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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-11-04-SC-min SC Meeting 11.04.13 Page 1 LEXINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING Monday, November 4, 2013 Cary Memorial Building, Estabrook Room 1605 Massachusetts Avenue PRESENT: Dr. Paul Ash, Superintendent; Margaret Coppe, Chair; Bonnie Brodner, Vice-Chair; Alessandro Alessandrini; Jessie Steigerwald and Mary Ann Stewart ABSENT: Sam Lehn, Student Representative The Minutes were taken by Jean Curran, Recording Secretary The meeting convened at 6:35 p.m. I. Call to Order and Welcome The Vice-Chair called the meeting to Order and invited public comment. Ms. Brodner made note that tonight’s meeting was not live but will be available On-Demand on LexMedia. II. School Committee Member Announcements Jessie Steigerwald shared that a resident of Lexington has reached out to her and invited her and Dr. Ash to view technology in Arlington Public Schools. III. Agenda 1. Discussion of Special Town Meeting Warrant Articles and Proposed Amendment to Article 4. The Committee postponed discussion of Article 4 – Appropriate for Modular Classrooms at the High School until the Chair arrived. Article 5 – Appropriate for Renovations to Buildings to be Acquired at 39 Marrett Road. The Committee discussed Mary Ann Stewart shared that she was not prepared at the last Committee meeting to take a position on Article 5, but was ready this evening to support the bill. Motion to Support Article 5 – Appropriate for Renovations to Buildings to be Acquired at 39 Marrett Road (Stewart, Brodner) The Motion was Approved (4-0) Jessie Steigerwald agreed to speak to Article 5 Article 4: Amendment to the Main Motion made by Patrick Mehr, Precinct 3 Town Meeting Member to request that the Superintendent of Schools study the impact on school enrollments in Lexington’s housing stock and present the results of the study to the Committee, Board of Selectmen and Town Meeting at or before its annual 2015 session. The discussion included Carl Valente, Town Manager’s email regarding this study, the impact to the Town to borrow SC Meeting 11.04.13 Page 2 money and any impacts to future school projects. The Committee members did not support this amendment. Motion to Oppose Article 4 Amendment to the main motion as written by Patrick Mehr (Stewart, Steigerwald) The Motion was Approved (5-0) Margaret Coppe agreed to speak to Article 4 and the proposed Amendment. 2. Discuss and Vote the School Committee’s Position on Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) 2013 Resolutions The Committee’s discussion was led by Mary Ann Stewart regarding the MASC’s 2013 Resolutions and any proposed changes to the Resolutions. Ms. Stewart shared that Glenn Koocher, Executive Director of MASC informed her that it is not likely there would be new legislation introduced by MASC before the end of the year. 3. Discuss and Vote the School Committee’s Position on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Senate Bill No. 213 Mary Ann Stewart led the discussion on Section Bill No. 213, an Act concerning media literacy in schools. Ms. Stewart shared that MASC’s Legislative Committee supports this bill and believes that the Committee should support this Bill. The Committee was in favor of supporting Bill No. 213. Margaret Coppe arrived at the Meeting at 6:43 p.m. Motion to take a position, formally, in Support of Senate Bill No. 213 and so desired, write a letter in support (Steigerwald, Alessandrini) The Motion was Approved 5-0 Mary Ann Stewart agreed to draft and distribute the letter of support. 4. Discuss and Vote the School Committee’s Position on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts House Bill No. 457 Mary Ann Stewart led the discussion on House Bill No. 457, an Act reviving the foundation budget review commission. The discussion included the need for the review of the foundation budget to reflect current costs. There was a public hearing held on October 17 and if the Committee wanted to submit a statement it would be timely. Mr. Alessandrini expressed his concerns that members on the review commission would be in favor of for more money for charter schools which he opposes. The Committee discussed how the funds are distributed. Ms. Steigerwald shared that the Bill itself is supported by different organizations and she would support it. She felt that the foundation budget has been too low for too long and that it would benefit many other towns that need it raised. Ms. Brodner wondered if the Committee could draft something about recalculating the budget and not directly supporting the budget. Ms. Coppe shared her concerns about what the final form of the Bill would look like and whether or not the Committee would support the amended version. SC Meeting 11.04.13 Page 3 Andrei Radulescu-Banu, 86 Cedar Street shared his thoughts on Bill 457 and the distribution of money and also shared his support of this bill. Mary Ann Stewart will draft a statement of support for House Bill No. 457. Alessandro Alessandrini will abstain for now until he sees the makeup of the review commission. Ms. Coppe took over the meeting at 6:57 p.m. and went back to Agenda Item III, Article 4 and the proposed Amendment. It was decided that Alessandro Alessandrini would speak to Article 2- Amend FY2014 Operating, Enterprise Fund and Community Preservation Budgets, Article 3 – Appropriate To and From Specified Stabilization Funds and Article 5 – Appropriate For Renovatoins to Buildings to be Acquired at 39 Marrett Road. Jessie Steigerwald would speak to Article 5 – Appropriate For Renovations to Buildings to be Acquired at 39 Marrett Road. Margaret Coppe will speak to Article 4 and the proposed Amendment At 7:20 p.m., the School Committee recessed to Special Town Meeting floor in Battin Hall.. Adjourned: at conclusion of Special Town Meeting The next meeting of the School Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, November 5, 2013, at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Offices Building, Selectmen’s Meeting Room, 1625 Massachusetts Avenue. Materials: Meeting Agenda; Town Warrant Articles; Senate Bill No. 213 and House Bill No. 457; and Report of the Resolutions Committee Resolution 1 – Funding for K-12 Transient Student Success Voted by the School Committee December 19, 2013