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Home My WebLink About2021-06-14-SC-minLEXINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING Monday, June 14, 2021 Conducted by Remote Participation Meeting Minutes CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME: 5:35 P.M. SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT Kathleen Lenihan, Chairperson Eileen Jay, Vice -Chair Deepika Sawhney Scott Bokun Sara Cuthbertson, Clerk STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE Sara Mei SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT Dr. Julie Hackett, Superintendent The minutes were taken by Julie Kaye, School Committee Meeting Recording Secretary. Ms. Lenihan read Governor Baker's Executive Order from March 12, 2020 which allows public meetings to be conducted remotely due to the state emergency related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Ms. Lenihan covered additional ground rules for an effective and clear conduct of business and to assure accurate meeting minutes. CONGRATULATIONS & CELEBRATIONS: Core Value Awards Beth Glick, Assistant Principal at Bowman Elementary was nominated by the Bowman Community for the "We All Belong" Core Value Award and nominated by the elementary Assistant Principals team for the "Care for Yourself & Others" Core Value Award. Congratulations to Ms. Beth Glick, who will be retiring this year after being a part of the Lexington School system for 26 years! COMMUNITY SPEAK: Avon Lewis, Arlington: She is the president of the Lexington Education Association but spoke on behalf of herself. She touched on the impacts of COVID and how the District's Mission and Core Values helped guide us through all the turmoil. She dedicated a Core Value to each of the School Committee members and the community: Mr. Bokun represents "We All Belong"; Ms. Jay represents "Use Your Mind"; Ms. Cuthbertson represents "Be Curious and Have Fun"; Ms. LSC 6/14/21 - APPROVED on 8/17/21 JK Lenihan represents "Care For Yourself and Others"; Ms. Sawhney represents "Do Your Part"; Sara Mei represents "Be Courageous"; Dr. Hackett represents "Embrace Your Revolutionary Spirit"; and every staff member and every student represents "You Are Enough". Ms. Lewis thanked everyone and is joyful for all we learned from the pandemic. Dr. Hackett followed Avon's remarks by thanking her for all her hard work and that she is grateful to work in this district with so many caring people. Dr. Hackett was waiting until the end of the meeting but wanted to continue the Core Value theme and presented each School Committee member, including Sara Mei, with a Core Value Award for all their hard work this past year. It is really hard to be an elected official. SUPERINTENDENT REPORT: Dr. Hackett stated that on June 4, 2021 Clarke Middle School held their annual "Rubbish to Runway" garments and runway show. This show was a fundraiser for the charity Long Way Home. She also congratulated the recipients of the LHS Awards Ceremony Website and thanked the LHS Counseling Department for creating this platform to acknowledge all our dedicated students! The Superintendent reported on the following items: • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion o On May 28, 2021, Johnny Cole, Dr. Chris Lyons, and Dr. Hackett met with Bryant McBride. He is a Lexington resident and the co-producer of the critically -acclaimed documentary Willie, a story of the first Black athlete in the National Hockey League (NHL), Willie O'Ree. • LPS COVID-19 Update o Lexington's COVID-19 positivity rates have decreased! • Hastings Principal Search o Two Interim Elementary Co -Principals have been announced for the Hastings Principalship: Ms. Katie O'Hare Gibson (current Hastings Assistant Principal) and Mr. Christopher Wai (current Fiske Assistant Principal) • New Report from the LPS Office of Research, Planning & Data Services: 2021 LPS Youth Risk Behavior Survey Results o There will be a presentation made to School Committee later on after more analysis is done over the summer • Lexington High School Statement of Interest o This will be Dr. Hackett's third submission to the MSBA for the LHS SOI. Many schools wait 5 to 6 years, however, we are hoping it does not take that long as we have urgent and pressing needs now The complete Superintendent's Report can be viewed here. LSC 6/14/21 - APPROVED on 8/17/21 JK UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Vote to Approve the Submission of the Statement of Interest (SOI) for Lexington High School. The Massachusetts School Building Authority's grant program is a non -entitlement, competitive program, and its grants are distributed by the MSBA Board of Directors based on need and urgency, as expressed by the district and validated by the MSBA. The deadline for submitting Core Program SOls is Friday, June 25, 2021. Dr. Hackett reviewed priorities on the S01 that were updated for this year's submission (listed by priority category number): 2. The elimination of existing severe overcrowding 3. The prevention of the loss of accreditation 4. The prevention of severe overcrowding expected to result from increased enrollments 5. Replacement, renovation or modernization of school facility systems, such