Minutes
Quincy School Committee
Policy Subcommittee Meeting - Wednesday, November 28, 2018
A meeting of the Policy Subcommittee was held on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at 7:30 pm in the Coddington Building. Present were School Committee members Mayor Thomas Koch, Mr. Anthony Andronico, Mr. James DeAmicis, Mr. Doug Gutro, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Mrs. Emily Lebo, and Mr. Paul Bregoli, Subcommittee Chair. Also attending were Superintendent Richard DeCristofaro, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, City Solicitor James Timmins, and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.
Mr. Bregoli called the Policy Subcommittee meeting to order at 7:40 pm.
Mayor Koch introduced City Solicitor James Timmins who reviewed the history of the transfer of land in 1936 from the City to the School Committee for the purpose of constructing a stadium to benefit the Quincy Public Schools. Any revenue generated at school events would continue to be retained by Quincy Public Schools. The goal of the transfer would formalize that the control and direction of the Veterans Stadium facility will be under the Parks Board and that the cost of improvements and upkeep would be borne by the Parks Department and/or Public Buildings.
Solicitor Timmins stated that although the land transfer was created by an Act of the Legislature, in his opinion the Act vests School Committee the right to transfer the land to the City without further intervention by the City Council or the Legislature.
Mr. Gutro thanked Ms. Owens for providing examples of other transfer votes between School Committee and the City of Quincy, specifically returning the former Quincy High School and Central Middle School buildings to the City once they were no longer used for educational purposes.
Mr. Gutro reiterated his request for written Park Department procedures that specify that Quincy Public Schools are the priority for scheduling at Veterans Stadium and City parks. Mayor Koch will work with Mr. Bregoli on providing this.
Mr. Gutro asked for more specifics about revenue that is collected at Veterans Stadium events. Dr. DeCristofaro will schedule a follow up meeting about the Athletics Revolving Account.
Mayor Koch said that the Parks Department does not charge or collect admissions for games at any field. Mayor Koch said the School Committee representative’s role on the Park Board is to ensure that the this prioritization remains.
Mr. Gutro would like the transfer language to include provisions that Quincy Public Schools is the priority for scheduling and may retain the revenues from school events.
Mr. Bregoli said that since Mr. Gutro is not on the Policy Subcommittee, his motion cannot be considered here, but can be included when discussed at School Committee.
Mrs. Hubley asked if the language can reflect that any Quincy Public Schools events are a priority, not just athletic events, so that graduation would be included.
Mrs. Lebo said that since the Mayor is always School Committee Chair, that gives Quincy Public Schools protection for priority scheduling. The Park Board could change any policy or procedure, but the Mayor will ensure that the school interests are protected.
Mayor Koch said the transfer will protect the land as park land under Chapter 97, which is full protection for park land. Rezoning of park land requires an act of the Legislature.
Mr. Gutro asked for clarification on the process. Mayor Koch said that once School Committee relinquishes the property, the Park Board will vote to accept it.
Mayor Koch asked City Solicitor Timmins to craft a motion that incorporates the provisions discussed.
Mr. Andronico made a motion to endorse the concept of transferring control of Veterans Stadium to the Parks Department out of Policy Subcommittee back to School Committee. Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 pm. Mr. Andronico seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.