HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-06-09-SC-min
LSC
Meeting
Minutes
6/9/2015
1
LEXINGTON
SCHOOL
COMMITTEE
MEETING
Tuesday,
June
9,
2015
Lexington
Town
Office
Building,
Selectmen’s
Meeting
Room
1625
Massachusetts
Avenue
PRESENT:
Superintendent
Dr.
Paul
Ash,
Chair
Jessie
Steigerwald,
Vice
Chair
William
Hurley,
Alessandro
Alessandrini,
Judith
Crocker,
Margaret
Coppe
The
Minutes
were
taken
by
Christine
Ashness,
Recording
Secretary
The
meeting
convened
at
7:00pm
Call
to
order
and
welcome:
Chair
Jessie
Steigerwald
called
the
meeting
to
order,
and
introduced
committee
members.
Steigerwald
asked
Mary
Ellen
Dunn
to
come
forward
to
be
recognized
for
her
incredible
contribution
to
the
town.
She
helped
recognize
the
need
for
financial
aid/scholarships,
addressed
community
concerns
regarding
recycling,
oversaw
food
services,
transportation,
and
so
many
other
things.
Joe
Pato,
Selectman:
The
Board
of
Selectmen
also
wanted
to
express
their
appreciation
for
Ms.
Dunn’s
invaluable
services
to
the
town.
Crocker:
Also
wanted
to
recognize
Ms.
Dunn
for
her
work
on
emergency
readiness
and
the
nursing
program.
On
behalf
of
everyone
who
likes
things
to
be
done
more
efficiently,
Ms.
Dunn
will
be
missed
Crocker
wishes
her
the
best
of
luck.
Alessandrini:
Thanks
Ms.
Dunn
from
the
bottom
of
his
heart,
while
others
were
making
cuts,
we
were
lowering
fees
and
keeping
jobs.
Hurley:
It
was
a
thrill
for
Hurley
to
join
Ms.
Dunn
in
Lexington,
as
he
had
known
her
for
many
years.
Her
job
is
very
complex
and
we
appreciate
her
years
here
helping
to
guide
the
Superintendent
and
administrators.
Coppe:
Coppe
is
going
to
miss
Ms.
Dunn.
She
has
been
recognized
statewide
and
should
very
proud.
Coppe
wishes
her
all
the
best.
Dr.
Ash:
Last
week
Ms.
Dunn
received
the
President’s
Award
from
the
Massachusetts
Association
of
School
Business
Officials.
She
is
one
of
the
finest
in
Massachusetts,
and
others
look
to
her
as
a
tremendous
leader.
He
thanked
Ms.
Dunn
for
all
of
her
hard
work.
We
have
a
very
fine
business
office
thanks
to
Ms.
Dunn
and
we
wish
you
well.
Committee
members
presented
her
with
a
gift.
LSC
Meeting
Minutes
6/9/2015
2
Steigerwald:
Ms.
Dunn
has
also
been
very
helpful
with
the
policy
review
work
by
helping
to
codify
the
finance
department
practices
and
it
will
be
a
legacy
in
Lexington
for
many
years
to
come.
Mary
Ellen
Dunn:
Thanked
everyone
very
much.
Leaving
is
bittersweet.
Some
challenges
have
happened
but
she
has
loved
working
here.
She
loves
a
challenge
and
is
ready
for
some
different
ones.
She
will
miss
her
relationships
here
and
she
will
treasure
them.
MOTION
to
go
to
into
Executive
Session
under
Exemption
3
to
discuss
strategy
with
respect
to
Collective
Bargaining
regarding
LEA
Unit-‐A
negotiations
and
Exemption
6
to
consider
the
purchase,
exchange,
lease
or
value
of
real
property
regarding
Lexington
Children’s
Place.
We
will
return
to
open
session
and,
further,
the
Chair
declared
that
an
open
session
would
be
detrimental
to
the
bargaining
and
negotiating
position
of
the
School
Committee.
(Steigerwald,
Hurley)
The
Motion
was
approved
5-‐0
by
a
roll
call
vote.
M.
Coppe
–
AYE
J.
Crocker
–
AYE
W.
Hurley
–
AYE
A.
Alessandrini
–
AYE
J.
Steigerwald
-‐
AYE
Executive
Session
started
at
7:11pm
Return
to
open
session
at
7:36
pm
Steigerwald
asked
Phyllis
Neufeld
to
come
to
the
microphone.
Steigerwald
expressed
heartfelt
thanks
and
extended
good
wishes
to
Ms.
Neufeld
on
the
occasion
of
her
retirement.
The
committee
thanked
her
for
40
years
of
service
to
the
students
in
Lexington,
beginning
with
her
years
serving
as
a
classroom
teacher.
In
her
role
as
LEA
President,
her
advocacy
for
teachers
and
staff
has
contributed
back
to
the
classroom
and
children.
Ms.
Neufeld
put
children’s
interests
at
the
front.
She
was
presented
with
flowers
and
a
card.
Phyllis
Neufeld:
Ms.
