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Home My WebLink About2023-11-07-SC-min LEXINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING Tuesday, November 7, 2023 By Remote Participation Meeting Minutes AGENDA: CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME: 5:31 PM SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT Sara Cuthbertson, Chairperson Deepika Sawhney, Vice-chair Kathleen Lenihan, Clerk Eileen Jay Larry Freeman SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT Dr. Julie Hackett, Superintendent The minutes were taken by Julie Kaye, School Committee Meeting Recording Secretary. The School Committee convened remotely. Members of the public can view and participate 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. NEW BUSINESS ASC Resolutions - Discussion and Vote • Resolution 1: Full, Stable Funding for METCO Mr. Freeman moved to approve Resolution 1: Full, Stable Funding for METCO, Ms. Jay seconded. Ms. Cuthbertson took a roll call vote; Mr. Freeman-yes, Ms. Jay-yes, Ms. Lenihan-yes, Ms. Sawhney-yes, Ms. Cuthbertson-yes. Passed 5-0. • Resolution 2: Regarding Investigations and Recommendations for Transportation Bidding Procedures Mr. Freeman moved to approve Resolution 2: Regarding Investigations and Recommendations for Transportation Bidding Procedures, Ms. Jay seconded. Ms. Cuthbertson took a roll call vote; Mr. Freeman-yes, Ms. Lenihan-yes, Ms. Jay, Ms. Sawhney-yes, Ms. Cuthbertson-yes. Passed 5-0. JK 11/07/23 -APPROVED • Resolution 3: Regional Transportation Ms. Cuthbertson stated that "Regional Transportation to me is very complicated" and that she does not have enough understanding of this resolution to vote. She added that it has something to do with reimbursement structures. Ms. Lenihan stated, "This may not affect us directly, but it does other districts, and I want to support them." There is a lack of clarity on this one. Ms. Jay pointed out that this resolution is for districts where the state is not covering enough costs; this is a proposal to shift costs differentials to families. Dr. Hackett added, "I think they are trying to do two things: Kathleen mentioned that under the law, children in K through sixth are provided transportation within two miles, so it looks like they are dialing back that two mile requirement to a mile and a half and they are expanding that K-6 commitment to K through twelve." Ms. Lenihan moved to approve Resolution 3:Regional Transportation, Ms. Sawhney seconded. Ms. Cuthbertson took a roll call vote;Ms. Lenihan-yes, Ms. Sawhney-yes, Mr. Freeman-yes, Ms.Jay-yes, Ms. Cuthbertson-abstained. Passed 4-1. *Ms.Jay changed her vote to abstained,passed 3-0-2. • Resolution 4: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Ms. Cuthbertson made the point that having "one dedicated position might place an undue burden on districts that might not have the size or funding." The language does say "recommend." Ms. Sawhney added that one person can have two roles, an existing administrator can also be the DEI coordinator. Mr. Freeman moved to approve Resolution 4:Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Ms. Sawhney seconded. Ms. Cuthbertson took a roll call vote;Mr. Freeman-yes, Ms. Sawhney-yes, Ms.Jay-yes, Ms. Lenihan-yes, Ms. Cuthbertson-yes. Passed 5-0. • Resolution 5: MA School Building Authority Ms. Cuthbertson pointed out that this resolution is just extending MSBA. The only change is to allow preschools, which aren't compulsory in Massachusetts. Dr. Hackett echoed Ms. Cuthbertson and added that many schools, especially in Boston, are in great need. Ms. Jay commented that it is not clear if there would be a designated/separate category for preschools; she is concerned about how the funds would be administered. Ms. Sawhney moved