Minutes
Quincy School Committee
Quarterly Budget & Finance Subcommittee Meeting - May 21, 2018
A meeting of the Budget & Finance Subcommittee was held on Wednesday, May 21, 2018 at 6:00 pm
in the Coddington Building. Present were Mr. Anthony Andronico, Mr. Paul Bregoli, Mr. Douglas
Gutro, Mrs. Emily Lebo, and Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Chair. Also attending were Superintendent
DeCristofaro, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Ms. Catherine Carey, Ms. Julie Graham, Dr. Beth
Hallett, Mr. Richard Kelley, Mr. James Mullaney, Ms. Maura Papile, Ms. Erin Perkins, Ms. Madeline
Roy, Mr. Keith Segalla; Mr. Scott Alessandro, Citywide Parent Council Co-President; and Ms. Laura
Owens, Clerk.
Director of Business James Mullaney presented an overview of the grants that are part of funding the
Quincy Public Schools for staffing/class size, professional development, and parent engagement.
These entitlement grants are based on formulas set forth by federal or state law/regulation and total
$5.279 million, including Title I (early literacy and math) for $1.987 million; Title IIA (teacher quality)
for $330,000; Title III for English Language Acquisition for $275,000; Special Education/IDEA for $2.4
million. Funding is received in January, but the fiscal year budget is based on an assumption of level
funding from year to year.
Mrs. Lebo asked about Title I and Title II for private schools; any private elementary schools in Quincy
are eligible to share in professional development (Quincy Catholic Academy, Noble Academy)
Mrs. Lebo asked if these are special professional development opportunities and Mr. Mullaney
clarified that the private school teachers are invited to all scheduled professional development
opportunities.
Mrs. Hubley then opened up discussion on the FY2019 Budget.
Mrs. Lebo asked about the difference in types of Aides in the budget, there are classroom
paraprofessionals and administrative aides in different categories. There are also substitute
paraprofessionals for Special Education. Mrs. Lebo asked about Quincy Evening High School, this is
completely grant funded. Mrs. Lebo asked about the increase in the coaches line, there is an
anticipated increase because of growing interest in certain sports, coop teams may be divided.
Mr. Bregoli noted that there is no expansion of academic courses or programs in this level service
budget. Mr. Mullaney said there are 8.9 positions: 3.0 digital literacy, 1.7 ELL, 3.5 Special Education,
and 0.7 CTE. Mr. Bregoli asked about Civics and Ms. Roy clarified that this is an instructional shift,
Grade 8 US History 1 will become Civics.
Mr. Gutro supports the Digital Learning positions and looks forward to hearing about the program
rollout. Mr. Gutro is looking for more insight into the Special Education tuition costs. Mr. Gutro asked about the funds transferred from Special Education salaries to cover the acquisition of new buses.
The the first 50% of the insurance settlement has been received and Mr. Mullaney is anticipating
requesting the funds transferred back at the June 13 School Committee meeting.
Mr. Gutro asked about a new location for the buses to be stored, Dr. DeCristofaro said there has been
no decisions about a new location for the buses. For now, the buses will be moved as needed for
weather. Mr. Gutro asked if the insurance premiums will rise due to this year’s claim. Mr. Mullaney
said that it is possible and any difference could be funded through the Transportation revolving
account.
Mr. Andronico noted that 6.3 Special Education positions have been added in the last three years, but
no Special Education paraprofessionals have been added. Dr. DeCristofaro said given the current
requirements for student IEPs, classroom and 1-on-1 aides are currently adequately staffed. These
are reconciled quarterly along with the professional staffing and reviewed with School Committee.
Mr. Gutro reiterated Mr. Alessandro’s request to consider a position to collect and analyze data. Dr.
DeCristofaro said that this work is done by the SLT within the paramenters of their responsibilities.
Dr. DeCristofaro would not prioritize this over student-facing staff, could consider something
collaborative at the city level, perhaps a staff member that could be utilized by multiple city
departments. Mr. Gutro will research similar positions in other local cities.
Mrs. Lebo said that there is data that School Committee does not see that might inform their work, so
would like to see the data sets that are available. Dr. DeCristofaro said that School Committee can
look at the data posted on the DESE website and suggest areas for follow up.
Mr. Gutro said that he supports the substitute teacher pay raise. Mrs. Lebo is concerned that
substitutes may not accept long-term assignments at the same daily rate.
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to move the FY2019 Quincy Public Schools Budget to the School Committee
Public Hearing on May 30, 2018. Mr. Bregoli seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have
it.
Mr. Bregoli made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:30 pm. Mr. Andronico seconded the motion
and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.