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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-03-31-SC-minLEXINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING Monday, March 31, 2014 Cary Memorial Building, Estabrook Hall 1605 Massachusetts Avenue PRESENT: Dr. Paul B. Ash, Superintendent; Margaret Coppe, Chair; Alessandro Alessandrini, Jessie Steigerwald, Judy Crocker and Mary Ann Stewart The minutes were taken by Margaret Coppe 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 was none. Dr. Ash said that on March 27, he and Ms. Coppe met with the Enrollment Working Group, Mr. Phil Poinelli from SMMA, and Mr. Goddard, DPF, and discussed revising the K-12 Master Plan. Issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is the next step. II. School Committee Member Announcements Mary Ann Stewart gave an update on the Solar process. The RFQ has been issued, bidders have made a site visit, and the committee is waiting for proposals. She attended the Asian American Perspective Forum on March 29 and reported that it was well- attended. Alessandro Alessandrini also attended the forum. Jessie Steigerwald also attended the forum. She announced that as of tonight, Lexington is now 301 years old.. The Mock Town Meeting was well received. Bridge Elementary School presented an outstanding Shakespeare play. Edco is holding a legislative forum. Judy Crocker also attended the Mock Town Meeting and the Bridge 5th grade Shakespeare play.. III. Agenda 1. Vote to Support Proclamation Recognize February 21 as International Mother Language Day Zahin (Lexington High School) and Noha Ahmed (LHS graduate), asked for a vote to recognize International Mother Language Day in the Lexington schools. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially recognized the first International Mother Language Day on November 17, 1999. It is now celebrated on February 21 as commemoration of the Bangladeshi student protesters who gave their lives in order to regain the right to recognize Bangla as their national language. Since this day will always fall during February vacation week, it was suggested to make announcements either before or after the week and to include the date on school calendars and planners. Motion to recognize February 21 as International Mother Language Day in Lexington Schools. (Steigerwald, Stewart) The Motion was approved. (5-0) 2. Ad hoc Transportation Study Committee—Final Report Judy Crocker, Chair, of the Ad hoc Transportation Study Committee, presented the final report of the committee. She thanked members Elaine Celi, LPS Transportation Coordinator, Elaine Dratch, Transportation Advisory Committee, Mary Ellen Dunn, Assistant Superintendent of Business and Finance, Captain Manny Ferro, LPD, Sharon Kendall, PTA/PTO representative, Craig Weeks, community member, Deb Mauger, Board of Selectmen liaison, and Jessie Steigerwald, School Committee liaison. She ended her report (attached) showing a LHS Marketing Class Public Service Announcement. She announced that bus registration for the 2014-2015 year will open on April 7. Those who register before July will pay $300. All who register after that date will pay the full $745 cost. Families new to Lexington will qualify for the reduced rate when they move into town. The next steps are presentation to the PTA/PTO Council and the Board of Selectmen. Following these presentations, the committee will be dissolved. Asked about the process for the evaluation of proposals, Ms. Dunn said the Sidewalk Committee will be involved. Ms. Celi is the school liaison to that committee. Ms. Dunn is the school liaison to the Traffic Safety Committee. Reading of a Traffic Safety and Mitigation Policy by the School Committee is scheduled for meetings on April 17 and May 17, with final vote on June 10. Mr. Alessandrini reminded the committee that the Ad hoc committee was formed by joint action of the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee and that approximately $1.4 million dollars was added to lower bus fees. In light of the possible cost of adding back elementary world language and dealing with increasing enrollment, will the BOS continue to contribute to keep bus fees low. Ms. Coppe inquired about the bus captains. These are stipended positions at the elementary schools. They will assist the bus drivers with schedules. She asked if there has been any thought given to a one-way bus fee? Not at this time. Jessie Steigerwald said the policy subcommittee will consider looking at a proposed holiday policy, rather than setting up a separate group. IV. Recess The School Committee will remain in session and reconvene on Town Meeting floor, to adjourn when Town Meeting adjourns V. Adjourn The School Committee adjourned at 10:50 PM. (5-0) Attachments: Letter from the Ahmeds February 24, 2014 Ad hoc Transportation Study Committee Final Report March 31, 2014 Voted by the School Committee November 18, 2014