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LEXINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Lexington Town Office Building
Selectmen’s Meeting Room
1625 Massachusetts Avenue
Present: Dr. Paul Ash, Superintendent, Margaret Coppe, School Committee Chair;
Alessandro Alessandrini, Vice Chair; Members Bonnie Brodner, Jessie Steigerwald and
Mary Ann Stewart; and Sam Alpert, Student Representative
The Executive Minutes were taken by Margaret Coppe, Chair
The Meeting Minutes were taken by Jean Curran, Recording Secretary
The Meeting convened at 7:00 p.m.
I. Call to Order:
The Chair called the meeting to order and moved to go into Executive Session for the
purpose of discussing Exemption 3 – Collective Bargaining Regarding Teachers’
Contract.
The Chair moved to go into Executive Session and a roll call vote was taken:
Alessandro Alessandrini “Aye”
Mary Ann Stewart “Aye”
Bonnie Brodner “Aye”
Jessie Steigerwald “Aye”
Margaret Coppe “Aye”
II. Executive Session:
Exemption 3 – To Discuss Collective Bargaining
The Chair moved to return to Public Session and a roll call vote was taken:
Alessandro Alessandrini “Aye”
Mary Ann Stewart “Aye”
Bonnie Brodner “Aye”
Jessie Steigerwald “Aye”
Margaret Coppe “Aye”
III. Return to Public Session and Welcome:
The Chair called the Public Session to order at 7:30 p.m. and invited public comment.
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There were no public comments.
IV. Superintendent’s Announcements:
Dr. Ash announced to the Committee that an important meeting will be held this
Thursday with the architect hired by Patrick Goddard, Director of Public Facilities, Laura
Lasa, Principal, Lexington High School, Linda Chase, Director of Student Services and
others to discuss the space needs at the high school. The purpose of the meeting is to pull
together data through a variety of sources to be analyzed by the architect to project the
spaces that will be needed at the high school for at least the next three years and beyond.
Dr. Ash has already spoken with the Committee for the need to have a Special Town
Meeting in the fall to fund modular classrooms at the high school. Dr. Ash is looking at
demographic and historical data from the last renovation in 2000. They will be assessing
the enrollment projections that were done in 2000 and what has happened since 2000 and
what the enrollment projections are for the next three years out based upon the current
middle school enrollment numbers. By Dr. Ash’s calculations, the high school
enrollment will increase by an additional 150 students. This group will also look at what
the space needs are for the special education student enrollments at the high school.
After the meeting and having analyzed the information, Dr. Ash will provide a report to
the Committee.
There were questions and comments from the Committee.
Patrick Goddard, Director of Public Facilities shared that TBA Architects, Inc. has been
hired on a school system wide basis and has been working with us for the past two years
on the multi-year space mining project at the high school, as well as on some smaller
projects throughout the town.
V. Members’ Reports / Members’ Concerns:
Bonnie Brodner announced that the school is currently in the process of searching for a
new Special Education Director and a finalist has been chosen. The public is invited to
meet with the finalist on Thursday, February 28, at Lexington High School in Room 217
from 9:00 – 9:45 am.
Jessie Steigerwald shared that the Youth Service Commission meets next Wednesday
from 3:00-4:00 p.m. and there are two new students that will be introduced at this
meeting. The Master Planning Committee meets tomorrow morning. Ms. Steigerwald
also shared the new 300th Anniversary book mark that Dr. Ash and Carol Pilarski,
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Professional Development
approved will be going home in backpacks. It includes civics information on the back of
the bookmark and on the other side is more information for the next event, March 16 and
17, Incorporation Weekend. Work from our schools will be on display and will include
(i) K-5 social study lessons; (ii) a mock town meeting at Cary Hall for grade 8; and (iii)
videos made last year in LHS US History classes and from media classes.
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Alessandro Alessandrini shared that the Committee received a copy of the Musket in
their packet and he inquired if the Committee receives a free subscription. Mr.
Alessandrini suggested that if it is not free, that the Committee consider purchasing a
subscription to the Musket and any other student publication to support these activities.
Another item Mr. Alessandrini suggested for discussion was to put some of the money
used for Committee Professional Development as a scholarship of some sort for
compensation for the 12 students that come before Town Meeting each year.
