Quincy, Massachusetts - March 17, 2010
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday,
March 17, 2010 in the Montclair Elementary School. Present were: Mr. Dave
McCarthy, Mrs. Emily Lebo, Ms. Barbara Isola, Mrs. Elaine Dwyer and Mrs.
Anne Mahoney, Vice Chairman.
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The Superintendent called the roll and Mayor Koch and Mrs. Jo-Ann Bragg were
absent. Also present were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary; Mrs. Tefta
Burrelli, Clerk; Messrs. Mullaney, Draicchio, and Keith Segalla; Ms. Roberts,
Tenaglia, Todd, and Hughes. Paul Phillips, QEA President. Darius Varmahmoodi
High School Student Representative.
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Reg.Mins Approved 3/3/2010
On a motion by Mr. McCarthy, seconded by Mrs. Dwyer, the Committee
approved the regular session minutes for March 3, 2010. The minutes were
changed to reflect that the QHS auditorium and gymnasium won’t be completed
until October 2010. The ayes have it.
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Welcome to Montclair
Principal, Renee Lalumiere, welcomed the members to the Montclair
Elementary School. The members were then entertained by the fourth and
fifth grade students singing the “ABC’s of Democracy.” Montclair staff
were also present. After a brief recess, the Committee went on with the
business at hand.
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Student & Staff Recognition
The Superintendent thanked the Quincy Fire Department for their quick
action putting out a small fire on the roof at Squantum Elementary School.
Thanks also went to the Maintenance and Custodial staffs that did an extra
ordinary job during the last Nor’easter. Atlantic Middle School and the
Bernazzani Elementary School had to be closed down because of flooding.
All schools are now open.
He thanked the high school principals and staff for their successful “Open
House.” and congratulations went to the Robotics team that placed 12 out
of 53 teams. There will be a state Robotics competition on May 1 at Broad
Quincy received our drop out rate from Department of Elementary and Secondary
Education. The trend for Quincy in the past three years has gone from 3.5%
to 3.4%, and 2.2% for 2008/2009. Both high schools drop out rate are on the
The Policy Subcommittee requested that the Superintendent call the Department
of Elementary and Secondary Education about access to RTTT funding. An
email from Ms. Conaway, DESE, said that the state is not allowing any changes.
If the state does not win Phase 1, they may go a new revisal. The state will be
notified in early April. If there is a Phase 3, the Federal government will let
Elvis will be at the Marriott Quincy on March 26. The money from this
concert will go to fund teacher mini grants.
The Superintendent thanked the principals for all the time they spend after
school in the community. They attend many events after school hours.
Congratulations went to our middle and high school students who participated
in the school science fairs.
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At the Open Forum, Ms. Linda Perry invited everyone to the 2nd Special
Education Resource Fair at the Clifford Marshall Elementary School on
March 27 from 10:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Mr. Bill Zamzow spoke to the QEA’s rejection of the RTTT funds and the
upcoming budget. He rebutted the reasons Mr. Phillips gave for the QEA
not signing the MOU. Quincy would have received $1.4 million, but because
the QEA didn’t sign the MOU, Quincy is not eligible.
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Bldgs. Update Mr. Murphy Reports
The Maintenance staff made repairs to heating systems, replaced floor tiles
removed graffiti, fixed desk hinges, repaired several door locks, a hot water
heater at Lincoln Hancock pool, fixed roof drains, installed security cameras
at North Quincy and door alarms, and painted bathrooms at Parker. Mr. Murphy
said they lost several ceiling tiles, and had roof leaks to address. However, there
was no serous damage to any classrooms. The new Quincy High School had leaks
in rooms 401/402. Gilbane has been notified. There was no significant damage
to any classrooms.
Five security cameras have been installed at the Hunt St. Lobby in North
Quincy High and 14 cameras on the bottom floor at North which covers
the lobby, atrium, cafeteria, and Hunt St. lobby. Mr. Draicchio will give an
overview on door locks completed. There is a permanent security desk at the
Hunt Street Lobby. Phones for the front lobby of North Quincy High School
are waiting for installation.
The Merrymount had some rain damage to it. The Mayor asked Mr. Murphy
for a survey of all roofs – leaks, etc.
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Career & Technical Programs - Overview
Mr. Keith Segalla and his staff gave an in-depth overview of the Career and
Technical Programs offered in the Quincy Public Schools. Both high schools
principals, Mr. Santoro and Mr. Metzler spoke to all the wonderful technical
programs that are available in their schools. Virginia Fidalgo spoke to the Career
and Technical programs offered at North Quincy High. Jaren Martin, a senior
spoke of the business courses he takes at North. Marcia Forrester spoke to
the Credit for Life Fair at the Boston Marriot on March 26. This program will
instruct high school seniors on all aspects of finance. It is an interactive one-day
seminar on the basics of credit and finance. Seniors from North and Quincy High
will attend. Paul Tully, Engineering Instructor at Quincy High spoke to the 16
Technical Education students and their teachers who visited the new Science,
Technology, Engineering and Math Academy (STEM) building and were treated
to engineering activities. Today is Engineering Day. He thanked the Committee
for their support. Debbie Lipton, Youth Director of the South Coastal Workforce
Investment Board gave an overview of the Advisory Board 2009/2010 report.
