001I'd like to call the uh joint facilities security and transportation and teaching and learning subcommittee meeting to order. Please turning it over to the superintendent. >> Thank you. Good evening everyone. Uh just uh we'll read the uh typical statement we do um for the convening of subcommittees. This joint subcommittee meeting is not a meeting of the whole school committee. Therefore, per open meeting law only subcommittee members may discuss, deliberate and vote on matters before the subcommittee. The subcommittee meeting me members are as follows. For teaching and learning, chair Emily Lebo, Paul Begali, and Cath Katherine Hubli. and for facilities chair Katherine Hubli, Tina Cahill, and Dutro. >> Thank you. Um, so we're here to discuss the reopening of the AM Alio Deakza Early Childhood Center for Prek kindergarten classes and Lincoln Hancock Community School kindergarten
002classes. Does anybody want to discuss this? Um, I have a couple of things I'd like to start with, but would anybody prefer? So, I I went looking at this from a teaching and learning perspective. Uh, and today I cho I actually went on to the school tube YouTube site and watched the meeting again [clears throat] so that I could really hear it from that point of view and having the principal back in my ear talking about the challenges that she faces and so many of the educators face in that building and being able to give kids an equitable space um to learn. And some of the in some of the pictures, I'm sure you remember what some of the pictures look like where they're they're actually in hallways and in little cubby holes trying to
003teach students without walls and um supply services for special needs students without walls and they've already had a problem and had to move one of their pre kind kindergarten their transitional kindergarten class out because they didn't have enough room for it. So those kids are already moved out of their neighborhood and are are no longer being able to be served. So I know that we have a lot of facilities challenges um in the district. I I think we have full schools. We heard that the other night when we had a school that we would have liked to have maybe put another classroom in, but there wasn't another classroom to put that school in. And so I think that you people on this body in the future are going to have to really do some discussions
004about facilities moving forward and and potentially looking at redistricting. But I think for this particular thing, the right thing to do for these children, these students, these students, the children, the teachers, especially the parents, is to make sure that they have spaces that are safe and able to be in safe safe instructional spaces for them. And I don't believe after hearing her again while watching that video, she she doesn't feel as adequate. And so she's the leader of the building and she's got 400 500 kids down there, 450 kids and uh 500 >> 550 kids. Uh it's asking an awful lot to do to do the right thing by those kids under those circumstances. So for me, I am definitely going to support this from a teaching and learning point of point of view knowing
005that there are there are uh facilities issues that have to be addressed at some point in time. Anyone else? say um on the point of from the facilities perspective of that um I can completely agree um we did hear that it is a great need for space over there can't have as we hear on the back of in our pamphlet here with the main concerns um people from outside the building have to come in through the space to reach the stairs to the main office three classrooms are not behind any locked door space and hightra areas I mean these main concerns and hearing that there are classrooms in the hallway. These are main concerns and we heard them from the principal and from a facility's perspective. This is not okay and if this is the
006way we can fix that, we need to go forward. So, I agree wholeheartedly. >> Mr. Gro, >> I' I've got three comments that that I want to make. one, we spent the last six weeks in teaching and learning and subcommittee meetings of the whole discussing the the PIPS as we often do. At the last meeting, uh, Mrs. Perios objected to the uh, Delicia proposal saying that it should be discussed in subcommittee. And so my feeling is that it's either poor planning or by design that the only person that really had a discussion, wanted to talk about it, can't sit at the table during the subcommittee meetings to discuss it. So when we do talk about it at the whole committee, she deserves the right to ask those questions. But I I I think it would
007have been fair if she if we called the committee the whole because there's only one person sitting in the audience tonight and that's Mrs. B. >> The mayor also. >> Yeah, mayor's not here. Well, >> he's sitting in the office around the corner. >> Well, they could both sit with us. >> Um, but but this is going to be brought back to the full committee. >> No, I know. But I'm just saying that that that that was the whole purpose that we're having this meeting. This meeting wasn't pre-planned. There was an objection at the last meeting. There was a request by a member that we do a subcommittee meeting and have a discussion. And I just think it would have been reasonable to have both of them here. I'm going to leave it at that.
008>> That's on me. But what what happened was we knew that we had to the objection was that it wasn't discussed in the teaching and learning subcommittee meeting. That was the objection. >> Yeah. But we set up a joint subcommittee that has six members instead of seven, you know. So >> if I if I may, um this is something that was brought up in policy. We we made a policy about this and if this is something that we should be revisiting in policy to change our policy. Um but this is how we set it up was so that the people who were at the meeting in the subcommittee would speak when it was a discussion. Yeah. And if there's no presenter which we do not have a presenter then that was why the sips and
009the pips were having a presenter and that was why it was a meeting of the fall. That was my understanding of how we came to that conclusion in policy and how we stated the policy and made the policy that way. >> So that's my understand we can revisit it in policy if something that the committee feels that we should do >> and Mrs. Lebo and I will be off and you can decide what you want to do. And I agree with the three member subcommittee and all that. But we did again just sit through subcommittee meetings that were meetings of the whole and and the the only member that asked to have a discussion the ability to say something and she will get that opportunity when we have the full school committee meeting. But it
010feel it just feels a little petty to me that we didn't give her the opportunity to sit at the meeting and discuss it. That that's number one. Number two, um, and this is just a reflection going forward, the these are big picture issues that, you know, I I feel like instead of reacting to individual proposals that the school committee should look at these big picture, sit back, take a reflection, plan a little bit, think a little bit, and have a discussion about prek or kindergarten on the whole, not not necessarily sight specific. Again, I'll be long gone. That'll be a discussion and and a consideration for the future body to think about, but I think it's a healthy thing instead of simply reacting to proposals that come before us when we're not looking at the
011whole system uh and and how we want to do it. That being said, if you remember the strategic planning meeting that we had with the Mass Association of School Committees, we all got put stickies and what were our priorities and the most important things to us and mine was was prek. Mine was prek. I put that as number one. So, am I going to support adding preK in in the Delicaza school? Yes, I will. But it would have been a nice healthy discussion if we could have had a bigger picture talk about prek citywide and have an opportunity to talk about locations instead of just reacting to a s single proposal. So those are the three points that I want to make that I think it would have been uh more respectful and productive if
012the person that asked for the subcommittee had the opportunity to speak. Number two, if we looked at a little bit more strategically and number three that again prek was my number one priority. So I'll support it because prek was my priority. >> Anyone else? >> I do. >> Thank you, Mr. Gro. Um I support this um initiative be for a couple of reasons. One um the building's there. Lincoln Hancock is busting at the seams. We're going to take six kindergarten classrooms from Lincoln Hancock and open space. So it's not an issue of a whole district. You know, this is an immediate space um academic issue that needs to be addressed now. Okay. in terms of looking at the district on a whole at some point. That's something that we need to do in facilities and