Neufeld
thanked
the
School
Committee,
the
community
and
everyone.
Her
40
years
have
been
a
labor
of
love
and
she
has
loved
every
minute
of
it.
Almost
her
entire
career
was
in
Lexington.
Thanks
to
the
School
Committee
for
your
collaboration.
Andrew
Baker
will
be
a
good
advocate
and
is
willing
and
eager
to
work
with
you.
Agenda:
Proposal
to
Name
the
Estabrook
Gymnasium
in
Honor
of
Former
Estabrook
Physical
Education
Teacher
Jim
Banks
Former
Principal
of
Estabrook,
David
Horton
and
current
Principal
Sandra
Trach
acknowledged
Jim
Banks
on
behalf
of
the
Estabrook
community
and
gymnasium
naming
LSC
Meeting
Minutes
6/9/2015
3
committee.
Mr.
Banks
was
a
Physical
Education
Teacher
of
43
years,
1985
teacher
of
the
year
for
the
Lexington
Public
Schools,
and
still
serves
as
a
Lexington
coach
and
youth
volunteer.
Nearly
1,000
parents,
staff
and
members
of
the
community
signed
a
petition
to
have
the
gymnasium
named
after
him.
Mr.
Banks
has
always
had
a
commitment
to
all
children.
He
has
a
long
history
of
supporting
students
in
and
out
of
the
school.
He
has
exceptional
teaching
skills,
and
is
known
for
celebrating
health
and
wellness
well
before
it
was
part
of
the
health
curriculum.
He
leads
the
international
dance
night
at
Estabrook
each
year.
He
is
known
for
his
extensive
volunteerism
in
the
Lexington
Public
Schools.
He
is
an
outstanding
role
model
and
is
loved
by
students,
staff
and
parents.
He
is
deeply
respected
and
lives
by
example.
He
is
a
legend,
and
an
excellent
human
being.
On
behalf
of
the
Estabrook
community,
they
respectfully
request
that
the
new
Estabrook
School
gymnasium
be
named
after
Jim
Banks.
School
Committee
members
also
shared
comments
and
compliments
about
Mr.
Banks.
Steigerwald
noted
that
though
some
other
areas
in
schools
have
been
named
after
people,
it
is
a
very
rare
and
high
honor
reserved
for
those
who
have
made
truly
exceptional
contributions
and
who
have
vast
community
support.
MOTION
that
Estabrook
gymnasium
be
named
in
honor
of
former
Estabrook
Physical
Education
teacher,
Jim
Banks
(Steigerwald,
Alessandrini)
The
Motion
was
approved
5-‐0.
Public
Comments:
Meghan
Soens,
42
Bartlett
Avenue:
She
is
reemphasizing
from
her
previous
visit
and
comments
made
at
a
prior
meeting.
How
do
we
find
additional
space
and
facilitate
the
expansion
of
the
program
for
longer
after
school
program
hours?
There
were
no
other
Public
Comments.
Steigerwald
stated
that
after
announcements
they
will
go
to
agenda
item
9.
Superintendent
Announcements:
Following
the
spring
Town
Meeting
Members
Association
tour
of
Hastings,
the
School
Committee
received
complaints
of
a
musty
smell
at
the
Hastings
School
with
questions
of
whether
there
could
be
mold
or
water
damage.
EHE
was
hired
to
inspect
and
identify
the
cause
of
the
odor.
The
entire
report
will
be
on
the
Hastings
website.
With
the
exception
of
a
corridor,
no
mold
was
found
in
the
modular
classrooms.
Since
that
was
not
the
source,
they
have
begun
to
remove
ceiling
tiles
from
the
hallways
because
some
were
wet.
They
now
think
they
have
gotten
to
the
bottom
of
the
problem.
School
Committee
Member
Announcements:
Steigerwald:
Lexington
High
School’s
graduation
was
wonderful.
Thank
you
to
Laura
Lasa
and
the
entire
staff
for
coordinating
the
ceremony
and
for
supporting
students
through
their
high
school
years.
The
next
School
Committee
meeting
is
June
16th.
There
will
also
be
one
on
July
7th,
with
summits
July
14th
and
16th.
Crocker:
Tomorrow
morning
the
Site-‐Based
School
Council
Roundtable
is
having
a
meet
and
greet
breakfast
at
Central
Office.
Permanent
Building
Committee
(“PBC”)
update:
There
is
a
DiNisco
public
forum
about
Hastings
proposals
on
Thursday
night
at
Hastings.
LSC
Meeting
Minutes
6/9/2015
4
Thanks
to
all
parents
for
the
success
of
the
All
Night
Graduation
party.
The
DiNisco
middle
school
meeting
is
June
15th.
Allocation
of
School
Space
for
Before/After
School
Care
Mary
Ellen
Dunn,
William
Hurley,
Jessie
Steigerwald
ad
Dr.
