HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-05-20-SC-min1
LSC Meeting of 5.20.15 approved 2.23.16
LEXINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE METING
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
School Administration Building
Central Office Conference Room
146 Maple Street
7:00 p.m.
Present:
Jessie Steigerwald, William Hurley, Margaret Coppe, Judy Crocker, Superintendent Dr. Ash
Absent: Alessandro Alessandrini
Submitted by Jessie Steigerwald
Called to order at 7:00 p.m.
Margaret Coppe arrived at 7:50 p.m.
The meeting was facilitated by Dorothy Presser from the Governance Project of the
Massachusetts Association of School Committees. On May 19, Mr. Alessandrini informed
members that he was not able to attend the retreat and asked for an update after it was over.
Agenda:
1. Goal Setting
Ms. Presser summarized the information she had received during the prior retreat during a
brainstorming session around goals for the upcoming year. Ms. Presser invited input from Ms.
Coppe and Mr. Alessandrini following the retreat as both were not able to attend. Ms. Presser
incorporated Ms. Coppe’s feedback with other members, but had not received any feedback
from Mr. Alessandrini.
Members reviewed the possible goals for the following year and noticed common themes
between different member brainstorm cards. Following a lengthy discussion, members agreed
on a draft for the goals to be circulated to Mr. Alessandrini and brought to a meeting for further
edits, comments and approval.
2. Communication
Members discussed communication with other boards and committees, with the
Superintendent, and with one another. The capital projects require extensive communication
with other groups and members discussed ways to build bridges and relationships with
different groups through communication. Members discussed ways to improve
communication during meetings, and noted the challenges of intense and lengthy meetings
about complex topics.
3. Norms & Protocols
2
LSC Meeting of 5.20.15 approved 2.23.16
Ms. Presser reviewed the norms members had agreed to at prior retreats. There was a
discussion about whether members still felt the norms were the right ones, or whether they felt
items should no longer be on the list. Ms. Presser suggested it could be helpful to review the
norms periodically during meetings to keep them up front in everyone’s mind.
There were brief discussions about the following:
a. Superintendent Evaluation
Ms. Presser noted there were some resources at the MASC website for the new evaluation
format.
b. Liaisons and Subcommittees
Members agreed to review these. Members agreed to try to update each other if they
could not attend a meeting so a substitute could be found, but agreed that this often
happens at the last minute, so it is not always possible.
c. Welcoming New Superintendent
Members discussed some ways to welcome Dr. Czajkowski, including a welcome
breakfast on her first official day. Members agreed it was helpful to go through the goal
setting process to provide a shared sense of the Committee’s wishes for the upcoming
year.
During the meeting, members prepared the following draft for their goals for the following
year:
SCHOOL COMMITTEE GOALS
Summary of May 20, 2015 Workshop
Academic Excellence – Providing supports for enriching learning opportunities for every
student
• Support, through providing the resources, professional learning to align with district
goals
o Monitor by report on professional learning access by staff, report on staff
accessing tuition reimbursement funds
• Support the provision of materials to support each student’s learning needs
• By June 2016, have a homework policy in place with input from all stakeholders
Promote Social & Emotional Wellness
• Through a survey, identify reasons for staff and student stress
• Use survey results to prioritize actions to reduce unhealthy stress
• Develop systemic structures to work in collaboration with municipal officials, the community
and families to support student social and emotional wellness both in and out of school
Improve Safety for All Students and Staff
• Monitor progress on safety and traffic mitigation issues
3
LSC Meeting of 5.20.15 approved 2.23.16
o Quarterly updates on progress of safety training
o Quarterly updates on progress of traffic mitigation issues
Ensure Infrastructure that Supports School & District Needs
• Further develop 5 Year Capital Plan
o Continue to work collaboratively with BOS, AP, CEC, PBC and the community to address
rising enrollment issues and capital needs
o Address short-term over-crowding
o Evaluate redistricting options
• Develop a 3 Year plan of operational needs
o Study enrollment projections
• Work with Interim Finance Director to revise budget reporting to School Committee
o Review warrant approval procedures
o Review and analyze administrative procedures on finance
Transition to new Superintendent and new Administrators
• Workshop with School Committee/Superintendent about entry
• Participate in joint School Committee/Administrator retreat
Motion to adjourn: 9:50 p.m. (Crocker, Coppe)
Vote was 4-0.
Place on Consent Agenda 2.23.16
Voted Approved by the School Committee 2.23.16