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LEXINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Cary Memorial Building, Estabrook Room
1605 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 Meeting Minutes were taken by Jean Curran, Recording Secretary
The Meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
I. Call to Order and Welcome:
The Chair called the meeting to order and invited public comment.
There were no public comments.
II. Members’ Reports / Members’ Concerns:
Jessie Steigerwald announced that there will be a scavenger hunt taking place as part of
the 300th Anniversary and local businesses are joining in the on the plans for this event.
Golden Tricorn Hats will be hidden around town for residents to find. Ms. Steigerwald
also announced that there will two time capsules (i) a People’s Time Capsule where
residents can place an item into it and (ii) a second time capsule for Town Government.
The School Committee has been asked to contribute something to the Town Government
Capsule and members should consider what might go into the capsule.
Ms. Steigerwald was also interested in having an update on the question on the print shop
move. A citizen had a question and saw the print shop and took a videotape. The
Committee decided to postpone talking about this for the time being because there are
Town Articles that needed to be discussed.
Bonnie Brodner announced that she attended the PTA President’s Council meeting today
and one of the discussions was about the need to begin having a conversation about how
to help low income families across the district. This need has been brought to light
because of issues Estabrook Elementary School has been facing in recent months.
Mary Ann Stewart is looking for clarification of an email from Tom Scott, the Executive
Director of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents regarding all
around District Determined Measures. Ms. Stewart found it confusing and asked if we
could have a more complete description and notice of any potential budget impacts at a
future date.
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Jessie Steigerwald also shared that this morning she attended the Master Planning
Committee meeting. Police, fire, and Louise Lipsitz, Principal, Hastings Elementary
School presented their program needs. Ms. Lipsitz explained how an elementary school
functions, what the educational program is like, and the state of the building. There were
still questions on enrollment and its impacts. On Tuesday, April 9, at 10:45 a.m. Ms.
Steigerwald will be taking Peter Kelley and Joe Pato, Board of Selectmen, on a tour of
the Central Office which has been approved by Dr. Ash. Ms Coppe is unable to attend
and asked if other School Committee members would like to be there.
Margaret Coppe announced that because of the change of time from 7:30 to 7:00 PM for
Town Meeting, the School Committee meeting to be held on the April 10th will be
cancelled. The SEPAC presentation originally scheduled for that date will be held on
Monday, April 8.
III. Agenda:
1. Curriculum Subcommittee
Alessandro Alessandrini presented an update on developing a Curriculum Subcommittee
and he reported that he had reviewed several district programs regarding programs to be
added or dropped. The K-5 programs in the various districts are presented to a
subcommittee to review and the Subcommittee would present to the school committee.
Mr. Alessandrini suggested having a subcommittee where courses would be reviewed in
order to determine if they should added or dropped. It could be like a Town Meeting
Members Association (TMMA) Information Session with curriculum discussed before
coming before the whole Committee. The only community that has a Curriculum
Subcommittee with a charge is Arlington and it is very extensive. He asked if any
member is interested in calling Brookline, Belmont and Natick regarding their
subcommittees. Mr. Alessandrini stated that from what he has seen the curriculum is
presented to the subcommittee which then forwards to the entire Committee for approval.
There were questions and comments from the Committee.
Andrei-Radulescu-Banu, 86 Cedar Street questioned how other towns announce the
agendas for the subcommittee. Mr. Radulescu-Banu also shared his thoughts on how
other subcommittees operate.
Margaret Coppe reminded the Committee that there will be an Executive Session meeting
on April 23 at the Central Office conference room. Ms. Coppe also announced that on
April 25, Glenn Koocher, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Associations for
School Committee will be here to train the Committee on the new evaluation process.
2. Discussion of Town Meeting Articles
Article 9 – Appropriate for Recreation Capital Projects. Deborah Brown, Town Meeting
Moderator told Margaret Coppe that Article 9 does not have Lincoln Park Field
Improvements contained in the motion. The golf course is the only item being discussed.
The Committee will be made aware if matters arise regarding Lincoln Field
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Article 10 – Appropriate for Municipal Capital Projects and Equipment. Article 10(r)
Sidewalk Improvements and Easements and Article 10(s) Concord Avenue Sidewalk
Construction and Easements. The Committee discussed whether or not to take a position
on this article.
Mary Ellen Dunn, Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance knows that
sidewalk improvements are an annual article that has appeared in past town meetings and
is part of the master plan. Ms. Dunn shared that she has no specifics to add on Concord
Avenue,
Margaret Coppe stated that Article 10(r) related to improvements recommended by Safe
Routes to School. Alessandro Alessandrini will speak to this Article.
Motion To Support Articles 10(r) and 10(s) (Steigerwald, Brodner) The
Motion was Approved (5-0)
Article 14(l) – Appropriate for Public Facilities Capital Projects; Print Shop Renovations.
The Committee discussed the Print Shop and the long term goals to drive more copies
and business towards the print shop and reduce the copying done in individual schools.
Upgrades to the print shop were also discussed in order for employees to have a safe
environment to work in.
Dawn McKenna, 9 Hancock Street, shared her thoughts on the Print Shop.
Ms. Coppe announced that Article 14(l) has already been voted on by the Committee.
3. Vote to Accept a $1,500 Donation from Roopom and Preeta Banerjee in
Support of the 2013 LHS Science & Engineering Fair
Motion to Accept with Gratitude, a $1,500 Donation from Roopom and
Preeta Banerjee in Support of the 2013 LHS Science & Engineering Fair
(Steigerwald, Alessandrini) The Motion was Approved (5-0)
The Chair moved to recess and reconvene on the floor of Town Meeting at 7:27 p.m.
Documents: Meeting Agenda; 2013 Town Warrant; Letter dated March 28, 2013 from
Roopom and Preeta Banerjee to Lexington School Committee regarding a $1,500
donation to the 2013 LHS Science & Engineering Fair.
Voted by the School Committee May 14, 2013