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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-07-27-SC-minLEXINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING Tuesday, July 27, 2021 Conducted by Remote Participation Meeting Minutes CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME: 6:00 P.M. SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT Kathleen Lenihan, Chairperson Eileen Jay, Vice -Chair Scott Bokun Deepika Sawhney 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. This meeting is being broadcasted live on LexMedia and recorded for future on -demand viewing. In addition, members of the public can watch the meeting from a computer or tablet with the webinar link provided in the agenda. NEW BUSINESS: Discuss and Vote to Ratify MemorandgD_pf Agreement III (MOA III) with the LEA and ALA Dr. Hackett explained that the first Memorandum of Agreement was established at the beginning of the pandemic. She states that the MOA III does not have a lot of new content, it refreshes dates that have expired. Ms. Jay had some confusion regarding the dates in parts 1A and 16. She asked if "All provisions in this agreement will expire at the end of the 2020-2021 school year" is meant to say the 2021-2022 school year instead? Dr. Hackett explained that there was a window of time for which the conditions of the MOA II were not going to be covered, MOA III was intended to cover that window. The dates originally listed are correct. LSC 7/27/21 - APPROVED on 8/17/21 JK The LEA President, Dr. Avon Lewis, was invited to speak. She stated that back when the full return was being planned in April, there were conditions that were not documented in the first two MONs. For example, parent volunteers were doing work of Unit D paid employees. MOA III is stating that the use of parent volunteers is going to be okay for the remainder of the school year. In summary, the Memorandum of Agreement III is a document that states changes made to previous agreements. Ms. Jay thanked Dr. Lewis for the clarification and reiterated that MOA III is to cover the time frame of April 2021 to June 2021. None of the current MOAs cover the 2021-22 school year. Any new agreements will have to be negotiated. There was discussion between Ms. Cuthbertson, Ms. Lenihan, and Dr. Hackett about the section mentioning masks. Dr. Hackett stated that this current document is retroactive, there will most likely be MOA IV that will guide our health and safety for the upcoming year. Mr. Bokun moved that the School Committee accept the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA #3) COVID-19 Pandemic Plans for 2020 - 2021, Supplement #2; Ms. Cuthbertson seconded. Ms. Lenihan took a roll call vote (Approved 5-0). Discuss the First Week of School Schedule for Kindergarten Dr. Hackett stated that the School Committee voted on a 2021-22 calendar that phases out the transitional days for Kindergarten. There has been much discussion with the Kindergarten teachers and they are asking the School Committee to reconsider this decision. The days in question are August 31, 2021 to September 2, 2021. Dr. Avon Lewis explained that the Kindergartners traditionally have three half days at the beginning of school. These days have been used to teach students basic skills (lining up, how to sit on the mats, what to do with their lunch boxes). Dr. Lewis believes that having these routines in place will help make for a more successful year for the students. Also, testing/screening that is normally done in the Spring for the next year was not able to be completed this year. The kindergarten teachers are proposing that these half days be brought back so they can use the time in the afternoon to do some of the testing. Ms. Cuthbertson, Mr. Bokun, and Dr. Hackett discussed screening assessments. Ms. Jay stated that the need for some time for student transitions "makes some sense." She asked to bring the Kindergarten teachers into the discussion to explain their reasons for the need to change those three full days back to half days. Kindergarten teachers Jennifer Sheerin, Mayumi Kearns and Ashley Murphy were invited to speak. Ms. Sheerin thinks that since there are so many transitions, having the three half days will help build students' skill sets slowly and this will help them be ready for full days. The main goal is getting students off to the best start. LSC 7/27/21 - APPROVED on 8/17/21 JK Ms. Jay asked about other options (two half days and one full day, for example). Ms. Kearns explained that having all three days would be most helpful. Those three afternoons would be used to get screenings done without the other students present. Also students get tested throughout the year and teachers don't want the students to feel like they are constantly being tested. Ms. Cuthbertson asked if there will be coverage for teachers while they perform individual screenings if the three days are not