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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-03-01-SC-min SC Meeting 3/1/11 page # 1 LEXINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING Tuesday, March 1, 2011 Lexington Town Office Building, Selectmen’s Meeting Room 1625 Massachusetts Avenue Present: Superintendent Paul Ash, School Committee Chair Rod Cole, School Committee Members Sandro Alessandrini, Margaret Coppe, Jessie Steigerwald, Mary Ann Stewart and student representative Noah Coolidge. Minutes were taken by Leora Tec. The meeting was convened at 7:33 p.m. I. Call to Order and Welcome (Rod Cole) II. Public Comment Carolyn Fiore (President of Bridge Extended Day Program): All the extended day programs are independent, non-profit and parent-run. I am concerned about the process of the RFP about to take place because it states that if a single, responsible bidder comes forward then the award will take place and the other bidders will not be taken into consideration. The current programs have been flexible and take into account the needs of each school population. The RFP’s bias towards a single proposer does not take into account the current successful model and does not allow for parent input into whether a corporate model is in the best interest of the community being served. I request that you direct the administration to withdraw the RFP and revert to the granting of licenses to the individual programs; if you are unwilling to do this I request that you direct the administration to remove the preference given to a proposal to operate programs in all six schools and evaluate each proposal on its merits and give weight to demonstrated experience in managing after school programs in Lexington. Michelle Greenberg (Hastings PTA Treasurer, one child in Hastings and one in Estabrook): The Hastings extended day program has been wonderful. The program has accommodated my child’s behavioral issues. I want to be sure that the program we have is absolutely considered no matter what. Dale Hoffman (Harrington Extended Day Board Secretary): As a single working mom it was imperative to me to have a well-established program with people who really know the children. There is a neighborhood feel to the program, which would be lost. We do not understand what criteria would make you want to change what are successful programs. Rod Cole: My three children are very fond of the program. I understand the concerns. III. Superintendent’s Announcements 1. We had a telephone conference meeting with Diane Sullivan from MSBA, Town Manager Carl Valente, a representative from Pat Goddard’s office, Assistant Town Manager for Finance Rob Addelson and Norm Cohen, Selectman, to go over what the MSBA requires SC Meeting 3/1/11 page # 2 for the reimbursement program for the Estabrook School. It was a very productive and detailed meeting. We now have a clear picture of what the MSBA is requiring of us. None of it is onerous and we feel like we are on a clear path so that we can have a successful vote at Town Meeting. IV. Members’ Reports / Members’ Concerns Margaret Coppe: I will miss Dr. Cole. You have analytical skills and insights that I value. I hope you have a pleasant retirement from School Committee. Rod Cole: It’s been a great three years. The first year we had all-day kindergarten, the second year we had redistricting, which was a bit more of a challenge, and this year we had the situation at Estabrook which was a bit more of a challenge. Good luck to Bonnie Brodner, the soon-to-be School Committee member. Mary Ann Stewart: I really value your passion and commitment and I will miss all your financial and analytical skills. All the best to you. Sandro Alessandrini: I am so glad you were our voice this year. Jessie Steigerwald: I hope you will come back for enrollment reports and thank you for your time. Mary Ann Stewart: The LEF gala is on Saturday, April 2—I encourage whoever can to support the effort. Jessie Steigerwald: There will be a meeting about Lexington’s 300th anniversary this Thursday at Fiske for anyone interested in working on this committee. A student designed the logo for the anniversary. V. Discussion Items 1. Recently Passed Legislation Regarding the Delivery of Services to Students on the Autism Spectrum – Presentation by Amy Weinstock, Chair of the Insurance Committee of Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts, Lexington resident and parent of a child on the autism spectrum who attends Clarke Middle School. This law requires health insurance coverage to cover medical services for autism. Ms. Weinstock spoke about what the Act is, who is affected and its impact on schools. The Massachusetts law is one of the strongest in the nation. There were questions and comments from the Committee. 2. Board of Selectmen Request to Schedule the Full-Day Professional Development Day on the First Tuesday after the first Monday of November on Even Numbered years. Introduced by Paul Ash, who suggested, in addition, that there be no School Committee meetings on Federal and State election days, primarily because some LPS staff members are prevented SC Meeting 3/1/11 page # 3 from voting if they are required to attend School Committee meetings. Town Clerk Donna Hooper commented that scheduling “no-class” days on election days has been done before and makes sense in terms of voter access, student safety and traffic concerns. The School Committee supports this request and so directs the administration. There were comments from the Committee and the audience. VI. Action Items 1. Draft Medication Policy – Second Reading. The Committee discussed the singling out of epinephrine in the policy. The policy sub-Committee will consult with Head Nurse Jill Gasperini, revise the policy as needed and bring it back to the School Committee for a third reading. 2. Vote to Approve the Evaluation of the Superintendent. Introduced by Rod Cole. Motion to approve as written the evaluation of the superintendent with the index to come (Stewart, Steigerwald). The motion passed 5-0. Phyllis Neufeld stated that she hopes that the unions will be included in the evaluation survey next time. She asked if the document was a public document and was told that it is. 3. Vote to Accept a $1,000 Donation to the LHS Science and Engineering Fair from Shire Human Genetic Therapies. Motion to accept with gratitude a $1,000 donation to the LHS Science and Engineering Fair from Shire Human Genetic Therapies (Steigerwald, Coppe). The motion passed 5-0. 4. Vote to Accept a $250 Donation to the Lexington High School Science and Engineering Fair. Motion to accept with gratitude a $250 donation to the Lexington High School Science and Engineering Fair from Ricardo Dumont (Stewart, Alessandrini). The motion passed 5-0. 5. Vote to Approve School Committee Minutes of December 14, 2010. Motion to approve the School Committee minutes of December 14, 2010 as amended (Coppe, Stewart). The motion passed 5-0. 6. Vote to Approve School Committee Minutes of January 4, 2011. Motion to approve School Committee minutes of January 4, 2011 (Coppe, Stewart). The motion passed 5-0. VII. Motion to Adjourn (Steigerwald, Alessandrini). The motion passed 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m. Documents: Meeting Agenda; letter from Hank Manz to the School Committee and Superintendent, re: Board of Selectmen’s request to schedule “no-class” days for all future SC Meeting 3/1/11 page # 4 November elections; memo from Town Clerk Donna Hooper to Hank Manz, Chairman, Board of Selectmen re: Polls Update: Locations & Professional Development Schedules; Medication Policy Draft- second reading; note stating, “The Evaluation of the Superintendent will be sent electronically to the School Committee prior to the March 1, 2011 meeting”; letter from Shire Senior Vice President, William F. Clambrone, to Lexington School Committee re: $1000 donation to the 2011 LHS Science and Engineering Fair; letter from Sarah Forrester and Ricardo Dumont re: donation of $250 to the 2011 LHS Science and Engineering Fair; School Committee Minutes, 12/14/10; School Committee Minutes, 1/4/11.