[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6366987,"mediaKeyId","2159237-31f62b9a8fae8626ae354fefea4a8fda","parentId",2159237,"title","Policy subcommittee approves draft motor‑vehicle idling policy to send to full School Committee","audioSeconds",88,"startMs",12000,"endMs",100000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159237-31f62b9a8fae8626ae354fefea4a8fda&start=12&end=100","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159237-31f62b9a8fae8626ae354fefea4a8fda/thumbnail_12000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6366987/Massachusetts/Policy-subcommittee-approves-draft-motorvehicle-idling-policy-to-send-to-full-School-Committee","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6366987-6575da300fb63c653a30bdcad59d9527/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146595&Signature=jlPBlZ4qC3MdjTZA2Pe7xpWJk1dAzmSjaZsZpaBtTCOHGSnwVsQVb-h3xgYJvvERcGiwCGZJOmXqrD~NlMmRJzDLORA2AIx2eBVqX9vSortPHKT44brc5bTzqfzu3pgZcmZnQsMKa2bZtCu9l8wNfahurxsvvvfcaJ0gaod2IEOg1EnPthRleW1oTktaFa~PUWYweQtVjOtikF3OLCA-ybo42epG6NcPOI7DXEnb6BoNdu40EwzgLnJSM1I2VSwWgqLjqNiGrPZ81XXNFVODqjw32hJWRCb7RmV0dnF9sSYubfiOvO-oAbejwEVVk-hszN0idnZVhuZ-ds9dVIDrtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Quincy Public Schools, MA","date","2025-01-25T13:50:32Z","article","The Quincy School Committee Policy Subcommittee convened on Jan. 22 and unanimously approved draft language addressing motor vehicle idling on school grounds, adopting model text provided by the Massachusetts Association of School Committees.

Subcommittee members said the city previously had not adopted a specific idling policy and that the suggested language provides a standard, enforceable framework. A motion to advance the draft was moved by Miss Cahill, seconded by Mrs. Lebo, and recorded by a roll call; three members voted in the affirmative. Subcommittee leadership said the policy will be presented to the full School Committee at a subsequent meeting for final action.

Ending
The Policy Subcommittee adjourned after approving the idling policy draft and returning other items to the full committee docket.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Quincy School Committee: January 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Policy Subcommittee unanimously approved draft language on motor vehicle idling on school grounds, using model language vetted from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees; the draft will advance to the full School Committee.","taxTitle","Quincy Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",14433,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6366992,"Quincy committee debates school calendar language, public comments pressing for Lunar New Year holiday",1034,684000,1718000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159237-31f62b9a8fae8626ae354fefea4a8fda&start=684&end=1718","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159237-31f62b9a8fae8626ae354fefea4a8fda/thumbnail_684000.jpg","/articles/6366992/Massachusetts/Quincy-committee-debates-school-calendar-language-public-comments-pressing-for-Lunar-New-Year-holiday","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6366992-1158b69674f9f0ee0e62ab56e049d96f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146595&Signature=kI4Rn2ortoVzi4Z5V4Mbwci~YR18BCDqsTJQ9l0RBUBO81aihyhYr5z54LT-rVIZkoaHAPDLgorUk2Utu3YSTsADB5MZX9IJEwDI6mj9EPjK~0dTCwFme747h~yKo7QI0pAtYhaMyvZeG-37aJ6J1bKqDKKygmOoZqmV1P~KSw9bru12kBTD6sw6eeBCor5NM6g5q6aecVPBIVedszby9ncSdwNQrxyZBhzJikPmKq0ptFbSAyxEmJDhbNLRZ~B~IV0yBojvSP19-t0YijVO8~fRi9Z0Kj9z0gR1guf-CC~gjQZdClF-6GMNbAPPbYjnhmViemR4ayMvlIvzS8Q4CQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public testimony and a policy discussion over school calendar language were both on the Jan. 22 School Committee agenda, with callers urging the committee to consider Lunar New Year as an official Quincy Public Schools holiday and committee members debating how to make the calendar's required days clear.