013with with the superintendent and and the SLT team to see where we're going to be looking at in terms of um projected um growth for students, how many students we're going to have and how if St. Mary's comes on board. So, it's the whole big picture. This is a no-brainer in in the respect that we have the building. It's going to be um revamped so that we can have six kindergarten classes taken out of Lincoln Hancock. We're going to have one transitional kindergarten class that's over at Athetherton how that's a Lincoln Hancock districted um base. The the kids are from that district. They're going to come back to their own neighborhood and we're going to have, I think, six classrooms available for prek, opening up another five prek classrooms and have one extra classroom to
014to um take a, you know, take a look at in case the the numbers grow or whatever. We'll have some space for growth there, too. So, I mean, I don't think it's um in terms of Mrs. Partial, she's going to have plenty of time to make her points and ask her questions at the um full body. So, in terms of being here in subcommittee, I think that this is a proposal that I would I I don't think that I will support because it's an immediate need and and issue for the um for the district. >> Mr. >> Yeah, this is as Mrs. Kale said, this is an immediate need. There's um no question we have uh space issues at Lincoln Hancock and we have a building that's available. It just it it's just common sense
015for us to to move the kids over to the dela. Uh so I'm going to be voting in support of this uh initiative. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Regali. Anybody else want to speak on this at all? So, um, yeah, I for me it's definitely looking at the academics and hearing that principal's voice in my head again today and talking about how she really I mean they're doing a very good job over there, but imagine what they could be doing if the kids had the space they needed to be. And look what we just did with the Sparro Center and created the most beautiful thing. I'm sure that the assistant superintendent, the superintendent, and the mayor will make sure that the deleza, if we can get it up and running, will be
016just as beautiful for those kids. And also getting more kids out of the substantially separate classrooms. That's heartbreaking to me that we can't get them into integrated classrooms because we don't have the space. So getting those kids out because does you you were right when you said it sets them on a track. It's hard to it's hard to move them out of that and not get them back into general ed. So okay. So um do we have to vote on this? >> Yes to send it to the full committee >> separate separately the visionary and then the >> can vote it's a joint um meeting so you can vote jointly. So you need a motion and a second and then all in favor. >> Okay. >> I think if we vote if we vote jointly
017though isn't that too many votes? >> Say that again >> then which if that's >> I think we should vote separately because I think it's too many votes we vote at the same time. Yes. separately. So then we'll set the for teaching and learning. >> Yeah. So I would entertain a motion from someone on the teaching and learning subcommittee. Mrs. Brigali, seconded by Mrs. Hubley. Um and would you call the >> uh Mrs. Lebo? >> Yes. >> Mr. Begali? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Hubley? >> Yes. >> And then another vote for facilities. >> Make a motion. >> Uh Mrs. Hubley. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Cahill. >> Yes. >> Mr. Gatro. >> Yes. You're in the meeting. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> I'd like to call to order the um regular meeting of the Quinsey
018School Committee for Wednesday, December 10th um at 20 at 6:30 p.m. Um call to order, please. >> Mr. regards >> preschool student representative Sasha >> and North Quincy High School student representative Michael. >> Can we stand for the pledge of allegiance, please? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all >> superintendent do no memorials. Thank you. >> Is there anyone here tonight for open forum? >> Okay, so we'll move on. Um, superintendent report. >> Good evening, everyone. Uh, tonight we gather to honor a person whose name has become synonymous with dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of our students and staff. Mr. Michael Draio. [applause] Michael's career with the
019Quinsey public schools spans an extraordinary 30 years, but his story here begins long before he he ever stepped into the role many of us know him for today. He first joined our district as a physical education teacher, bringing with him an energy and passion that inspired students to push themselves, to grow, and to believe in their own potential. And while most of us would consider one full-time job more than enough, Michael was never most people. At the same time he was teaching during the day and coaching various QPS sports teams. He spent his nights serving the community as a deputy sheriff for the North County Sheriff's Office. That dual commitment tells you everything you need to know about the kind of person Michael is. Someone who never hesitates to step up, someone who serves wherever
020he is needed, and someone who carries a deep sense of duty in everything he does. In 2008, the Quincsey Public Schools made a decision that would shape the next era of our district's culture of safety. Selecting Mr. Dracio to serve as the director of safety, security, and transportation is a role that demands vigilance, patience, compassion, and often quick thinking in moments of uncertainty. And over the past 17 years, Michael has shown us what it looks like when someone leads with all of those qualities and more. Michael has overseen the security and transportation needs of a district responsible for thousands of young people every single day. He has done so with a calm presence, a steady hand, and a depth of knowledge that gave us all confidence. Even in the most challenging circumstances, his leadership was
021especially critical during the CO 19 pandemic, a time when the world seemed to change overnight. Schools everywhere faced unprecedented questions about safety. But here in Quinsey, we had Michael. He worked tirelessly to navigate constantly shifting guidance, to design safe transportation plans, to adapt security protocols, and to make sure that every student and every staff member had what they needed to feel protected and supported. During one of the most difficult chapters in modern education, Michael helped keep our district grounded, prepared, and moving forward. Throughout all of it, every long night, every complicated decision, every unexpected challenge, Michael's priority never wavered. He has always placed the safety, security, and well-being of our students and staff above all else. This is not simply part of his job description. It is part of who he is. Today, as he
022retires, we celebrate not only his accomplishments, but the legacy he leaves behind. A legacy of stronger systems, safer schools, and a district that knows what it means to care for its community. A legacy built on integrity, service, and heart. Michael, on behalf of the Quinsey Public Schools, we thank you for your years of service, for your leadership, for your sacrifices, and for the countless ways you've made our schools better and safer. Your impact will be felt for many years to come. We wish you a retirement filled with rest, joy, adventure, and all the things you finally have time to enjoy. You have earned every moment of it. Congratulations, and thank you. [applause] >> [applause] [applause] >> Anyone want to say anything? >> Yes. >> Do you want Mayor? >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, Michael,
023uh, Kevin, the superintendent, uh, said it all. Um, however, I would add to that in a sense of you interacted with several city departments, namely the police department, but several of those police departments, you always had a professional way about you. I know each of them respected you and worked very well together. We're one city and you recognize that in your role working with others. Uh, I have fond memories of your dad and the long public service that your family has been in involved in. So, little something celebrating our Quincy 400 uh from the from the mayor and the members of the school committee. We wish you all the best and I'm sure we'll see you around. Thank you, Michael. >> Hold on. >> Thank you. Yeah. Now, I just um as I've said as