Mary Ann Stewart had a clarifying question for Dr. Ash, Ms. Pilarski or Ms. Neufeld
about Readiness Centers.
Dr. Ash responded that Readiness Centers are set up for Level 3, 4 and 5 schools. Their
mission is not to serve Levels 1 and 2. “Levels 1-5” are designations of the
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Lexington Public
Schools are “Level 1” schools.
Margaret Coppe updated the Committee that she had been in conversation with Glenn
Koocher, Executive Director for Massachusetts Association of School Committees
(MASC) regarding the new superintendent evaluation and had asked Committee
members for their availability and it looked like March 20 from 6:00 -7:30 p.m. would
work for everyone.
Jessie Steigerwald announced she could not make the March 20th date.
Margaret Coppe stated that she would reschedule.
VI. Anticipated Topics:
1. Update from School Transportation and Safety Study Committee
Mary Ellen Dunn, Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance shared that the four
bullet points A-D in the original study have been made into three separate presentations
for the Committee (i) emergency readiness; (ii) traffic and transportation safety update;
and (iii) school safety improvements by Patrick Goddard. Ms. Dunn then shared that
Judy Crocker, Coordinator, Safe Routes to School Committee will cover two
subcommittees for the school department.
A. Emergency Readiness Update. Mary Ellen Dunn presented a mid-year
update to the district emergency response planning efforts. Ms. Dunn shared that the
New Emergency Response web site: Creating Safe Schools can be found on the
Lexington Public Schools main page and on each school page. The website and its
contents were funded from Lexington’s Readiness and Emergency Management for
Schools (REMS) grant initiative. The Lexington Readiness and Emergency
Management for Schools (REMS) Advisory Committee have recommended the
following (i) Institutionalize Annual Crisis Team Training (every August); (ii) update to
Emergency Operations Plan (admin) and Emergency Procedures (classroom/office guide)
for Automated External Defibrillator (AED) locations in schools; (iii) review use of
quarterly fire drills and semi-annual bus evacuation and add annual Lockdown/Secure
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and Hold drill to emergency response planning; (iv) Principals, Department of Public
Facilities (DPF) and School Administration review and update visitor entrance
procedures; and (v) recommendation for Crisis Management Plan policy modification to
be in compliance with the Commonwealth’s Multi-Hazard Evacuation Plan (MHEP) and
the Medical Emergency Response Plan (MERP) requirements for schools. Ms. Dunn
then shared the next steps which included (i) approving Crisis Management Plan policy
recommendations; (ii) requesting funding for annual Crisis Team Training in August; (iii)
requesting funding for replacement of “clock and bell/public address system” with a
“rapid communication system” as required by the Commonwealth’s MERP; (iv) securing
funding for conducting annual training of Crisis Team Members; (v) providing time for
the administrative team, DPF, Police and Fire to work with recommendations of the
REMS Advisory Committee and answer parent questions; and (vi) formalizing processes,
procedures and protocols, centralize information in secure location, and each Crisis Team
to designate a records keeper and receive training.
Ms. Dunn thanked the police, fire and town departments, crisis team members, and
principals that are all working on emergency planning.
There were questions and comments from the Committee regarding (i) funding needed
for training and finding the time for training; (ii) where the bullying page on the school’s
website is located; (iii) how were parent representatives chosen; (iv) levels and/or skill
sets; (v) automatic external defibrillators and whether they are in each school; and (vi)
lockdowns, holds and universal emergency language.
Mary Ellen Dunn shared that there is supposed to be a bullying curriculum and one
requirement should be to have a policy and reporting process with forms available online
that are accessible to students so they do not have to request the form from a teacher. Ms.
Dunn stated a year ago we had an update from Valerie Viscosi, Director of Guidance and
she can provide an update and status on that information.
Linda Chase, Director of Student Services commented on Valerie Viscosi and her work
on the bullying protocol and how both of them are waiting on the State to provide
curriculum. If the State does not provide curriculum on bullying then they will develop
that curriculum. There are forms available via a link on the school website and that link
needs to be verified it is working.
There were further questions and comments from the Committee.