Public comment: Lunar New Year
During the meeting's open forum, Andy Pham asked the committee to recognize Lunar New Year as an official Quincy Public Schools holiday, saying his group had offered testimony at prior meetings and sought public acknowledgement of those comments. Pham told the committee, \"moving forward with Lunar New Year as official Quincy Public Schools holiday aligns perfectly with our city's identity, which is proud, inclusive and forward thinking,\" and said he was disappointed that prior testimony had not been acknowledged on the calendar agenda.

Policy committee calendar discussion and language amendment
Later in the meeting the full committee discussed proposed revisions to the district's school calendar policy (section 9.2). Committee members said the draft policy language will remain consistent with state regulation on student learning time but that the policy text could confuse readers because one clause refers to \"at least 185 school days\" while another reference states a minimum of 180 days. Several members recommended clarifying that the district schedules 185 days to include up to five cancellation days (sometimes called \"cancellation\" rather than \"snow\" days).

The committee agreed to add an asterisk/footnote clarifying that the 185 days in the calendar include five built‑in cancellation days. A motion to add the footnote was moved, seconded and adopted by roll call during the meeting; members recorded as voting in favor included Miss Cahill, Mr. Gautreaux, Mrs. Lebo, Mrs. Perdios and others (roll call recorded verbally in the meeting). Committee leadership said the calendar itself—dates for school and committee meetings—will be voted at a future meeting after the policy language is finalized.

Context and next steps
Members also raised questions about a state regulation included verbatim in the draft that excludes certain non‑instructional services from counting as structured learning time; some members urged clearer wording so families and special education staff would understand which services count toward students' time requirements. The committee did not hold a final vote on the calendar policy on Jan. 22; staff said the revised language and the full 2025–26 calendar will be on an upcoming agenda for a final vote.

Ending
Committee members who voiced support for Lunar New Year said they remain disappointed the item was not discussed formally at the policy subcommittee level with broader committee presence; staff and members said public testimony is heard at open forum and that follow‑up discussion can be scheduled through the policy process.","Committee members and a public commenter urged action on recognizing Lunar New Year as a school holiday; the committee discussed calendar language (185 vs. 180 days and cancellation days) and voted to add a footnote clarifying five built‑in cancellation days to the draft calendar policy.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6366999,"Quincy schools report midyear budget: staffing surpluses offset special education, transportation pressures",186,118000,304000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159237-31f62b9a8fae8626ae354fefea4a8fda&start=118&end=304","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159237-31f62b9a8fae8626ae354fefea4a8fda/thumbnail_118000.jpg","/articles/6366999/Massachusetts/Quincy-schools-report-midyear-budget-staffing-surpluses-offset-special-education-transportation-pressures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6366999-9e614962b83db99f44c7e4f1a472898a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146595&Signature=cLp6u17fkJZBXVqgGScnNCnCVrTr-ND15PI7SO8IrPyR2n4oybTmXnx7GIA5ox4k0qi1YXdWt8DzD-eQMJB8FxHl4NGxChoVUcT0z9Uh3EsKh8XShlLrRtd0PlL9mFoYN5F5EGNRkA0AB5k4Q0C0ik2sd~AyZCfTYxSykdqevApOFD~aMck9aG-as6xKPltp7qb4unFvjKFMQlKKif4JaVcyFYA2wJjWgUY5l~Oe2sDSY1cbPVQbAjYpF0RQzv-UWs3g4iKWCoiEV8RyAsCyGp4n5ZGdWbj4FWsB2Wc8kA0BN7shjOBPTydpWeHKuECbHK83hdPYcj-OCcLIvZaYDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Jan. 22 Budget & Finance Subcommittee, district finance staff reviewed results for the six months ended Dec. 31, 2024 and gave a midyear forecast that staff described as stable but requiring close monitoring.

The presenter told the subcommittee that the teacher and professional salary lines are showing substantial midyear surpluses driven by midyear breakage; instructional and academic support lines were also positive. Staff estimated a combined surplus in academic teacher/program/support lines in the low‑to‑mid seven figures (about $1.3 million to $1.4 million, as stated). Bus attendant/driver lines showed an estimated surplus of about $675,000, staff said, but the transportation account overall is expected to be under pressure because of outside vendor costs and rising prices for contracted services.

