001Hello everyone and welcome to our regular meeting of Wednesday May 6 school committee meeting. If we could please have the roll call. Superintendent >> Mr. M >> High School student representative MJ Pios. >> Thank you for joining us tonight. And student representative from North Quincsey High School, Caroline Fam. >> Thank you, Caroline. >> Thank you. At this time, could we please rise for the pledge of allegiance? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> If you could please remain standing for more. >> Let us remember uh men and women serving in uniform uh all around the world, keeping the peace, keeping us safe. Let us also be mindful of the war
002and violence happening in our world and in our own way. Maybe say a prayer for peace. Thank you. Just need to read. Pursuant to the open meeting law, any person may make an audio or video recording of this public meeting or m may transmit the meeting through any medium. Attendees are therefore advised that such recordings or transmissions are being made whether perceived or unpersceived by those present and are deemed acknowledged and permissible. At this time we're next on the agenda is open forum and open this is an opportunity for community input regarding the Quinsey public schools community in this context is defined as a resident of the city of Quinsey a non-resident parent of a student who attends the Quinsey public schools or a non-resident employee of the Quinsey public schools. After giving his or
003her name and address, each speaker may make a presentation of no more than three minutes to the school committee. An individual may not exchange their time or yield to others. Residents or non-comm community persons may submit written statements of up to 300 words to the school committee at QSC open forum at quincsey public schools.com by 4:00 of the prior of the day prior to the posted school committee regular meetings. Mrs. Owens, did we have letters that were posted? >> Yes, there's 15 letters that were posted on the Quincy public schools website with the meeting agenda. >> Thank you. Okay. And with that, I will open open forum. And let me find the microphone. And just let know I am keeping time on my clock. Chair Huby, Mayor Ko, again, my name is Russ Wilcox. I
004live on 1205 Hancock Street here in Quitsy. If it's not apparent to this room, I am white. I am also a devout Catholic. I say that not due to my race nor my faith, but because of what is transpiring here, because I came because Kenzie is deciding the fate of others. We are heirs to the Commonwealth that was built by people who were told they do not belong in it. In 1854, a political party swept through every seat in this state's legislature. They were called the Nothings. Their platform barbed Roman Catholics from public office by name. Their first target was schools. They forced Catholic children to read a Protestant Bible in class and sent investigators into our Catholic schools. They proposed making our families wait 21 years to vote. They called protecting it the process.
005They called it preserving tradition. They called it institutional. They called did not call what it was. It took our families nearly a century to reach the room where the decisions were made. And the man who finally reached the highest office in the country that was born 15 milesi from here and half the nation still asked whether a Catholic could be trusted with the title of office. And as you sit there drinking your drinks, I say that that word in that person carries history and I recognize it unlike this board when I see it. For 5 years the families in this room have asked for one letter on a calendar and for 5 years that answer has changed while the outcome has not. It falls on a Saturday. It's a jurisdictional matter. The data is insufficient.
006The rules require supermajority. An institution does not need four different reasons to say no. It only needs four different reasons because it cannot say the reason they are not voting. To the families who have returned to this microphone year after year, I see you. The school committee does not. To those committee members who have opposed the measure, Good Friday is on the calendar. It is not a state holiday. It is not a federal holiday. It is a day that my faith observes and this committee chose to recognize it. The question is what you believe. What are you protecting? And why are you keeping others apart? And I was not born into the Catholic faith. I came to it in 25 because I found it teaching principles something I did not find in the Protestant Bible
007that the dignity of every person comes before the rules of any institution. St. John Paul II wrote that the rights of a person are not based primarily on jurical membership or in or is determined by community but rather on the dignity of a person not on process not on jurisdiction on dignity. I chose my faith that teaches this and I hope those that also share my faith recognize this and I am standing here and I'm asking here to those who are born into it remember what it teaches them. You have 10 seconds. >> This is what Massachusetts learned at a cost of a century. Don't make the families wait more. Put an H on the calendar. >> Thank you. >> Good evening, Mayor Ko, uh, Vice Chair Hubley. >> Sorry. Um, Superintendent Mulvy, Miss Owens,
008members of the school committee, Richard Ash, 7 Silver Street. I serve as the W 2 city councelor as well. Um, I am here to state my support for the Lunar New Year, for Lunar New Year to be recognized as a holiday on the QPS calendar. It's an issue I voiced support for in the past um and also a matter that I voted to advance last term on the city council. I know this is important to a large number of our community members who have shown up consistently over the last few years and advocated for it. I take great pride in representing a diverse area of the city and feel compelled to respectfully offer my support here tonight. Thank you all for your time and opportunity to speak. >> Thank you. Hi, I'm Heather Dhoni and
009I live at 912 Southern Arty. Um, what I have to say tonight is a a secondhand story that I am sharing in my own words, information I learned from an Asian person in our community who had been involved in who has been involved in this advocacy effort, but doesn't feel comfortable being at a microphone tonight in our in our current political environment. Um, five years ago, high school students circulated a petition that garnered 1,200 signatures asking to make this a school holiday. While trying to honor their ask, we've run into excuses, dismissive, condescending attitudes, bad faith arguments, and the crux of it, not wanting Asian people to be equal. Not thinking the holiday is worth asking families who are not Asian to take the day off for, too. One school committee member pointed to another
010district with a large Asian population and asked, "If they're not celebrating it, why should we?" while ignoring districts like Hopkin with a far smaller Asian-American population that already recognized Lunar New Year. Another told families that it was amazing children could come to school and share their culture with classmates, completely overlooking that this holiday is celebrated together at home the same way many holidays are honored. We heard changing arguments over the years, concerns about meals, services, attendance, scheduling issues that are solvable for other holidays already on the calendar, like the primary election holiday or, you know, Good Friday, things like this. Um, the student survey results were scoffed at as, "Oh, high schoolers would rather stay home." But the disregard for the intelligence of our young adults was stunning. Um, we heard references to having Asian
011friends as proof of cultural understanding instead of genuine engagement with the lived experiences of Asian students and families in Quinsey. And perhaps most painful of all, hearing that after all this, all the people have set up here the claim that the rules themselves have been changed expressly to make it harder for advocacy for this holiday to succeed. That is deeply upsetting to me personally. Um, we all see that some of the strongest opposition has come from school committee members who do not even have children in the school system. people who don't know what it's like raising kids in Quinsey in 2026 that don't have the accommodations and the cultural respect we're asking for to reflect it doesn't reflect any of their own families and social circle and those of you who are standing in the
012way of this you're stuck on the way things were years ago your pride at what you think you know and your refusal to listen this conversation has never been about only one holiday it's been about belonging and and that's what you need to understand this is also personal for me. Whether people like my husband who was born in Vietnam and grew up here or people like our children who were born here and are growing up here, their identity matters equally to someone born and raised in Quinsey, to someone from anywhere, anyone who calls Quinsey home. It matters as much as my identity or yours. And how could Asian members of this community feel truly seen, heard, or respected in this process? How was this ever was that ever important? Did anyone think of that? You
013know whether equity means listening only when it's convenient or limited by you or listening when communities tell you they are hurting and you could do something for to fix it. That's what people need to think about. >> I see half our school committee doing the work and I see the other half who need to do the work. And so tonight I respectfully ask you to do the work. Thank you. >> Hello. My name is Laura Moy. I live at 41 Silver Street in Quinsey and I have a daughter who's a 10th grader at Quinsey High. Uh this is my 11th year in Quinsey. My family is mixed. My husband was Japanese Chinese from Hawaii. I'm white. Our child obviously is both of us. We moved here. We chose Quinsey. We could have moved anywhere in
014the Boston area when we came here. We chose Quinsey because of what Quinsey is now is such a wonderful mix of people and especially wonderful mix of our family. We believe that we could be at home here. I lost my husband in 2018. It's my job now to be both parents. It's my job now to make sure that I'm bringing both cultures to life for my child. It pains us both that in this place that is such a high percentage Chinese and Asian that the Lunar New Year cannot be recognized. It's not complicated. The numbers are clear. They need to be respected. When I asked my daughter why does she support Lunar New Year as a holiday, she said, "Mom, it's really simple. If Good Friday is a holiday, Lunar New Year should be a
015holiday. It's not hard. Live up to the best of what we can be. Embrace the Quinzy of today, not the Quinsey of 50 years ago. Thank you so much. >> Thank you, >> Bill Spirro, 43 Park Street. Uh, good evening. I'm the QPS parent of a middle schooler and uh I wish I could have come to have spoken at open forum sooner but my evening responsibilities prohibit me from doing that. My dayto-day is uh for the past 20 plus years working uh at a continuing ed language school in downtown crossing where we work to bridge linguistic and cultural gaps in Boston and beyond. And um we strive to uh to do that. Uh and that's how I spend most of my evenings. Um but I wish I could be have been here sooner. I like
016many am bamboozled uh as why we're still here working to put an H on the calendar for uh Lunar New Year. Um recently just talking about tonight's meeting, a fellow QPS parent and friend uh mentioned that what else could possibly be said? I mean, so much has been said and written about uh and the support for this. Uh, but I see there's plenty to be said as well. Um, I think it was awesome to see a middle schooler himself come up and uh speak in favor of this as well uh in a recent meeting. Uh, way to go Tyler. That was amazing to see. Um, I was concerned uh at a recent meeting as well that it had to be pointed out that uh there would there are rules that uh allow for time for
017interpretation. I'm glad it worked out, but that stung still to know that that uh and that had to be pointed out. Um, as far back as I can remember, the Lunar New Year Festival, the August Moon Festival put the city at a standstill due to the popularity of those festivals. Um, I'd be hardressed to find a louder call uh from constituents than in the 20 years I've been in Quinsey um than what is going on here today. Um, I echo the calls against the concerns about a tsunami of additional holidays um celebrated by others especially while Good Friday is a holiday on our school calendar. I um since dependence on school meals is an issue uh I encourage that we address those needs for the other days as well that are holidays as opposed to
018uh voting against uh this holiday. Please put an H on the school calendar for Luna. Uh good evening mayor. Good evening, uh, council member, council, council president, and the rest of the council. Um, so my name is Lori Earl. I live at 118 Billings Street in North Quinzy. Um so when we uh my daughter was diagnosed with cancer when she was uh 12 and so we needed to come back from France where we had been living working with the church to Quinzy and um we needed to live close to Dana Farber and Children's Hospital and so we were able to move to Quinsey where there was a church opening and my husband is minister and he took that position at that time. We planned to stay for one year. That was in 2007. So, it's
019been a very long long year. And um but there were so many things that we have come to love about Quinsey. Um especi um as adults. Um I worked at Quinsey College. I'm an educator. I have always done kind of social work types of work in uh loved working at Quinsey and the students. Um I always said how much I loved our students at Quincy. My husband ended up teaching there also for 10 years um along with doing his minister um work that he did in various locations. The city, our community embraced us. It was just wonderful. people came together because there were burdens and there were things we had in common and it didn't matter where we came from or um you know where we were going but it was who who we were
020as a city right um and so I think that that same concept about embracing this city I mean what could be better a city that's on the water that's got mountains nearby that's got um such diversity uh which just made us celebrate um the the diversity that we had around us. It uh my daughter took French. She had been taking French language when she was in France before we moved back. Um so it it was just such an embracing community and um I was, you know, I'm I'm on way too many Facebook pages and way too many social media pages. Last night when I was scrolling through, I saw a comment Tina made. um we were at Quinsey at the same time and I really appreciated your comment about saying how much um you know
