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Home My WebLink About2023-05-23-SC-min (Year on attached is incorrect; requested corrected version)LEXINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING Tuesday, May 23, 2022 Meeting Minutes CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME: 6:05 PM SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT Sara Cuthbertson, Chairperson Deepika Sawhney, Vice -chair Kathleen Lenihan, Clerk (joined remotely via Zoom) Eileen Jay Larry Freeman Aditi Swamy, Student Representative SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT Dr. Julie Hackett, Superintendent Dave Coelho, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations The minutes were taken by Julie Kaye, School Committee Meeting Recording Secretary. The School Committee convened at the School Committee Meeting Room at Central Office and remotely. Members of the public can view and participate in person or in the meeting webinar from their computer or tablet by clicking on the link provided with the meeting agenda. Please note that this meeting is being recorded, and that attendees are participating by video conference. This evening's meeting is being broadcast live and also taped by LexMedia for future on -demand viewing. All supporting materials that have been provided to members of this body are available on the Town's website unless otherwise noted. SCHOOL COMMITTEE REORGANIZATION Ms. Jay nominated Ms. Cuthbertson as Chair, Ms. Sawhney seconded. Ms. Cuthbertson took a roll call vote, passed 5-0. Ms. Cuthbertson nominated Ms. Sawhney as Vice -chair, Mr. Freeman seconded. Ms. Cuthbertson took a roll call vote, passed 5-0. Ms. Jay nominated Ms. Lenihan as Clerk, Mr. Freeman seconded. Ms. Cuthbertson took a roll call vote, passed 5-0. CONSENT AGENDA Ms. Sawhney recused herself for the Consent Agenda. JK 5/23/23 - APPROVED Mr. Freeman read the following consent agenda items: • Payroll and Accounts Payable Warrant Approval a. May 19, 2023 - Payroll in the amount of $4,380,271.84 b. May 26, 2023 - BMO Warrant in the amount of $55,350.58 c. May 26, 2023 - AP Warrant in the amount of $1,026,021.19 Ms. Lenihan read the following consent agenda items: • Minutes a. October 11, 2023 b. October 25, 2023 Ms. Jay read the following consent agenda items: • Donations a. $2,500 donation to LHS Robotics (2 Bits & a Byte) from the Sawhney Family Foundation b. $2,500 donation to LHS Robotics (Parity Bits) from the Sawhney Family Foundation c. $2,500 donation to LHS Science Olympiad from the Sawhney Family Foundation d. $2,500 donation to LHS National Ocean Science Bowl from the Sawhney Family Foundation e. $2,500 donation to LHS Aerospace Robotics Team from the Sawhney Family Foundation f. $1,500 donation to LHS Envirothon Team from the Sawhney Family Foundation g. $2,500 donation to LHS Vex Robotics from the Sawhney Family Foundation h. $2,500 donation to METCO Lexington Program from the Sawhney Family Foundation Ms. Cuthbertson made a motion to approve the entire consent agenda, Ms. Jay seconded. Ms. Cuthbertson took a roll call vote, passed 4-0. SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS AND LIAISON REPORTS Mr. Freeman attended the Cary Library board meeting and discussed proposed renovations. Ms. Lenihan attended, along with Dr. Hackett, the Recreation Committee meeting last week. There was a discussion of the discus cage installation, and Dr. Hackett shared the information from the memo. She suggested having a joint meeting of the entire School Committee and the Recreation Committee to talk about some issues. Ms. Lenihan also added that there was a meeting of the Board of Education today, she thought it was interesting that Commissioner Riley announced that he's going to create a matching grant of up to 1 million dollars for districts that pilot a cell phone restriction policy. Ms. Jay also spoke about the ChiRP (Children's Room Project) at the Cary Library, there will be a public presentation on May 30th. She also announced that it is AAPI Heritage Month and she attended the "My American Story" event. Sunday, May 28th is the AAPI 5K Run 'n' Walk in Lexington. Ms. Jay had the honor of being a panelist at an AAPI event at WGBH last night. Ms. Sawhney stated that we have been having amazing AAPI events and many to look forward to. She announced that our counselors ran a workshop for Senior parents. JK 5/23/23 - APPROVED Aditi announced that for the past few weeks, LHS has been running the Annual Prevention Awareness Campaign hosted by Students Against Destructive Decisions. Ms. Cuthbertson attended the Battle Green BBQ Festival, a fundraiser for LABBB. Ms. Jay also added that Lexington's Discovery Day is Saturday, May 27th. Ms. Sawhney showed the Town of Lexington Annual Report (you can get a copy at the town offices). She explained that on pages 158-165 are all of the various scholarships available, there will be an awards ceremony on June 6th. COMMUNITY SPEAK No speakers. PRESENTATION: LEXINGTON