HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-12-03-SC-minLEXINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
Meeting Minutes
CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME: 6:18 PM
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Eileen Jay, Chairperson
Deepika Sawhney, Vice -Chair
Sara Cuthbertson, Clerk
Kathleen Lenihan
Larry Freeman
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT
Dr. Julie Hackett, Superintendent
Barbara Hamilton, METCO Coordinator
The minutes were taken by Julie Kaye, School Committee Meeting Recording Secretary.
The School Committee convened at the Global Ministries Christian Church at 670 Washington
Street, Dorchester, MA. Please note that this meeting is being recorded and that it is in-person
only. 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.
COMMUNITY SPEAK
Tamara Benford (Boston Resident): She has a daughter who is now in first grade at Hastings. She
spoke about the tough transition her daughter had moving from Estabrook, but she is adjusting
and doing great now. She also had a daughter who graduated from LHS in 2020. She adds that
Lexington is doing a great job, and she appreciates everything the district does.
Yogesh Rathi (Lexington Resident): He brought up concerns about coursework on India and
Hinduism. He read from a 9th -grade handout.
Bindu Vyas (Lexington Resident): She also voiced concerns about the India and Hinduism
material being taught at LHS.
Umesh Shelat (Lexington Resident): He has two sons who graduated from LPS in 2021 and 2023.
He also spoke about how shocked he was when he read what was being taught about Hinduism
in 9th grade at the High School.
METCO ELEMENTARY REORGANIZATION UPDATE
Ms. Hamilton explained that last year, she proposed having the METCO program in three of the
elementary schools instead of all six. Jackie Daley, Harrington's Principal, spoke about the work
being done around the METCO reorganization. A parent, Jaylen LaRue, also spoke about her
personal experience with the reorganization. Ms. Hamilton shared a video of METCO events;
Franklin Park Zoo Lights and a Cultural Fashion Show and Festival that have happened so far this
yea r.
HBCU TOUR REFLECTIONS
Thirty students went on tours of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, one student shared
her experience. Ms. Hamilton also showed a video of the trip.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS - REDEFINING SUCCESS
At 7:10 PM, the meeting members separated into different spaces based on grade level
(Elementary, Middle School, and High School). The meeting did not reconvene afterward.