021we weren't on different sides. We're part of the same city and we care about a lot of the same causes and we might approach them differently but I just feel that um you know I used to be very involved in the schools. My son had disabilities. I was on the disability advisory committee and now this is an issue that just it hurts my heart that um in fact the first time I ever stood up to speak in I I won't go long I promise the first time I ever stood up to speak at city council was to try to defend >> ah okay then I won't mention that but I do want to say that we can focus on what helps each other and strengths and if you look around at the diversity that we
022represent >> thank you >> uh this is a good holiday to celebrate together. >> Good evening, members of the committee and to our my fellow community members. I have a timer here as well. Um, I want to start my name is Janna Melkarn. I live at 54 Virginia Road. Um, I want to start with an acknowledgement that and an appreciation for two committee members likely not aligned with me on this issue, Lunar New Year. um they did take the time to respectfully engage on email in response to the letter I sent for the last meeting and I appreciate that. I'm here tonight to continue that respectful and constructive engagement. I asked the folks behind me to keep that respectful and constructive as well. I know sometimes we get heated. Um for years we've all spoken
023about and heard all of the reasons why the state needs to be recognized on the school calendar. And although it falls on a weekend in the upcoming school year, it's important to finally deliver on what the constituents are asking. We want to codify this day on the calendar as a holiday for the foreseeable future. I spoke on this topic a couple of years ago. I've written letters, attended and watched meetings. And while I've heard some committee members mention that they've had private messages or Facebook um encounters with those opposing this calendar day as a holiday, I'm guessing those constituents may not feel as strongly about their no positions as those of us here on the yes side. correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't recall many or any constituents standing up here and speaking
024out about not including this holiday on the calendar. Um, I haven't seen many or any letters. I've only heard those in support. Whether we personally celebrate this holiday or not, I just can't understand why anyone else is still digging in on a no vote here. I do not think it sets a precedent for every other cultural holiday to be added into our district if we are simply just recognizing and honoring the wishes of the now majority of our QPS families, including folks like me who do not celebrate the holiday. One of the members noted in their response to me, one of the committee members, that they had a right to their opinion just like everyone has a right to theirs and they could vote accordingly. Well, I firmly believe that when you all as individuals
025are wearing your private citizen hat behind the voting booth, I would hope that when you're voting as this collective body in these meetings that you are wearing a different hat. I believe that you would vote in good faith to represent me and my fellow community members as we've elected you to do. Not to represent some of us, but to represent all of us. So, I ask that you reflect on that and remember when today's vote comes up, you are in these seats simply not just simply to act on your own view or preference on any issue, but you are there to listen to your constituents and vote in good faith to represent all of us, the entire QPS community. And when our demographic metrics have changed over time to put Asian families who celebrate Lunar
026New Year as the majority, why wouldn't your positions evolve accordingly? You seem to have continued to vote as you wish rather than on behalf of your constituents. And while that is your right, I hope you can understand why it is also so frustrating, disappointing, and disheartening for so many of us. Tonight, you still have that time to change of heart and vote on behalf of all of us. For who you represent here at the school committee with that hat on instead of your private citizen hat, I hope you will get on the side of yes on the issue of the majority of our families are on and vote with all of us. Thank you for listening and for your consideration. Good evening, Mr. Mayor, school committee members. My name is Alexander Carlson and I live
027at 65 Quinsey Shore Drive. This is the first time I've ever spoken publicly in a forum like this, which just goes to reflect how deeply I feel about this issue. The Quinsey School Committee's decision to not yet recognize Lunar New Year as an official school holiday is a failure to reflect the community it was elected to serve. Nearly 40% of students in Quinsey public schools are of Asian descent. Yet, the most significant cultural holiday for many of these families is still treated as an ordinary school day, forcing students and parents to choose between honoring their traditions and honoring their education. That is not inclusion. That is not fairness. And it certainly does not reflect the value values of a city as diverse and vibrant as Quinsey. The voters this past November made their voices clear
028when new members were elected to the school committee, largely because residents rallied and demanded stronger recognition and representation for Quinsey's Asian community. Ignoring that message disregards not only those families impacted, but the democratic will of the people who sent this committee a mandate for change. I do not personally celebrate Lunar New Year, but to me, being part of a community means recognizing and respecting the traditions of our neighbors. Quinsey cannot claim to embrace diversity while refusing to acknowledge one of the most important holidays celebrated by so many of its residents. And beyond the principle of fairness, the practical reality is undeniable. In January 2025, approximately 55% of students at North Quinsey High School were absent on Lunar New Year. I'm a former teacher and I can say plainly when more than half the student body
029is missing, meaningful instruction is impossible and nulls the argument for excused absences. Keeping schools open under these conditions serves no educational purpose and disrupts learning for students and teachers alike. I understand the constraints around scheduling, but given that other districts and cities have found a way to make the shift, I believe it's possible here. This is a matter of common sense, respect, and equity. No family should have to choose between their education and their heritage. The school committee should listen to the community, honor the will of Quinsey voters, and make Lunar New Year an official school holiday. Thank you. >> Good evening. Uh my name is Chris Moy. I am a uh resident of uh 58 Holio Street in North Quinsey. Um my son is a graduate of North Quinsey High School now attending a
030a fantastic university. So my family and I are very grateful and and happy uh with the education that our son received at uh North Quinsey High School and his career in college now. But uh I must say as a longtime Quinsey resident and voter of Chinese descent, I believe adding Lunar New Year as a school holiday would recognize and celebrate the diversity that makes our community strong. Cities like New York City and San Francisco have already adopted the holiday in their public schools, showing respect for the many Asian-American families who celebrate this important cultural tradition. And recognizing Luna New Year in Quinsey would help students feel seen, valued, and included while also giving all students an opportunity to learn about different cultures and traditions. It would uplift the community by promoting understanding, unity, and pride
031among families who have contributed to Quinsey for generations. So, I urge you to vote yes. Good evening. My name is Raymond Zang and for the past 11 years, it's been my honor to be a uh student in the Quincy public schools. Um, tonight we've heard a lot of powerful testimony on why this holiday should be implemented. I just wanted to put my piece into the puzzle. Um, growing up, I feel like I can speak for many Asian-Americans when I say that I struggled with my Asian-American um, identity a lot. And I think part of that problem was because growing up, Chinese New Year's didn't necessarily feel special. It felt like I was choosing between school and celebrating my heritage. And um that made me not really appreciate the nuances of my uh heritage when I
032was little. Uh I've grown up since then and I learned to really appreciate the beauty of my uh tra traditions, sorry, and my lineage. But um you know, just growing up in I I didn't know how to speak English until I was probably in first or seventh second grade. Um, and my family didn't know that we could take off take the day off for uh, Chinese New Year's. And, you know, it just felt like I was choosing between going to school, which was like ingrained into my values as like the most important thing you could do or celebrating, you know, this like major event in during our year. And, um, I just wish it didn't feel like that. Um, last night I was doing some research and I stumbled across the QPS new employee brochure.
033Uh, on it it said that roughly 40.2% of all students in Quincy public schools are of Asian descent. That is roughly 3,900 students across our 19 schools. And I really wish that what happened with me, you know, didn't happen to all of these people across our city. Quinsey is a storied city. And what makes us so powerful is our history, you know, like the two presidents and um our diversity, you know, with the August Moon Festival and the Lunar New Year celebration at at my school, North Quincy High School. And I think that implementing this would not be a big ask. And it's been so powerful and popular across, you know, just everyone that I've talked to. And I really urge you to vote yes to pass this. Thank you. Next speaker, please come on
034up. >> Thank you. >> Hi. Uh members of the committee, uh my name is Albert Lee. I live at 23 Bailey Street um over in the area. And uh I'll get straight to the point. um you've heard uh a lot of people already kind of speaking on these points, but um what I've heard time and time again uh from some members of the committee has been that uh you know the the argument that um if we celebrate one holiday, what's what's stopping us from celebrating every single minor holiday? But every town in this country, you know, has holidays on their school calendars. they've been able to choose these without being deadlocked like that. And what so why is this really a slippery slope fallacy uh going on here? Like why are we choosing to ask
035that question for this holiday in specific? And also we've um like Quinsey like Quinsey has celebrates the holiday as like Quinsey benefits from the like the the cultures um that that the that many many um many different cultures actually celebrate this holiday, right? It's it's it's a cross-cultural holiday. People belong to different cultures. Um but um Quinzy really like h has benefited from celebrating these cultures and this holiday in specific. We have you know an actual festival here but we refuse to acknowledge this when it comes to the actual families um who are have children in the the QHS system. I volunteer um with um some actually a lot of students in QPS. So um the the the other thing is like yeah again this is I' another argument I've heard is um this um
036forces uh families with with working parents to decide you know have to ar make daycare arrangements um if there's a a day off. But that that problem is also true of every single school holiday we have on the calendar. So why is this being brought up time and again for this holiday in specific? Right? So I urge you to consider um basically the will of the parents, the students in these schools and um please make Lunar New Year an official school holiday. Thank you. Hi, good evening Quinsey School Committee Mayor Ko. My name is Angela. I live on 35 Mary Mount Road. I don't know why this has to be such a long drawn out fight if I'm being honest. It is AAPI Heritage Month. That's Asian-American Pacific Islander Month. That means that the United
037States is recognizing Asian-Americans and their legitimacy and their existence and their contribution to America. Meaning, we are also American. This is far from the yellow peril propaganda that was shown a 100 years ago. Like, Asian-Americans were not some boogeyman that is here to like take over your city. We're also Americans. We're voting taxpaying Americans that own property. Like, I've lived here for a long time too with property. I I don't understand why we just cannot have basic respect and dignity and to be recognized in the public school system. I mean, you guys have heard about the stats like so many students don't come to school because it's Lunar New Year. There are so many Asian students in the public school system. I don't understand why we cannot just be seen with respect and dignity as
038Americans. So, I'm here to express that frustration and I'm sure everyone here is also equally as frustrated. I don't know why there has been no support for it. So, please support Lunar New Year as H on the school calendar. Thank you. >> Whoever is next, come on up. >> The next speaker will speak in Cantonese and I'll be interpreting. >> If I could just wait one moment for a second. I just wanted to um >> um point of clarification. >> There you go. Um so as I spoke to the translator and let her know that um for the past four meetings that she has been coming and another translator who was here for the four four meetings what the common thing to do is the speaker as in our policy gets three minutes. The translator
039who is also a speaker is getting three is getting three minutes. So together they are getting six minutes. So for the past three meetings they were getting six minutes. The last meeting the speaker was speaking very slowly and I did not think she was going to make it in the time and I gave her a halfway point. Um, your time is almost coming up. And at that point, um, there was some confusion because I hadn't done that to anybody else. And I was therefore told afterwards that was unequitable and I'm not allowed to do that. So everybody gets the 10 seconds is what I'm commonly doing with everyone. So everyone will get the 10 seconds. I just didn't feel that was going to benefit you. So, I was trying to help you, but apparently I