as roofs, windows, boilers, heating and ventilation systems, to increase energy conservation and decrease energy-related costs in a school facility 7. Replacement of or addition to obsolete buildings in order to provide for a full range of programs consistent with state and approved local requirements Mr. Bokun motioned — Resolved: Having convened in an open meeting on June 14, 2021, prior to the SOI submission closing date, the School Committee of Lexington, Massachusetts, in accordance with its charter, by-laws, and ordinances, has voted to authorize the Superintendent to submit to the Massachusetts School Building Authority the Statement of Interest Form dated June 16, 2021, for the Lexington High School located at 251 Waltham Street which describes and explains the following deficiencies and the priority category(s) for which an application may be submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority in the future: PRIORITIES 2. The elimination of existing severe overcrowding 3. The prevention of the loss of accreditation 4. The prevention of severe overcrowding expected to result from increased enrollments 5. Replacement, renovation or modernization of school facility systems, such as roofs, windows, boilers, heating and ventilation systems, to increase energy conservation and decrease energy-related costs in a school facility 7. Replacement of or addition to obsolete buildings in order to provide for a full range of programs consistent with state and approved local requirements and hereby further specifically acknowledges that by submitting this Statement of Interest Form, the Massachusetts School Building Authority in no way guarantees the acceptance or the approval of an application, the awarding of a grant or any other funding commitment LSC 6/14/21 - APPROVED on 8/17/21 JK from the Massachusetts School Building Authority, or commits the Town of Lexington to filing an application for funding with the Massachusetts School Building Authority. Motioned seconded by Ms. Cuthbertson. Ms. Lenihan took a roll call vote (Approved 5-0). aZIMe] xIre1:»Ve1WA11 M kiIre]A 11:2aa10111a►101a016 Ms. Lenihan read the School Committee's end -of -year evaluation of the Superintendent, compiled as a composite report by the Chair. Dr. Hackett's leadership through the pandemic has been amazing. She managed the divergent, passionate ideas, and did not let COVID dominate everything. Dr. Hacket guided Lexington Public Schools by its core values and mission statement. The School Committee is very confident in Dr. Hackett and her ability to lead us in joy in learning, curiosity in life, and with compassion in all we do. The complete evaluation summary can be viewed here. School Committee Questions/Comments: • Ms. Lenihan thanked all of the School Committee members for their contributions. • Ms. Sawhney is grateful for the good partnership and good leadership. • Ms. Jay complimented and thanked Dr. Hackett for her hard work through the pandemic. UNFINISHED BUSINESS (Continued): Master Planning Actions Vote to Update the .School C'or 22jttee Cha� Mr. Bokun motioned to approve the updated Master Planning Charge; Ms. Jay seconded. Ms. Lenihan took a roll call vote (Approved 5-0). Vote to Reappoint Members Ms. Jay moved to reappoint Master Planning Members as listed in the Master Planning Advisory Committee Membership Memo; Mr. Bokun seconded. Ms. Lenihan took a roll can vote (Approved 5-0). COMMUNITY SPEAK: None CONSENT AGENDA: Ms. Cuthbertson read the following consent agenda items: • Approval of June 8, 2021 School Committee Minutes. Ms. Cuthbertson read the following consent agenda items: LSC 6/14/21 - APPROVED on 8/17/21 JK • Clarke and Diamond International field trip to Quebec City, QC from 5/31/22 to 6/3/22 Ms. Jay moved that the School Committee vote to accept the whole consent agenda; Ms. Cuthberston seconded. Ms. Lenihan took a roll call vote (Approved 5-0). SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS AND LIAISON REPORTS: • Ms. Sawhney congratulated all the students who graduated, even the 5th and 8th graders. • Ms. Cuthbertson spoke about the review of the long range capital planning information, presented to the Select Board last week. She thanked the Lexington Human Rights Committee (LHRC) for helping put together Race Amity Day. Ms. Cuthbertson also thanked Dr. Lewis for her kind words. • Ms. Lenihan announced that the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee (CPAC) is having a Public Input Forum tomorrow, Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at 7:00 PM. • Mr. Bokun thanked and congratulated all the kids who made it through this year. • Sara Mei thanked everyone who has made this year possible: campus keepers, school lunch makers, principals, nurses, administrators, counselors, educators and support staff, as well as Dr. Hackett and the School Committee for "bringing grace to the table when hard decisions are made". Dr. Hackett closed the meeting out by playing "lie All Belong" by the "Lexington High School Rock, Paper, Scissors" acapella group. Ms. Cuthbertson made a motion to adjourn at 7:08 P.M.; Mr. Bokun seconded. Ms. Lenihan took a roll call vote (Approved 5-0). LSC 6/14/21 - APPROVED on 8/17/21 JK