to approve Resolution 5:MA School Building Authority in it's entirely, Mr. Freeman seconded. Ms. Cuthbertson took a roll call vote;Ms. Freeman-yes, Ms. Sawhney-yes, Ms.Jay, Ms. Lenihan-yes, Ms. Cuthbertson-yes. Passed 5-0. JK 11/07/23 -APPROVED • Resolution 6: School Bus Stop Arm Surveillance Act and Enforcement and Penalties Ms. Lenihan moved to approve Resolution 6:School Bus Stop Arm Surveillance Act and Enforcement and Penalties, Ms.Jay seconded. Ms. Cuthbertson took a roll call vote;Ms. Lenihan-yes, Ms.Jay-yes, Ms. Sawhney-yes, Mr. Freeman-abstained, Ms. Cuthbertson-yes. Passed 4-0-1. Mr. Freeman explained that he is abstaining because "It seems like only wealthy districts or districts who can afford to install these kinds of digital cameras will have access to this. And poor districts or districts who are financially struggling as it is will not have this option to install these kinds of cameras on buses." *Ms. Jay asked if she could change her vote on Resolution 3 to an abstention. • Resolution 8: Safe Storage of FirearmsResolution 8: Safe Storage of Firearms Ms. Lenihan would like to see something physical go home with students about this. Ms. Sawhney moved to support Resolution 8:Safe Storage of Firearms, Ms. Lenihan seconded. Ms. Cuthbertson took a roll call vote;Ms. Sawhney-yes, Ms. Lenihan-yes, Ms.Jay-yes, Mr.Freeman-yes, Ms. Cuthbertson-yes. Passed 5-0. • Resolution 7: Related to MCAS Ms. Lenihan spoke about our students with disabilities and that they will not pass the MCAS with how it is currently structured. Mr. Freeman added that it seems like this resolution is saying, "Get rid of the MCAS but come up with an alternative" He is wondering what the alternative would be and if it will be as restrictive as the MCAS. Ms. Lenihan added that this resolution is asking for the State government or State legislature to do something. Ms. Sawhney stated that she would be voting no since no other assessment system is in place. Ms. Jay points out that MCAS is multifaceted and agrees that it is essential to have some kind of assessment for learning. Dr. Hackett thinks "the points that are being raised are really good ones" and that it is complicated. She spoke about not knowing what the new assessment system would be like, and doing away with MCAS worries her because she thinks we need something for our most vulnerable. She also agrees that punishing children without graduation is problematic too. "This resolution, for me, is not as fully developed as I would want to see it in order to support it." Ms. Sawhney mentioned that we graduate upwards of 95% of our students. Ms. Cuthbertson said that the small percentage of students who don't graduate are deeply impacted. Ms. Lenihan has a concern over the moratorium. Mr. Freeman moved to approve Resolution 7. Related to MCAS, Ms. Lenihan JK 11/07/23 -APPROVED seconded. Ms. Cuthbertson took a roll call vote;Mr. Freeman-yes, Ms. Lenihan-yes, Ms. Sawhney-no, Ms.Jay-yes, Ms. Cuthbertson-yes. Passed 4-1-0. Vote to Appoint MASC Delegate and Alternate Delegate Ms. Cuthbertson made a motion to appoint Ms. Sawhney as the delegate, Mr. Freeman seconded. Ms. Cuthbertson took a roll call vote, Ms. Sawheny-yes, Mr. Freeman-yes, Ms. Lenihan-yes, Ms.Jay-yes, Ms. Cuthbertson-yes. Passed 5-0. Ms. Cuthbertson made a motion to appoint Ms.Jay as the alternative delegate, Ms. Lenihan seconded. Ms. Cuthbertson took a roll call vote, Ms.Jay-yes, Ms. Sawhney-yes, Ms. Lenihan-yes, Mr. Freeman-yes, Ms. Cuthbertson-yes. Passed 5-0. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Lenihan made a motion to adjourn at 6:39 PM, Ms.Jay seconded. Ms. Cuthbertson took a roll call vote, Ms. Lenihan-yes, Mr. Freeman-yes, Ms. Sawhney-yes, Ms.Jay-yes, Ms. Cuthbertson-yes. Passed 5-0. JK 11/07/23 -APPROVED