040can't do that. So, just want to let you know tonight you will get the six minutes and at the 10-second point I will be telling you you have 10 seconds. So, and I did let you know that ahead of time. So, I just want to make sure that I told you told you again and your and everybody. >> Thank you for the clarification here and tonight. Yep. >> Go right ahead. Hi, my name is Lan and I live at a thousand Southern Arty. Yeah. I hope the committee will consider supporting making Lunar New Year a school holiday. >> I have four grandchildren studying at Quinsey public schools. Every year we look forward to having time to celebrate this important holiday together as a family. >> Yeah, the children love wearing new clothes on Luna New
041Year Day. Um getting red envelopes. It's a very happy day for us. It is our customs to cook together, make some um customary food, vegetables, chicken. Yeah. But when the children have school on that day, then not all of these can come true. We couldn't spend this time together. >> Yeah. Just like how January 1st is an important day for many Americans, Lunar New Year is like our New Year's Day for many Asian families. Yeah, it represents the new a new beginning um for for the family and for our culture. >> It's also a time for us to be able to pass down our culture, our history to and our values. But only if they have the time and the space to participate in these traditions that they could truly understand the importance and why
042we have these customs and to understand our history. I hope all of the school committee members here can listen to the voices of the many people here in support and hope that you'll also support um our families. Thank you so much. >> Yeah. Yeah. Hello Hi everyone, my name is Yinger and I live in Quinsey. Yeah. Thank you school committee for hosting this open forum and to listen to the voices of of our community again. I hope that this can finally come to a vote um to have the decision to support the many families who are here, residents who are here. Okay. So, first Luna New Year is the most widely celebrated holiday in the in the Asian community and one of our most important cultural traditions. Making it a school holiday would allow students
043to participate in family celebrations without having to miss school and helping preserve family unity and cultural heritage. And second, this is also about cultural equality and recognition. In a diverse community like Quinsey, officially recognizing a traditional holiday means that Asian-American community and our contributions are seen and respected. For us, Lunar New Year is not just another holiday. It is the most important day in our culture. The celebration of Luna New Year represents leaving behind, you know, hardships and the past year, welcoming a new year filled with peace, prosperity, and good fortune. Recognizing Luna New Year as a official holiday would also acknowledge the diversity that Asian-Americans bring to our city while giving all Quinsey students, everyone an opportunity to learn about and participate in our traditions. Just as holidays like Independence Day, Thanksgiving help pass
044down American history and values, Luna New Year is an important opportunity for Chinese families to preserve and share our culture. Asian-Americans children growing up in this country deserve to feel proud of both their cultural heritage and and their identity. This is deeply important for for a child's development. Today, states like California and New York have already recognized Luna New Year as a school holiday. Not just that, but even made it an official holiday for state employees. That is an encouraging step forward. So, why can't we do that too here in Quinsey? Here in Quinsey, Asian-American residents are an important part of the community. We've contributed greatly to the growth and success of this city, and many have worked for years to make this goal possible. What we hope for is very simple that students and
045families will no longer have to choose between celebrating their holiday, their most important cultural day and attending school. We also hope that our tr our democratic society will truly hear our voices and recognize the needs of residents here. Members of this committee, I sincerely urge you to listen to the voices of the community here and support this proposal. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Hello. Uh my name is Andy and I live at uh 62 road. Uh, Um, my name is Andy and I have two daughters. Uh, we've lived in Quinzy for 27 years. So on Luna New Year or around the holiday, uh, at the Chinese supermarkets, Asian grocery stores, my kids will listen to the music that's playing. It's like the celebratory Luna New Year music. And my kids would ask me, "Why
046are they playing these songs? What is this about? What is Luna New Year?" >> Yeah. So, as parents, what are we to do? Of course, we want to teach our children about our culture and traditions. And so we would talk to them about the origins of Luna New Year, the the folk stories, you know, the and the different customs related to this important day. 3 a.m. class. Yeah. As much as we want to make Luna New Year Day a very special day, unfortunately the kids have schools, right? So what do we do as parents to make it special? We wake up at 3:00 a.m. We cook the breakfast. The traditional breakfast is vegetarian. So at 3:00 a.m. I wake up. I make food for my kids. And then they wear new clothes and all of
047that. We had to do all of this before going to school. Yeah. But you can see in the kids' eyes how much they want to stay home and spend the day with the family. That's what the holiday is really about is to spend the time with family. But you know, they don't want to miss school. They want to learn things. So, you know, of course they go to school, but with the red envelopes in their hands and the kids at their school would ask them, "Oh, what is it about?" Like, and then so the kids would like happily share with the kids. But what they really want to do to be able to spend the time with their family. >> Yeah. >> As many of you all know as you know part of families and
048parents how much you want to spend these special days with your kids and families. So you know this is our wishes and we hope that you can hear how how this is really special to us. So I urge you all to um to vote in support and to side with our community. Thank you. Yeah. Thank you. >> Hello, my name is Trukai. I live at 24 Clive Street. First, I want to thank all of our non-Asian allies for being here to support Luna New Year. I also want to thank the students who spoke up and also the school committee and mayor for supporting uh Luna New Year. Um, we have a obviously everyone has said that we have a large Asian-American population here. I've already talked about the data. Um, but I want to talk
049about um advocating for Looney New Year. I've been advocating for 5 years. Um, 2021. So, if you have children that was born in 2021, they're already in kindergarten. Some of them weren't even born yet and they may be starting kindergarten next year. They were probably in eighth grade and about to graduate high school. So, this is how long we've been fighting this and it's just a simple yes, let's celebrate and let's give our Asian-American students a holiday they deserve. Um, all the forums that I've heard is always about Asian about Luna New Year if not about a few other topics. Yes, but majority is Luna New Year advocating for Luna New Year. I'm on Facebook blog chats. Why aren't they supporting Luna New Year? It's a simple let's represent our student population. We know everyone
050sees it. So why not give it to them? Every time we make progress, there's always a push back. So when we started this um Laura was able to read out the letters but then everyone we had 50 letters supporting Luna New Year. That was too much reading. So let's cut the reading out and let's just post it online, right? Push back. Some former members said, you know, if this is an issue with you, why don't we make it a city holiday? Former Kitty Council Lean Leang proposed, "Let's make it a holiday." Everyone on the board uh was insupportive. It was a vote yes. Yet, school committee was going to sue and said, "Whose jurisdiction was it to make that decision?" Well, school committee suggested it and we brought it to city council and city council
051supported it and now you're suing, right? Um uh let me see. Um we used to be able to read letters for 4 minutes. Push back. Too many Luna New Year celebration. Let's push it back to 3 minutes. Every time when we say supportive, let's do a survey. Let's do a family survey. Survey comes back. Support Luna New Year. Ah, that doesn't count. Everybody wants every holiday off. >> And now seconds. >> We have more. Let's push back. Let's do another policy two3 votes. So let's not waste our time. Let's give us Luna New Year as a celebration. It's simple. >> Your time. >> Thank you. That's fine. >> Hello. Good evening um school committee members, Mr. Mayor. My name is Kim Han. I live in 139 West Guadam. I was truly inspired by all the
052speakers who spoke out last meeting and the letters that poured in advocating for Luna New Year. We heard from parents, grandparents, QPS students, neighbors who don't even celebrate a holidays support this holiday. Their voices made one thing very clear that this holiday holds deep cultural and personal significance for the Asian community. I think the positions you hold gives you the power to make a difference in many young lives. Not only in their academics, but also in their social and mental well-being. Your votes not only impact the policies in our schools. But they reassure these students that they are central in your decision-making and they matter. When you say you cannot pass Luna New Year because not all schools have that many Asians who celebrate and can't close this those schools down. Perhaps these Asian families
053cannot afford the Squantum or the Marry Mount zip codes or they are renting those apartments by the train because they don't have a car, they can't drive. So I think that simply needing to voting based on zip code because these schools cannot be shut down is shouldn't be the case and that perspective matters. Some of you mentioned that you can't support the observance of Luna New Year because over 60% of the students are considered lowincome. It needs school lunches. But the number of people observing Good Friday are very are low as well. As many have suggested over the years, why can't we make Good Friday an excusable holiday and observe Luna New Year instead? Good Friday and Christmas are observed while a single Asian holiday that matters requested by the community for the past 5
054years have not. This is not equality. Some of you have mentioned that you cannot support Asian Luna New Year on our school calendars because there are also other students who make up that 1% 5% or maybe 20%. And those students count too. So you wish to ignore the 40% of students to do absolutely nothing to honor their long overdue request. This is not equality. I have deep concerns that your vote that you would consider changing the rules of needing five out of seven votes now instead of the usual four out of seven historically especially now that new members who support and understand the importance of this cultural holiday are in place. I do think that you guys I do think I don't think that you guys are playing fair and maybe that this is where
055>> there's such outrage. So, I really encourage that you support the the holiday. Thank you for listening. >> Thank you. Next speaker. >> Hello, school committee mayor chair. My name is Lindseay Robertson. I live at 199 Federal Avenue and I'm here to say the same thing that everybody here and everybody over there is saying. Let's make it a holiday. It's too long. It doesn't matter. It does matter. It doesn't matter that other people don't want this anymore. We want it. 40% of our children in Sorry, it's hot and I'm sweating. We walked over from the Y. 40% of our kids in our schools are Asian heritage. It's pastime in action. This is supremacy. You can say as much as you want about how much you support our Asian community, but your actions speak louder than
056your words. Show up for the 40% of the kids and 40% of the families that want this. Thank you. >> Next speaker, please come up to this microphone. >> Uh, hey, howdy. I am Zachary Christopher from 67 Montlair Avenue. I am here to speak in support of Lunar New Year. And now that all of the pleasantries, the students, the families, the teachers, the political advocates have spoken, uh it's town, it's uh time for the town fool to have my say. Uh, a lot of people have brought up the 40% I believe it's 37 roughly percent of the student body is uh Asian and but what nobody has mentioned is that at I believe it was the Quincy High School uh on Lunar New Year there was almost a complete absence of Asian students. Well, it's
05740% uh absentee numbers on that day, which correlates uh with the population. I don't know if it's one to one, but you get the idea. uh just skipped skipped the day whether it was considered a holiday or not. Whether that's because they just did it for the hell of it or because they got their pre-approved uh minority holiday uh day off. So, the people have already spoken. It's a holiday. And if you oppose it now, all you're doing is burying your own grave politically and writing some nasty footnotes in the annals of our history. And I have to say um uh as I I'm new to the topic. I have no connection to the holiday. Very little connection to the community. Uh cuz I've only lived here for two years. Hi, I'm one of them
058California guys that jumped over here. Uh, I was doing research on this topic and I stumbled across an article announcing the sentencing of the uh, what was he? 78-year-old Quinsey resident who committed a terrible hate crime a couple years ago. I believe that conviction was in 24 or 25. 18 months in jail because he, you know, used his car as a weapon in an act of terrorism against our community. That is a domestic terror threat against the population. And anybody in support of this terroristic act, as they said back in 2001, >> you have 10 seconds. We have We do not negotiate with terrorists. The people will get their holiday. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Hi, my name is MJ Proteius, 86 Ruggle Street. I'm a student adviser to the Quinsey School Committee as
