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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-03-26-SC-minLEXINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING Wednesday, March 26, 2025 Meeting Minutes CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME: 6:06 PM SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT Eileen Jay, Chairperson Sara Cuthbertson, Clerk Larry Freeman Kathleen Lenihan Sarah Carter SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT Dr. Julie Hackett, Superintendent The minutes were taken by Julie Kaye, School Committee Meeting Recording Secretary. The School Committee convened at Estabrook Hall in the Cary Memorial Building, 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 Tom Diaz, 13 Lois Ln: Mr. Diaz was a School Committee member in 2004. He recalls when the new Harrington School was being finished in 2005, He urged the School Committee to take a step back from demolishing the old Harrington School. He suggested keeping the building for potential swing space or for educational purposes. NEW BUSINESS Town eeti n Articles iscussion • Article 4: Appropriate FY2026 Operating Budget Ms. Lenihan moved that the School Committee support Article 4, Ms. Cuthbertson seconded. The motion passed 5-0. • Article 9: Establish and Continue Departmental Revolving Funds Ms. Cuthbertson moved that the School Committee support Article 9, Ms. Lenihan seconded. The motion passed 5-0. • Article 15: Appropriate for School Capital Projects and Equipment Mr. Freeman moved that the School Committee support Article 15, Ms. Carter seconded. The motion passed 5-0. • Article 16: Appropriate for Public Facilities Capital Projects Ms. Lenihan moved that the School Committee support Article 16 (f) Estabrook Elementary School Nurse Bathroom Renovation, Ms. Cuthbertson seconded. The motion passed 5-0. Ms. Lenihan moved that the School Committee support Article 16 (c) School Paving and Sidewalks, Ms. Cuthbertson seconded. The motion passed 5-0. • Article 10: Appropriate for the FY2026 Community Preservation Committee Operating Budget and CPA Projects School Committee Questions/Comments: o Dr. Hackett spoke about Article 10, she requested an update from town officials on the status of this project. The initial thought was to move the central office into the High School, making the new fields where CO is now available while the new High School is being constructed. Dr. Hackett stated that the demolition schedule has changed, so that won't align. She also added that the current CO building is an ailing structure/F-rated building that would cost approximately $80 million to fix for it to be used as the suggested swing space. Dr. Hackett is recommending that the building be demolished and that we not put any additional funding into it. She explained that the School Committee will still own the land. o Ms. Jay announced that a number of the high school's fields will not be offline during the construction of the new building. She also said that the Recreation Department has a one-year delay in their request for construction funds, so the new fields on the old Harrington site would not be ready until 2026 or 2027. It will also depend on which surface they choose for the fields (grass would take longer). Ms. Jay added that they discussed the demolition at the March 10th Select Board meeting. The question at that meeting was whether the demolition should be contingent upon the passage of the debt exclusion; they voted that it should not be contingent, as it could hold up the contract. o Ms. Lenihan asked where Lexington Community Education will be located if the old Harrington building is demolished. Dr. Hackett responded that it will be relocated to Fiske Elementary School, likely permanently. o Ms. Carter asked when demolition would happen. Ms. Jay replied that the Select Board discussed starting as soon as the debt exclusion vote, probably in January 2026. o Mr. Freeman asked why we would allocate money now to design fields that will be built years later. Dr. Hackett explained that there were concerns about putting it off due to escalating costs. o Ms. Carter asked who oversees spending the money once it has been allocated. Dr. Hackett replied that it would be Public Facilities and the Recreation Department. o Ms. Cuthbertson stated that retaining ownership over the entire parcel of land makes her feel more comfortable with the plan. This will be noted at Town Meeting so that it is clear. o Ms. Carter asked if the old Harrington building could sit empty until the next debt exclusion. Mr. Cronin, Director of Public Facilities, explained that the building would still have to be maintained, which would cost money. The longer we wait to demo, the more expensive it will be. He also stated that demolition would begin as soon as Central Office is moved to 173 Bedford Street this fall. Ms. Lenihan moved that the School Committee approve Article 16 (e) Central Administration Building Demolition, Ms. Carter seconded. The motion passed 5-0. • Article 16(e): Athletic Fields - Harrington Ms. Lenihan moved that the School Committee approve Article 10 (h) Athletic Fields - Harrington, Ms. Cuthbertson seconded. The motion passed 5-0. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Discussion of Draft LIPS School Calendars and Possible Vote Ms. So, Director of Elementary Education, and Ms. Gaudet, Director of Secondary Education, joined the School Committee. Ms. Gaudet explained that Good Friday will be a half-day for staff and students. The start date for the 2026-2027 calendar was also moved to a week later. Ms. Gaudet pointed out that depending on how long the 2026-2027 year goes, Juneteenth will fall on a Saturday, and observance would have to be discussed. Ms. Carter asked why there is not a half day before the February and April breaks in 2027. Ms. Gaudet and Ms. So explained the pros and cons of having half days for students before break. Ms. Lenihan moved that the School Committee approve the FY2025-2026 School Calendar, Ms. Cuthbertson seconded. The motion passed 5-0. Ms. Carter moved that the School Committee approve the FY2026-2027 School Calendar as is, Mr. Freeman seconded. The motion passed 5-0. ADJOURNMENT The School Committee did not adjourn since they will be moving into Town Meeting.