Projected deficits and balancing
Finance staff identified two major anticipated expense pressures: tuition for out‑of‑district placements (an anticipated deficit of about $1.5 million) and transportation (also an anticipated deficit staff described as similar in magnitude). Overall expense pressures were described as roughly $2.6 million, which the presenter said would be balanced in the current year by a higher‑than‑budgeted circuit‑breaker reimbursement. The budget had assumed $7,350,000 in circuit‑breaker reimbursement; the actual reimbursement reported to date is $8,388,804, producing an approximately $1,038,804 difference that staff expect will cover the forecasted expense gap and leave the year balanced, subject to monitoring.

Transportation hiring and contract vendors
Subcommittee members asked whether the transportation shortfall reflected use of outside vendors and driver shortages. Staff said the district has hired seven drivers since a recent contract settlement and that new routing work by staff members Kevin Seagal and Mike D'Racio aims to shift more routes back in‑house and reduce reliance on vendors. Staff cautioned, however, that vendor prices remain high and that some out‑of‑district special‑education transport is particularly expensive.

Grants and one‑time funding
Committee members asked about expiring grants such as ESSER. Staff said ESSER funds are largely spent and noted the district used about $1 million of ESSER funds through last September to support summer programs and related services. Administrators said they are tracking expiring grants and will provide a breakdown of grants that are ending and potential strategies to bridge gaps.

Committee response and next steps
Members asked for a follow‑up breakdown of expiring grant funds and for year‑to‑date and projected comparisons when the full budget is prepared. Staff said they will continue monthly monitoring and present updated figures as part of the regular budget reporting process.

Ending
Committee members said they were reassured by the circuit‑breaker outlook but urged continued attention to special education tuition and transportation costs. The subcommittee did not take an action vote on appropriations during the Jan. 22 meeting.","Finance staff told the Budget & Finance Subcommittee the district is monitoring projected surpluses on salary lines and anticipated deficits in tuition and transportation; circuit‑breaker reimbursements are expected to close the current-year gap.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6367003,"Quincy schools propose coursework route for graduation competency after MCAS change",1976,2000000,3976000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159237-31f62b9a8fae8626ae354fefea4a8fda&start=2000&end=3976","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159237-31f62b9a8fae8626ae354fefea4a8fda/thumbnail_2000000.jpg","/articles/6367003/Massachusetts/Quincy-schools-propose-coursework-route-for-graduation-competency-after-MCAS-change","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6367003-e35813cf5b49cf4d36c9e0a20cff3087/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146595&Signature=ejUs5Q2-a~Rcfot0b68WsLunyROcW9vgurutrnIpemioU33TuciZZqYMDdwG~i2JE3zWcCSWxK3RSuu9iP-CK4JSCPXJAxTw9wZMdPZXP22Cxl~wZHUPPe3QuMkS6H06ZA2JGBS68ur1XAtFMe-rgUhHot5tSS07m3aRtLCnb19ToVpqdA5SX7f5jRtr84eMLwvTAfvdI-h33avxm7tGcExcW0StRGt~3iO5yt-3Lxp5i7SNuGkRPwCH44bttJxJIb2z-zqfd3g8hztd9tQgjN4-DOf~DCewQYrjT-r-dJadkmN51vVMF7JuapnfJiBp1YcB9197ebW4ZWXgKKZEQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Quincy Public Schools administrators presented a proposed amendment to the district's graduation policy at the Jan. 22 school committee meeting that would replace the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) as the automatic route to the high‑school competency determination with specified district‑certified coursework.

The recommendation, presented by Dr. Perkins and Mr. Marani, would let students earn the competency determination by satisfactorily completing coursework certified by the district as aligned to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks in the areas formerly measured by MCAS (English language arts, mathematics and science). Dr. Perkins asked the committee to move the draft to the Policy Subcommittee on Feb. 5 and to vote on it at the full committee meeting on Feb. 12, with a separate request to waive the usual wait period so the change could take effect immediately if approved.