B. School Signage and Traffic Patterns. Mary Ellen Dunn presented a
PowerPoint presentation on traffic safety on school property. The presentation included
(i) who is the official property owner of school property and who is responsible for
setting policy and usage controls including access and egress; (ii) who are the
stakeholders; (iii) whether posted roadway signage violations are unenforceable because
police have no jurisdiction on school property except for violators of disorderly
conduction and the need for traffic rules and traffic policy; (iv) review of the Hastings
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Elementary School property line showing what is owned by school and the traffic
patterns which work correctly; (v) the need to give police the power to enforce traffic on
school property; (vi) establish safety centers for traffic access and flow; (vii) enforced
and enforceable safety rules; (viii) change culture of rule enforcement; (ix) who is
working on the traffic safety: (a) Traffic Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC), (b) Safe
Routes to Schools (SRTS), and Ad Hoc Transportation and Safety Study Committee
(STS); (ix) TSAC Recommendations (a) School Committee establish traffic control and
mitigation policy and protocol that mirrors the Board of Selectmen (BOS) using TSAC as
the same filter for review, (b) TSAC request for the School Committee to take immediate
action on the following three recommendations:
1. Bridge Elementary School – recommendation to add no parking
signs for 25 feet along the entrance and exit driveways intersecting with Middleby Road,
with police enforcement privileges/rights.
2. Bowman Elementary School: recommendation to install no
parking signs with police enforcement privileges/rights on the curve of driveway.
3. Maria Hastings Elementary School: recommendation to install no
parking signs on Crosby Road (school property only) as previously recommended by
TSAC as part of a traffic mitigation plan, with police enforcement privileges/rights.
C. School Safety Improvements and Ad Hoc School Transportation and
Safety Study (STS). Judy Crocker, Coordinator, Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS)
presented a PowerPoint presentation to the Committee which included (i) SRTS charge
and members; (ii) SRTS overview and communication calendar; (iii) SRTS’ support of
the January 15th memorandum and recommendations for TSAC review; (iv) new car
counts in March; (v) School Zone Grant; (vi) Bike Walk ‘N Bus Week May 5-11; (vii)
STS charge and membership; (viii) STS Update on charge, article, safety greeter kits, bus
discipline, update on status of bylaw proposal and March 12 School Meeting on bus
registration and marketing update; (ix) STS Recommendations (a) communicate school
hours to parents, (b) evaluate arrival/dismissal procedures, (c) uniform drop-off and pick
up procedures and penalties, and (d) communication and reinforcement; and (xi) action
items.
Ms. Dunn shared STS’ action items which included:
1. Approve TSAC recommendation for Bowman, Bridge and
Hastings Elementary Schools; and
2. Approve school district to move forward with work necessary to
achieve traffic codification on school property by the opening of school 2013.
There were questions and comments from the Committee regarding (i) endorsement of
the TSAC model process; and (ii) clarification on what the Committee is being asked to
support;
Captain Manuel Ferro, Lexington Police Department, clarified the process which the
Committee would formalize an agreement and how signs erected would have to meet
MUTCD criteria to enforce those laws. The police do have the ability to enforce fire
lanes and handicap parking but the glitch comes when areas of concern regarding no
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parking areas and crosswalks, and intersections with bottlenecks of traffic and the police
are looking to partner with School Committee. No full authority to enforce crosswalks on
school property and looking to clarify and codify using the TSAC process and to partner
with the schools.
There were further questions and comment from the Committee regarding (i) were the
principals on board with these changes; (ii) would the Committee look into changing the
one-way street on Rockville Extension to help traffic flow; (iii) would creating laws
preventing sex offenders onto school property be under this jurisdiction; (iv) is Worthen
Road and no parking signs what the Committee is voting on tonight at the Bowman
Elementary School; (v) Bridge Elementary School and Middleby Road no parking signs;
(vi) Hastings Elementary School no parking signs and parking for events; (vii) School
Zone Grant; (viii) would having uniform dropoff penalties be enforceable and who would
make the recommendation; (ix) getting administration and parents together on the same
page; (x) having common start times.