EDUCATION FOUNDATION UPDATE Co -president of the Lexington Education Foundation (LEF), Nicole Coelho, presented this slideshow to the School Committee. She went over annual events and the grants that were awarded throughout the year. School Committee Questions/Comments: Mr. Freeman thanked the LEF for everything they do for our school community! Ms. Sawhney also thanked the LEF, we are very grateful for all of the family -friendly events! Ms. Jay added her thanks, she loves hearing about all of the wonderful things the LEF is able to fund year after year! Ms. Cuthbertson shared that she received a text from a parent volunteer at Estabrook, they were so excited about the pollinator garden (that LEF funded) and also sent her photos. Aditi stated the LEF-funded conferences that our teachers attend really do make a difference for students. Dr. Hackett also thanked Nicole and the Foundation. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Hackett reviewed her Superintendent°s Report with the School Committee. The highlights from her report include: • Congratulations and Celebrations • The Rotary Club awarded $15,000 in scholarships to kids from LPS, Minute Man, and Lexington Christian Academy • LHS had a Pops concert JK 5/23/23 - APPROVED • Special Olympics of Massachusetts at the high school • 2024 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Finalist; De'Shawn Washington • The State of Race: AAPI Heritage Month Event —The Invisible Becoming Visible; Ms. Jay was a panelist • The Lexington Science Olympiad finished in 2nd place in the State Tournament • We All Belong • May is Mental Health Awareness Month • My American Story 2023 • Research Partnership with MGH • This ties into substance abuse awareness • LHS Principal Search Update • The interim principal will be selected by June 16th 5. Upcoming Events • The Senior Art Show from May 22nd to May 24th School Committee Questions/Comments: Ms. Sawhney asked if we have to restrict our principal search only to Massachusetts because of licensure. Dr. Hackett replied that anyone can apply, she can request a waiver. Grace asked how the principal is going to be introduced to students, she requested an email be sent from the interim or for an in-person introduction. Dr. Hackett explained the process of having students fill out a note card with what they would like to see in their next leader. Ms. Sawhney added another congratulations, she had Aditi help announce that the Lexington High School Quiz Bowl team made it to the semi-finals. Ms. Cuthbertson had so much fun at the Special Olympics. Her favorite moment was when a child was running, won, and kept on going. Mr. Freeman added that he loved the child that sang the anthem. NEW BUSINESS A. Vote the 1 -Year Successor Agee ent (FY 231 between t e School Committee and the Le�cinton Euca "on Association Ms. Cuthbertson moved to approve the 1 -Year Successor Agreement (FY 23) between the Lexington School Committee and the Lexington Education Association, Mr. Freeman seconded. Ms. Cuthbertson took a roll call vote, passed 5-0. B. Vote the -Year Successor A reernent (FY 2 ®FY m FY 261 between the School Committee and t e Lexington Education Associa `on Ms. Cuthbertson moved to approve the 3 -Year Successor Agreement (FY 24, FY 25, FY 26) between the Lexington School Committee and the Lexington Education Association, Mr. Freeman seconded. Ms. Cuthbertson took a roll call vote, passed 5-0. JK 5/23/23 - APPROVED C. Vote the -Year Successor Agee ent between the School Co mi ee and the ALA Ms. Cuthbertson moved to approve the 3 -Year Successor Agreement (FY 24, FY 25, FY 26) between the Lexington School Committee and the ALA, Mr. Freeman seconded. Ms. Cuthbertson took a roll call vote, passed 5-0. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Suoerintendent's End -of -the -Year Evaluation Ms. Cuthbertson explained that on this year's evaluation there are the goals that were worked on for the past year. Ms. Jay asked when the individual evaluations are due, Ms. Cuthbertson reminded her that the due date is June 8th. COMMUNITY SPEAK Avon Lewis (in person): Thanked the School Committee for ratifying, she is excited about this contract. She is looking forward to continuing to work with everyone going forward in her new role as a science teacher. Jennipher Burgess (virtually): Thanked the School Committee for ratifying the contract for Unit A. She hopes for good faith negotiation for Unit C next year. She also thanked all of the LEA members who were on the negotiating team and LEA members who were involved. POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS No items added. The School Committee and Dr. Hackett thanked Aditi and Grace for being the student representatives for this year. Grace and Aditi thanked everyone in return. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Cuthbertson made a motion to adjourn at 7:24 p.m., Mr. Freeman seconded. Ms. Cuthbertson took a roll call vote, passed 5-0. JK 5/23/23 - APPROVED