HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-03-09 Joint SB and SC-min
Joint Meeting
Select Board and School Committee
March 9, 2022
A remote participation Joint meeting of the Lexington Select Board and the School Committee was called
to order at 7:23p.m. on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 via Zoom remote meeting services.
Present for the Select Board: Ms. Hai, Chair; Mr. Lucente; Vice Chair, Mr. Pato, Mr. Sandeen, and Ms.
Barry were present, as well as Mr. Malloy, Town Manager; Ms. Axtell, Deputy Town Manager; and Ms.
Katzenback, Executive Clerk.
Present for the School Committee: Kathleen Lenihan, Chair, Sara Cuthbertson; Deepika Sawhney; and
Larry Freeman; Dr. Hackett, Superintendent of Schools and Sarah May, student representative.
ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION
1. Discussion on Potential Lexington High School Construction Project
Status of LPS Statement of Interest Application
Next Steps and Considerations Regarding Massachusetts School Board Authority (MSBA)
Process
Request to Call for Special Town Meeting 2022-2
Dr. Hackett stated that the project was accepted for invitation into the eligibility period by the MSBA
Board of Directors on March 2, 2022. Lexington now has 270 days (9 months) to prove its readiness to
fund and manage the project. She suggested keeping the original $1.8M request for the feasibility study at
this time. Mr. Cronin agreed that he believes this will be a competitive project that companies want to bid
on.
Mr. Malloy noted that the funds can be appropriated, and the School Building Committee can be set up,
prior to the meeting with the MSBA in June.
In response to a question from Ms. Barry, Mr. Malloy stated that, if the $1.8M is not enough for the
study, an additional encumbrance request will be made. However, a majority of people involved are
comfortable with this number as presented.
In response to a question from Mr. Lucente regarding public input into the feasibility study process, Dr.
Hackett stated that the process works best when many members of the community give input throughout
the timeline. There will be steps taken to engage and educate the public. There is high motivation to make
sure the community is engaged constantly during the process. The Building Committee takes the official
votes, but this is the community’s project.
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, by roll call, the School Committee voted 4-0 to request the
Select Board hold a Special Town Meeting to appropriate funds for the LHS MSBA Feasibility Study.
Ms. Hai stated that this item will be added to the Board’s Monday meeting packet for a vote.
David Kanter asked if the Capital Expenditures Committee will be part of this process. Ms. Hai stated that
this can be a conversation moving forward.
Dawn McKenna, Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member, stated that she would like the Building Committee to
be robust enough that the community feels heard.
The School Committee adjourned its committee, by roll call, voted 4-0. The Select Board continued onto
the next item on their regular agenda.
DOCUMENTS: Presentation - MSBA Capital Pipeline Process and Implications for LHS, Hastings
Timeline, MSBA Sample Timeline, MSBA Approval Letter - Eligibility Period Invitation, Draft warrant
language for STM 2022-2
ADOURN
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, by roll call, the Joint Meeting was adjourned at 8:05p.m.
A true record; Attest:
Kristan Patenaude
Recording Secretary