Motion to Approve Recommendations for Bowman, Bridge and
Hastings Elementary Schools as described in the memorandum from
February 15th to the School Committee (Stewart, Steigerwald) The
Motion was Approved (5-0)
Motion to Approve School District to Move Forward With Work
Necessary to Achieve Traffic Codification on School Property by the
Opening of School 2013 (Brodner, Stewart) The Motion Was Approved
(5-0)
2. Lexington Parent Presentation on Student Stress
Ann Redmond of the Collaborative to Reduce Student Stress, a group of parents and
other members of the Lexington community who are working to reduce unhealthy student
stress shared that this is a community concern and they are helping to raise awareness by
partnering with the Committee and the Administration. Ms. Redmond recognized Laura
Lasa, Principal, Lexington High School, Jennifer Wolfrum, Lexington High School P.E.
and Wellness Teacher, Julie Fenn, Lexington High School Social Worker, P.E. and
Wellness, and the School Health Advisory Council. The presentation included (i) sources
of stress; (ii) what college admissions directors are saying; (iii) finding a healthy balance;
(iv) Academic Courses; (v) academic workload; and (vi) school culture;
Sion Harris, spoke to the resiliency and mindfulness portion of the presentation which
included (i) How Children Succeed by Paul Tough; (ii) what predicts a child’s future
success; (iii) emotional intelligence and social intelligence; (iv) cognitive intelligence
(IQ) vs. emotional/social intelligence (EQ/SQ); (v) how should children be educated; (vi)
promoting social and emotional learning for school life success; (vii) social and
emotional learning (SEL); (viii) how to handle effectively and ethically; (ix) 5 core social
and emotional competencies (i.e., resiliency); (x) SEL outcomes; (xi) how to promote
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social and emotional competency; (xii) SEL Programs and what predicts success; (xiii)
more keys to success; (xiv) why SEL; (xv) typical prevention approaches by schools;
(xvi) benefits of a coordinated, comprehensive SEL Framework for K-12; (xvii)
mindfulness training; (xviii) teacher training; (xix) participant comments (professional
and student impact); (xx) suggestions moving forward.
Ms. Harris then presented the communication portion of the presentation including (i)
proactive communication with the community by school system is vital; (ii) 2012-2013
LPS System Goals; (iii) what the community wants to know; (iv) ways to communicate;
and (v) working collaboratively.
Andrei Radulescu-Banu, 86 Cedar Street, requested that the PowerPoint presentation be
made available by email or posted on the school website.
There were questions and comments from the Committee regarding (i) school excellence
and stress reduction; (ii) limits on AP or Honors classes; (iii) professional development
classes focused on SEL; (iv) common core standards and collaboration with the
community; (v) open circle; and (vi) homework policy. Jessie Steigerwald asked to
establish a School Committee Subcommittee to pursue the recommendations in the report
and presentation.
Dr. Ash thanked the Collaborative for their outstanding presentation but hopes that they
understand that this cannot be done overnight. Dr. Ash shared that at the principals
meeting this afternoon they spoke about homework. Dr. Ash then stated that he is very
serious about these issues and will continue to work on them.
Carol Pilarski, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Professional
Development answered questions from the Committee regarding professional learning
courses, limiting AP courses and open circle.
3. School Safety
Patrick Goddard, Director of Public Facilities, presented the safety recommendations in
response to the recent tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut. He shared that all nine
principals have reviewed their capabilities to respond to an emergency resulting from an
intruder intent on harming students and staff and each principal developed a list of
priorities for their school. Mr. Goddard stated that he has reviewed each of the
recommendations and developed a planned implementation strategy (Plan) for the
Committee’s review and approval. This plan has been shared with Mark Corr, Chief of
Police, and Joseph O’Leary, Captain Lexington Fire Department and they support
moving forward and will advise the School Committee and he of any changes as needed.
Mr. Goddard then shared the five parts of the Plan which include the following:
A. Classroom Lockdown. Need to standardize the hardware in each
classroom so staff can easily and efficiently secure individual classrooms in the
event of a call to shelter-in-place. Mr. Goddard recommended several sources of
funding for the security system upgrade.
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B. Communication. Reliability of communication equipment during
an emergency needs improvement. Mr. Goddard shared that the schools will
continue to work towards improved communication with cell phones, walkie
talkies, and the new voice over internet protocol (VOIP) phone systems. Both the
schools and the facilities department will continue to work with the police
department to identify if a direct emergency notification system can be
implemented.
C. Access Control. Access control for school buildings is critical for
maintaining security. Mr. Goddard shared that capital funding is expected for FY
2014 to complete the new access controls in all ten buildings. Mr. Goddard then
shared the various types of identification cards to be used along with standardized
policies and procedures on the wearing of these badges.
