HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-05-06-SC-minSC Meeting 5/6/08 page # 1
LEXINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Cary Hall
1605 Massachusetts Avenue
Present: Superintendent Paul Ash, School Committee Chair Tom Diaz, School
Committee Members Helen Cohen, Rod Cole, Margaret Coppe and Ravi Sakhuja. The
minutes were taken by Leora Tec.
I. Call to Order (Ellen Stone Room)
II. Executive Session (Ellen Stone Room)
III. Return to Public Session and Welcome (Cary Hall Auditorium)
IV. Superintendent’s Announcements:
1. Essential School Health Services Grant Award: We received an 11 year
commitment for this grant, as long as Congress continues to fund this after the first
five years.
2. Thank you to Anne Frymer for purchasing a book, Take a Kiss to School, for every
elementary school.
3. The accreditation process for Lexington High School has begun. In the fall, we will
receive a report from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges on the
strengths and weaknesses of our high school. Thanks to all staff and students who
put the time in to help prepare for this process.
4. I have decided to add an additional teacher to the Bowman 4th grade because of an
increase in enrollment.
V. Members’ Reports / Members’ Concerns
Rod Cole: I had a favorable meeting with ILP parents.
Tom Diaz: There are still employees that are buying things without purchase orders. I
urge the administration to encourage all staff to follow the proper procedures as
outlined by the Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance.
SC Meeting 5/6/08 page # 2
VI. Discussion Items
1. FY08 Third Quarter Financial Report: Presented by Paul Ash and discussed by the
Committee. Dr. Ash also discussed encumbering funds for potential SPED settlement
costs.
2. Recommended 2009-2010 School Calendar: Two calendars were presented by Paul Ash,
one starting before Labor Day and one after Labor Day. The vote will take place at the
next meeting.
3. Update on Full-Day and Half-Day Kindergarten: Presented by Carol Pilarski.
There were questions and discussion by the Committee.
Mary Yardley, kindergarten teacher at Harrington, spoke as well.
VII. Action Items:
1. Vote to Approve June School Committee Meeting Dates –
June 3 and June 17.
The Committee agreed to these dates.
Tom Diaz announced he would step down as chair in mid-June but would remain on
the School Committee.
2. Vote to Accept $1,510 in Playground Donations to Lexington Children’s Place
Motion to accept nine playground donations totaling $1,510 from Lexington
Children’s Place families and staff to Lexington Children’s Place. (Cohen, Coppe).
The motion passed 5-0.
VIII. Motion to Adjourn (Sakhuja, Coppe). The motion passed 5-0.