059a representative from Quinsey High School. As a student rep, my purpose is to use my knowledge as a student to advise the school committee members. Tonight, I would like to serve that purpose to the best of my ability. Although I do not personally celebrate Lunar New Year, I can tell you what it is like as a student in school on Lunar New Year. 40% of students in QPS celebrate Lunar New Year. That's two in every five students. In a 25 person classroom, that's 10 kids absent from class that day. Teachers realize that if they teach a new lesson, they'll just have to retach it the next day when the students return from their celebrations. Usually, they give us busy work or a free period. No real class material is taught, and certainly no tests are
060taken. I do not have firsthand experience of the celebrations and joy that these families have on that special day. However, we can all relate to the necessity of culturally significant holidays that will be devastating to miss. I've spent 16 Christmases with my grandparents. When they lived in their house in Quinsey Point, there would be a big family gathering there. My grandmother made her famous Italian raviolis and meatballs, and many gifts, stories, and laughs were exchanged every year. I know every one of you has fond memories such as these. Both my grandparents died within the last two months. I will never spend another Christmas with them. Now, those 16 Christmas memories are even more cherished and even more important in my heart. Imagine now for a second that you never had those memories at all because
061instead of being with your loved ones on your family's major holiday, you were at school. That is what two in five Asian QPS students wrestle with every year. Imagine seeing your friends come back from winter break full of memories with their family, knowing you won't have the same experience because your family celebrates Lunar New Year instead of Christmas. Over the last two meetings, you've heard from 37 speakers at open forum, plus 20 letters imploring you to see Reason. Out of those 57 people, there were four current city counselors, two former city counselors, six students, three teachers, and one former teacher. I'm proud of my city. We are incredibly diverse. We have a huge amount of history here. We have beautiful parks, coastlines, houses, shops, and communities. But most importantly, we have voices. The people of
062Quinsey are not quiet. This issue will not go away. We will continue to advocate for it. And that's why I'm on the student advisory council to the school committee. Students cannot vote, but that doesn't mean we don't have voices. And everyone knows kids have the loudest voices. This issue will not go away. This issue is important for the benefit of those two in five students, for the benefit of the other three and five students who waste a day in school. for the benefit of the family members who want to spend their most important holiday with their kids and for the benefit of you who deep down know it's the right thing to do. Please vote yes on making Lunar New Year a school holiday. Thank you. >> Do I have anyone else for open forum
063at this time? Go right ahead. >> Hello, I'm I'm Suchen. I live at a harvest land. Uh, I'm also a new city counselor at large. Thank you, America. Thank you for Quincy residents. Hello, mayor and the school committee members and the superintendent. I watched the public comments of the last school committee meeting while I was in LA. I was deeply moved, especially by the second generation Asian-Americans who grow up in Quinsey public schools. Many were focused simply on fitting in and not taking pride in who they were. Now that they have children of their own, they do not want them to repeat that experience. I'm a first generation immigrant who came to the US at the age of 30. The American people welcomed me with open arms and proudly showed me how democracy works in
064this country. Having lived in a centralized government before, I deeply appreciate the democratic values here, voting rights, representation, and the ability of ordinary people to participate in decision making. As I embraced American culture, I also realized that my own culture has greater value as well. Strong family bonds, respect for elders and ancient wisdom, and the philosophy of living in harmony with nature are values appreciated by more and more Americans today. Making Luna New Year a school holiday would not only recognize the 40% of students of Quincy public schools and the whole Asian community but also help solve the practical problem of half empty classrooms during the holiday. People have worked on this issue for many years. Struggle only bring more people to join in as we have seen over these years. So I encourage this
065body to keep an open mind and look forward to help move history forward as we have always told our students to do. It is time to make Luna New Year an offshore school holiday in Quincy, Massachusetts. Thank you for your consideration. Do we have anyone else for open forum? open forum. Okay, I'm now closing this portion of the meeting. And with that, um I need to motion to move into executive session to go out of order. Do I have a motion? >> I'll make a motion. Uh the last item of the agenda is um executive session for contract contractual discussions. We have our school committee attorney coming in. So, we're going to get into executive session, next item of the agenda. uh and then we'll return back to the regular agenda after that uh after
066that meeting how long it may take. So I to I make the motion we go to executive session out of order. >> Thank you. I have a motion. Do I have a second? >> Second by still young. >> Do I need a roll call vote? >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Regali. Mrs. Cahill. >> Yes. >> Miss Campbell. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Hubley. >> Yes. >> Mr. Le Young. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Perios. Yes. And Maya Koke. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Are they all set in there? >> We're good. >> Okay, great. Hello. Welcome back. We are back in session. Next on the agenda, we have the superintendent report. >> Thank you. Good evening, everyone. Hope everyone is doing well. The first item on the agenda is the Massachusetts music music education educators Eastern
067District festivals. At the Massachusetts Music Educators Association Eastern District event, students from both Quinsey and North Quinsey High School band and choir were selected for the junior district festival. Amelia Andre, Miles Mweiler, Andrew Gare Salma Hajes Hajes Mism, Amelia Kza. Uh, in addition to two middle school students, John Poles and Jack Ledwell were selected as well for the senior district festival students, Nathan Areronoff, Marcus Bouya Barza, Joanna Cassinguay, Miles Chessy, Edward Giza, Saurin Hickman, Benjamin L, Elvin Nola were also selected. The students competed alongside top musicians from high schools across the region. A highly competitive and rigorous audition process. Congratulations to Isabelle Skynishi, Chiku Oka Canawa, and Owen Ve who are also selected for both the senior district festival and the MMEA allstate festival which was held at Boston Symphony Hall. Last week, North Quincy
068High School was pleased to welcome back a distinguished alumnist, US Navy Captain Christopher Chow Hill, commander of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. Captain Hill was featured at a student assembly where he spoke about leadership and service. Captain Hill also enjoyed a special special Taco Tuesday lunch in his honor. Thanks to veteran services director Christine Kuini for coordinating the visit and food service director Sarah Duour and her culinary team at North Quinsey High School for providing the food. Upcoming Quinsey public schools and city of Quinsey events. Tomorrow morning, 100 rising seniors from Quinsey and North Quinsey High School will gather at Granite Links for the annual leadership summit. It's a great event. Tomorrow evening, the North Quinsey High School Art Show will be held in the Atrium of Honor beginning at 5:00 p.m. And at 6:00
069p.m., the All City Jazz Band concert will be held in the Peter Prism Auditorium at North Quincsey High School. Many schools are hosting observances for Memorial Day, including Beachwood Null, Montlair, and Snug Harbor elementary schools on Friday, May 22nd at 9:00 a.m. The North Quincsey High School Drama Club is presenting the importance of being earnest on Friday, May 22nd and Saturday, May 23rd at 700 p.m. and Saturday, May 23rd at 2 p.m. in the school's auditorium. The City of Quinsey Memorial Day parade will be held on Monday, May 25th at 10:30 a.m. beginning at the Quinsey Credit Union on Quinsey Avenue and ending with the ceremony of remembrance at Mount Hollist Cemetery. Thanks to Mayor Ko for once again hosting his annual breakfast of graduating seniors next week, Wednesday, May 27th at North Quinsey High
070School and Thursday, May 28th at Quinsey High School. Spring concerts continue with the All City Band and Pops concert on Tuesday, May 26 at 6 PM at Quinsey High School. Uh, new newest QPS families are invited to welcome to kindergarten parent academy on Tuesday, June 2nd at 6 p.m. at Central Middle School to learn about the curriculum and learning opportunities for their students. The Point Webster and Clifford Marshall PTO's are hosting the annual family fun run and wellness expo on Saturday, June 6th, starting at 9:00 a.m. at Point Webster Middle School. Graduation ceremonies will be held on Monday, June 8th for North Quinsey High School and Tuesday, June 9th for Quinsey High School, both at Veterans Stadium starting at 6 PM. The 75th annual Flag Day events will be held on Saturday, June 13th, starting
071at 6 p.m. with the parade beginning from the corner of Hancock Street in Hannon Parkway and proceeding down Hancock Street to Mry Mount Parkway and ending at Adams Field. The flag raising will follow at 8:00 p.m. in Pageant Field and a spectacular fireworks display will be held at 9:00 p.m. With that, that concludes the superintendent's report. >> Point of order on your report. >> The parade is starting at 6:30 at the corner of Washington and Cardington Street, but the rest of the route is the same. So, thank you. You would you wouldn't have known that. So, >> I appreciate the update. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other discussion on that? >> Thank you. Okay. Next on the agenda, we have old business. >> Madam Chair, >> yes. >> If I could request um in
072consent from the committee that we hold off on that item. So we can go to new business item A which addresses and then we'll return to that item. >> Okay. >> All those in favor? I guess. >> All in favor say I. >> I. Anyone opposed? Nope. Good. Next on the agenda, we have new business. We have the proposed revision to the school committee policy book section 9.2 school year school calendar. Mayor Ko. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. So, this item helps us deal with the calendar issue. So, um I'd like to make a motion that we amend the school committee policy 9.2 by striking the following language from the policy. for the information of staff, students, parents, guidance. A calendar will set forth the day school will be in session. Early release days, federal,
073state, municipal, and contractual holidays, and vacation periods. Need a second. >> Okay. We have a motion by Mayor Ko. We have a second by Miss Pios. Do we have any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, do we need a roll call vote or that Mulby? >> Mr. Begali. That's it. Mrs. Cahill. >> Yes. >> Miss Campbell. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Hubley. >> Yes. >> Mr. Le Young. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Perios. >> Yes. >> And Mayor Ko. >> Yes. I'll make a motion return to the regular order business. >> Thank you. Okay. Next on the agenda, we have old business. We have 2026 2027 QPS school year calendar. Mrs. Cahill >> on the motion. >> Go ahead. Go ahead. >> Uh, I'd like to make a motion to amend the 2026 27 calendar to designate
074February 6th with an H um uh in honor of Lunar New Year. >> Okay, we have a motion. We have a second by M. Ms. Cample. Um, do we have any discussion on the motion? Mrs. Okay. Hill >> I am I just wanted to say that um contrary to popular belief I do value and respect the Asian community as I respect all of our religions, cultures and families in our city. And that was the basis for my vote um initially in um honoring Luna New Year in our schools. I felt like I represent all the students and families in our city. Um, we have 35 36% of Asian descent that celebrate Luna New Year. I appreciate that, but I also feel like the other 65 or 70% of our families also deserve the the respect
075of um honoring their cultures and their religions as well. And I felt like giving an excused holiday was a way to respect everyone and it had nothing to do with not respecting the Asian community in our city. Um, so with that, that's been my stance, but obviously I'm not in the majority on the school committee right now in terms of honoring Luna New Year. So I will stand with my colleagues and uh vote to put the H on the calendar. Thank you, Mrs. Cahill. Do we need a roll call vote or all in favor? Roll call vote. Mr. Mel, go right ahead. >> Oh, I thought you already did. Sorry. >> I'd like to um read a statement into the record. Uh so, I'd like to thank and commend everyone who came out tonight and
076at previous meetings, especially the young people. What you've done is exactly what you're supposed to do in a representative democracy to advocate for a change that is important to you. This movement for observing arguably the most important holiday of so many Asian cultures was started by a student. For years, you came to this committee asking for the change. You spoke at open forum. You wrote letters. You brought signatures and data. And every year, you broadened your coalition of support. This committee kept saying no. So you went to the city council just about two years ago to the day. The city council unanimously passed an ordinance that Quinsey public schools should be closed on Lunar New Year. The school committee at the time refused to adopt that ordinance. They continued to deny your request and change
077the wording of the policy related to the school calendar. So then you made myself and Miss Campbell your top choice choices in last year's election. We both were openly and enthusiastically supportive of recognizing Lunar New Year. With the mayor's stated support, we are on the verge of getting this done. It should not have taken this long, but I'm confident that it will. And when it does, they're going to write case studies about your efforts and your persistence in applying all the tools of the democratic process. And those who try to impede your progress will just be minor footnotes. Your voices are heard. I am with you all the way. >> Thank you, Mr. Leon. Now have a roll call vote. Pulli. Mrs. Cahill. >> Yes. >> Miss Campbell. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Hubley. >> Yes.
