HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-04-12-SC-min LEXINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Wednesday,April 12,2017
Cary Memorial Building, Estabrook Hall
1605 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA
Present:
Chair, Alessandro Alessandrini; Vice-Chair, Eileen Jay;Jessie Steigerwald; Kate Colburn, Kathleen Lenihan
Superintendent, Dr.Czajkowski; Pat Goddard
Absent: Student Representative, Matt Campos
The minutes were taken by Kristen Cronin, Executive Assistant to the School Committee and
Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent.
The meeting convened at 6:00 p.m.
Call to Order and Welcome:
Chair, Alessandro Alessandrini called the meeting to order, and introduced committee members.
A moment of silence was held for the Jr. at Lexington High School, Ilana Virgile who committed suicide
over the weekend. School Committee would like to extend their thoughts and prayers to the family
during this very difficult time.
Alessandro Alessandrini has spoken with Dr. Czajkowski to set up a meeting with Carl Valente to discuss
what can be done in the town to address suicide and what programs need to be put in place for
students.
Public Comments:
Bo Lee 39 Solomese Road—Focus on after school program rider cost analysis. Gives two examples for
"double seat" cost, also discusses school capacity.
Superintendent's Announcement:
Received a notice from the office of public school monitoring on the mid-cycle review 2017 they
conducted on Student Services, to determine our compliance with laws. Please to report that our
District is in compliance with regulations. Want to acknowledge our Director of Special Education and
her staff.
On Tuesday, April 25,we will be doing a site visit at King Philip High School with Dr. Lisa Mobly. On April
26, we will conduct a site visit with Dr.John Murray at Lexington High School. On Friday April 28,
conducting third site visit with Robert Shaw at Quincy High School.
Dr. Czajkowski and Mr. Valente interviewed 4 candidates to date for the Facilities position. Will keep
School Committee up to date.
Wishes everyone a happy Passover& Easter and safe Spring vacation. Take time to spend time with
family, stay off computers and have time to play.
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School Committee Member Announcements:
Kate Colburn:
Attended meeting of the permanent building committee (PBC) to discuss type of thermosystem we
would like at Hastings. A long discussion was held about Pelham Road property, one option is possible
renovation of building for a 50 year life span,two other options slightly less expensive. DiNisco will be
sending quotes.
Kathleen Lenihan:
Attended gathering CALL gathering for members of the board to get to know Board of Selectmen and
School Committee Members.
Jessie Steigerwald:
Thanked the Virgil family for coming forward with their daughter's suicide. By the family being so open
about the suicide,this is a way to open conversation about this topic. Will be heading out shortly to
attend a meeting with town and school staff to meet with people from Riverside, a mental health
agency that helps provide training to discuss this very difficult topic.
Eileen Jay:
Recognizing and all feeling this has been a difficult time for our school system. Also want to commend
school staff on coming together and helping inform students and parents. Start thinking about what
happens after school hours.
Alessandro Alessandrini:
Also attended LexDesi event, thank you for the invitation and attended the CALL meeting and want to
thank Larry and Sophia for opening up their door and starting a conversation with us.
Thank representative Jay Kaufman for pushing to amend adding$500,000 to METCO program budget,
Agenda:
1. Continued Discussion of School Master Plan:
School Committee would like to revisit this is to modify this plan with respect to a new High School as
well as Elementary/Middle School needs. Having a detailed master plan will actually reflect the need
for when space is needed.
Eileen Jay: Expressed concern over the DiNisco Phase 1 plan and defer Central Office phase 1,
doesn't seem as urgent as elementary analysis. Do we want to be spending that planning money on
the analysis when there are so many unknown?
Pat Goddard: Outcome of the central office will be informative to the elementary planning process.
The property the new Harrington/old Harrington is biggest property we have for elementary schools.
If we could evaluate what the space needs are for the central office that will help evaluate what is
the available space for the future of an elementary expansion.
Kate Colburn: Shares Eileen Jay's concern about the timing of these two pieces. Enrollment growth
over next 5 years is easily equivalent of another full sized elementary school. Unless we think there is
some likelihood we could fit another full sized elementary school on the existing Harrington campus,
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it seems to me that the more pressing need is to figure out where we would put that school. Feels
there is more of urgency at the elementary level rather than at the CO. Focusing on the elementary
school first,then CO in the fall seems to make sense to me.
Alessandro Alessandrini: Also siding with Ms.Jay and Ms. Colburn only because we do need more
elementary space. We do have an Elementary need as well as a Middle School need and a High
School need. We have all these needs but focusing on Central Office at this point, I think the focus
should actually be finding more elementary space. Focusing on Central Office right now does not
need to be done right away.
School Committee has agreed to continue this discussion on April 24th Agenda.
2. Vote on After-School Transportation Program
Dr. Czajkowski addressed a memo to School Committee outlining recommendations for the 2017-
2018 school year for the After School Transportation Recommendation
Dawn McKenna—Precinct 6: Expressed concern that public funds are paying for private program?
Subsidizing a very small number of people. When community hears the amount of money we are
subsidizing, it is going to have big implications.
Siobhan Robb—Recreation Director at Hayden: Understands this is a huge implication for the
residents and families. Hayden is a non-profit organization and this program has been offered for 28
years. We believe it is a very valued program by people in the community. Requesting to consider
your motion to discontinue this program.
Dr. Czajkowski is asking School Committee to come back with a vote on the second motion to make
a decision on 2018-2019 and beyond transportation program.
Motion to remove the participation cap of 40 students per school originally proposed in the FY17-18
budget for the elementary ride after transportation program, and approve continuing the program in
the 17-I8 school year with the parameters described in the attached memorandum not including the
termination of the program for the 2018-2019 school year, contingent upon receiving a list from
Vendors and assuring that students are met at the bus. (Sandro/Colburn)Motion approved 4-0
The School Committee will remain in session and relocate to Battin Hall for the purpose of participating in
Town Meeting.
Meeting Materials:Agenda;A.2—After School Transportation Recommendation Memo
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