Quincy Citywide Parent’s Council

Minutes from May 14, 2007

Broad Meadows Middle School

Schools represented at this meeting: Atherton Hough, Beechwood Knoll, Bernazzani, Broad Meadows, Central Lab, Montclair, North Quincy High, Parker, Point Webster, QPAC, Quincy High, Squantum, and Wollaston.

Meeting was called to order at 7:04 pm, with Fiona Canavan presiding. 

Fiona introduced the guest speaker for the evening, Judy Todd, Director of Special Education, and her colleague, Ellie Papile, Team Administrator.  Fiona asked Ms. Todd to begin by describing her position

Ms. Todd said that there are between 1500-1600 students in the QPS who are diagnosed with learning disabilities.  She oversees all the programs designed for these students, including those who attend programs outside of the district.  She builds the budget for special education and oversees the staff which includes: 3 Team Administrators, 19 special education teachers, 9 occupational therapists, 1 physical therapist, 2 assistant physical therapists, a .5 FTE teacher for deaf students, 1 teacher for the visually impaired, 12 speech therapists, 1 music therapist, 1 adaptive physical education teacher, 9 tutors (primarily for the autism program), and 72 paraprofessionals.  There are two department heads—one at each of the high schools, a coordinator of the GOALS program, 11 preschool teachers and 4 counselors.  The special education staff works closely with the staff of Student Support Services.

Ms. Todd answered the following questions that were submitted ahead of time:

• Has the number of sped staff increased this year? No, they were able to transition some programs and did not increase the staff in spite of adding early childhood services and a language development program at Point Webster Middle School.
• How much money has been spent on appeals?  There was $20,000 budgeted, but $42,000 has been spent this year.  This is a line item that is very difficult to project.
• Will the summer program that used to be at Parker but was moved to NQHS remain there?  Yes, the building at Parker was too hot.  The summer programs are at NQHS and Della Chiesa Early Childhood Center.
• Music classes at Bernazzani are held in the library and are disturbing the special education class, which is next door.  Neither Ms. Todd nor Ms. Papile not any parents present were able to recall the music class being held in the library this year.  The parent who raised this question (who was not present at the meeting) will be asked to contact the Superintendent directly.

The following questions were asked by those present at the meeting:

• A parent said she is aware of 2 QPS graduates being diagnosed with some unspecified learning problems (maybe ADHD) in college and asked whether there would be any examination of why such a problem was missed while the student was in QPS.  Ms. Todd said that ADHD would not necessarily qualify a student for special education.  Sometimes accommodations are made without an IEP or a 504 Plan.  The disability must impact a life function such as learning.
• Are there standard textbooks and exams for sped students and do new teachers consult with more experienced teachers?  Sped students use the same textbooks as regular education students.  There are no state mandated textbooks however there are statewide mandated curriculum frameworks.  Texts are reviewed against the frameworks  by the Curriculum Dept.  Sped students take MCAS, although accommodations may be made.  1% of students qualify for a portfolio assessment instead of MCAS.  New teachers participate in professional development and work closely with regular education teachers.
• A parent asked for clarification of the different types of special education plans.  Ms. Todd explained that the Individual Curriculum Accommodation Plan (ICAP) was developed by QPS.  The state requires a district-wide CAP and a school site CAP, but QPS has developed ICAPs for students.  A 504 Plan is for students who need an accommodation in the classroom.  Individual Education Plans (IEPs) are for students who need specially designed instruction.  Students as young as age 3 can have IEPs.  Students are evaluated every 3 years to determine eligibility for an IEP.
• Are the requirements to pass from grade to grade the same for all students?  Yes.
• Are students with IEPs ever clustered in classrooms?  No, not intentionally.
• What might cause a student to be decertified as needing an IEP?  Ms. Todd explained that students are evaluated every 3 years on the following criteria:  presence of disability not making effective progress, and need for specially designed instruction.
• What is the 3 year evaluation timeframe based on?  Federal law.
• How are the 3 criteria selected?  State law.
• How are students referred for evaluation?  By DSS, parent, doctor, teachers —anyone can ask for an evaluation.
• It seems that tests are not consistent between evaluations every 3 years—can this be rectified?  QPS uses the Woodcock-Johnson observation tool, the WIPSY for younger students, and the WISP for older students.  The state wants school systems to use as much information as possible so would not encourage using the same tests repeatedly.
• Is an evaluation required if it is requested?  According to Ms. Todd there is almost no reason why a team would not evaluate a student.
• At what age are students considered ready to learn?  Ms. Todd said that from full-day K, they have found that all students are ready to learn to read by age 5.

