Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts – June 13, 2018
Special Organizational Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular Meeting
A Special Organizational meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on
Monday, September 10, 2018 at the Coddington Building at 6:30 p.m.
Superintendent DeCristofaro called the roll and present were School Committee
Chair Mayor Thomas Koch, Mr. Anthony Andronico, Mr. Paul Bregoli,
Mr. James DeAmicis, Mr. Douglas Gutro, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, and
Mrs. Emily Lebo, Vice Chair.
Vice Chair Presiding
Also present were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary; Ms. Sarah Anderson, Ms. Rita Bailey. Mr. Michael Draicchio, Dr. Beth Hallett, Mr. James Mullaney, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Ms. Maura Papile, Ms. Erin Perkins, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Keith Segalla.
There was a moment of silence for members of our armed forces serving at home and overseas.
§
New Middle School
Name (Vote)
Dr. DeCristofaro reviewed that at the Policy Subcommittee meeting on May 30, 2018 and the June 13, 2018 School Committee meeting, there was discussion about a name for the new school being built to replace the Sterling Middle School.
During the week of June 18, 2018, Dr. DeCristofaro met with the PTO Executive Boards from Lincoln Hancock and Sterling, the Junior Building Committee, and the Sterling Design Team of educators. Dr. DeCristofaro has previously spoke with Reay A. Sterling’s grandson who was pleased to hear about the plan to name the library after the former principal.
Mr. Gutro and Mrs. Hubley thanked Dr. DeCristofaro for researching community support for the new name.
Mayor Koch reiterated that the new building is an opportunity to return to the neighborhood name and the new building, along with the upgrades planned for Kincaide Park will serve to strengthen the community.
Mayor Koch made a motion to approve South~West Middle School as the name for the new middle school. Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 7-0.
§
School Committee
Policy Book Section 2
(Discussion)
Mr. Bregoli reviewed that prior to the April 5, 2018 Policy School Committee, Mr. Gutro requested that Sections 2.2.1, 2.2.2, 2.4.3, 2.4.4, 2.4.5, and 2.4.6 be held for further discussion, as he was not able to be present.
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to approve Sections 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 and their subsections as presented. Mr. Bregoli seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mrs. Lebo noted that each section/subsection should now carry the date of approved September 10, 2018.
Mr. Gutro explained that his concern is how to get an item on the School Committee agenda, it seems this Special Organizational Meeting sets the agenda items for the school year.
Dr. DeCristofaro said this meeting is not the exclusive way to add items to an agenda.
Mr. Gutro said although Policy Book Section 2.4.5 doesn’t stipulate the form of the notification (written or verbal), practice seems to be that this is done orally. Mr. Gutro made a motion that School Committee Agenda items should be requested in writing. This gives the other members the opportunity to review the agenda item and prepare a response or amendment; it provides attribution of the request; and will accurately reflect the intent of the request.
Mrs. Lebo said that the Policy as worded, written requests are not precluded.
Dr. DeCristofaro is concerned that this has the potential to narrow discussion.
Mr. Gutro feels that it is important to know who is advocating for a particular issue, so the written referrals would be for attribution.
Mr. Andronico asked for clarification on the intent of the written request, is it to formalize the process.
Mrs. Hubley asked for clarification if the Superintendent would have discretion for timing of an Agenda item. If several members suggested Agenda items, the meeting could be bogged down by these items.
As an example, Mr. Gutro asked for a discussion about Aspen Gradebook usage by staff. Mr. Bregoli said that would be an item for Subcommittee review and discussion. Mr. Gutro said that having the on the School Committee Meeting agenda ensures all members are aware of the request for referral to Subcommittee.
Mayor Koch said that School Committee has traditionally worked together as a body, different from the City Council Ward Councillor where items are introduced individually. He agreed that items sometimes appear on Subcommittee Agendas without appearing on School Committee agendas for referral and this should be addressed.
After discussion, Mrs. Lebo made a motion to amend the last sentence of the first paragraph of Section 2.4.5 to read: “Any committee member who wishes a specific item to appear on the agenda should notify and/or submit in writing to the superintendent at least five calendar days in advance of the meeting.” The motion was seconded by Mr. Gutro and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to add the word “calendar” between “five” and “days” in the 2nd paragraph of Section 2.4.5. Mr. Gutro seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mayor Koch suggested that Agenda item VI. Additional Business be removed as an agenda item, concerned about violating the Open Meeting Law. Mrs. Lebo said this is a place where a future agenda items can be suggested.
Mr. Andronico noted that Additional Business is defined in the last paragraph of Section 2.4.5.