Their goals for next year are: teachers will be OSHA trained by May 2010, Chapter
74 approval for Business Technology and Early Education and Care, Market Career
and Technical Education programs, complete competency profiles online, update
and revise current syllabi and curriculum guides in preparation for the NEASC
10-yr. visit in 2011, Interwrite Boards by February 2010, and incorporate MCAS
Technology tests into the eight sections of Freshmen Seminar/Pathways by
Ms. Gina Scanlan shared highlights of all the programs ongoing at Quincy
High School. There are 15 majors, a new pilot program “Protective Services.”
A new Initiative Pathways for 9th grade students.
Ms. Mary Fredrickson spoke to the on-line career assessment program “Career
Cruiser.” This program helps students determine what they want to do when
they leave high school. Mr. Patrick Noe spoke to the Culinary Arts Program
at the new Quincy High School. The Vocational Technical student of the year
of the year, Jessica Drago, was present. She is a culinary arts major and
told why she chose to go into the culinary arts program. Donna Coleman
spoke to preparing the Center for Technical Ed students for positions
secondary education or the world of work. How to prepare for a job search.
Nancy Brown, culinary arts Future Chiefs received a $40,000 scholarship.
She is a graduate of the Quincy High School Culinary Arts Program. Rita
Wang graduated from UMAss Department at Dartmouth is now a Research
Manager and volunteers as a tax preparer.
The members were very happy with the presentation and hoped tonight’s
presentation gave awareness to the people at home what Quincy offers
its students. Mrs. Lebo said she was very proud of everyone. She thanked
the staff and the partners and gave congratulations to Jessica. She is happy
to hear about programs moving to Chapter 74 approval. Congratulations went
to the Office Tech program. She thought the Protective Services major is a
a lot of work. She asked that Brendan Welch gets more assistance with that
program. Competency tracking has begun electronically with three or four
teachers. We are using the state’s program and it’s going to take some
With regard to the Quincy High School Career Guide booklet, Mrs. Lebo
asked that it include that electrical and plumbing students get credit for their
hours toward their license.
She asked that the Career Pathways mention the technical majors. The
exploratory program is a gatekeeper. Mrs. Lebo asked that there be some
language in there that it is part of the process. And, because we are changing
the name, we might have to write a new admissions policy.
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Quincy High School
There was no update on the new Quincy High School.
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Central Bldg. Comm. Mrs. Mahoney reports
The Central Building Committee is meeting on Thursday, March 18. On April 6
three members are going into MSBA to participate in designer selection to help
choose the new architect. The informational meeting on March 11 on the proposed
site was well attended.
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Food Services Policy 5.6 Approved
On a motion by Mrs. Lebo, seconded by Mrs. Mahoney, the Committee took
the Food Services Policy 5.6 off the table. On a motion by Mrs. Lebo, seconded
by Mrs. Dwyer, the Committee approved the revised Food Services Policy
5.6. On a roll call vote, the motion passed 5-0. Mayor Koch and Mrs. Bragg
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NQ ROTC to Virginia-Approved
On a motion by Mr. McCarthy, seconded by Mrs. Isola, the Committee
approved a trip for the North Quincy ROTC students to travel to Virginia
on April 9 – 12, 2010. The ayes have it.
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Asst.Supt.Job Description Tabled
Mrs. Lebo tabled the job description for the Assistant Superintendent of
Curriculum, Instruction and Student Achievement. She asked to see the
previous job descriptions for the past three Assistant Superintendents and
organizational charts for the past years and the potential organizational chart
with this job description.
Mr. McCarthy took Lunch Tables off the Health Safety and Security Sub-
committee and replaced School Zone, Traffic Safety Concerns with North
Quincy Traffic Intersection. Ms. Isola would like to see the plans for
Walgreens to see how the traffic is going to enter the parking lot.
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Mrs. Isola told the members that Mrs. Christello and members of the North
Quincy PAC are very appreciative of the COMCAST money and the
technology coming forth to the high school.
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Sp.Ed.Subcommittee Mrs. Lebo Reports
The Special Education Subcommittee met on March 10, 2010. Thanks went
to Mr. Draicchio and Ms. Gropp for their presentation. Parents were especially
pleased with the way we choose our vendors. They discussed Professional
Development for bus drivers and contact cards. Judy Todd is working on
developing a card for the buses in case there is an accident. They discussed
the second year AARRA funding for special education. Judy Todd and her
team gave an overview of the special education program improvement plan.
On a motion by Mrs. Lebo, seconded by Mr. McCarthy the Committee approved
the Special Education Subcommittee minutes. The ayes have it.
Policy Subcommittee Mtg. Announced
On March 23 there will be a Policy Subcommittee meeting to discuss Open
Forum, Residency, Tardy Policy, Naming of Schools and Maintenance
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The Committee noted the following appointments:
Teachers: Joseph Gugino, Joseph Salvucci
Sr. Clk Typists: Maria Anastasi, Mary McDonald
The Committee noted the following resignations:
Teacher: Nancy Duffy
The Committee noted the following retirements:
Teachers: Donna Dunbar, Colleen Manning
Custodian: Dennis Delorey
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On a motion by Mrs. Dwyer, seconded by Mrs. Lebo, the Committee
adjourned for the evening at 9:33 p.m. There was no executive session.
On a roll call vote, the motion passed 5-0. Mayor Koch and Mrs. Bragg