Fiona thanked Ms. Todd and Ms. Papile for attending the meeting and answering questions.

The minutes from the April 9, 2007 meeting were accepted.

The Treasurer reported that 2 payments of $100 were made to the Senior Stayout at each of the high schools.  Fiona reminded representatives to request dues of their PTOs next September.  Annual dues are $25.  The Treasurer’s report was accepted.

Report from the School Committee

Citywide representatives were not able to attend the recent School Committee meeting.  Fiona noted that Hank Brawley can not represent Citywide at School Committee meetings next year due to other commitments.  Kathy Brink volunteered to be the Citywide representative at the meetings.

Old Business:

Teacher Contracts

Fiona reported that at the last bargaining meeting the offer from the city was improved a bit, but still represented a pay cut.  She asked that Citywide approve a statement to be made by Hank Brawley at the next School Committee meeting about the contract issue.  It was noted that the statement does not have to endorse a particular offer or take sides on any particular issue—just urge a quick resolution.  There was much discussion among those present about the information being passed around about the negotiations and the June 8^th deadline set by the Quincy Education Association.  It was noted that the teachers are currently implementing a partial work-to-rule and are not entering school buildings until required to do so by the current contact.  Fiona reported that there is a rumor that the problems with the busses on May 10^th were related to teacher picketing.  She has been told by bus drivers that this is not true—that it happened that 7 bus drivers called in sick that day and several vehicles were not operable that day.  She was told that the bus drivers would not cross a picket line if it comes to that.  Drivers are required to stay with students until there is someone there to remove them from the bus, either a teacher or a parent, and the bus drivers will follow that requirement.  Many parents noted that students are currently being affected by the situation.  There is a negotiating team meeting this Friday and an all-day bargaining session scheduled for May 25^th.  There was agreement that Hank Brawley, as Citywide representative to the School Committee, would say at the next meeting that Citywide is very concerned about the issue and wants to see a resolution through good faith bargaining on both sides.

Traffic at NQHS

Parents report no changes with the current situation.  It was noted that water main work is scheduled for the area this week, which will only make things worse.

New Business:

A Montclair parent will attend the June 1^st interviews for Principal.

Elections

The slate of officers nominated at the April meeting was unanimously voted in.  The officers for 2007-2008 are Fiona Canavan and Kathy Brink as Co-Presidents, Marybeth Dooling as Treasurer, and Karen Chretien as Secretary.

A parent raised the issue of communication between the schools and parents (especially when incidents occur that parents should know about quickly) and questioned why email was not being utilized instead of hard copy letters, which often don’t make it home.  There was some discussion of various methods of communication (website, email, phone, letters) and the advantages and disadvantages of each one.  It was agreed that communication would be a topic on next year’s agenda.

It was agreed that a thank you note and gift card should be sent to Grace Buscher who is the webmaster for the Citywide website.

A parent questioned why the choir program at QHS has “advanced level” grades while the program at NQHS has only “honors level” grades.  Fiona will ask Dr. DeCristofaro about this and pass along the information via email.

Marcia Garber was recognized for her longtime participation in Citywide and the QPS.  Her youngest child is graduating this year.

Paul Phillips was asked to speak to the membership as he had just arrived.  He stated that “there is no reason why the contract issue can not be resolved”, “it should have been resolved months ago”.  He said that they “traded money for benefits a long time ago” and he “does not want to get into specifics”.  He is “preparing for the worst” and wanted parents to know that there will be some picketing.  He said that June 8^th is the last day he can bring a contract to his membership and follow union rules for ratification this school year.  “Is there a strike that could happen? Yes”.  “What he (the Mayor) is saying last July is exactly the same thing he is saying now”.  He also noted that the problems with the busses last week were not related to the teacher contract situation.

• A parent asked if we will be notified if there is to be a strike.  Mr. Phillips said “Yes”.  His membership will vote on the afternoon of June 7^th and “by suppertime” an announcement will be made to the media.
• A parent asked about summer programs.  He said that summer programs are not part of the contact (although the pay rate is). 
• Mr. Phillips said that the school year can not end before 180 days have been completed.  The QEA membership will take a vote each day on whether to continue to strike or not the next day.  Usually the decision is made before 5:00pm.  He said “it is an administrative decision whether to open schools or not”.
• A parent asked if QEA had looked at what the contract they want will do to the tax rate.  Mr. Phillips said no.
• A parent asked what was the current state of the negotiations—who was to make the next move?  Mr. Phillips said QEA will make a counter offer this Friday and “it will be a significant change”.
• He was asked to comment on the letter that the Mayor sent to city residents.  He said “it was a classic one-side presentation” and it “infuriated” many of his members.