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LEXINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Tuesday, March 12, 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; Member Bonnie Brodner; and Sam Alpert, Student
Representative
Absent: Mary Ann Stewart and Jessie Steigerwald
The Meeting Minutes were taken by Jean Curran, Recording Secretary
The Meeting convened at 7:30 p.m.
I. Call to Order and Welcome
The Chair called the Meeting to Order and invited public comment.
Holly Boker, SEPAC Treasurer, questioned if this was the right time for SEPAC to bring
up the possibility of hiring a Transition Coordinator due to the increased number of
students in the ILP programs. This issue will be part of the space needs at the high school
in the future. Ms. Boker shared her thoughts on the need for someone to coordinate all
these programs in the District. Ms. Boker also shared that she has information on a job
description and salary if the Committee would like to review it.
Margaret Coppe stated that this will be for next year’s budget and will not be part of the
high school space needs presentation this evening.
II. Superintendent’s Announcements
Dr. Ash announced the LHS PTSA March Forum, “Identifying, Understanding and
Coping with Stress & Anxiety: Strategies for High School Students and Their Parents,”
will be held tomorrow night from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the High School Media Room (Room
147). Dr. Ash then shared that at the last School Committee meeting parents came
forward to discuss the topic of student stress at the High School.
Dr. Ash announced the Estabrook “Topping Off Ceremony” will be held on Wednesday,
March 13th at 9:30 a.m. A “Topping Off Ceremony” is when the last beam to complete
the steel structure of the school is put into place. He shared how last week students from
the Estabrook Elementary School were signing the beam. It is a very symbolic event for
the Estabrook community.
Dr. Ash also shared that he has been working to be more visible in the community. A
week ago on Saturday morning, he attended the LexFun Event for 3-5 year olds “Barn
Babies.” Dr. Ash also attended the play “A Good Man Charlie Brown” put on by the
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Bowman Players at the Bowman Elementary School. Dr. Ash then shared that this week
he went to the Fiske Elementary School Science Fair for 2nd, 4th and 5th Graders. Last
night Dr. Ash, along with Alessandro Alessandrini, and heard Mary Robinson, former
President of Ireland, speak at the High School.
III. Members’ Reports/Members’ Comments
Alessandro Alessandrini updated the Committee on a meeting he attended with the
Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC). The subject of a subcommittee to deal with
youth stress came up again and Mary Ellen Dunn, Assistant Superintendent of Business
and Finance, suggested that they form an ad hoc committee similar to the Traffic and
Safety Committee combining the town with the schools. He talked to Margaret Coppe
and Debra Mauger, Chair of the Board of Selectman and both were very enthusiastic.
Currently they are in the process of having the group put together a charge and hopefully
we could have that Ad Hoc Committee charge ready to be voted on by the Committee
and the Board of Selectmen. He also attended Bowman Elementary School Science Fair
as visiting scientist.
Margaret Coppe received an email that Lexington High School students attended the
State Science Fair and out of the top 40 winners, 20 of them were from Lexington. The
Environmental Team came in second in the oceanographic category. Ms. Coppe then
shared that she had received a letter from the Golden Foundation for Excellence in
Education and one of this year’s honorees is Beth Glick, Guidance Counselor/Assistant
Principal, Bowman Elementary School. Congratulations to Ms. Glick.
IV. Agenda
1. Draft Mission, Draft Vision, and Draft Beliefs Statements for Lexington
Public Schools
Dr. Ash presented the draft Mission and Vision Statements and draft Beliefs.
Dr. Ash shared that school districts and companies often have these statements and he has
come to believe strongly in these statements. Dr. Ash shared the importance of having
these statements which are strongly rooted in organizations and how they become
powerful drives of change and stability. There were questions and comments from the
Committee.
Andrei Radulescu-Banu, 86 Cedar Street, shared his thoughts regarding the mission
statement and curriculum reviews.
2. Report on K-12 Guidance
Valerie Viscosi, K-12 Director of Guidance presented her update on K-12 Guidance
Entry Plan. Ms. Viscosi shared that her work on the Entry Plan has allowed her to
understand the ways in which the Guidance Department has operated and to begin the
transition to a consolidated K-12 Guidance Department. Ms. Viscosi recognized the
members of the Lexington Public Schools team who have given their time and energy to
this task. Ms. Viscosi’s presentation included (i) The American School Counselors
Association National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs; (ii) Key
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Finding and Proposed Priorities: (a) Clearer Articulation of Roles and Responsibilities
through Greater Alignment with the State and National Standards, (b) Streamlining of
Protocols and Practices for Maximum Efficiency, and Clearly Communicating Protocols
and Practices for Maximum Consistency, (c) Curriculum Review to Create a Horizontally
and Vertically Aligned K-12 Guidance Curriculum that is Integrated with School and
District Goals and Initiatives, (d) Parent Programming Review to Align with K-12
Guidance Curriculum, (e) Meaningful Assessments, (f) Greater Accountability, (g) More
Focused, Productive PLCs, (h) Professional Development that is Relevant to Guidance,
(i) Strong Networking Relationships, and (j) Communication with the School
Community; and (iii) Proposed Plan for Moving Forward for the next three years. Ms.
Viscosi also shared her recommendations. There were questions and comments from the
Committee.
Laura Lasa, Principal, Lexington High School answered questions from the Committee
regarding the attendance policy and its value.
Jennifer Wolfrum, K-12 Assistant Coordinator and High School Physical Education and
Wellness Department answered questions from the Committee regarding the health
curriculum on education and prevention work with respect to the prevention program.
Ms. Wolfrum also spoke to the health issues regarding depression, suicide and available
prevention programs.