024members of the leadership team have have got up how spectacular the leadership team is. Mike has been uh terrific. He is a a fellow basketball junkie and we we talk about basketball uh oftentimes, but the mayor pointed out his professionalism which I think is incredible, impeccable. And you go across the city and and you see Mike Draio everywhere, but most importantly, when you need him, he's there. He shows up. Um always available 247. I don't know when the guy sleeps, you know. Um, and Courtney pointed out that, you know, she's never seen him doing anything but standing, you know, because he's always on the move. He's got somewhere um that he he wants to go because he's looking out for the city. So, it's just been a privilege to work with Mike and know Mike
025over the years, and I I don't I don't know how he's going to sit still in retirement. I can't imagine that that's going to happen, but I wish him nothing but the best. >> Mrs. Leo, >> so yeah, thank you. I think I've known Mike as long as he's been here because we've both been here that long. But, uh, it's absolutely true. You are always there. As soon as you walk into the building, you're greeted by Mike. As soon as we walk into this place, he's always here. When we're here, he's the last one to leave. Always. Always. And there before anybody gets there. And really gives us all a sense, especially when things have been tense, give us all a sense of calmness and security. So, I know that was your role and it
026worked out well. And I just appreciate all your time. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um, thank you, Mike, for all your years of service. Um, you know, as head of transportation and security, you are the top person responsible for the safety of 10,000 kids in our schools every day and you don't take that uh role lightly. Um, professionalism, I think everyone has mentioned and I wrote that down as the first thing I was going to say in my comments, always professional, always serious. um never taken this lightly and uh you know the role you have and you do it impeccably and you just always take it seriously. So I appreciate that as having three kids in the system. I feel safer knowing um that you're leading the train on that and the protocols and the
027the staff on that. So I appreciate that. Um and I do hope you get to sit down. We talked about these chairs that school committee members get and that you don't get a chair and I said well he doesn't sit anyway so he doesn't really need a chair, right? So, I do hope you get to sit down on something and uh play with your dogs and take a minute and um as uh superintendent said and you've earned you've earned it um more so and uh we just so appreciate you. Thank you, >> Mr. Boli. >> Coach, >> uh you're going to be missed. Uh you're you're a fixture here. You you've always been here for us. Uh you've always been here for the city. Your dad left you a legacy and you carried it on.
028Uh we're not going to name a square in your honor, but [laughter] uh maybe we'll do something other other than that. But um I I I I consider you a friend. Uh and over the years, you've been that person to me. Um and I appreciate that very much. It means more than you know, especially from a fellow Italian. Mhm. >> Um, the only thing I'm concerned about is who's going to take over the candy. [laughter] >> That's one of the first places I go to in the >> when I come uh into the office. >> It shows. >> Yeah. [laughter] >> I'll have you know I've I'm under 190 now >> from 200 and something. So, >> thanks for that update. [laughter] Mike, I really appreciate you and your friendship over the years and really
029going to miss you. Good luck, >> Michael. Congratulations. I'm going to miss you on Monday's pulling up to the driveway and dropping off the agenda on Monday afternoons. Um, I hope that this gives you the time now to finally take that trip to Italy that you've been hoping to take. Um, and I'm sure we're going to see you and we'll see you around the city. So, thank you for everything. Thank you. >> All set. >> Yeah. Do you want to take a picture, Mike, with us? You mind? >> Do you want to say anything? >> Um, real quick. I'll try to make it quick. He was prepared. >> Um, no. I just put some bullets down here. So, uh, first of all, um, I want to thank my wife who's had to put up with
030uh, a real lot. Um, especially my wife Kerry not being around all those times, uh, games, sport, sporting events, weekends, all these meetings that we have. Um, she just didn't have me around. And, you know, I've never said no to her. I'll tell you that though. That's the one thing I tell all the guys. Just, uh, if you're going to be doing this kind of stuff and you're working as many hours as you do, she wants something, I always say yes, no problem. So, um, just want to say to her that, uh, I love you to the moon and back. That's my saying to her. So, Carrie, again, once again, I love you to the moon and back. Um, to Superintendent Mauvy, uh, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Perkins, I want to thank you for your leadership,
031uh, your guidance and your friendship. Kevin, uh, Superintendent Mauvy and I, we started on the same day actually in the administration field and we did so much work together um, over the years and I really appreciate your friendship as well. Uh, Dr. Perkins, I can tell you that you were a student when I started out and uh I had the opportunity to be at Quincsey High School at that time and I was just finished starting up and uh got a chance to coach Dr. Perkins husband Sean uh in basketball. So, um it's been uh it's it's a little crazy just uh this came back came up to me so fast. Um I want to thank uh all of the school committee members. I think consider you all my friends. Uh I appreciate everything you do
032for the city uh as much as possible. Uh and then obviously I want to thank the mayor. The mayor uh who definitely believed in me and felt that uh you know I could do this job. I really appreciate that. Um I wanted to say to you that you know your leadership in the city is second to none to any city around this the state of Massachusetts. Um the city never looked better under your leadership. So I really appreciate that and I appreciate your friendship. Uh to all my colleagues, SLT members back here. Uh I know how hard you work every day. Um, it's incredible to be able to do what you do each and every day and work as hard as you do and not get, you know, rest like we say, like everybody was
033saying, um, kind of laugh because when that was brought up about not sleeping, uh, the best hours I ever got in my life asleep was when I was doing both jobs and, uh, I slept from 6:00 at night to 10:00 at night to have to get into go to work at the sheriff's office. Um, so those four hours were a solid four hours of out cold sleep. So pretty incredible. Um, I also want to say uh that I work with so many people over the years. Um, principles, teachers, all kinds of staff in the school department. All great people. All done a tremendous job over the years. Worked very hard with them. I want to thank the security staff that's worked for me, bus drivers, all my office staff. Um, definitely want to say uh
034to Bob Cavalo who's uh one of our city IT guys. I also had him in school and coached him. Uh he's done a great job working with me over the years and he really deserves a lot of credit for helping me with all the technology stuff that I really didn't know much about. Um lastly, um I know that the mayor touched on it too as well and uh extremely extremely important um about working with all the different agencies in the city, Quincsey Police Department with you know uh Chief Keenan former former chief and now Chief Kennedy and all the members there all these school resource officers that I've worked with over the years uh Quincy Fire Department. I think I can go back with started out with Chief Pentelli and then it was uh Chief
035Baron, Chief Katigan, Chief Jackson and now Chief Smith. So been a lot of great great people I've worked with there. Brewster ambulance and and uh Chris Bonner uh the public building staff, the DPW staff, the TPL TPAL staff, the parks, the fire alarm division, city and school IT. Um just incredible. Uh so many people you touch and work with on a regular basis. I want to thank Laura Owens also who uh helped me out a lot, I must say. Um, and um, couple other people I wanted to thank that uh, I work with, coaches, John Francescini, Ray Peele, uh, Bob Sylvia, and Christine Friendville. They're all people that I work with and had inspiration in my life, too. So, I'm going to leave it at this. This holiday season, um, I I love this season.