changed. Dr. Hackett responded that the recommendation is that 1 to 2 students are screened a day, and that would take a long period of time. Ms. Murphy added that leaving students with a substitute teacher and pulling students out of class to do screenings are added transitions. Ms. Sawhney asked about the logistics of getting kids to school and back if the days are switched to half days. Ms. Sheerin stated that in the past the district has run a half day bus. Teachers were planning on asking parents to make appointments to come back for testing, this would also give parents the opportunity to meet with the school nurse or counselors, for example. And as for the Boston students or students who were unable to be tested during those three afternoons, they would be tested during the regular school day. Ms. Sawhney was curious about the number of Kindergarteners enrolled. How many kids does this impact? Dr. Hackett replied that there are much smaller Kindergarten classes this year than the past; enrollment overall went down due to the pandemic. Ms. Lenihan asked how other districts approach this issue. Dr. Hackett stated that our teachers have done a lot of research and that most districts start Kindergarteners off with a transitional period. Wellesley, Brookline, Winchester, Weston, Arlington, Westford, and Belmont all start with half days. Ms. Lenihan is concerned that we are only 34 days from the first day of school and that switching these days would cause conflicts for some parents. Ms. Cuthbertson agreed with Ms. Lenihan's concerns. She understands the concerns of the teachers but is also conflicted because this issue was already voted on. Mr. Bokun mentioned that when he was a preschool teacher, he enjoyed having some transitional time. He "hears" the teachers but since this has already been voted on, he asks if we can "just try it" for this year with no half days. Dr. Avon Lewis "finds this frustrating." She believes what was previously voted on was "unclear." When they realized the change, the LEA and Kindergarten team tried to work internally to keep three half days. In a normal year, we could "try" it, but since this year is so unusual because of the pandemic, Dr. Lewis is concerned that this change will impact the whole year for the kids and classroom community. LSC 7/27/21 - APPROVED on 8/17/21 JK Ms. Sawhney would like to know why there is such emphasis on testing the students within the first three days and if there is any way that days could be added to the calendar as an alternative option. Dr. Hackett responded that the guidelines for testing state that screenings should start two weeks after school starts. As for adding days, that would make for additional costs and the concern for parents schedules is still an issue. Ms. Jay recognized there are many considerations, but she is most compelled by "doing what's right for kids" and to prioritize how the transition affects them. She is sympathetic to the idea of having a transition that builds up for kids in the first week. Perhaps a gradual approach could work; even an initial half day could help, although more would be better. Ms. Lenihan proposed meeting in the middle with one half day. Ms. Sawhney thinks one half day is a good idea. After listening to teachers and his colleagues, Mr. Bokun changed his mind and now believes that maintaining the transitional half days is important. He doesn't think one half day is enough; would like the original three days. Ms. Cuthbertson feels like it's too late to change the calendar. Ms. Jay said her first choice would be all three days; could go with one day as a compromise, but thinks more is better. Dr. Hackett proposed an option of adding a kindergarten "visiting day" before the first day of school. Ms. Sawhney suggested letting Dr. Hackett and her team work out a solution. Dr. Hackett wondered what parents think and suggested the possibility of putting out a survey to Kindergarten parents. Ms. Sawhney moved that Dr. Hackett and educators come up with a plan for Kindergarten transition which eases the process for Kindergarten students, families and educators. This motion was tabled. Ms. Jay thought that having Dr. Hackett come up with a proposal is fine if there is benefit to that; however, the calendar decision should be the School Committee's responsibility. Mr Bokun suggested taking successive votes by the School Committee now, until there is a plan that has majority approval: (a) three half days, (b) two half days, or (c) one half day. If none of these votes passes, then it reverts to the calendar as it stands. Mr. Bokun moved that we go back to having three half days at the beginning of the school calendar; Ms. Jay seconded. Ms. Lenihan took a roll can vote. (Motion failed 2-3) [Bokun YES; Cuthbertson NO; Jay YES; Lenihan NO; Sawhney NO] Mr. Bokun moved to have two half days at the beginning of the school calendar for Kindergarten; Ms. Jay