078>> Miss Mr. Leon. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Perios. >> Proudly. Yes. >> And Maya Coke. >> YES. >> At this time, we are taking a brief recess. Thank you. We're back in session. Um, next on the agenda under new business is item B. It's fiscal year 2027, Quinsey Public Schools budget. Superintendent Mulvy, Dr. Perkins, and Mr. Conland to present. Let me turn on your microphones. You, too. >> Thank you. Good evening again, everyone. Um, tonight, of course, we will be presenting the uh Quinsey Public Schools FY27 uh budget. um before we begin the presentation and um I will begin it and then I'll hand it off to Dr. Perkins and Mr. Conland to quick to go through um page by page with you the recommendations um that we are making uh to you uh tonight.
079But first, I do want to obviously thank the mayor and the school committee uh for all of your support uh throughout uh the past several years and of course in this year as well. Um as you know there are a number of communities throughout um the state particularly close to us on the southshore certainly we are in are encountering it with our fellow superintendent and these cities and towns are really struggling and having cuts uh we're not seeing that fortunately here in Quinsey uh we have a level of service budget with um some ability uh to do some um additional things which is great uh and again um some of our colleagues in other cities and towns around us are not don't have u that ability. So I'm very very grateful to of course the
080school committee and the mayor and of course the city council uh for supporting this budget last night. Uh and last night we had a great representation of our principles and superintendent leisure team as well as the QEA in support of this budget and I want to thank all of them as well for coming out last last night to support our budget presentation to the city council. Uh so with that I'll just get into the um presentation and the first part of our presentation is just quickly the budget process. I know for many of you this is very familiar but I do I will go over it for um the public's sake. Uh the process basically follows um initially with regard to the SL team and principles identifying areas of consideration for the budget. Um what
081areas uh we would need to increase for instance staffing due to class size or shift staffing due to lower class size or and and higher class sizes in other buildings or in other programs. So, this is something that we do throughout the school year with the SLT and our principles in order to develop the process where we are right now, which is presenting the budget to you. Of course, we review, we organize options to address possible areas of impact throughout the district. We prioritize possible areas of increase and shift and reduction. And again, that's with the um SLT. We determine impact on the budget lines uh throughout the entire budget. And it is as obviously a timely and a year-long process really as we evaluate our needs. We present options of course uh to the
082Quincsey School Committee which is where we are here tonight. Um and we prioritize options uh as part of that process. Obviously we have to present to the city council which we did last night and successfully received their approval on our bottom line. Um, of course with the school committee, we prioritize options of importance uh for the school committee and we rework options based on feedback from the school committee and of course upon the uh vote of the school committee to approve our budget. We then act upon that and implement the budget throughout the year and of course this year uh would be the 2027 FY2027 budget. Um so with that I will hand the presentation over to Mr. Conlin to review with you the details of the proposed budget that that is before you. >>
083Good evening anyone everyone, excuse me. Uh to jump right into the superintendent leadership team budget for fiscal year 2027. We're looking at a final budget number of 158,769,432. And year-over-year, this represents a roughly $8,489,380 increase from the fiscical year 26 COLA adjusted budget. Funding for this year's budget comes from two sources. It comes from the mayor's appropriation of 148,419,432 which is a 6,489,380 or 4.5% increase from the fiscal year 26 COLA adjusted appropriation of 141,93052. For this year, we have projected circuit breaker funding at 10.35 million, which is a $2 million increase from the fiscal year 26 budgeted amount. So the next few slides we have some historical charts here looking at some year-over-year analysis. Essentially this first one bas basically outlines some of the costs that the city takes on aside from the budget.
084And these include costs like retirement, maintenance, snow plowing, and unemployment in this support school operations. So, as you can see, overall school related funding has grown from about 148 million in fiscal year 17 to over 237 million in fiscal year 27. Both the school budget and the city's additional support have increased steadily over time. This chart compares Quinsey's required net school spending target to what the city actually funds for education each year. The blue line shows Quinsey's consistently funding above the state required minimum. The foundation budget and chapter 78 aid have both increased over time, but the city has continued to contribute beyond the minimum requirement. By fiscal year 27, required net school spending is about 183 million, while actual spending is projected at over 200 million. The third and final chart here shows Quinsey's
085actual pupil uh per per pupil spending to the state's foundation budget per student basis. And in fiscal year 27, the state foundation budget is about 18,300, while Quinsey's projected net school spending is over 21200 per student. The foundation budget represents the state's minimum estimate of what should be spent per student, while the red line reflects what Quinsey is actually investing per uh pupil. And now we have the superintendent leadership team's budget recommendations for consideration. Basically at a high level these two slides show the fiscal year 26 along with our request for fiscal year 27. The previous year budget as I previously mentioned was 146 million734,627 and we had that additional appropriation for the negotiated union contract increases of 3,545,425 and that brought the total appropriation to 150,280,52. Below are the requests that we have for
086fiscal year 27. First, we have the salary increase across bargaining units. We calculated projecting projected salary savings as well due to breakage in teacher retirements that will carry forward in fiscal year 27. This ultimately brings us to $3,257,130. Aside from salaries, we have additional requests below based on current year and future projections. So we have the title one and two grant cut 244,500. We're asking for a parah increase, ELLL and speech increase and this will total 620,000. We have a several utilities that we're asking for increases in. So electric and natural gas at 500,000 and then 250,000. For special ed tuition increase, we're asking for a 1.5 million increase in special ed transportation 1 million. Also asking for a course reimbursement increase of 30,000 afterchool/summer program of a total of 750,000 and then a longevity
087increase of 337750. >> And so this final slide here we basically just highlight how we get to the final city appropriation number. So, we're anticipating, as I previously mentioned on the earlier slide, 10.35 million in circuit breaker, and that'll bring the city appropriation to 141,931 930,52. And comparing this to fiscal year 26, this is roughly a 4.5% increase. So for the superintendent's leadership team budget for fiscal year 27, this funding allows us to meet all contractual obligations for the 2627 year including step-in level increases for the amount of 3,257,130 and additionally provides 5,232,250 and additional funding to address class size, academic programs, academic support and non-academic support, academic expenses and non-academic expenses. Uh so I will take it from here. Um and so this is just a brief reminder of the school committee guidelines in
088terms of class size. Uh and so our key questions as we look at academic classroom teachers. These are this is the process that we go through when we're getting ready to present the proposed budget to you all for consideration. We look at does the current FY27 budget allocation allow us to maintain or increase all existing academic classrooms which we have looked at. We also look at whether or not there is a need to reduce or increase our academic classrooms. Uh we look at the changes in academic classroom teacher staff due to retirements, leave of absences, things like that, resignations. Um, and have we considered enrollment projections in the staffing of the academic classrooms for the 2027 school year? We have looked at that as well. And will there be a need to exceed current school
089committee guidelines for class size at any level um in the FY27 budget? And we do not anticipate that. We are very fortunate in Quinsey that we are able to keep our class sizes low. And so that brings us to our recommendations um for the upcoming FY27 budget. The first item is the reconciliation that Mr. Melany brought to the committee in October um which is in uh the budget book on page three, item one. In addition, we are recommending um shifting some staffing. We have a couple of shifts that we are recommending that we make after looking at, as I said, class size um and needs across the district. So, we are recommending that we shift one CL academic classroom teacher to a special education position. Um, and this is actually we have a significant number
090of kindergarten students that are leaving the RDLC and are going out into um their regular education or substantially separate classrooms within the district. And uh we don't have that many students leaving the CARES classrooms in uh the elementary school. So we only have about maybe seven or eight students leaving. We have about 17 coming in. So our classes are already at Snug Harbor, which is where our primary classes are. They are already quite large in the CARES program. And so we are asking to shift a uh classroom to open an additional CARES classroom not at Snack Harbor actually at Lincoln Hancock because the majority of the students are from Lincoln Hancock. So I believe 11 of the 17 are actually Lincoln Hancock district and so this would give those students an opportunity to be in
091their home school and also uh an opportunity for potential mainstream when they're ready for that. So we are recommending that shift. Um we're also recommending that we increase uh we in terms of and we make a shift to increase for class size. And so we have a couple of places at Clifford Marshall and actually at Lincoln Hancock where as I said we're turning one classroom into a car's kindergarten classroom. Um and then at Clifford Marshall, we have room to actually decrease two positions there. And so we are recommending that we shift one of those uh classes up to um Point Webster and um that we shift another classroom over to Mry Mount for their fifth grade. So the the Point Webster is a fifth grade class. We need an additional fifth grade class over there.