036It's my favorite time of the year. Got to see the tree lighting, get to see the parade. Great great events in the city. Um, I'm a Quincy guy. Don't want to ever leave. uh grew up in Quinsey, went to the school system all uh all all through the school system and decided to buy a home here and never never left and I want to stay here forever. But um a quote from my favorite Christmas movie um and I just want to say no man is a failure who has friends and I think everybody knows that movie. It's a Wonderful Life. So thank you so much. Appreciate it. [applause] Good job. All set. Okay. Again, congratulations, Mike. Uh, next is our school committee member recognitions. It is now my honor to recognize and celebrate Doug Gatro
037for his eight years of dedicated service to the Quinsey school committee. eight years of thoughtful leadership, hard work, and deep commitment to the students, families, and educators of our city. When Doug joined the school committee, he brought with him not only a passion for public education, but also a datadriven approach to leadership, one that sought to understand challenges through evidence, analysis, and open dialogue. Doug has always been the person to ask the tough questions, to dig deeper into the numbers, and to make sure every decision was grounded in what would be best for all of the students and families of Quinsey, both today and for generations to come. Over the past eight years, Doug has helped guide our schools through an extraordinary period of challenge, progress, and growth. Under his tenure, the city has made
038historic investments in educational facilities, projects that will shape learning for decades ahead. The opening of the Southwest Middle School and the Dr. Richtor Christopharro Learning Center stands as a testament to that vision. Modern, inclusive, and forward-looking schools designed to meet the needs of all learners. And now, as construction continues on the new Squanum Elementary School, Doug's legacy continues to take shape, literally in bricks, classrooms, and playgrounds that will welcome future generations of Quinsey students. But Doug's impact extends well beyond buildings. He has championed the development of new curricula that reflect both rigor and relevance, ensuring Quinsey students are prepared not only for academic success, but for the challenges of an everchanging world. Recognizing the grow the growing diversity of our community, Doug was also a steadfast advocate for expand expanded translation and communication services, helping
039to make our schools more accessible and inclusive for all families. His efforts have strengthened trust, transparency, and engagement across our city. Through it all, Doug's service has reflected the best of what public leadership can be. Principled, pragmatic, and deeply rooted in care for the community. Doug, on behalf of the Quinsey School Committee, the Quinsey Public Schools, and the families we serve, we thank you for your tireless work, your thoughtful insight, and your unwavering belief in the power of education. Your legacy is not only in the new schools that stand across our city, but in the stronger, more equitable, and more connected school system that you've helped to build. Congratulations. Thank you for your eight years of remarkable service. Congratulations. [applause] Thanks, Doug. I I get to go first, I guess. Uh so, Doug, I just
040want to say that I've enjoyed our many years of friendship and getting the chance to serve with you as a colleague on the school committee. I uh I've always appreciated your um thoughtful consideration of the issues and your steady focus on data and evidence and outcomes. You listen and your comments are always insightful and concise, something that I have yet ma yet to master. But uh I I always they're very very um pointed and and purposeful and and thoughtful. Um and I very much appreciate that. And uh I also want to thank you for your 22 years of service to Quinsey on the city side and the school side. and Quinsey is definitely better because of your voice and your advocacy and I wish you all the best on your next chapter. Sure will be
041seen but thank you. >> So Doug really uh one of the things everything that the superintendent and Miss Pertio said about you I agree with one of the things that really was meant the most to me is I could call you. I could always call you and when when I there was something I just wanted to flesh out a little bit more or talk about I could always call you. you were always available to have a conversation with and uh I really appreciate that and the friendship that developed because of that because I really that that meant so much to me knowing that I could call you and just tell you what I was thinking and bounce stuff off you. Um so I really appreciate those all that all of that and um you you
042were great on this committee with us. You really were. You called us on the carpet a few times u but really you were great. So I really appreciate everything. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, I concur with the remarks made by my colleagues in the superintendent. Uh, Doug, we've, uh, we've worked together behalf of the city for a long time. Uh, going back to your time in the council, my time in the park department, uh, Department of Natural Resources. Uh, and like like Emily, you could always have a a respectful discussion about issues and disagree, but not be disagreeable. um which is something lacking in today's political world unfortunately. So um in a way hate to see you leave the scene but um you've served the city well the city that you love. Um
043and I know how proud of you of your boys you are. Uh I appreciate the uh the years of service we work together and I wish you all the best. >> I just reiterate everything everyone said. Um, thank you for your service to Quinsey, especially, you know, all the years that you spent on the council and the school committee. And it's not easy, you know, it's it's uh it's difficult when you have to think about all the issues and and find ways to be able to collaborate with everyone for the for the best outcomes that we can uh come up with. And um thank you for like Emily said um being able to get on the phone and talk through some issues and and um be able to understand protocol and all the government experience
044you have and how how meetings are are run and stuff like that. I will miss that. Um and good luck with your next um continued government service. You have a long long life left and we'll be watching from afar. Thank you. >> I just have one monthly qu question for you. Which is harder? which is more work. School committee and the city council. The truth which is more work, more homework emails a day and I probably generated that myself just by the newsletters and the communication. But um but it's a labor of love. It's all labor of love, you know. >> Well, you did great job both places. So, thank you. >> I learned a lot. [laughter] Yeah. I I'll just say a few short things. So, I am in incredibly humbled to have had
045the opportunity to both be a city counselor and then subsequently serve on the school committee. Um, I think I've got more out of that experience personally and professionally than I've given back. I've met a tremendous amount of incredible people. you know, like um like Mike said, his love for the city and and everybody here has a love for the city. Uh and I know most of you know my my son Scotty's middle name is Quinsey, you know. So, um uh immense pride, you know, I I've taught as an adjunct professor at Suffach University for 20 years. So, I value uh the educators that we have in the system. the, you know, I sit here and I think about the professionalism, the intelligence, the dedication of the school committee and it it it feels like when