Mayor Koch reiterated that items discussed in Subcommittee should appear on the regular School Committee Meeting Agenda first.
After further discussion, Mayor Koch made a motion to amend School Committee Section 2.4.5 agreed to strike “Subcommittee Meetings” from the last paragraph. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Lebo and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mr. Bregoli made a motion to approve Section 2.4.5 as amended. Mayor Koch seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
After discussion, Mrs. Lebo suggested striking Section 2.4.6. Mr. Bregoli asked if the subsequent Policy Book Section 2 would need to be renumbered. Mrs. Lebo asked that a note be added that the section to indicate it has been repealed.
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to strike Section 2.4.6 and indicate this has been repealed. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Lebo and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
§
School Committee
District Improvement
Plan Connections
Dr. DeCristofaro reviewed the School Committee connections to the District Improvement Plan through the review and approval of the Superintendent’s Annual Plan, Program and School Improvement Plans, and the collaboration with Principals and Superintendent’s Leadership Team members for goal setting and developing initiatives to support the goals.
School Committee then went into recess to break out in Subcommittee groups to review their goals and items currently in Subcommittee for review. Mayor Koch left the meeting at 7:30 pm.
The Special Organizational School Committee Meeting resumed at 8:00 pm to report on the review of Subcommittee goals, action steps, and items in Subcommittee.
Athletics & Wellness: Mr. Gutro removed Farm to School from Subcommittee and retained the other items.
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to add the Potential for MIAA League Change for North Quincy High School. The motion was seconded by Mr. Gutro and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mr. Gutro suggested numbering the items in Subcommittee.
Budget & Finance: As this Subcommittee meeting has no items for review, Mrs. Hubley approved the goals and announced the Quarterly meeting dates.
Mr. Gutro requested an update on Special Education tuitions. He also asked where the updates for MSBA projects and Capital Improvement Plan projects would be and those are in the Facilities Subcommittee.
Mr. Mullaney said that at the Quarterly Budget & Finance Subcommittee meetings, all potential line item issues, surplus or deficit are reviewed.
Facilities, Transportation, and Security: Mr. DeAmicis said the goals are approved as presented. Mr. DeAmicis is requesting formal timelines for Facilities projects, for example the status of the water bubbler repair/replacement and the solar panel litigation.
Dr. DeCristofaro said that Public Buildings Commissioner Paul Hines will be at the September 12, 2018 School Committee meeting to provide updates on projects completed this summer and those in process. Commissioner Hines can also appear at Subcommittee meetings to provide updates.
Mrs. Lebo echoed Mr. DeAmicis’s request for a comprehensive list of projects with status.
Mr. DeAmicis made a motion to add Solar City Update to the Facilities, Transportation & Safety Subcommittee. Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mr. Gutro made a motion to add Status of Vehicle Storage Facility Relocation to the Facilities, Transportation & Safety Subcommittee. Mr. DeAmicis seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to add the ALICE Protocol to the Facilities, Transportation & Safety Subcommittee for a presentation. Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mr. Bregoli made a motion to add Report on the Possibility of Installation of Panic Buttons in School Offices. Mr. Gutro seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Policy: Mr. Bregoli removed Graduation Requirements, Voter Registration, and QPS Employment Opportunities from Subcommittee. Mr. Bregoli reiterated his interest in discussing Middle School Grading System at a future meeting.
Mr. Bregoli made a motion that when the School Year Calendar is reviewed, would like to revisit the possibility of beginning school before Labor Day for September 2020, when Labor Day will fall on September 7. On a voice vote, the ayes have it. Mrs. Lebo and Mrs. Hubley voted No.
Special Education: Mr. Andronico reviewed the goals and action steps were approved. There are no items in Special Education Subcommittee at this time.
Mrs. Lebo made a motion for a report on the Status of Inclusion Classes at Quincy High School & North Quincy High School, including monitoring of students who have progressed out of these classes. Mr. DeAmicis seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Teaching & Learning: Mrs. Lebo requested additional language be added to the Teaching & Learning Subcommittee Goals 1 and 3.
Mrs. Lebo removed the Choral Music Program Review from Subcommittee.
Mrs. Lebo suggested removing High School Mid-Term Examinations from the Subcommittee as there is no longer a designated week for these. Mr. Bregoli asked if teachers choose to give mid-term exams, will they still be. Dr. DeCristofaro said that will be defined in a course syllabus. Mrs. Lebo said a teacher may choose to give a mid-term exam and weight is according to their course outline. Mrs. Lebo said if Mr. Bregoli has questions, the item should remain in Subcommittee.
§
Adjournment
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to adjourn for the evening at 8:30 p.m. The motion was seconded by Mr. Gutro and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.