HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-04-07-SC-minLSC Meeting Minutes of 4.7.15 1
LEXINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
MINUTES
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Central Office Building, Upper Conference Room, Maple Street
PRESENT: Jessie Steigerwald, Bill Hurley, Judy Crocker
ALSO PRESENT: Dorothy Presser, Massachusetts Association of School Committees
ABSENT: Alessandro Alessandrini; Margaret Coppe
The Minutes were taken by Jessie Steigerwald.
Steigerwald called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and noted that Coppe was not feeling well
and would try to join later in the evening. Crocker shared that she had just received a phone call
and that Alessandrini would not be able to attend tonight. There were no public comments and
no announcements.
Steigerwald turned the meeting over to Presser, who facilitated the rest of the evening.
Overview
Presser reviewed the outline for the retreat, including general topics of goal-setting,
communication and liaison roles. She suggested they work on goal-setting for two hours and
then assess the group’s progress. Having only three members presented a challenge, but she
would try to help the committee move forward first in a review of the 2014-2015 goals, then
begin to consider goals for the upcoming year. After two hours, she suggested they decide
whether to continue working on goal-setting or change to discuss communication. All agreed
that it was not worth trying to review liaisons without the full committee.
Goals
The committee reviewed 2014-2015 School Committee Goals and considered what has already
been accomplished. The search for the next superintendent was a major goal and the group
discussed that accomplishment. The committee discussed policy work and progress to date. The
committee discussed the superintendent evaluation process and 2013-2014 evaluation.
The committee discussed work that remained on the approved goals. The committee discussed
the demands that had arisen from the school enrollment and capital plan work. Though the
capital work was not included as a goal, it required enormous time since the fall. The group
discussed the ongoing work this would require in the future.
Presser asked all members to note goals they saw on the horizon for the 2015-2016.
Presser facilitated a lengthy discussion about the possible future goals, helping members
consider which goals related to each other and how individual goals fit in with the over-arching
system-wide goals.
LSC Meeting Minutes of 4.7.15 2
Steigerwald provided a slide from Dr. Ash’s presentation to Town Meeting articulating
academic, social and infrastructure goals. The group discussed having three or four over-arching
system goals. Steigerwald and Hurley conveyed the conversation they had with Dr. Ash about
aligning system goals with School Committee goals and the way to incorporate the next
superintendent’s input.
Members discussed having measurable goals, the challenges in the new superintendent
evaluation system and began to outline ideas for improving the evaluation process in the coming
cycle.
Members noted that though they adopted superintendent evaluation goals for this year, there had
not been a mid-year report from the superintendent. Hurley and Steigerwald shared the input
from Dr. Ash regarding his current focus as compared with the goal the School Committee
agreed to approve in the fall. There was a discussion around amending the superintendent’s
professional goal and members asked questions of Presser. It was agreed to discuss this question
further with the superintendent and the full committee.
After two hours the group took a brief break. Presser asked whether the group wished to
continue on goals or to take up communication. The group agreed to hold communication for
the full committee and continued the discussion around goals with a focus on academic, social
and infrastructure goals. Capital was a major topic of discussion. Members discussed strategies
to support all learners. Stress and mental health were discussed and members considered how
different goals might support a better educational and emotional environment for students and
staff.
At 8:57 pm Hurley moved to adjourn. Crocker seconded the motion and the vote was
unanimous.
Voted Approved by the School Committee April 25, 2015