HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-09-06-SC-min
LEXINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Lexington Town Office Building, Selectmen’s Meeting Room
1625 Massachusetts Avenue
Minutes were taken by the Chair.
Present: Superintendent Dr. Paul Ash; School Committee Chair Mary Ann Stewart;
School Committee Vice-Chair Alessandro Alessandrini; Members Margaret Coppe, Jessie
Steigerwald, and Bonnie Brodner. (Student Representative Noah Coolidge in absentia).
7:35 PM Call to Order and Welcome (Mary Ann Stewart)
Public Comment
There were no comments from the public.
7:38 PM Superintendent’s Announcements:
1. Cyber Safety Public Service Announcement Contest
The 3rd Annual Student Public Service Announcement Contest is sponsored by
the Middlesex County District Attorney Gerry Leone. The contest is open to all
59 school districts in the 54 towns in Middlesex County; 77 entries were
submitted. Congratulations to LHS Seniors, James Cullen and Kyle George,
who submitted the winning PSA with their entry entitled, “Texting and Driving”.
Tom Plati, Assistant Superintendent for Technology and Educational
Assessment, showed their video. Two of the four finalists were also LHS
students - John Buschini for his entry, “ Online Harassment Has an Offline
Impact” and also to Kyle George (again) for his entry, “Think Before You
Share”. LHS TV Production Teacher, Mary Pappas, assisted the students with
their entries. The PSAs can be viewed at:
http://middlesexpartnershipsforyouth.com/news/video.php?video=4
2. State Auditor’s Report on Educational Collaboratives
LPS belongs to two Educational Collaboratives – EDCO and LABBB. The State
Auditor will be reviewing all educational collaboratives in four areas: 1-Public
Finance; 2-Conflict of Interest; 3-Scope of Services; and 4-
Personnel/Participation in the Public Retirement System. The State Auditor’s
Report and LABBB Response are posted on the LPS website.
3. School Opening
In spite of loss of power and other residual inconveniences to several buildings
as a result of Tropical Storm Irene, Dr. Ash reported an excellent Opening Day
Ceremony for teachers and staff was held Monday, August 29. School Principals
reported smooth openings in all schools the following day, Tuesday, August 30.
8:16 PM Members’ Reports / Members’ Concerns
The Chair updated the Committee with regard to the Estabrook School Access Ad
hoc Task Force meeting held August 25, 2011 at the Department of Public
Facilities (DPF).
The School Committee is accepting applications for highly qualified candidates for
the position of School Committee Recording Secretary. Bob Harris, Assistant
Superintendent for Human Resources will screen applications and resumes with
Margaret Coppe and Mary Ann Stewart; a recommendation will come before the
Committee.
8:20 PM
1. Report on the Plan to Improve Professional Relationships
Dr. Ash and Phyllis Neufeld, Lexington Education Association President,
reviewed steps taken to date to hear concerns pertaining to School
Climate/Teacher Morale across the district. Mr. Bruce Wellman has been
selected through a collaborative process between LPS administration and LEA
personnel.
A 10-Member Steering Committee is being formed to address the methodology
that will be employed. For LPS administration: Bridge Principal Meg Colella;
Clarke Middle School Principal Dr. Steve Flynn; LHS Principal Natalie Cohen;
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Carol Pilarski; and
Superintendent Paul Ash. For the LEA: LHS Social Studies Teacher Larry
David; Diamond Middle School Special Education Teacher Diane Corbett;
LEA President Phyllis Neufeld. Two additional teachers will be added from
Elementary Schools and will be announced at the next meeting. Bruce
Wellman’s Report is expected by November 15, 2011.
2. Preliminary Enrollment Numbers
Dr. Ash reported that as of August 31, 2011 there are 6,403 students enrolled in
Lexington’s public schools. This is a modest increase over last year and within
the expected projected numbers. The official numbers will be reported to
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on October 1, 2011. There
were questions and comments from the Committee.
3. Update on Estabrook Environmental Plan
Mr. Pat Goddard, Director of Public Facilities (DPF), updated the Committee
with regard to Estabrook’s Operations and Maintenance Plan (O&M Plan) for
frequent and regular reporting on polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) to the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The O&M Plan requires EPA
approval, which is pending. Copies of the manual containing the O&M Plan
Index and reporting data to EPA are located at the DPF and Estabrook School.
There were questions and comments from the Committee.
4. Update on Summer Capital Projects
Mr. Goddard shared information with regard to school capital projects and
work completed over the summer.
5. Suggested Dates and Agendas for Future School Committee Meetings
A draft of future School Committee Meetings and Agendas was reviewed and
discussed by the Committee.
6. Appointment of Philip Coleman to the Permanent Building Committee
The Permanent Building Committee formally requested the State Legislature to
add two members to their ranks. Their request was met with Legislature
approval. Mr. Coleman will be appointed for at least a 3-year term to serve on
both Bowman/Bridge and Estabrook Projects.
Motion to appoint Philip Coleman to the Permanent Building Committee
(Coppe, Alessandrini). The Motion was approved (5-0).
7. Vote to Approve School Committee Executive Session Minutes of June 2, 2009
Motion to Approve Executive Session Minutes of June 2, 2009
(Steigerwald, Coppe). The Motion was approved (3-0-2 Brodner,
Alessandrini).
Motion to Release Executive Session Minutes of June 2, 2009 (Steigerwald,
Coppe). The Motion was approved. (5-0).
8. Vote to Approve School Committee Minutes of June 24, 2011
Motion to Approve and Release Open Session Minutes of June 24, 2011
(Coppe, Alessandrini). The Motion was approved (4-0-1 Steigerwald).
9. Vote to Approve School Committee Executive Session Minutes of June 24,
2011
Motion to Approve Executive Session Minutes of June 24, 2011 (Brodner,
Alessandrini). The Motion was approved (4-0-1 Steigerwald).
Motion to Release Executive Session Minutes of June 24, 2011 (Brodner,
Steigerwald). The Motion was approved. (5-0).
10. Vote to Approve School Committee Executive Session Minutes of August 23,
2011 (2 minutes)
Motion to Approve Executive Session Minutes of August 23, 2011 (Coppe,
Brodner). The Motion was approved (4-0-1 Steigerwald).
Motion to Release Executive Session Minutes of August 23, 2011
(Steigerwald, Alessandrini). The Motion was approved. (5-0).
9:48 PM 11. Executive Session
Motion that the Committee go into Executive Session under Exemption
#3 for the purpose of SEIU Collective Bargaining, not to return to Open
Session (Steigerwald, Brodner). The Motion was approved: Alessandrini-
aye; Brodner-aye; Coppe-aye; Steigerwald-aye; and Stewart-aye.
Documents: 2011 Student PSA; Report of the State Auditor; Excerpts from the EDCO
Collaborative Agreement; Excerpts from EDCO By-Laws; EDCO Minutes of the July 6, 2011
Meeting; Public Statement of Dr. Paul Ash dated June 15, 2011; Resume of Bruce Wellman,
M.Ed; 2011-2012 Enrollment Report; Estabrook Elementary School Operations and
Maintenance Plan Index.
Voted by the School Committee September 20, 2011