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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-01-28-SC-min (Budget Hearing #1 8AM)LEXINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING Tuesday, January 28, 2025 Meeting Minutes BUDGET HEARING #1 CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME: 8:03 AM SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT Eileen Jay, Chairperson Deepika Sawhney, Vice -Chair Kathleen Lenihan Larry Freeman Sara Cuthbertson, Clerk, did not attend the meeting. SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT Dr. Julie Hackett, Superintendent and David Coelho, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations. 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 person or 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. F026 BUDGET PRESENTATION Mr. Coelho mentioned that the slideshow has been updated since last Tuesday's meeting. He went through the slideshow. Dr. Hackett added a comment about the Central Office adjustments to staffing positions. She explained that in 2022 we restructured the professional development position and then created positions for a Director of Elementary Education and a Director of Secondary Education. This was cost neutral so not a financial increase. PUBLIC COMMENT Dana Dunleavy -17 Patriots Dr: "Thank you guys for the presentation this morning, and thanks for the opportunity to ask some questions. I'm a parent of a first grader at Fiske Elementary, and I'm here with some concerns today around how the class size today is affecting the needs of all children and the first grade at Fiske in their opportunity to learn; and moreover, I'm concerned about how this budget that's being proposed may affect their opportunity for learning and growth in subsequent years. So my question for the group is, how are you all adjusting your projected enrollment models based on the new enrollment projections report released by LPS earlier this month? And I'd like specifically to know what, given that that report suggested increases in enrollment, why are you all looking to consolidate crass classrooms in the elementary school, given those new projections? And can you also talk about how you're thinking about justifying the trade-off between balancing the budget and compromising educational standards that are valued by the Lexington community? Thank you." • Dr. Hackett replied to Ms. Dunleavy; "I've visited the first -grade classrooms at Fisk and spent some time observing, and I think the class sizes are appropriate. I know that it's challenging for people, but we have the benefit of having class sizes that other people, you know, would... They're enviable to other school communities; et me say it that way. The report or study that's being referenced was just sent out yesterday, so obviously, the budget work happens early. The other thing to know is that as the MBTA zoning changes and developments come online, it takes time. It doesn't happen overnight. So we would not anticipate making adjustments now, based on, you know, projections in the future. We do have flexibility, as you know, in the budget, we have unallocated positions. And if the need arises where we need to address concerns with enrollment, then we would, we would do that within the existing budget. Every budget is designed to be that way." Dana Dunleavy -17 Patriots Dr: "I just, I do have one follow up. I appreciate the fact that the new projection report just came out. And so I'm curious if, if the group is able to comment, how will you take that into account, given the relatively short timeline for budget approval and voting at the subsequent committee meeting and then at Town Meeting, which is, I think, only a month or so, or a month and a half away." • Dr. Hackett: "I think what I said earlier speaks to that particular question." She has nothing else to add. Dr. Hackett addressed some feedback about the reductions in the counseling department. The Director of Counseling, Val Viscosi, is retiring, and there is an administrative assistant position that goes with that position. Dr. Hackett wanted to share with the School Committee that she has discussed potential restructuring with our district lawyer, Colby Brunt, because she has a good history of how positions have gone in the past. Dr. Hackett acknowledged that people have concerns about mental health services. She is "quite confident that all of the excellent services that have been developed through the past will continue under a new model." Concerns of our counselors will be addressed, and Ms. Viscosi and Laura Spear, our new Director of Special Education, are working together on a plan. Dr. Hackett added, "I know that doesn't completely alleviate people's concerns, but I do want people to understand that we are listening to them, and we know the worry, and we know the importance of mental health services for our children, and that is a priority for all of us. If we had our druthers, none of us would cut anything from this budget, but we do have to work within the allocation that we're given, and I think we still are able to offer excellent services for our students, and we are fortunate to have the resources that we have." Mona Roy: "So firstly, thanks to LIPS for all the hard work that you're doing and very challenging times. And also to the School Committee. We really appreciate it. I have a clarification question, and maybe just for the general public. I know a lot of terms are often used, like circuit breaker, and it can be a little challenging for the app community members to understand what is covered what is not covered. Because, as you know, a big part of the discussion in town is, or at least, you know, I certainly hear a lot about it, is the cost of in-house special education versus sending children out -of -district. And one of the big issues is it's not clear as to what's covered, what's not and separately, which really is not on paper, is the value that, of course, any sort of inclusion and belonging brings. And has there been any discussion within LPS and all of that to see? I know there's going to be a review of the special ed programs, but maybe to the extent you can, if you can clarify to the public what is and is not covered in the circuit breaker, that would be helpful because that term is used a lot over the many years, and the average Lexingtonian has no idea what that means. Thank you for your time." Dr. Hackett replied that we have an in-house person who presents to School Committee members at our joint conference. She suggested having Heidi come do a "refresher" on all the ins and outs. Mr. Coelho explained that circuit breaker funds can only be used for Special Education expenses that are reimbursable by the circuit breaker. We primarily use it against tuition and transportation but also for any kind of staffing or equipment or things that are directly related to a part of an IEP. Mr. Coelho explained the reimbursement process; the State will reimburse for every 75 cents on the dollar, then we pay the 25% delta. Ms. Jay asked if it's calculated per student and if staffing for special education is factored into the threshold, Mr. Coelho confirmed. Ms. Lenihan mentioned the consolidation of the administration's roles in the counseling department and concerns about taking care of our students' mental health. She requested that we revisit this and suggested getting regular updates during the next school year on how this is going. She also asked if Lexington would be impacted by the President's power to stop federal grants. Dr. Hackett replied that we have not heard if it's going to impact us. Mr. Freeman would like to know about the impact of restructuring the counseling department. Is it district -wide or just at the high school? Dr. Hackett responded, "I don't want to say too much, too early, and not be correct because we're working on the plan." The general idea is that counseling will fall under K-8 Special Education, and the high school would have its own supervisor. Ms. Sawhney asked about the administrative staffing changes at Diamond; Dr. Hackett replied that Johnny Cole is the interim principal, Mary Barry -Ng (who transferred from Clarke), and Cameron Bayard Klimasmith are Assistant Principals. Dr. Hackett added that they are doing a good job and that there is a search for a new principal. Ms. Sawhney asked if next year there will still be two assistant principals and a new principal. Dr. Hackett answered that Dr. Lyons is leading the search for the new principal, and she will get an update from her and will follow up. Dr. Lyons, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Staff Support, joined the meeting to report that she has been in touch with people from all different groups to be on the hiring committee for the new principal. Not everyone who shows interest in being on the committee will be selected but we will make sure to get a broad representation of groups. Dr. Hackett reminded everyone that there is another hearing tonight at 6:00 PM on Zoom. She also mentioned that we received some additional revenue from the town, it's not a lot but the numbers could change. Mr. Freeman left the meeting at 9:00 AM. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Lenihan made a motion to adjourn at 9:03 AM, Ms. Sawhney seconded. Ms. Jay took a roll call vote, passed 3-0.