046I was on the city council that when one of you speak um it gives me pause because I know that you have something different and you might see something different that I didn't see. So hopefully I've always been open-minded and pragmatic and and willing to change based on the insight and uh experience that all of you had. So I appreciate the mentorship that you've given. Uh I I've you know when you have two kids that go through the system when you yourself go through the system and then you sit here you have a different vantage point of the system and the uh the superintendent the deputy superintendent the leadership team extraordinary like you don't see that necessarily as a parent or um even on the city council but when you're immersed in it and then
047uh really the teacher in the education that I have in so many areas of education policy over the last years last eight years have been extraordinary and and uh I I have great pride I have great uh appreciation for the work that you all do. You know the uh when I was just a dad I or a city council I value the principles and the educators but I see it through a different lens today. Um, and you really get to see the big picture of the whole school system. And, uh, you know, I'm proud of of the work that the mayor and the school committee, uh, superintendent, the deputy superintendent, the leadership team, and each of those principles that came up here over the last two weeks, um, and what they do day in day
048out, the passion, the dedication. You know, I I think uh QPS has a phenomenal school system and I got the opportunity over the last eight years to meet some of the most dedicated, committed, bright, professional, creative people uh in the education field and I'll be forever grateful. So, thank you. [applause] Yeah. Wait, wait. Okay. >> Thank you. >> Tonight, we also gather to honor someone whose leadership and unwavering commitment have shaped the Quincsey School Committee for more than a decade. For 14 years, Emily Lebo has served on the Quinsey School Committee with distinction, purpose, and heart. Her impact on our schools, our educators, and most importantly, our students is lasting and immeasurable. Emily's school committee service began with a simple but profound belief that every child deserves access to exceptional educational opportunities. From her earliest
049days on the committee, she worked tirelessly to strengthen the structure and effectiveness of our governance. Both as a member and as a member of the school committee and vice chair of the school committee, Emily helped shape a culture of collaboration, transparency, and thoughtful decision-making that will benefit generations of students to come. Her leadership extended deeply into the academic core of our district. Emily established and skillfully chaired the teaching and learning subcommittee, ensuring that instructional quality, curriculum enhancement, and student outcomes remain central to the committee's work. Through her guidance, Quinsey strengthened its commitment not only to what students learn, but how they learn. Always focused on improvement, Emily championed a revamp of both the program improvement and school improvement plan presentation process processes. Her insistence on clarity, accountability, and meaningful reflection elevated these reports from routine
050documents into powerful tools for strategic progress. Because of her leadership, schools today engage in more thoughtful planning, more productive dialogue, and more datadriven improvement efforts. Emily's advocacy extended far beyond traditional academics. Her strong and vocal support for Quinsey's Korean and vocational technical education programs, helped expand pathways that empower students to discover their talents, develop real world skills, and enter adulthood with confidence. She understood that education must open doors and she made sure Quinsey offered many. Her leadership was never more critical than during the CO 19 pandemic. In a time of uncertainty, confusion and unprecedented challenge, Emily was a steady hand. She worked to support students and families navigating remote learning to ensure educators had the tools they needed and to advocate for safe, responsible decision-making. Her compassion and clarity helped guide the district through one
051of the most difficult moments in its history. And of course, Emily's imprint can be seen across the city in the very buildings where children learn each day. She played a vital role in the construction of several transformative new schools, Central Middle School, Southwest Middle School, the Dr. Rick de Christopharro Learning Center, and the soon to open new Squanum Elementary School. These buildings are more than brick and mortar. They are vibrant, modern learning centers that will serve Quinsey students for generations. They stand as a testament to her foresight, her advocacy, and her belief in the importance of creating spaces spaces worthy of our children. Emily Lebo's legacy is one of service, leadership, and deep care for the Quinsey community. For 14 years on the committee, she has given her time, her expertise, her voice, and her
052heart to our schools. She leaves them stronger, more innovative, more equitable than she found them. On behalf of the city, its educators, its families, and its students, past, present, and future. Thank you, Emily, for your dedication, your vision, and your extraordinary service. Your work has made a difference, and it will continue to make a difference for many years to come. And I would also like to recognize Emily's husband, Stu Lebo, is here, and her son and her grandchildren as well. So, if we could have a round OF APPLAUSE, EMILY. [applause] >> [applause] >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. UM, if I could add to those very eloquent remarks, uh, Emily, I've known you a long time. You're an early supporter when I stepped into the arena. Um, certainly grateful for that friendship over the years, and
053we've certainly worked together outside of here between the garden club and your recycling work and all those other special projects. But, um, I I felt with you up here, um, in your experience and background, you made everybody better. um you pushed without being um critical. You challenged um without taking anything personal. Um, you I remember the old uh remember the old EF Hutton, you know, when when Emily spoke, you listened because you came from a place you were there, you served. I tremendous background, your educator. I wish we had some Emily Leos at the state department of education to understand you got to take all those pieces, but make it practical uh and make it real. And uh so I'm grateful for your service. The cities are better, the school system is better because of
054your service. and I appreciate your friendship. I wish all the best. >> Thank you. I am honored and proud to have gotten the opportunity to serve with you, Emily. Um Emily is my friend and my neighbor, so I know she's not going anywhere to me. I'll see her around the neighborhood in the garden club and um Stafford, Stafford Park, her thing. Um, but um, Emily is a wealth of knowledge and I have picked her brain on numerous occasions and I know when I call she answers the phone and when I text she answers the text and many times and I will not stop doing that. So that's fair warning if you're in Jamaica or Australia I'm still going to be calling and texting you. So I'm very proud to work with you. >> Thank you
