created a year-long guide
for teachers to use in advanced courses and as enrichment for any student.
Honors and Advanced Biology is now offered to Grade 9 students at both high
schools. The Grade 9 Life and Physical Science curriculum has been updated to
better prepare students for Biology in Grade 10.
Ms. Roy also spoke about the Girl Rising initiative, which is continuing to be
expanded as Atlantic and Central took part last spring in the project that originally
began at Sterling Middle School. The initiative team is working with the Girl
Rising International organization, looking to build a vertical connection with
student mentors at both high schools and also would like to create a community
symposium.
Mr. Molloy asked if the goal of the Advanced Science Pathway initiative is for all
students to take Biology in Grade 9. Ms. Roy said the ultimate goal is to increase
the participation in Advanced Placement classes for Grades 11 and 12 students;
not all students will have the pre-requisite knowledge to take Biology in Grade 9.
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New Business
Gift
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to accept the Gifts of Furniture and Technology from
Boston Scientific and Quincy College and to send letters of thanks. Mrs. Hubley
seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
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Additional Business
There was no Additional Business.
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Communications
Upcoming meetings were announced: September 27, 2017 and October 11, 2017,
both at the Coddington Building at 6:30 p.m. and October 25, 2017 at Point
Webster Middle School at 6:30 p.m..
Subcommittee Meetings will be held on October 4, 2017 (Teaching & Learning at
5:00 p.m. and Policy at 6:00 p.m.); October 18, 2017 (Special Education); October
19, 2017 (Budget & Finance at 5:00 p.m. and Facilities & Security at 5:30 p.m.);
and October 24, 2017 (Teaching & Learning at 5:00 p.m.)
Mrs. Hubley noted that the proposed November 1 and 2 Teaching & Learning
Subcommittee dates would need revision as these conflict with the Massachusetts
Association of School Committees conference.
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Reports of
Subcommittees
Mr. Bregoli noted that all School Committee and Subcommittee meeting minutes
are posted online at www.quincypublicschools.com. There were no
Subcommittee Meetings for review on the Agenda.
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Executive Session
There was no Executive Session.
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Adjournment
Mayor Koch made a motion to adjourn for the evening at 7:45 p.m. The motion
was seconded by Ms. Isola and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.