HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-10-10-ESTABROOK-minJOSEPH ESTABROOK
"T R Y
Dr. Gerardo J Martinez
Principal
Minutes
Friday, October 10, 2025 from 2:30pm-3:30pm
Room 154 Estabrook School
(781) 861-2520
gmartinez@lexingtonma.org
Fax: (781) 862-2145
Topic
Meeting Set -U12
Agenda Items
Greetings/Introductions
All members introduced themselves. Newer members are Lina Kim, Grade 5 teacher.
Maliha Rahman, PTO co -president is also new to the council.
Kelly Lombardo, Grade 3 teacher, will join the council, starting in November.
Andrew Harris joined a little later.
Karyn Zhao joined via google meet
Joe Sullivan shared his role as SRO in the district.
Public Speak
No public commentary
Review Norms, Term Limits and Bylaws
Reviewed together live; shared with the group for review and reference later
Calendar of Meetings
October 10, 2025
November 14, 2025 (budget)
March 27, 2026
April 17, 2026
May 22, 2026
Schedule agreed upon by group
Joseph Estabrook Elementary School 1 117 Grove Street I Lexington, MA 102420
Updates
National Blue Ribbon School
Nominated last year; application process was challenging and intensive; August was announced we were
selected; program was cancelled by national DoE with the message that states should be responsible for
acknowledging school progress
mClass and Ren Star Assessments
Assessments were concluded; meetings were held to analyze the data by teams.
Teacher representative reported how the data is looked at and how the information is implemented.
This also lets teachers see when kids should be celebrated.
Info shared with parents at teacher conferences
Back to School Night
Traditionally, this has been "stand and deliver"but discussed having it be more hands-on.
This was discussed with PTO and staff were surveyed.
Strong preference for continuing the current model but some interest in exploring an evening curriculum
experience with students. This would not replace but potentially add to the evening calendar of events.
Conferences
Beginning now
Hydroponic Tower Pilot
Pilot school last year and it was very successful. Estabrook hosted school committee reps and
superintendent with the kids sharing what they learned. For SY25-26, 16 towers were added to the
district as a result. Dr. Martinez is helping with the training of new sites and may be presenting at a food
services conference. We discussed the idea of a grant to add to community buildings.
Bum
Fiscal year 26 will continue to be tight. We're expecting a Q1 report at the end of October. FY27 is still
unclear, but expected to be tight. The expense budgets have shrunk significantly and tracking will
happen at line level (for better insights). The expense philosophy of 75-25 cadence is in effect (75%
before Feb). Budget managers will meet with school administration and review staffing, student
projections, funding needs; historical patterns across district can be identified.
Class sizes are larger than in previous years with contractions occurring in K,1, 2. There are staff
concerns but Dr. Martinez shared we are within union guidelines. Class sizes across schools will look
different. Ex. Kindergarten classes may be smaller in smaller schools. As part of the budget process we
will continue to work with town on facilities requests.
Adjourned at 3:20
Town Clerk
clerkpostings@lexingtonma.gov mdeeldereteaggKin tonrrra.aov
Minutes Sent to:
Joseph Estabrook Elementary School 1 117 Grove Street I Lexington, MA 102420
Joseph Estabrook Elementary School 1 117 Grove Street I Lexington, MA 102420