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Home My WebLink About2017-02-27-SC-min LEXINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE Monday, February 27,2017 Cary Memorial Building, Estabrook Hall 1605 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA Joint Meeting with Board of Selectmen School Committee reconvened at Estabrook Hall at 9:30 pm Present: Chair, Alessandro Alessandrini; Vice Chair, Eileen Jay;Jessie Steigerwald; Superintendent, Dr. Czajkowski; Absent: Student Representative, Matt Campos Call to Order and Welcome(5 minutes) Chair, Alessandro Alessandrini called the meeting to order, and introduced committee members. The minutes were taken by Kristen Cronin, Executive Assistant to the School Committee and Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent Public Comments: Danny Overton 25 Emerson Gardens: Transgender Sophomore Student at Lexington High School— Danny expressed concern of safety for Transgender students at the High School, especially when using the locker rooms. Thankful to be in such an accepting school district and community, but still fearful for what it must be like for other Trans kids in other communities. Trans people have a 1 and 12 chance of being murdered and life expectancy of 23 years old. Danny would like to see a few small changes/adjustments made at the High School to accommodate LGBTQ kids. • Post when gym is cancelled (Danny changes in the nurses office because he feels safer changing there) • Have substitute teachers have more awareness on the LGBTQ kids, especially Trans kids, to help address them properly (substitute teacher will address Danny as a female instead of male) Danny is asking for School Committee's continued support to help Trans kids survive and also thrive. Valerie Overton—25 Emerson Gardens: Danny Overton's mother would also like to thank the community and Lexington Public Schools for their support to the LGBTQ kids. Ms. Overton is expressing concern regarding the recent events of Trump's Administration on rescinding the protection for transgender students in bathrooms and is reiterating the importance of continued positive policies the school has. Deb Zucker-119 Laconia Street: Ms. Zucker spoke in support of the Overton Family and other friends and family that have been deeply affected by Trump rescinding Trans-student guidance this past week. It is more important now than ever to send a message loudly and clearly to our community affirming 1 LSC Meeting 2/27/17 that the rights our transgender students continue to be protected and that Lexington Public Schools are committed to providing a safe environment for all students. Deb respectively requests that the School Committee and the Superintendent consider doing so in a public written statement. Thank you for your support and continued support in this matter. Jessie Steigerwald thanked everyone who spoke at public comment, especially to Danny for his braveness to come and speak openly for Trans students and his personal experience. Jessie will draft a letter for School Committee addressing support for all students in the Lexington Public Schools. School Committee Member Announcements: J. Crocker:Would like to thank Dr. Czajkowski on her Sunday updates and on the Homework policy moving forward in the next couple of months. March 9, EDCO Meeting at 9:30 a.m. in Bedford,Tracey Novak of MASC will be discussing school committee self assessments,Judy will be unable to attend, but encourages other members to attend. J. Steigerwald: March 9, is the next Community Coalition open house meeting at 7:00 at the Community Center. It is an opportunity for those who are listening that are not already engaged in the coalition activities to come and sit in one of our breakout groups based on our top three goals: • Reduce alcohol and substance use by our youth • Reduce the atmosphere of academic competition • Strengthen resiliency in Mental Health Agenda: 1. Dyslexia Update Ellen Sugita, Director of Student Services, and Kelly Chase, Assistant Superintendent. of Curriculum, Instruction and Professional Development, updated the School Committee on the activities and next steps for the Dyslexia Task Force that was formed in September in response to parent and staff concerns regarding early identification of students with dyslexia along with multiple bills that are at the house and senate for mandatory screening for students with dyslexia. Update included current status of Screening pilots (RAMRAS& PAR), Professional Development and research-based screeners, best practices and in district assessments (AimsWeb). Dr. Czajkowski and School Committee thanked the work the committee has done in such a short amount of time and thanked the parent group that initiated the concern/conversation of Dyslexia in our schools as well as the School Committee for allowing this in our budget. 2. Superintendent Mid-Cycle Progress Review Superintendent, Dr. Mary Czajkowski, presented her mid-cycle progress review as part of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Educator Evaluation system. Dr. Czajkowski wanted to first thank and acknowledge that the goals would not have been completed without working together with her administrative team and the support of the school committee. A binder with evidence based on the Superintendent's goals is available at the Superintendent's office, at the Central Administration Building. 2 LSC Meeting 2/27/17 The mid-cycle review consists of the following: o Performance Goals 2016-2017 ➢ Professional practice, student learning, and district improvement o Standards and Indicators from Model Rubric for Superintendents School Year 2016- 2017 Positive open feedback was given on Dr. Czajkowski's mid cycle review with School Committee Members. Members are very appreciative of the binder and weekly updates. 3. Discussion of Town Meeting Articles(20 minutes) • Alessandro lead the discussion of the Town Meeting Articles—School Related o Article 2: Election of Deputy Moderator and Reports of Town Boards o Article 1S: Appropriate for School Capital and Equipment o Article 16: Appropriate for Public Facilities o Article 17: Appropriate for Hasting School Replacement Diversity Think Tank Update Jessie Steigerwald, Eileen Jay, Dr. Czjakowski, Carl Valente, Suzie Barry and Joe Pinto attended a brief meeting earlier this evening, prior to Town Meeting to discuss the Diversity Think Tank. It was agreed to meet again in one month where they would have more time to have a richer and deeper conversation around the Diversity Think Tank. An update will be provided to members at that time. Consent Agenda: 1. Vote to Accept$1,000.00 Donation from Sekisui Diagnostics for 2017 LHS Science & Engineering Fair. Motion to approve consent agenda items(Sandro/Steigerwald) The Motion was approved (4-0). Motion to adjourn(Steigerwald/Crocker) The Motion was approved 4-0. The meeting was adjourned at 11:17 pm Meeting Materials:Agenda;A.1-A.2-Superintendent Mid-Cycle Progress Review—Memo from Dr. Czajkowski to the School Committee b) Superintendent's 2016-2017 Performance Goals and Self- Assessment . A.3-Special and Annual Town Meeting Preparation Memo A.4-A.5- LSC Meeting 2/27/17