Minutes
Quincy School Committee
Policy Subcommittee Meeting
Monday, September 26, 2016
A meeting of the Policy Subcommittee was held on Monday, September 26, 2016 at 5:00 pm in the
Coddington Building. Present were Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Ms. Barbara Isola, Mrs. Emily Lebo, Mrs.
Anne Mahoney, 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; and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.
Executive Director of Information Technology Keith Segalla presented the Technology & Training
Program Improvement Plan. The Technology & Training Team collaborates with the Elementary and
Middle/High School Digital Learning and Principal Teams on hardware and software purchases,
training for staff, and outreach to parents and families. The team also collaborates with the City
Information Technology department.
DESE no longer requires submission of the three-year Technology Plan; that framework will be
integrated into this yearly Technology & Training plan. Goals for 2016-2017 include supporting the
implementation of online assessments, including MCAS 2.0 for Grades 4 and 8; providing and
supporting a variety of technology planning and training opportunities for Quincy Public Schools staff,
including Aspen Gradebook 100; and increasing funding opportunities through grants and
partnerships.
Mrs. Hubley asked about tablets from Boston Scientific and other sources, will these be replacing
existing. Mr. Segalla said these tablets are currently in six schools and the additional tablets are for
those same schools. Other schools will have opportunities under other grants in development stage.
Mrs. Hubley asked about the IT staff, there are currently five IT techs and one open position.
Mr. Bregoli asked about short-throw projectors at North Quincy High School. Mr. Segalla said 10
were installed last fall and there an additional 12 scheduled to be installed if the funding before the
City Council for the Capital Plan is approved.
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to accept the Technology and Training Program Improvement Plan. Ms.
Isola seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mrs. Bailey then presented several proposed Policy updates: For Concussion Policy, there were some
additional updates since the MIAA Sports Medical Questionnaire is now online. Ms. Isola and Mrs.
Lebo were concerned that if a student’s physical exam does not indicate a previous concussion, how
will the nurse know about concussion history. Ms. Isola said the MIAA form requires the parent to
affirm whether the student has had a concussion or not, these should be reviewed by the school nurses. Mrs. Lebo suggested the completed MIAA form be printed and attached to the physical exam
in the Athletic Office files.
Mr. Bregoli expressed concern about how the medical information is shared with coaching staff
members. Mrs. Lebo suggested that this would be an item to discuss in the Athletic Subcommittee.
Ms. Isola asked what parents do if they do not have online access. Mrs. Bailey said the forms are also
available in the Health offices.
Ms. Isola made a motion to approve the Updated Concussion Policy 10.19 as discussed. Mrs. Hubley
seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
The next Policy for review is 10.11.4 Administering Non-Prescription Medications. Mrs. Bailey asked
to remove “Students in grades 6-12 only” from the list.
Ms. Isola made a motion to accept revised Policy 10.11.4 Administering Non-Prescription Medications
as presented. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Hubley and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mr. Mulvey presented on creating a Policy for Substance Use, Prevention, and Abuse Education. Mr.
Mulvey recommended that School Committee adopt the language of the law as the Policy, and then
Superintendent and Leadership Team will develop the specific procedures under the policy. Mrs.
Lebo expressed concerns about the verbal screening section of the law, currently unfunded. Mrs.
Lebo said it is time-consuming and not necessarily of value.
Ms. Isola made a motion to adopt amended MGL Chapter 71, Section 96 as the Policy for Substance
Use, Prevention, and Abuse Education. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Hubley and on a voice
vote, the ayes have it.
These three Policy items will appear on the School Committee agenda for a vote on October 5.
Mr. Bregoli requested a Policy Subcommittee meeting for the week of October 11, to begin the
review of the Policy Book.
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.