seconded. Ms. Lenihan took a roll call vote (Approved 3-2) [Bokun YES; Cuthberson YES; Jay YES; Lenihan NO; Sawhney NO] Dr. Hackett will work on implementation of two half days for kindergarten on August 31 and September 1, 2021. LSC 7/27/21 - APPROVED on 8/17/21 JK Discuss and Vote on the Proposed Central ce Restructuring Dr. Hackett explained that since the Director of Human Resources is leaving, we have another opportunity to restructure Central Office. The previous restructuring saved the district approximately $345,000.00. The Proposed Central Office Restructuring Plan shows how we can reorganize current personnel. This plan aligns with the goal of "Innovating for Sustainable Change" in our Strategic Plan. Dr. Hackett is making the following suggestions: • Eliminate two positions: (1) Director of Human Resources; and (2) Director of Professional Learning. • Create two positions: (1) "Director of Elementary Education" (DEE) with responsibility for all aspects of Grades PK -5 teaching and learning; and (2) "Director of Secondary Education" (DSE) with responsibility for all aspects of Grades 6-12 teaching and learning. These positions will report to the Superintendent of Schools. • Re -title two existing positions: (1) Director of Professional Learning becomes "Director of Elementary Education" and (2) Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment, and Professional Learning becomes "Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and Staff Support." This plan would cost approximately $20,000.00 to $30,000.00. Ms. Cuthbertson asked, "How quickly do you think the transition will take?" and "What is the plan to transition everyone to this new structure?" Dr. Hacket responded that "the pace of the transition will have to be pretty rapid because HR is a busy office" The Director of Secondary Education" job will be posted, then there is a 10 -day waiting period. Dr. Hackett hopes to have the position filled before the start of school. Mr. Bokun asked what would happen if we don't have the position filled by then. Dr. Hackett suggested using existing staff to cover temporarily. Bring someone in, a lot of options. Lots of talent within the system. Ms. Sawhney asked why there is a $20,000-$30,000 cost associated with this plan if one director role (Human Resources) is being eliminated and another director role is opening (Director of Secondary Education). Dr. Hackett explained that this is for the employee who was underpaid to be brought up to the level at which directors are paid. Dr. Hackett went over all of the different tasks the Director of Secondary Education will be responsible for and the reporting structure for that position. Ms. Lenihan asked if it is common for the Director of Elementary Education and the Director of Secondary Education to report directly to the superintendent. Dr. Hackett replied, "No, it's probably not typical." She mentioned that this is manageable for her. LSC 7/27/21 - APPROVED on 8/17/21 JK Ms. Jay stated that she "really likes this reorganization" but would like to know how the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment, and Professional Learning will be able to come up to speed on the expertise and knowledge needed to act as a Human Resources director. Dr. Hackett believes that this will not be a challenging transition since there are "lots of professional networks that didn't exist before" that will be helpful in learning about personnel matters. Ms. Lenihan would like to know if the School Committee could be involved in the hiring process for the Director of Secondary Education position. Dr. Hackett supports having a partnership and the involvement of the School Committee to get the right person for the position. Ms. Sawnhey moved that the School Committee approve the proposed Central Office Restructuring plan; Ms. Jay seconded. Ms. Lenihan took a roll call vote (Approved 5-0). Vote on Renewal of Dr. Hackett's Superintendent Contract Ms. Lenihan explained that Dr. Hackett is currently in year three of a four year contract. The proposed contract that the School Committee is presenting to Dr. Hackett will cover her through June 30, 2028. The proposed contract outlines the length of term and annual salary as follows: Yr 1: July 1, 2022—June 30, 2023 = $286,760 (2% increase over previous year) Yr 2: July 1, 2023—June 30, 2024 = 2.25% increase Yr 3: July 1, 2024—June 30, 2025 = 2.25% increase Yr 4: July 1, 2025—June 30, 2026 = 2.5% increase Yr 5: July 1, 2026- June 30, 2027 = 2.5% increase Yr 6: July 1, 2027- June 30, 2028 = 2.5% increase All of the terms of the previous contract will remain the same. Mr. Bokun moved that the School Committee accept the new 6 -year term contract for Dr. Hackett; Ms. Jay seconded. Roll call vote (Approved 5-0). Mr. Bokun made a motion to adjourn at 9:02 P.M.; Ms. Cuthbertson seconded. Ms. Lenihan took a roll call vote (Approved 5-0). LSC 7/27/21 - APPROVED on 8/17/21 JK