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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-07-09-SC-minLEXINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING Friday, July 9, 2021 Conducted by Remote Participation Meeting Minutes CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME: 6:01 P.M. SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT Kathleen Lenihan, Chairperson Eileen Jay, Vice -Chair 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 states that there is a new introduction because now we're not in a State of Emergency anymore. This meeting is being broadcasted live on LexMedia and taped for future On Demand viewing. In addition, members of the public can view and participate in the meeting webinar through the links listed on the agenda. Links and supporting material will be posted on the LPS website. DISCUSSION OF BILL H.2411- An Act relative to vaccines and preventing future disease outbreaks. • Ms. Lenihan explained that House Bill 2411 is being sponsored by Representative Andres Vargas and that this legislation will remove a paragraph from the law that governs mandated vaccinations for school attendance MCL Chao 76, Section 15. Currently the law lists a number of vaccinations that are required (including but not limited to pertussis, measles, whooping cough, chicken pox), and that the Department of Health is able to add a vaccination to the list. There is a line that allows for parents to invoke religious exemption for their children so they do not have to have those vaccinations to attend school. Currently there are 6 states in the country (California, New York, Connecticut, Maine and West Virginia) that have eliminated the religious exemption. If this bill passes, Massachusetts will be the 7th state to remove the religious exemption. This is the second time that the bill has come to the state legislature. The virtual hearing is on Monday (July 12, 2021). • Ms. Lenihan is going to testify in support of the bill as an individual but she would like to also have the support of the School Committee. LSC 7/9/21 - APPROVED on 8/17/21 JK Ms. Lenihan presented a draft of her letter. • Mr. Bokun asked if Ms. Lenihan would be reading the letter at the hearing. She replied with "that is the goal" if she is able to testify. • Mr. Bokun gave his support and said that he would be happy to sign this. • Ms. Cuthbertson and Ms. Jay gave their support as well. • Sara Mei states that she is in support as well, this will help protect others who are unable to get vaccinated. • Ms. Jay offered some edits to the letter. Ms. Lenihan made the corrections. • Sara Mei asked if there are any mandates on COVID vaccines. Ms. Lenihan replied that there is no update since the vaccine has not received a full FDA approval. Sara then asked about the previous topic of requiring all participants in after-school sports to be vaccinated. Ms. Lenihan stated that our lawyer can do the ok for this but it would have to be discussed in the fall. She also mentioned that the rate of vaccination is high in Lexington. Mr. Bokun made a motion to adjourn at 6:25 P.M.; Ms. Cuthbertson seconded. Ms. Lenihan took a roll call vote (Approved 5-0). LSC 7/9/21 - APPROVED on 8/17/21 JK