055Emily. I've always valued your deep knowledge of the Quinsey school system. Um your focus, incredible focus on the chapter 70 programs and all that that entails. There's so much and you know so much about it and are such a great advocate for those programs and the tech vocation opportunities we have. Um in special ed, same thing. Um the opportunities and pushing your you know your your advocacy for the [clears throat] excuse me the RDLC um and just curriculum and and staying focused on student learning um is just fantastic. you've been a strong voice for Quinsey students for um you know over a decade and I just I thank you for your time on here. I thank you for giving your service to be on here to do that work. Um we haven't always agreed on
056every issue but um every time we disagree we I I feel like we have a shared respect for each other and our opinions um and that doesn't always happen and I appreciate that uh to come out at the end of the day and still be able to call you a friend. So I appreciate your time uh on here and your work on here and I wish you the best in whatever is to come for you and your family. Are we good? Yeah. So, from my perch on the city council, I admired Emily. I thought, um, that she epitomized what a school committee member should be. Um and then when I had the uh privilege to serve here, I I find that she's not only been an incredible mentor to me. Um but the institutional memory
057that she has that others have said uh and shared and uh just the the context and and the details and uh her love and passion around curriculum and understanding how it all weaves together. And a lot of the questions that she asks uh either in the program improvement plans or the school improvement plans uh really show a depth of knowledge what it's like inside the classroom and uh through a lens that only a teacher can see and um and it's helpful and instructive I think to the rest of the committee to hear when Emily speaks on some of those issues. Um, as the mayor said, it brings us all up and and it really did bring us up. And you know, there's a reason why mask acknowledged and recognized you last year for your leadership
058uh statewide because you are exactly that. And your departure is going to be a big loss, I think, for the school committee and QPS, but the service and the legacy that you have left is incredible. So, I'm just privileged. I hope we still stay in touch and work together on some level in some place. So, I wish you well, >> Emily. Oh, I'll let you go, Paul. Go ahead. >> Thanks. >> Go ahead. >> Age before beauty. [laughter] >> All right, I'll go. It's Christmas, but this is a sad day for Quinsey Public Schools because both Emily and Doug have been an integral part of this committee for years and have made contribution to the city, the children and parents of the city. Neither job is a glamorous job. You don't do it for uh
059the opportunity to get in front of a camera and say, "Here I am." You do it because of service. And it's what's important to note is their years of service. Doug has uh 22 years of service to the city and Emily 30. That's remarkable to put that amount of time in uh for for really um not much in terms of getting something back. Um but each of you have brought a unique part of yourselves to the to the committee. uh you both did your homework. You were always prepared, offered your perspective uh uh and and on issues that uh were important to the committee. Uh you were both professional in every way and it was an honor to work with you both and call you my colleague and friends. I respect you both and I
060for one will miss you both. Thank you very much for your service. Thanks. [laughter] >> I'm gonna miss you so much. You don't even know. I really am. Um you've been a a great example of what a school committee member should be. Um open-minded. You have your indepth experience, academic experience, which is invaluable to someone like me. when people come on school committee or when they're running for school committee, I think to Doug's point, you don't really understand the depth of the work that you're going to be looking at and being involved in. And having you there to be able to um again, like you said, make a phone call, talk through issues, and try to come up with what's best for the the students, the faculty and staff and families. and and your commitment
061not only to education, but your commitment to Quinsey and the families and the students in the city is really going to be missed up here, but I'm going to miss you a lot. So, um I'm sad to see you go, but I'm glad to see you go. Hopefully, enjoy your family and uh get some travel and and take time for yourself. So, thank you. Thank you for everything. Uh so um I actually started my career in this district in 1987 as a teacher and um I still see my students in the city. Uh I bumped into one of them at Coups one day when I bumped into the mayor. She's been an operating room nurse for 25 years. Uh it's just an incredible it was an incredible thing. And then my my time as an
062administrator, I really discovered that as much as I love teaching, I loved helping teachers. I wanted to do anything I could for a teacher. That's that was what I wanted to do. Anything they needed. Um because they are so incredibly hardworking. They really are. Uh and it it's it's just been a joy. It really has been a joy to be able to to to see all aspects of it and to work with so many incredible people, not just the school committee, but previous school committees and certainly with the SLT. Um, I used to sit on the SLC. It's a lot more robust now than it was in those days. Um, but it was uh it's just a it really is a pleasure and I'm not going anywhere because you see that guy, he's in the
063first grade. [laughter] He's in the first grade at Marry Mount. Phil's in the sixth grade at at Central. And I've got three other kids in the schools, still in the schools. Two have just graduated. And um one of them is at ski practice now for the ski team. So I'm not going anywhere. And I I have just enjoyed working at so much with all of you. And I really am grateful to the uh to the citizens for for electing me and giving me this chance to serve the city, which I also love. And I would like to go someplace different or a little smaller, but my husband will never leave the house. [laughter] We'll be stuck in that big house forever. So >> thank you. Move the chair in the middle. Yes. >> [snorts] >>
064And I I do want to point out that um both Mr. Gatro and Mrs. Lebo have received chairs in recognition of their service to the Quinsey public schools. The chairs are have the Quinsey public school seal and the years of service as well. So again, congratulations to both of you. Thank you. Next on the agenda is student recognitions. Congratulations to the winners of the annual Quinsey Sun Christmas Poster Contest. The winning students were invited to ride on a float in the recent Quinsey Christmas parade and their posters are displayed in the windows of the Quinsey Sun offices on Hancock Street. For grades 1 through three, Ariela Thai from Lincoln Hancock. Uh, grade two first place, Ida Idant Panda from Clifford Marshall. Grade three, second place, Ununice Woo from Wall, grade two, third place. For grades