092Mry Mount is a fifth grade class. We need an additional classroom over there because of the numbers. And then the final shift that we're making that you'll see in the budget book. It's not necessarily outlined here, but it's in the budget book is a an additional classroom at Parker for um kindergarten because the kindergarten numbers are very high for next year. And so that's the total of four positions that we would be shifting in academic classrooms. Most of them, three of them are actually just going to address class size issues in other places. One of them is a shift into special education and then in addition we are also asking for an additional increase in um in FTEES for class size. So one additional because we do we are watching also so I I mentioned
093kindergarten and Parker but we are also me watching the first grade at Parker as well and that um CL those numbers are are creeping up pretty high and so we are you know kind of keeping an eye on it. You know what sometimes happens is we have a a position saved to address classroom size and over the summer lots can happen. Kids move in, kids move out and we always need it. it doesn't necessarily always end up where we originally thought we might need it. Um, but we do always need it. And so we're asking right now we believe that the need is going to be a Parker in first grade. Um, and so we are watching those numbers. And then we also have an increase here in longevity due to contractual obligations. So that
094is um some of the items that were negotiated most recently with the QEA. And so academic programs, this is just a reminder of the academic program staff and what makes up that area of our budget. And so similarly, questions that we ask in terms of academic programs. Does the current FY27 budget allocation allow us to maintain or increase in terms of academic program staffing? Are there changes in academic program staffing due to retirements, resignations, things of that nature? and have we considered a reduction in force within the academic program area. So we do have a couple of changes that we're recommending here in the academic program. So again there was a reconciliation that occurred in the fall. We are also asking for an increase of one FTE for ELLL and this is particularly for uh
095the programs at Central Middle School and at Atlantic. So we are suggesting right now that potentially that they may split between the two buildings but again we're also watching the numbers the students just we just received the access scores looking at you know um how many students have been identified as a level one which would require much more services. Um so we're looking at all of those things but as it stands right now we believe that it it will be a split between central and Atlantic. Um and the we're also asking for an increase of one FTE for special education and that is for the RDLC. We are very happy to report that the RDLC is growing steadily. Um and we actually one of the things we mentioned last night is that for the first
096time in my career our out of district numbers we are at 134 students. I don't never ever in my career have we been as low as 134 students in out of district uh tuition. Typically we are around 170. At one point at the height of COVID we were close to 180 students out of district. So although I know you know we are asking for an increase in tuition. If we did not have the RDLC I have to tell you that that ask would be significantly higher. um that the RDLC is saving us tremendously on tuitions. Um and so I did just want to point that out. And um the other increase that we're asking for is for a speech and language um teacher and you for the the committee, the new members um the members
097that are here, we are constantly have been working for years on lowering uh case numbers for our therapists. And so this is something that we've been trying to address every year, every budget to make sure that those case load numbers stay within a reasonable amount. And again, it's just an area that continues to grow within the district. And uh the next area is academic support. And we have um the the people that make up the academic support area. and similar key questions. Are we able to maintain an or incre or increase? Are there any changes due to things like retirements or resignations? And have we considered a reduction in force? And so here um we are requesting an increase of five FTEEs for paraprofessionals. Some of those will go to the new classes. Um, primarily
098I would say the majority will go to the new classes at the RDLC and the additional CARES class that I mentioned. Um, we are also asking for an increase in our summer education program for 500,000. We've been so fortunate to be able to provide an absolutely amazing summer program and the mayor has so generously funded that over the years and so we asked for that to be built into our budget and um so that is what we're recommending or asking for tonight and we're also asking for an increase in our afterchool funding by 250,000. This is an area that is we're constantly under budget in. We uh or over budget I should say. Um we run wonderful afterchool programs. We you know the the cost has increased as teachers has have received raises um and
099coaching salaries have increased. And so we are asking for an increase of 250,000 to address some of those needs. And um non-academic support. These are the people that make up the non-academic support. In the area of non-academic support, we asked pretty much the same questions. Maintain or increase. Were there any changes due to retirements or resignations? And have we considered a reduction in force? In this area, we're not recommending any changes. This this for FY27. And then we move into the subsidized services. So in terms of subsidized services, similar questions. Uh, have we considered adjustments and or recommendations in any of the subsidized programs? Have we considered generating additional revenue? Have we considerate considered generating additional revenue in order to restore any programs that might have been reduced? And have we considered the operational community
100impact within the subsidized service areas? And so the first area is food service, which you heard a wonderful presentation from Sarah Deor this year. Um I'm not She explained the program. I don't I don't think we need to I need to read that over, but um there is no fees. We're very fortunate that we have free lunch in all of our schools and so we are recommending that we maintain free lunch, which we are very thankful to our legislature for that. In terms of school building rentals, so we do have fees for places that want to rent some of our school buildings. There is a fee structure that's established by the committee. At this time, we are not recommending an increase in any of those fees. In transportation, we also um and historically have although
101I will say right now we are not charging anyone for transportation. Um but in other previous years we have currently we don't and again the rates are established by um the policy here in the school committee and we are not recommending any changes in fees in transportation in athletics. Um the athletic department is funded through three main sources. The operating budget, the user fees and the gate fees as well as in some cases donations from parent boosters and things like that. Um and so we are the again the rates are established by this committee and we are also not recommending any change in fees for our athletics. In terms of academic expenses, these are the some of the items that make up academic expenses. And the questions that we ask are, have we identified expense
102lines that need increased funding or restoration? And have we considered expense line expense lines that may be reduced in order to shift funding to other budget lines? And so, uh, what we're asking for is we're asking for an increase in funding for special education in the FY27 budget for tuitions of $2 million. Um this does include some of the circuit breaker funding as well. Uh the increased circuit breaker funding. We are also asking for an increase in funding for professional discretionary money of $25,000. So this was again a negotiated item within the QEA contract. And so we were able to increase to $450 per teacher. And this is um items that they buy for to support their classroom throughout the year. they provide receipts and we do reimburse them. And then we are also asking
103for an increase in course reimbursement. Again, another negotiated item. And so it was previously 25,000. We have we're going negotiated up to 50,000 where teachers can take courses and they again they submit their receipts and we will reimburse them. And so we're asking for an increase of 30,000 in that line. Then in terms of non-academic expenses, these are the areas that make up those this uh area in the budget. And we are asking for an increase in funding for natural gas of 250,000 um and an increase in funding for electric 500,000. And the as many of us probably know the cost of utilities is only increasing. And so that is a that is a typo. It should say electric. I'm very sorry about that. That should say electric, not two times special transportation. Uh and
104so we are asking that should be electric. And the final line is an increase funding for special education of a million dollars. Um and so again, just items that continually the cost just continually increases. And so we are asking um for some increases there so that we are able to do what we need um throughout the year and I will turn it back to Adam. >> Thank you Dr. Perkins. So this is the final slide here. I know I've thrown a lot of numbers at you all tonight so won't go down every one but basically it's just a consolidated view of all of the additions that we've asked for essentially. So going down the academic classroom teachers, the programs, the support, non-academic support, and then the academic and non-academic expenses. And with that, we'd be
105happy to answer any questions. And we do just want to thank you for all your support. Um we, you know, it's a massive budget and we couldn't do it without you and the mayor and the city council. Thank you very much. >> Just additional I know, um, Mr. Pius, you asked about the yond pouches and the 200,000. So, we did manage to find um partners who are willing to cover that expenses. There'll be probably four or five which will show on the agenda. The other good thing too is um they're willing to donate for the yonder pouches. So, but also if we do end up getting grant money because we we're filing with the attorney general's office to get a substantial grant and also the yonder pouch company itself maybe giving us a substantial grant
106just to get the business in Quinsey. Um the partners are allowing us to keep that money to use for obviously um student related expenses. So overall a very good thing but the partners stepped up once again for our students. So thank you. >> Yeah. Thank you. Thank you for the presentation. Do you have any um questions from my colleagues? M sorry, Mrs. Cahill. >> Hi. Um just real quick, a couple of things. So, this this has been approved, right, by the city council in terms of the budget. It's already approved for us the allocation. So, that that money is already there. Um I guess my my one question when we see all these other schools that school districts that are having issues we have this budget and it's allocated all the funds are pretty much
107allocated right um are there unexpected I think I understood I actually watched last night the special ed and the transportation those are kind of unexpected um expenses because we don't know if they're going to increase at at any point what do we do um if all of these funds are pretty much allocated what do we do if we need if we need more money in our budget to meet some of that um expense? >> Well, I I I mean I'm sure the superintendent can add. >> I can Yeah. So, essentially, we would be going to the mayor's office and asking for a supplemental appropriation and then of course we would work together to determine how much an appropriation we would need and then we would have to approach the city council again. But what we
108do >> Oh, we may have to make a few cuts. Yeah. So, but what but we that we we were very very precise and careful and our estimates over the years >> have been very accurate and we're confident in this budget that we won't need to do that >> and putting that money putting the extra money in there that you have allocated already, right? >> Um so, okay. So, that was one question how how we're going to deal with that. We might hopefully that wouldn't be the case, but we would have to look at some things and make some changes, right? Um, I do have a it's it's not really a budget question, but I have a question about um the new classrooms that we have to um that we have to put in place
109and we're looking at like Lincoln Hancock and Parker and all that. Um, do we have room for them in these buildings? Like, you know, that that's a little bit of a concern based on what we've been talking about. Parker, if we have to open an additional first grade classroom, we may have to move uh the STARS program and so or at least one of the STARS classrooms. So, which is why we are, you know, watching that very carefully. Uh and so we would probably be looking to actually move it to Clifford Marshall because they have room right now to be able to go. They're they're going down two cl two classes. Okay. >> Two FTEEs. Lincoln Hancock although we need one of those rooms for the CARES kindergarten they also have the right now based
110on their numbers they have the potential to decrease one FTE so um so they do have a little bit of wiggle room right now >> okay um okay and I think that's really um and then and we had that increase in the breakage fund is that based on our student population in need like how do they they gave us more money this year right Yes. Correct. The circuit breaker. Is that Yeah. Circuit breaker. >> Yeah. So we when we you get reimbursed so much, you know, and because of the cost of the tuition, the this the legislature did increase the threshold for how much you have to spend in order then to get the um reimbursement. So So we actually got more money than we anticipated. And I do have to say the special education
111team, they're the ones that complete the circuit breaker. Um, so they, you know, we have it pretty much down to a science. They try to get reimbursed for every penny they possibly can. U, which makes a huge difference. And you see the the benefit in the, um, in the the increase in the funds that we're getting back. >> I will also say that they also added transportation, which was a huge benefit. >> That that made a massive difference for us. Yeah. >> Okay. All right. Great. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mrs. Proteios, >> thank you and thank you for the budget. Thank you for going through it so so thoroughly. Um I haven't had the opportunity to really kind of look at the line by line. Um but just looking based on your uh presentation
112tonight, uh thank you for that. I have mixed feelings about, you know, level funded budgets, but looking at just what um a lot of communities are going through around us with closing schools and laying off teachers, I'm I'm very proud that we're not doing that. I'm very happy we're not doing that. Um, so it looks better to me than uh, you know, I I I'm sad about, you know, not being able to expand our reach program and um, have a little bit more um, of everything that I know our our students and families would love to see. Uh, but we definitely provide so much for our students that um, I'm proud that we're not having to cut back on anything that we offer them. So, I'm glad about that. And thank you about the Yonder
113Pouch update. I'm very excited about that. >> Um, couple quick questions. Um on page nine, we have a um special ed tuition increase of 1.5 million. And then when we go over to page 32, um it looks like that special ed increase is 2 million. Is there um a reason for the discrepancy between those two? >> Yeah, there's a circuit breaker is also built into that. So that's what we're anticipating. Got >> so that that's Yeah, >> thank you. Of course. >> Um and I also had a question. Um Mrs. Kale asked about the room. Do we have room for those uh classrooms? Uh now, is that at Lincoln Hancock when we're talking about adding that? Is that factoring in the um the kindergarten move to Dela? Is that what >> Not yet. >> Okay.