Why it matters: The state ballot change that removed MCAS as an automatic competency determinant took effect Dec. 5, 2024. Quincy administrators say the new policy will determine which currently enrolled students and some past students become eligible for a diploma, and set the district's implementation and appeal processes. The change affects students in the classes of 2025 and 2026 most immediately and establishes the district's approach for all future classes.

What staff proposed and how it differs from the old system
Staff said the competency determination previously was satisfied by MCAS score thresholds in grade 10. Under the proposed amendment, students who have not already earned a competency determination before Dec. 5, 2024 would be able to earn it by passing district‑certified courses that demonstrate mastery of the same standards. The draft lists as default course pathways: English 9 and English 10; algebra 1 or algebra 2 and geometry; and biology (or conceptual biology) or physics. The policy would also allow the district to substitute other courses that fully align with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, so long as the substitution follows state law and district review.

Special education and English‑learner considerations
The proposal includes a requirement that special education teams review competency and graduation eligibility for students in in‑district and out‑of‑district special education programs and that teams discuss CD status at IEP meetings. The draft also contains a caveat allowing course substitutions for students whose language program placement means they do not take standard English 9/10 courses (for example, EL level coursework). Staff described this language as intended to give flexibility for EL students and students in alternate programs while still assuring alignment to state standards.

Immediate numbers and the district's plan
District staff reported that, among current juniors and seniors, 468 students had not met the competency determination via MCAS taken before Dec. 5, 2024. Of those, 241 are on an existing Educational Proficiency Plan (EPP) and therefore are already on a district pathway to meet competency requirements through coursework. After removing those 241 students, staff said 227 students remained for detailed review; applying the proposed coursework standard to transcripts, 78 of those 227 would already meet CD under the new language, leaving 149 students who still need targeted coursework or recovery (roughly 105 juniors and 44 seniors, staff said). Staff noted those counts may change after the most recent fall 2024 retest results are fully processed.

Staff also identified a cohort of former students who left school with a certificate of attainment (rather than a diploma). District records show 16 such students in 2024 and 10 in 2023 among recent years; staff said roughly 42 former students dating back to 2018 may now be eligible for a diploma if their transcripts satisfy the revised coursework CD. Administrators said they will perform transcript reviews and reach out to eligible former students if the policy is adopted.

Retests, MCAS participation and awards
Staff emphasized that MCAS remains a required assessment for participation and district accountability even though it no longer automatically confers competency determination. Administrators said participation remains legally mandated and will continue to be used in district and school accountability measures. They also advised that February–March retest sessions will be offered, but that any MCAS administrations after Dec. 5, 2024 cannot be used to award a competency determination under the new law; retests may still matter for scholarships and recognition programs that continue to use MCAS results (for example, state awards noted by staff such as the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship and other seals/awards).

Next steps
Staff asked the committee to advance the amendment to the Feb. 5 Policy Subcommittee and to schedule a full committee vote on Feb. 12, with a simultaneous waiver vote so the policy could take effect immediately if approved. Staff said they will update the district Program of Studies, prepare outreach materials (including translated versions), and notify students, families, guidance counselors and special education teams about transcript reviews and remediation options (summer school, credit recovery, Quincy evening high school) once the policy is final.

\"We hope to have this updated policy amendment move to the policy subcommittee on February 5th,\" Dr. Perkins said. \"Once we have that approval, we can then begin to update our program of studies\" and do outreach to affected students and families.

Ending
The committee did not take a final vote on the amendment on Jan. 22; staff asked the body to act on the proposed timeline so the district could begin transcript reviews and outreach promptly if the full committee approves the change in February.","District administrators asked the School Committee to amend policy so students can earn the high‑school competency determination by district‑certified coursework rather than MCAS scores; staff outlined impacts on current seniors, juniors and former students with certificates of attainment and requested expedited adoption.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Policy subcommittee approves draft motor‑vehicle idling policy to send to full School Committee

Quincy committee debates school calendar language, public comments pressing for Lunar New Year holiday

Quincy schools report midyear budget: staffing surpluses offset special education, transportation pressures

Quincy schools propose coursework route for graduation competency after MCAS change