065four through five, Prana Singh from Point Webster, grade five first place. Cathic Musenuru from Southwest, grade five, second place. Quinsey Catholic Academy, grade four. Student Olivia Lynn won third place. Congratulations to all of these students. And thank you to the Quinsey son for as always supporting our students in this great initiative. And lastly, the QNQ band and color guard at the city of Quinsey's recent Christmas parade. The QNQ band took uh best percussion, best color god and overall music, visual and effect. The students also won best overall band for the fifth year in a row. Congratulations to the QNQ band and color god on this incredible achievement. Congratulations everybody. Uh with that, that ends the superintendent's report. >> Thank you. Um, next on the agenda, we have old business, which is the reopening of the
066Amelia Amelio Delicasa Early Childhood Center for new pre kindergarten classes at Lincoln Hancock Community School kindergarten classes. Uh, Mayor Ko, would you like to say anything? >> Uh, certainly I I support the the plan that's been put in front of us uh by the superintendent and his team. And I know there's been discussions about this for months. I know we've discussed it before as a school committee and I know we've had the opportunity to discuss it with the superintendent. We have a challenge before us. Um [snorts] there some of you met before uh this meeting in subcommittee to discuss that we have a challenge of having kindergarten classes in hallways at Lincoln Hancock School. Um and uh this is a great opportunity to alleviate that. uh that to me that's the immediate issue in front
067of us and we'll also get the bonus of getting extra classes for pre kindergarten. We know we have got weight list for prek uh as well. So I support the plan uh from go from here once the school committee makes a vote I will be instructing my commissioner of public buildings um to put together he's already working on it but essentially put the specifications together to the upgrades of the building the HVAC mechanicals of the building all need uh major attention uh once we do that we'll put it out to bid and once the bids come in and then we'll go before the city council and seek an appropriation that would be the the format at going forward. So, I don't expect that to be before the council for a few months because the bidding
068process has happened for us. But I uh I trust uh our professionals that do this every day. I appreciate their advice and I support the plan. >> Um do we have a motion? >> I'll make a motion to approve. >> Motion to approve Mrs. Huby, second by Mrs. Ubo on the motion. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um so, at the last full school committee meeting, this issue is on the agenda for a vote. Um, and I objected to it because we hadn't yet had the in-depth conversation that we agreed to have in subcommittee after it was originally presented to us back in March. Um, so I had asked for that subcommittee meeting to take place to be a meeting of the whole so that we could all have a conversation about uh the issues. So
069I apologize that my comments are kind of going to be a little disjointed um more monologue like I would have appreciated this being more of a discussion. we could have sort of uh had more more communication about it, but um it's a major change. We're we're taking an entire grade out of one building. Uh and I don't take this as a no-brainer or something that we're doing lightly. Um it's it's I basically have three concerns about the plan. Um and I'm not going to be as as uh brief as Doug was with his words. He's very concise, but um my three concerns. Uh, first, I don't think we have enough information to vote on this. Uh, I still haven't seen any conceptual floor plans for Dela or any renovation plans for Lincoln, construction timelines, cost
070estimates, a secured funding source. I haven't seen a communication plan for families explaining how the transition will roll out. I haven't heard about any conversations with our kindergarten educators at Lincoln, who I'm sure have valuable thoughts and ideas that could inform the transition plan. I haven't heard any transportation details. for instance, how the prek kiddos will get to and from Dela, if they'll be busted from all over the city or just from a certain area of the city. Also, logistically speaking, what will drop off and pickup look like for families with a kindergartener and an older sibling at Lincoln? Assuming start and end times will have to be staggered at the two schools. Families who now drop all of their children off at Lincoln at 7:45 or perhaps earlier for breakfast before going directly to
071work will now have to drive 15 minutes away without traffic to do a second drop off at Dela at 8:15, getting them to work well over 30 minutes later than they do now. Has this plan been presented to Lincoln Hancock families? And have their opinions been solicited? So, that's my first concern. My second concern beyond not having enough information for me to feel comfortable to vote yes on this. My second concern is that this new plan adds yet another transition for Lincoln Hancock students. Under this plan, families will send their kids to Delicaza for kindergarten, Lincoln Hancock for second to fourth, I'm sorry, first to fourth, southwest for fifth grade, potentially Central for 6th to 8th for the honors APC program, and then to Quinsey High for 9th to 12th grade. That's five schools and
072four transitions. That's two more than kiddos who attend Atherd and how Wallist Squanum Beachwood Null Mry Mount Parker Bernazani Montlair and Snug who all only have three schools and two transitions in their K to2 school journey. This matters. We know transitions between schools are really hard on kids. We know this. We have data on this. We're in a position that we're in the position we are with Lincoln Hancock and Clifford Marshall only going up to fourth grade because of short-sighted quick fixes like this proposal. Once we do this, Lincoln Hancock kindergarteners will not come back just like their fifth grade didn't. They'll be stuck with an even more segmented elementary school experience than they have now, which may be fine for some kids, but may be devastating for others. Continuity matters in building relationships with
073families and in student outcomes, especially our students on IEPs and 504s. And transitioning kids that many times impacts those students and families. If we want to talk about moving Lincoln Hancock kindergarten to Dela, the plan should at least find a way to bring the fifth graders back so we trade one transition for another, not add another one to it. But really my third concern, what I think we should be doing is exploring alternatives like building a new wing or an addition at Lincoln Hancock or incorporating modular classrooms there like the ones we're current that are currently working really well in Swan. Something like that could solve the current space issues at Lincoln Hancock and allow them to keep their kindergarten and bring their fifth grade back. Doing that would also allow us to maximize the
074space at Dela for prek and give us 12 new classrooms of prek space, not just the six called for in this plan. There are better alternatives to this proposal that we as a school committee need to discuss. We need a comprehensive master plan, as Mr. Gutro mentioned during the subcommittee meeting that identifies space concerns across the district before they become peacemail in front of us. Lincoln Hancock is not the only school with temporary walls and rooms. Parker, North Quinsey High School, and other schools have them, too. That master plan also needs to consider future impacts to student population from new developments around the city. It needs to look at redistricting, and it needs to evaluate the properties we own, St. Mary's and Delica, and assess the best ways to use them in a strategic and