114>> Is that um going to be impacted uh assuming that's still happening in the fall? Is that does that impact anything budgetwise? >> Um it wouldn't. I mean, our plan would be whenever Delica is ready, um, it would be that we would move the six kindergarten classrooms. So, it would just give Lincoln Hancock more space, which they which they absolutely could use. Um, so I don't it wouldn't the the teachers already exist, I guess. So, it wouldn't necessarily impact anything budget-wise. They'd just be moving buildings. >> Great. Um, and I felt like I heard last year that Aiden and How was a little tight on like over on their classes or getting a little full on classes. Was that a consideration when you were looking at staff whether to move or to >> Yep. So
115actually um Ather and how uh they are actually shifting to special education teachers which is which is great for them. Um so we have we actually do not have uh full classes in LDC for the first time in a very long time. And so one of those classes is actually moving to Broad Meadows because we have a need in the learning center and CARES again at the all our CARES classes are booming. um they are just huge and so that as they move up we you know we sometimes have to move the staff with them and so because we have some wiggle room in the LDC at Athetheran which allows them to decrease a class then then that position will move to Broad Meadows and we are going to open a learn an additional learning
116center at Broad Meadows um to help with some of the overflow at Southwest and so then in addition we have two TK classes at um Ather and how and we actually only need one right now next year. So there's es and flows, you know, in the special education world, but we only need one. And so we're actually potentially where we do we do another program that is huge is the STARS program. As I mentioned, we may have to move one of the STARS classes from Parker over to Clifford Marshall. We actually have a need for another uh K1 stars program right now because the classes are full. And so we're potentially going to take uh the TK the extra TK class, put that over at Clifford Marshall. Um and that would actually give Athetherton two
117rooms which would be great for them. >> Okay. And we have stuffing approp stuffing's built in there to kind of >> Yep. Those are already existing positions. So those are already in the budget. We just shift to fill the needs. So we the first thing we do is use what we have. >> Yeah, that's great. Okay. Um, I'm super excited to not budget related, but well, it is budget related to hear about the the number of students out of district um going out of district. That's awesome. >> I was very excited when I pulled the number. >> Yeah, it's that's like the real data that when we opened the RDLC, it was hard to sort of see at first and it was a huge upfront cost and it still continues to be, but these savings
118year-over-year, especially seeing how much these tuitions are increasing each year, every student is huge. So, um, so thank you for that. uh in that and I think that might have been it. Yeah, thank you so much. >> Thank you very much. >> Uh thank you for the presentation. Thank you for walking us through this. Um I wanted to also thank um the mayor for um the almost 5% increase. I mean, with um what we're seeing uh going on throughout the the state and the country, um you know, uh to to be able to get um that increase uh is um nothing to to scoff at. Um it's an investment in our future. It's money well spent and it's up to us to make sure that we uh spend it effectively. Um I also uh wanted
119to comment about the uh RDLC and the um out of district tuition. Um you uh addressed Dr. Perkins. Um >> uh very well. So so thank you for that. Um my question is is there um any opportunity for I guess additional um upfront spending or buildouts for RDLC programs that you know with the the idea being you know you spend some money up front now >> in anticipation of further uh cost savings you know when those >> um in investments kind of >> I I think that was the whole design of the RDLC actually in every class we open that is that's exactly what we're doing pretty much. Um so when we open a classroom you know typically you need a teacher and I would say normally at the RDLC probably three paris you know
120um is typical and so a one student in an out of district tuition with transportation and uh the cost of the tuition would be at least $80,000 for just the tuition. That doesn't even count transportation. So you're talking probably over and this is probably one of our lesser, you know, less expensive programs. It would be about $100,000 in that I would say that would be the least amount. I mean the these tuitions can go all the way up to $250,000 $300,000 more um depending on what the student needs. if they need a onetoone parah even more so we open one classroom in district or at our DLC and that that uh one bringing one student back are not sending one student out is going to fund potentially the teacher and probably at least some of
121one parah if not all of a parah you bring you have two students that you don't send out you've now funded the whole class for a class that can probably take eight >> you know so that is that's the real savings. It It is hard and I I did talk about this last night as well. It's hard to see in the when you look at the budget because it's it's it's really not actually a fair comparison because the cost of tuitions have gone up so dramatically, you know, since since we started this project be, you know, which was before COVID. I mean, they were expensive before CO, but since CO the I mean, you're talking 40% increase at least in most of these programs, including the Southshore Collaborative, which we're a member of. And we
122we probably that's probably our best deal. Um, you know, and that even still now is, I think, about $90,000 to send a student to um one of their, you know, programs for students with autism. It's very expensive. So just opening and the same is true for stars when I talked about moving stars. This is why we do this because otherwise those children will end up going to out of district placements more than likely. And so to open that classroom although the upfront you know may be a teacher although in this case it already exists may be a teacher maybe two or three paris um that the class with 10 children or up to 12 children in a classroom which I will say we do like to keep them around 10. So, um, but depending on
123the class and the need, sometimes a little lower. Um, but so when you open that classroom, that is a huge savings for the district. Huge. >> Okay, great. Thank you. Um it may be in here but I didn't have time to um go through the the budget book but could either of you um tell us a bit about uh technology spending um compared to uh previous years and then maybe the the kind of allocation of that spend. >> We did not increase technology this year. >> Thank you. I can talk a little bit about that. Um so we this year obviously because we had to allocate where we thought was most important. We did not necessarily increase um technology. Our focus will be as it has been in the last year um trying to get
124more grants for Chromebooks. So this past year we were successful in getting thanks to the mayor um and the mayor's grant writers 180,000 for one set of Chromebooks and then we managed to get 500 Chromebooks with Chromebook carts as well. So, we're going to we the plan is to continue down that avenue and ask and and reach out to those same lines to continue to increase our Chromebook um numbers. Um with regard to u other technology and infrastructure, the infrastructure within the district is very very good and we'll do a presentation on that for you so you have a better in-depth idea of the status of technology. um that was upgraded obviously during CO and continues to be upgraded and upgrades uh through the city side. The city pays for a lot of these upgrades
125that don't land in the Quinsey public schools budget are constantly happening with regard to services and that sort of thing as well as internet connectivity. um we have to have great internet connectivity just because of the MCCAST testing um at the high schools and middle schools and of course all of the Chromebook work that's done throughout the district. So although we weren't able to significantly increase our technology line due to this current budget, our goal is to continue to expand Chromebooks in uh through uh our grant writing and possibly other avenues as well as well as partnerships as well. Okay, great. Thank you. And then um I guess just for my own edification, could you explain to me the um circuit breaker >> uh funding? Um how like uh how forecastable is that? Um the
126the use of an amount of circuit breaker funding this year, does that have an effect on >> what's available next year? Um, >> so I mean it it it is somewhat forecastable. Um, it it does eb and flow a little bit, you know, because you may get a move in that you didn't expect. The circuit breaker is designed to basically reimburse uh districts for what they already spent in the current fiscal year. Um, and so it, you know, so what happens is we pay $80,000 for a student to go to, you know, an out of district placement. And I don't remember what the threshold number is. We could get that to you, but there's a threshold number. So, you have to have spent X amount. You know, it could be 60,000 or 70,000. I don't
127remember what it is at off the top of my head right now. And when I started, I think it was I don't know 60 maybe. So, it's probably higher now. Um, but so you you have that threshold. anything you spend after that say 70,000 that's what you get can get reimbursed on and they give you a percentage of that for years and years and years they did not count um transportation so now they've added in the the transportation cost so if you you know go if you spend $80,000 on a student's tuition we drive them back and forth out out you know out of district you're going to get reimbursed on a percentage over, you know, the $70,000 threshold and you're also going to get reimburse reimbursed a percentage of that transportation. So, it's usually
128I I don't remember what the percentage of reimbursement is um right now, but you know, in the past it's been 35% or 45%, you know, and it has gone steadily up. It has increased over time. Um, which is great. you know, it's not the whole thing and it's only a percentage of the amount that the district has spent over the threshold. Um, so, so yes, you can most of our students, you know, we we're a pretty stable district. A lot of our students, they stay with us, you know, for years and years. Um, and if they're in an out of district program, lots of times they're in out of district program. So you can, you know, you can pretty much guarantee that, you know, as long as the percentage of reimbursement doesn't change, which the
129legislature can change that percentage of reimbursement and they have, you know, on on tough fiscal years, they may decrease it. um you know on good fiscal years they may increase it which is a win which is what you know they have increased it which is why you know we see and also obviously the cost of the tuitions has gone up which makes it much easier for us to hit that threshold therefore be eligible for that reimbursement. You can also claim in district students but again they have to meet that threshold and there's not a lot of wiggle room in what you claim because the state sets the rates. So the state will say if you have a special education teacher, you can you can you know you you're basically whether we pay them this rate
130or not. Um this is all you can claim. You can you know you can claim $40 an hour or whatever it is. And that might be not what our rate is. It might be something totally different. If we have a BCBA, we may pay way more for that BCBA, but the state only allows us to claim $29 an hour for services. and all of it has to be documented in the child's IEP. If it's not documented in the child's IEP, you cannot claim it. Um, so that's kind of how it works. And so it does it does fluctuate, you know, especially if we get more we get moveins that we didn't anticipate. Um, you know, we then those are we may get more money because but we spent more money, you know. So um but
131so it is when you have the consistent group of students which the majority of our students are consistent and you know we pretty much know we can anticipate that we're going to get you know x amount based on what the current um reimbursement rate is but it does it will fluctuate depending on what the legislature decides and depending on you know if we have a significant increase or decrease in the number of students who are in out of district tuitions. >> Got it. >> Hopefully that's it in a nutshell. >> Yes. Thank you. Excellent. >> We had your waties this morning. >> Okay. Um yeah, I have a couple questions too. So, um under the um increase for the speech hearing teacher, um where's where he or she going to be? >> Um I when
132uh Julie and I spoke, I believe, um it was actually Parker, which we're seeing an increase in staff uh you know, in in students in enrollment. And what was the other Julie back there? What was the other school? Packer in >> um potentially >> in prek. >> Okay. Okay. Um so are we still um contracting with um social hearing for the teacher of the deaf because I see that position still hasn't been filled yet. So I that's still open and we're just >> we have a we have a we have a person. It's they're just not in our budget. It's a they're in our budget but it's under contractual services. >> Okay, great. Um, and I did love the 134 number for out of district. That's great that that's come down. That's fabulous. Um, and
133I have one other question. So, in past years, we when we had um the subsidized programs that were not changing um we had taken that out. It was like a separate we had our budget, we had the subsidized and we voted on it separately. Is that something people have an appetite for doing tonight or since there's no change in the fees and no increase and we having free free lunches and we'd like to keep that um if we take those out and vote on it independently. >> Well, you could just vote it on as a whole with the whole budget. >> Okay. I just know in past years when we had it a no change we had done that before. So >> um but it may be more efficient just to vote on the whole
134thing. >> Okay. Then I won't bring it up then if it's not as efficient. Okay. And Okay. That's all I had. Thank you very much. And I have a we have a question from our North Quincy High School um student >> representative. I believe that's your mic. >> So I was looking at the program earlier um just now and I saw Rosy and it reminded me of something. So I assume that a few of you or at least most of you or everyone here has heard that um Sarge is retiring soon. So I was um this is not going to impact me because I'm a senior but I know that there's a lot of people at my school who you know love the Rosi program. It's what makes NQ NQ. Um, so I was wondering
135um if you guys um could continue supporting the Roxy program in any way possible, whether that be, you know, financially or any other means. >> Um, and then I was also wondering what would happen to the ROC program. This might be a little bit off topic, but um, what would happen to the ROC program once um, Sarge is gone? Um, and what that would look like for ENQ if you have any answers as to >> Yeah. And I I so appreciate that question. Um and we I just want to say how much we love Sarge too and we thank him for everything that he has done for North Quinzy and for the city and for all of the kids. Um so we absolutely would continue to support the ROC program. The problem is unfortunately we
