HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-04-08-SC-minSC 04/08/13 Page 1
LEXINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
Monday, April 8, 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 no public comments
II. Members’ Reports / Members’ Concerns
Mary Ann Stewart provided a follow up as the Legislative Liaison regarding the
Governor’s Budget which was going into a joint conference with the House Ways and
Means Committee. This bill is much reduced from the Governor’s vision to increase
revenue from $1.9 Billion Dollars to $500 Million Dollars, with no increase for
transportation, human services, or education.
Bonnie Brodner shared that she went to the First Friday League of Women Voters of
Lexington Forum on April 5. Ms. Brodner shared that the Massachusetts Municipal
Association has come out in support of the Joint Ways and Means Committee Bill and is
personally disappointed that they would support this bill.
Alessandro Alessandrini reminded his colleagues that any edits to the Class Size Policy
should be sent to Margaret Coppe. Ms. Stewart and Ms. Steigerwald were to obtain
language from Brookline, Belmont and Natick for Curriculum Subcommittee and they
should send that language to Mr. Alessandrini.
Linda Chase, Director of Student Services introduced Ellen Sugita, the new Director of
Special Education who will start on July 1, 2013. Ms. Chase shared that Ms. Sugita is
currently the Director of Special Education of the Plymouth Public School system. Ms.
Chase and she have talked at length and she feels Lexington is lucky to have her.
Ellen Sugita, Director of Special Education shared that she is very excited to be here and
begin working with the town, school committee, teachers and students. She thanked
everyone for welcoming her into the community.
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III. Agenda
1. SEPAC Report
Jennifer Yaar, Co-Chair of SEPAC/SEPTA presented the SEPAC/SEPTA Parent Survey
results from the November 13, 2012 to November 27, 2012 survey sent to parents. Ms.
Yaar stated that the full reports can be found on the SEPAC website at www.lexsepac.org
as well as a longer presentation than what was presented this evening. The presentation
included (a) response rates, (b) placement/services delivery for children with an IEP, (c)
placement/services delivery for children with 504 Plans, (d) partnering with parents
‘outside experts’, (e) staff and training, (f) behavior interventions, (g) communication, (h)
initial recommendations, and (i) ongoing program improvement.
There were questions and comments from the Committee regarding (a) how hard it is for
parents to advocate on behalf of their children, (b) communication and conflict
resolution, (c) funding programs that can be useful, (d) hiring a transition coordinator and
improving retention among staff, (e) finding out how the Lexington Education
Association (LEA) feels about the results and determine if more resources are needed, (f)
determining if the general educators have the proper training to read and understand the
IEPS, (g) determining how the athletic department accommodate children with special
needs, and (h) scheduling a follow up School Committee meeting to allow more time to
review the findings.
Trishia Kennealy, 4 Brent Rd, Town Meeting Member, Precinct 6 shared that she had
received emails from people in her precinct who were concerned about the raw data
regarding communication and conflict resolutions, timeliness and response. There were
people afraid of raising concerns because they feared their children would lose services
and their needs wouldn’t be met. Ms. Kennealy also shared that she has heard that
families have been threatened with legal action by the school system if they disagree with
the school system. Ms. Kennealy wanted to know if the school system is using resources
dedicated to help these children to circumvent the process and requested information on
what actions have been brought against families. Ms. Kennealy also asked who would be
the best person to talk to these issues.
Jessie Steigerwald stated that the School Committee does not hear about the legal issues,
but suggested that it might be useful to have on another agenda to see a global overview
of legal cases Ms. Steigerwald asked Ms. Yaar if she could provide more detailed
information.
Holly Boker, 550 Marrett Rd., Treasurer Lex SEPTA and SEPAC shared comments by
parents regarding that it is unclear how a child on an IEP deals with issues of bullying,
special education and safety.
Osman Babson, 21 Redcoat Lane, and Town Meeting Member shared his thoughts on
communication. He referred to his personal experience with his daughter who is on a 504
Plan and how important it is for staff to return phone calls or emails.
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Carol Millard, 85 North Street shared her thoughts on how challenging both
communication and obtaining the appropriate resources can be. She also shared that she
has been a parent of a student on a SPED plan for 9 years and finds it gets harder each
time they move to a new school. She has found communication falls apart. She thinks it
is important for parents to feel like a part of their child’s team through every step of the
way, including transition plans.
The Chair moved to recess and reconvene on the floor of Town Meeting at 7:28 p.m.
Documents: Meeting Agenda; SEPAC Parent Survey Nov 2012 Raw Quantitative Data; SEPAC
Survey Nov 2012 Comments—Redacted; SEPAC Parent Survey Nov. 2012 Presentation Final
April 8, 2013; SEPAC Parent Survey Nov_2012 ExecSum Final_April 8, 2013; LexSEPAC
Parent Survey Report April 2013 Final April 8, 2013
Voted by the School Committee May 14, 2013