075purposeful way, not a reactionary way. Without that, how can we be sure this plan before us is the best long-term solution for not only Lincoln Hancock kids and families, but all families in the city? I will be voting no on this item tonight, but my no vote is not a no for prek, nor is it a no for addressing the space issues at Lincoln Hancock. It's a no because we can do better for preK and we can do better for the families and kiddos at Lincoln Hancock than this proposal. Thank you. Um, I I appreciate the remarks of my colleague, but I I uh I kind of resent the the uh the tone of it. And uh this isn't shortsighted. Uh and you mentioned a number of items, whether it's additions here, additions there. Um
076this city has been extremely supportive of the school system. Uh it's one of the few communities in Massachusetts we've got five new schools. We've supported all kinds of improvements to buildings across the city. Um and I can tell you that Delicazo whatever we do with it needs improvement needs all new mechanicals needs HBAC. Um and and in my opinion the the challenge in front of us has been articulated by the superintendent assistant superintendent is to relieve the pressure right now those kindergarten kids at link Lincoln Hancock. um you know going down the road yes we can talk about master plans it always comes down to the money uh it comes down to the dollars and things are getting tight in the state things are getting tight in the city uh I don't anticipate putting any
077appropriation before the city council uh in the near future other than emergency repairs except for a new school in West Quinzy we purchased a site for planned for that before it was bought up and condominiums built there well thought out not shortsighted but but really great foresight in my uh and that would be the next project. Do I think this committee should have discussions around redistricting when that occurs or when we plan for that building? Absolutely. Um and I think that for the most part that will relieve um you know the the density of the Monontlair school because those West Quinzy vast majority go there. Uh and we've built out every space in that building that we possibly can. People want to live here. People want to go to school here. That's all positive. This
078is a a uh interim step to alleviate what I think is a situation that is borderline unacceptable. Gives us a a a fix if you will for that. So I strongly support the plan. >> Roll call vote. >> Mr. Begley. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Cahill. Yes. Mr. Grobo. Mr. Mayo. >> Yes. >> Thank you everyone. Um, next on the agenda, we have new business. Um, Southshore Educational Collaborative Capital Reserve Account. Superintendent. >> Thank you. Good evening again, everyone. Um, before you, I hope that you had the opportunity to read this letter. It is self-explanatory. I am the um board design um that the school committee sends to SSEC to represent the Quinsey School Committee. Um, [clears throat] SSEC is eight years away from the expiration of its lease uh down at 75 Abington Street. I'm
079not sure if you're familiar with that building, but it is a bespoke building built specific specifically for and and outfitted for the purposes of uh students at the Southshore Educational Collaborative. We send obviously a number of our students to the collaborative that we cannot service here due to any number of uh disabilities that the students may have. Um because of the 8-year uh remaining lease, the board is looking to either expand that lease or perhaps enter into negotiations with the owner to do a lease to buy. Um and also the school is looking to improve its capital reserve account also for the purposes of buying new vehicles which are which they are in need for. Uh the capital reserve account will only be funded with SSC reserve monies. Uh no monies would be coming from
080the Quinsey public schools. uh the reserve monies that would result um at the end of the year for the SSC budget is would likely be due to uh student enrollment and uh revenues generated through increased uh student enrollment. Um this is a requirement that the collaborative regulations require a vote of the school committee to establish the capital reserve account. Again, it is the establishment of the account so that the committee um so that the board can fund the capital reserve with uh any um tuition uh or reserves at the end of each uh fiscal year. I don't know if you have any questions, but it would require a roll call vote, a motion, a second, and a roll call vote to establish the account. and every member um of the SSC. So, every school district
081that's a member of the SSC, school boards have to vote the same way. >> Okay, >> Mr. Melany, what do you think? >> Go up to the mic, J. As the superintendent said, it's um it would set up from reserves from um uh a basically a a surplus in revenues over expenses. Uh there would not be any um allocations or assessments to districts. Uh I'm not sure um how often and how much they have a um a positive reserve at the end of the year. Uh so I don't really think it'd be something that would fall uh financially on the Quincy public schools. So what what do they do with their excess now? Do they have to return it or spend it or >> uh I don't believe at the current time they have uh
082excess reserves? >> It's it's very rare that they do have excess reserves. This year we're projecting an excess reserve of 200,000 which is why we want to establish the account. >> So I'll make a motion that we support this >> second. >> Any other questions? >> Not with Shane the typos. I support it. >> That was not written by me. Just for the record, >> it's not it's not a type. >> Um, Junote, >> uh, Mr. Begley. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Cahill. >> Yes. >> Mr. Gatro, >> Mrs. Hubley. Yes. >> Mrs. Lebo. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Parios. Yes. >> And Mayor Ko. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Um, next we have the consent agenda, which Oh, wait. Um, we have the um Air Force Junior ROC program for referral to teaching and learning subcommittee
083by Mrs. Hubley. Yeah. >> Okay. So, move that into for review. Um, next we have the consent agenda, which is a roll call vote. Um, motion to approve the agenda. Mr. Bgali, second on the motion. Mrs. Lebo, >> just want to thank Mr. Sagala. I bumped into Mr. Richards at Home Depot the other day and he was telling me about the equipment that they're going to be getting in the metal fabrication shop because of that grant. And so I just want to thank you and the people who are responsible for writing for that grant and continuing to write for those grants. They are so excited to be moving into the modern world. So thank you. >> Anyone else? Okay. >> All right. A second by Mrs. Hubley. Uh roll call vote, please. >> Mr. Begley.
084Yes. >> Mrs. Cahill. Yes. >> Mr. Gatro. Mrs. Hubley. Yes. Mrs. Lebo. Yes. Mrs. Perios. And Mayor Coke. >> Yes. Thank you all. >> Okay. Um no additional business communications. Um, next upcoming school committee meetings January 7th and the 21st at 6:30 p.m. February 11th, March 11th, and March 25th. Upcoming subcommittee meetings January 14th with special ed and EDI. January 21st is quarterly budget and finance. February 4th is teaching and learning all starting at 6 p.m. Reports of subcommittees, none and executive session, none. So we are adjourned. Thanks everybody. >> Good night.