136knowing that he was probably going to retire. We've had his position posted for at least two years and there are very specific requirements. We it we can't just hire any teacher. They have to be air force. There's all kinds of credentials um that they have to hold and it there's a national shortage unfortunately in ROC teachers or educators. And so we have not up until this point been able to find a replacement for him. So it is it isn't about the the finances, it's actually about the actual human. Um we're not just we just haven't been able to find a person. If we we're still looking, we're not giving up. We are still looking. Um but we have not had much luck. And so we have it posted still. We're, you know, kind of holding
137out hope. Um but so if if we can't find anyone, then we can't run the program. Unfortunately. >> Yeah. I mean, >> yeah. >> I was wondering what would happen to other classes, >> right? Yeah. So, that's what we're looking at. So um if we are unable to the the second request is actually um like a business course and so we would we have been watching that. So we would probably try to hire an additional business teacher for North Quinzy to try to make sure that everyone had you know an elective. I know it's not ROC but something that they would like. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Okay. You have any other questions for my colleagues? Seeing none, thank you very much for your presentation. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >>
138No, not right now. >> Okay. So, next on the agenda, we have um Quincy Public School summer programs. >> Just stay right. Stay where we are. >> And Mr. Will we will join you. You can start as soon as you're ready. >> Okay. So, thank you very much for having us on the program. >> Yeah. That Yeah. So, we will we're not going to we will not go through every single slide. Um, the summer program has actually uh been posted already. It went out actually last Friday. Thank you so much for the continued support of all the programs. We are thrilled to report that we are offering all of the summer programs that we've offered in the past. Um, so we're really excited about that. And um you know we we have programs for elementary,
139we have programs for middle school, we still have our theater program, Miss Pertio. So that's very exciting. Um we have credit recovery. We have literally a program for everyone. And so we're very excited about that. We also have some programs that support students that have academic needs such as the bridge to reading, multiple special education programs. Um, and so if we we won't go through every single slide. Um, but if you know you have the presentation, if anyone has any questions, we'd be happy to answer any questions about any of the individual programs. Um, and I know Mr. Morani has an update on where we are in terms of the registrations and the hiring. >> Uh, thank you everybody. Good evening. Uh, and I I will be brief. So, I just want to let everybody
140know as Dr. Perkins mentioned, the brochure has been uh, released and distributed. So that can be found at quincseyublicschools.comsummer 20226. So that is now live where people can use that to register. Uh as of now uh probably a few hours ago uh we had 816 registrations already. Registration will stay open until uh June at the at the earliest. Right. We'll look what we've done in the past is we look at the numbers. If we need to extend that out, we certainly will. Uh but right now it's set to remain open for the remainder of May. and then we'll take another look June one whether or not it needs to stay open or not. Uh that those uh that brochure is also made available via community newsletter sent out by principles. So schools uh will send
141that out. It's also been shared via all the QPS social media channels. So we just we're trying to get that out there as much as possible. So we're using this opportunity just to let people know again quincseyublicschools.com uh2026. Uh and then I do just want to provide the update that uh once again uh we'll be offering the summer pathway credit recovery program at uh it will be hosted at Quinsey High School. However, of course, it's open to uh Quinsey High School and North Quinsey High School students. So, I just want to verbalize the walk-in registration date. So, people can still register online as they have been able to, but just so families are aware, July 1st is at at Quinsey High School. There's a walk-in registration that will run from 8:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
142And this is all included in the brochure as well. I just wanted to use this opportunity to share that. And then July 2nd, uh, is the North Quinsey High School walk-in registration. Same time, 8:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. And I do just want to express the same gratitude that Dr. Perkins mentioned. We're able to offer all the same programs we've been able to offer. We're very, very lucky to do that. That's over 20 programs being offered across all levels, elementary, middle, and high school. So, we're certainly grateful that the learning continues uh well well into and throughout the summer. So, thank you. >> If anyone is looking for information on the summer programs, it's as Mr. Morani said, it's online or if they have any trouble registering, they can also call any one of us
143and we'll help them through that. >> Happy to answer any questions. >> Thank you. And like in past years, this this is our teachers that are >> It's our teachers. Yep. So, the teachers, I think pretty much every program is is staffed at this point. We got tons of applicants, which is amazing. >> Um, so yeah. >> Yeah. And I'll just add to that. So, last year, uh, I believe we had maybe just a small number of nonQPS power professionals to help with some of the special ed programming. Uh, if I'm not mistaken, last year was 100% QPS educators as far as the the classroom teachers. And I believe, um, that will be the case this summer as well. That's certainly where the uh the appointment process is heading us. >> I think that's fabulous
144because then our kids get to see a f a familiar friendly face and they they know who's there teaching the class. Agreed. That's wonderful. Thank you. Do you have any questions for my colleagues? Mrs. Pios >> just a just a comment more than a question. Um just to remind families that these programs are free to them, free to families, free to students, and it's just I I'm just so grateful that we're able to continue doing it and find find a way to do this. I think it's fantastic. Thank you for the effort that goes into it. Thank you to the educators for um stepping up over the summer and putting in additional time with our students. Um it's just great. It's something for everyone and uh I love it. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any
145other questions? >> Mrs. Cahill, >> a quick question about the um credit recovery. So the students have to go to the high school to to register. >> They do not have to. That's an option. So they can still they they can register online. So there is a link in the uh the brochure that's available. And then also what typically happens is they're working with their guidance counselors and they're completing the registration with their guidance counselors. >> That was that was kind of my my question. I'm like why aren't we doing that with them in to make sure that they're >> Yeah, I I would say the majority of students are already registered prior to the walk-in and they're doing that with the assistance of their guidance counselors. >> Great. Thank you, >> Mayor Ko. >>
146Thank you. Uh just a question. Um I think to highlight what we do here in Quinsey, but how many other districts do this? >> I don't know any. >> I really don't know any not to this level. Not not this kind of programming. And when you think about recreation and also you know the summer program like all of the things the activities on the common like I mean it's just unbel No, I I don't know any I don't know any. they just cut whatever was out there >> other than Quinsey has just been all cut as well because of the budget budgetary constraints. >> I think people offer what they have to you know um like in terms of special education this is this is this is just impressive and the offerings are just impressive.
147>> Can I just add one more to that point? It's also important to point out that in addition to summer, the extracurricular offerings throughout the school year, the fact that we have so many students that can participate in those free programs before after the school day, that's also equally uncommon. So, if you start going to outside districts, there's a fee associated with all these after school programs. So, the fact that our students can access these and not have money serve as a barrier to these is is a gift. So, we're grateful for sure. >> Yes. Uh thank you for um offering all the the same programs. This is phenomenal. Um the Leyong household is is grateful um for this. Uh you provide um just exciting, meaningful, enriching activities. You get them outside. Um use up
148that energy. So great job. Um quick question about the summer lunch program. Can you remind me is that funded by the state and um >> yeshm it's still it's still the free lunch. Yes. >> Okay. And um how has the demand been for that? Do you find um >> I think it's been pretty good. I mean, I don't have exact numbers, but you >> Yeah, the um food service program during the summertime is substantial >> and um big thank you to Sarah Duour and her team, but um they manage a large amount of requests for student lunches during the summertime. So, >> uh they don't turn anyone away in need and they do an amazing job and the amount of food they produce for our students and families is amazing. But it absolutely is a
149very very big need in the city during the summer time. >> They also provide snacks too to a lot of our programs which is wonderful. >> Great. Thank you. >> All right. Um >> I just I just want >> um I I think I just want to reiterate for everyone out there in the in in in the audience who are watching us that this summer program is not required and we are very fortunate to have the support of the mayor and the city to fund this $750,000 program for our kids. So we can't take that for granted and I want to make sure that we highlight that that that is this is a gift to us and our budget to be able to do that. So but thank you for the work that goes into
150it anyway so >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Next on the agenda we have um social educational collaborative representative superintendent. >> Thank you. each um district who is a member of the Southshore Collaborative um sends their superintendent as a representative to serve on the board of directors for the Southshore Collaborative. Uh we meet about monthly um and uh it is required of each district to vote annually. Um that >> make a motion that we send superintendent as a representative to the social education collaborative. >> Okay, we have a motion second by Mrs. Cahill. >> Is a roll call. >> We have a roll call vote, please. >> Mr. Begley. Mrs. Cahill. >> Yes. >> Miss Campbell. Yes. >> Mrs. Hubley. Yes. >> Mr. Lee Young. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Perios. >>
151Yes. >> And Maya Coke. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> And nobody else wants to do it. >> No, probably not. >> Okay. Um, so as a point of order, um, I realized that we had, um, voted on the school calendar amendment. We never actually voted on the school calendar itself with the amendment. So, we need to go back. I need a motion. to accept the calendar that item and uh take a back. >> Okay, I have a motion to go back. Second by Mrs. Partios. Um discussion on going back. >> No. Okay, great. Can we have a roll call vote on accepting the calendar with the amendment? >> Mr. Ko, >> yes. >> Miss Campbell, >> yes. >> Mrs. Hubley, >> yes. >> Mr. Le Young, >> yes. >> Mrs. Perios, yes. And Mayor
152Ko, >> yes. >> Thank you. >> All right. Got to love process. how to do things. All right. So, now that is official. Okay. Um, next on the agenda, we have the consent agenda. Um, >> okay. We have a roll call vote, please. >> Mr. Mrs. Gill, >> yes. >> Campbell, >> yes. >> M. >> Yes. >> Mr. Leon, >> yes. >> Next on the agenda, we have additional business. Seeing none, next we have communications. We have upcoming school committee meeting at the Cottington building at 6:30 on June 10th. Next on the agenda, we have reports of subcommittees. We have the special education subcommittee which was on April 1st. Miss Camp Miss Campbell to report. We had the pleasure of having the special education director Julie Graham and her team come and present the annual
153do the annual presentation on special education rights and responsibilities. >> Thank you very much. Are there any corrections to these minutes for Miss Owens? >> No. >> Seeing none. Okay, moving on to the next. We have athletics. Um, that was on April 1st meeting, Miss Pertios to report. >> Thank you. Um, yes, on April 1st, we had our athletics and wellness subcommittee meeting. Um, Mr. Mahoney was with us, uh, the director of athletics and wellness, Kevin Mahoney, was with us. uh he reviewed the fall and winter seasons at the high schools and um and then kind of gave us an update, a spring update for the spring sports. Uh and he gave um an update on the boys ice hockey co-op. Uh they will need to be reconfirmed this year with the Patriot League. He
154doesn't see a problem with that happening. Um Mr. Bgulli brought up a concern about the MIAA tournament format that teams can qualify even if they have unsuccessful season records. um because of power ranking. So there's a little discussion on that. Um Mrs. KL asked about surveying parents about their uh athletic exper their students athletic experiences which um I had agreed with and we talked about having more of that happening at the end of the seasons. Um I had asked about the sailing program and that there is a coaching vacancy uh that they uh were hoping to fill. And I had asked about batting cages at Pawn Street that I believe are all set right now. So, I thanked uh Commissioner Murphy and Mr. Dy for that and I think that was about it. Full minutes
155are on the will be on the website. >> Thank you. Do we have any corrections to these minutes? Seeing none. Thank you. Okay. Next on the agenda, we have the teaching and learning May 6th meeting. Myself, Mrs. Huby here will do the report for this one. Um let's see. Teaching learning subcommittee was held on May 4th or was it May 6th? May the >> May 4th. Okay, this is wrong. That's right. One of them is wrong. Uh May 4th, uh Assistant Superintendent Dr. Erin Perkins, um North Quinsey High School principal Dan Gilbert and human resource director Dan Cosgrove gave a review of the Air Force Junior ROC program at North Quinsey High School. Retired Master Sergeant Dorenzo is planning to retire at the end of the school year and unless a qualified Air Force retiree
156is interested in the vacancy. The program will conclude with will conclude with the school year. Mr. Cosgrove reviewed the qualifications needed to fill this program. Retired from Air Force with significant years of experience, certified and willing to transfer transition into teaching. The North Quinsey High School position has been posted for more than two years with the most recent candidate departing two weeks into the school year in September. Given these factors, there is little likelihood of finding a qualified candidate by the start of the school year. Um, we also had senior director curriculum senior director of curriculum Michael Morani. He presented a review of artificial in artificial intelligence in the Quincsey public schools starting with a review of opportunities personalized and differentiated learning increased efficiencies of educators support of students skill skill development and exposure to
157the real world tools and technology. These minutes can be found in full on the website and I do not see any corrections since the date is correct. All right. Next on the agenda we are going into executive session. motion during executive session. >> The purpose of contract negotiations, we will not be returning to regular session. >> Okay. I have a motion of a second by Miss Campbell. I need a roll call vote. >> Miss Gahill. >> Yes. >> Miss Campbell. Yes. >> Mrs. Hubley. Yes. >> Mr. Le Young. Yes. >> Mrs. Perios. And Mayo. >> Yes. Thanks everybody. Clear the room.