D. Security Cameras. Security cameras will enhance the security of
a building. In buildings which already have security cameras it has been shown to
decrease vandalism and bullying. The elementary and middle schools will have
cameras in the main offices and visitors will have to request admittance and have
legitimate reason to be in school. The high school will not have security cameras
for access due to the number of doors for entrances. The installation should be
completed in FY2014.
E. Shades. There is a multi-year project to install shades on all first
floor classrooms throughout the district beginning in FY 2012 and additional
funding for this project is expected in FY 2014.
There were questions and comments from the Committee regarding (i) what kind of
shades, (ii) how many schools have double access doors and will both doors be locked,
(iii) what did law enforcement recommend, (iv) ID access controls and security cameras,
(v) who can view the security tapes and will they be used in court, and (vi) updating the
PA systems.
4. School Committee Input for the Master Planning Process
The Committee discussed (i) preschool; (ii) central office and renovations and costs of
the central office; (iii) moving the central office; (iv) Cary Hall and town office
buildings; and (v) Lexington High School; (vi) timing of school projects; (vii) the master
planning process; (viii) Committee vote taken in January, 2013 regarding Hastings
Elementary School, the high school and when to submit an SOI; and (ix) the relocating of
various school and town office space in the future.
5. Vote to Accept a $500.00 Donation from Burwen Technology, Inc. in Support
of the 2013 LHS Science and Engineering Fair
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Motion to Accept with Gratitude, a $500.00 Donation from Burwen
Technology, Inc. in Support of the 2013 LHS Science and Engineering
Fair (Stewart, Brodner) The Motion was Approved (5-0)
6. Vote to Approve School Committee Minutes dated December 18, 2012
Motion to Approve School Committee Minutes of December 18, 2012
(Stewart, Alessandrini) The Motion was Approved (5-0)
7. Vote to Approve School Committee Minutes dated January 8, 2013
Motion to Approve School Committee Minutes dated January 8, 2013
(Stewart, Alessandrini) The Motion was Approved (5-0)
The Public Session Adjourned at 11:20 p.m.
VII. Executive Session:
Exemption 3 – Collective Bargaining
The Chair moved to go back into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing
Strategy on Exemption 3 – Collective Bargaining Regarding the Teachers’
Contract and to return to public meeting only in order to adjourn.
A roll call vote was taken:
Alessandro Alessandrini “Aye”
Mary Ann Stewart “Aye”
Bonnie Brodner “Aye”
Jessie Steigerwald “Aye”
Margaret Coppe “Aye”
Motion to Adjourn (Stewart, Brodner) The Motion was Approved (5-0)
The Meeting Adjourned at 11:50 p.m.
Documents: Meeting Agenda; Traffic & Transportation Safety Update; Emergency Readiness
LPS February 26, 2013; Memorandum from Mary Ellen Dunn to Dr. Paul Ash dated February
15, 2013 re Update on School Traffic; Memorandum from Mary Ellen Dunn to All Principals
dated January 15, 2013 regarding Traffic Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC) Liaison Report;
Memorandum from Mary Ellen Dunn to Mr. Paul Ash dated February 15, 2013 re Update on
Emergency Response Planning (REMS); Memorandum from Patrick Goddard to Dr. Paul Ash
dated February 8, 2013 regarding Safety Recommendations in Response to Recent Tragedy in
Sandy Hook, Connecticut; Transportation, and Signage Around our Schools; PowerPoint Slides
– Reducing Stress and Building Resiliency in Students by Collaborative to Reduce Student Stress
dated February 26, 2013; Challenge Success dated 2012 “Changing the Conversation About
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Homework from Quantity and Achievement to Qualify and Engagement”; Homework Practices
to Consider; Links to Articles on Homework and Student Stress; Collaborative for Academic,
Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) Guidelines for Social and Emotional Learning; School-
Family Partnership Strategies to Enhance Children’s Social, Emotional and Academic Growth;
Letter from Burwen Technology, Inc. to Lexington School Committee dated January 3, 2013
regarding Donation to 2013 LHS Science Fair; Lexington School Committee Meeting Minutes
dated December 18, 2012; Lexington School Committee Meeting Minutes dated January 8, 2013
Voted by the School Committee May 14, 2013