Leslie Zales, 7 Page Road thanked Ms. Viscosi for her work and looks forward to
working with her in the future. She shared her thoughts on national standards and parent
education. She also shared her concerns about the effects changing demographics in
Lexington have on views about homework and home/school communications.
3. Lexington High School Space Needs
Patrick Goddard, Director of Public Facilities presented the Lexington High School
overcrowding update to the Committee and included (i) LHS Space Drivers; (ii) LHS
Enrollment Since 2000 Renovation; (iii) LHS Enrollment Trends and Capacity; (iv)
Project Scope; (v) LHS Floor Utilization Analysis; (vi) Potential Classroom & ILP
Locations; (vii) Massing Overview; (viii) 10 Year Facility Master Plan; (ix)
Recommendation; and (x) Article 14 of 2013 Annual Town Meeting requesting $362,000
for LHS Overcrowding Phase 3. There will also be a need for a special Town Meeting in
the fall for funds to begin installing classrooms over the summer of 2014 to be ready for
the fall of 2014. There were questions and comments from the Committee.
Laura Lasa, Principal, Lexington High School took questions from Committee regarding
modular classrooms.
Andrei Radulescu-Banu, 86 Cedar Street had clarifying questions regarding capacity
versus headcount with modulars over the next 10 years and bumps in enrollment.
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4. Recommended Revisions to 2013-2014 School Calendar
Dr. Ash provided a brief explanation for the recommended revisions to the 2013-2014
School Calendar. He thanked Phyllis Neufeld, President, Lexington Education
Association and their members for their consideration.
Carol Pilarski, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Professional
Development presented the other changes to the school calendar.
Margaret Coppe suggested that the Committee vote this item on March 27, 2013. She
thanked everyone for their hard work on this matter.
Andrei Radulescu-Banu, 86 Cedar Street shared his comments on the school calendar
revisions and religious holidays.
Margaret Coppe shared that she and Alessandro Alessandrini met with the Chinese
American Association and came up with a suggestion for a lunar holiday and whether
that would work for the Indian population.
5. Vote to Accept a $500 Donation from Houston & Associates LLP in Support
of the 2013 LHS Science and Engineering Fair
Motion to Accept with Gratitude, a $500 Donation from Houston &
Associates LLP in Support of the 2013 LHS Science and Engineering
Fair (Alessandrini, Brodner) The Motion was Approved (3-0)
6. Vote to Approve School Committee Minutes of January 15, 2013
Motion to Approve School Committee Minutes of January 15, 2013
(Brodner, Alessandrini)
Changes to the Minutes were discussed by the Committee.
Motion to Approve School Committee Minutes of January 15, 2013, as
amended (Brodner, Alessandrini) The Motion was Approved (3-0)
7. Vote to Approve School Committee Minutes of January 30, 2013
Motion to Approve School Committee Minutes of January 30, 2013
(Alessandrini, Brodner)
Changes to the Minutes were discussed by the Committee.
Motion to Approve School Committee Minutes of January 30, 2013, as
amended (Alessandrini, Brodner) The Motion was Approved (3-0)
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8. Vote to Approve School Committee Minutes of February 2, 2013
The Committee decided to table these minutes until the next Committee Meeting.
9. Vote to Approve School Committee Minutes of February 12, 2013
Motion to Approve School Committee Minutes of February 12, 2013
(Brodner, Alessandrini)
Changes to the Minutes were discussed by the Committee.
Margaret Coppe shared that Senator Donnelly thanked the Committee for sending
him the letter on school gun safety.
Motion to Approve School Committee Minutes of February 12, 2013,
as amended (Brodner, Alessandrini) The Motion was Approved (3-0)
10. Vote to Approve School Committee Minutes From Budget Collaboration-
Summit Meeting on February 13, 2013
Motion to Approve School Committee Minutes from Budget
Collaboration-Summit Meeting 5 of February 13, 2013 (Alessandrini,
Brodner) The Motion was Approved (3-0)
11. Vote to Approve and Not Release School Committee Executive Session #1
Minutes of February 26, 2013
Motion to Approve and Not Release School Committee Executive
Session #1 Minutes of February 26, 2013 (Brodner, Alessandrini) The
Motion was Approved (3-0)
12. Vote to Approve and Not Release School Committee Executive Session #2
Minutes of February 26, 2013
Motion to Approve and Not Release School Committee Executive
Session #2 Minutes of February 26, 2013 (Alessandrini, Brodner) The
Motion was Approved (3-0)
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Motion to Adjourn (Brodner, Alessandrini) The Motion was Approved (3-0)
The Meeting Adjourned at 10:35 p.m.
Documents: Meeting Agenda; LHS PTSA March Forum; Press Release Submitted by Estabrook
School; LPS Draft Mission Statement and Vision Statement and Draft Beliefs dated February 5,
2013; Memorandum to LPS School Committee from Valerie Viscosi dated March 2013 re
Update on K-12 Guidance Entry Plan; Lexington High School Overcrowding Update to School
Committee dated March 12, 2013 PowerPoint Presentation; LHS Space/Program Study, dated
February 2013 and Updated March 14, 2013; Lexington Public Schools 2013-2014Revised
School Calendar; Donation from Houston & Associate LLP in the amount of $500 to LHS
Science & Engineering Fair; Lexington School Committee Meeting Minutes dated January 15,
2013; Lexington School Committee Meeting Minutes dated January 30, 2013; Lexington School
Committee dated February 2, 2013; Lexington School Committee Meeting Minutes dated
February 12, 2013; Lexington School Committee Meeting Minutes – Budget Collaboration –
Summit Meeting 5 dated February 13, 2013
Voted by the School Committee May 14, 2013