Ash
met
this
afternoon
and
the
committee
all
agrees
that
they
need
to
investigate
the
issues
surrounding
community
requests
to
add
space
and
consider
extended
hours
for
before
and
afterschool
care,
and
to
explore
adding
middle
school
afterschool
hours.
June
16th
from
3:30-‐5:00pm
is
the
next
meeting
to
explore
a
Youth
Coalition
where
people
can
come
and
share
any
concerns
they
have
for
youth
and
Steigerwald
encouraged
people
who
were
concerned
about
the
need
for
increased
childcare
options
to
consider
sharing
their
concerns
at
that
meeting
to
reach
a
broader
set
of
town
staff
and
community
organizations.
Steigerwald
noted
the
large
volume
of
email
received
and
asked
the
audience
generally
whether
there
was
a
contact
person
or
contact
list
so
the
members
might
be
able
to
respond
when
more
than
100
email
messages
come
in
one
day.
Pamela
Tames,
Lextended
Day
Board
President:
She
has
access
to
a
current
list
and
a
list
of
people
interested
in
Lextended
Day
and
could
help
distribute
or
forward
a
message.
Mary
Ellen
Dunn:
Regarding
the
question
of
whether
it
is
possible
to
identify
additional
space
to
be
offered
for
before/after
school
care,
the
town
needs
to
publicly
bid
public
space
and
it
is
the
highest
bid,
based
on
market
value
and
other
factors.
The
current
5-‐year
lease
expires
June
20,
2016.
It
is
a
competitive
bid
process
required
by
statutes.
We
are
cognizant
of
the
quality
of
the
current
program
but
it
has
to
be
an
open
and
objective
process.
Starting
tomorrow
through
the
end
of
September
the
district
needs
to
look
at
the
impact
on
the
space.
Principals
will
need
time
to
think
about
the
impact
on
their
buildings.
Other
considerations
include
whether
we
have
any
type
of
staffing
requirement,
and
what
space
would
actually
be
available.
While
we
in
part
believe
that
Lextended
day
is
part
of
us,
the
reality
is
that
they
are
a
renter.
They
have
been
great
partners
and
it
has
been
a
positive
relationship.
There
needs
to
be
an
understanding
of
what
the
goals
are
and
their
impact.
We
know
there
is
not
enough
childcare
in
this
community.
The
demand
is
great
and
our
space
is
not
going
to
meet
the
demand
that
they
have.
There
are
2
factors
for
not
being
able
to
open
space
for
September
2015
–
not
enough
time
to
thoughtfully
plan
and
do
it
well
and
right;
and
we
can’t
add
more
than
25%
to
the
procurement
of
a
contract
because
you
would
have
to
go
out
to
bid.
Members
agreed
it
is
a
complicated
issue.
Some
believed
there
is
potential
space,
others
noted
that
work
on
the
master
plan
could
include
adding
additional
space
for
this
type
of
program,
and
others
said
they
would
like
more
information
including
hearing
from
the
principals
of
the
schools.
Crocker
and
Coppe
agreed
to
do
more
fact
finding
on
the
subject
and
to
provide
an
update
to
the
full
committee
at
upcoming
meetings.
Malka
Burnt,
57
Spring
Street:
She
has
a
4th
grader
at
Bridge.
She
thinks
the
committee
is
trying
to
address
entire
problem
at
once,
but
she
asks
that
they
try
to
accommodate
a
smaller
section.
Pamela
Tames,
26
Bertwell
Road:
She
is
President
of
the
Board
of
Lextended
Day.
She
thanked
them
for
putting
time
into
the
issue.
The
memo
shared
is
just
the
tip
of
the
iceberg
and
raises
as
many
questions
as
answers.
She
offered
to
share
what
and
where
the
LSC
Meeting
Minutes
6/9/2015
5
discrepancies
are.
The
policy
you
shared
in
the
packet
is
very
outdated
and
not
consistent
with
culture
and
practice.
Please
don’t
approve
it
without
reviewing
the
current
practices.
Melanie
Taliones,
30
Wachusett
Drive:
In
addition
to
the
wait
list
for
Lextended
Day,
there
are
76
families
on
the
waiting
list
at
Hayden.
Update
on
Minuteman
Regional
Vocational
Technical
High
School
from
David
Horton,
Minuteman
School
Committee
Member
Mr.
Horton
reviewed
the
current
options
for
a
new
building
for
Minuteman.
The
current
building
is
in
Lexington
and
the
future
one
would
be
in
Lincoln.
16
towns
participate
in
the
regional
school
and
Minuteman
would
have
50%
of
the
cost
covered
by
the
state
through
MSBA
if
they
gain
approval
from
participating
towns
in
time.
They
could
do
major
educational
and
structural
projects
and
students
could
stay
in
old
building
until
new
one
is
built.
There
were
questions
and
comments
from
committee
members.
Dr.
Ash
asked
about
going
to
a
single
ballot
question
in
all
16
towns
instead
of
having
all
towns
vote.
He
would
strongly
recommend
this
approach.
Alessandrini
asked
about
having
the
Minuteman
students
offer
childcare,
as
it
would
be
an
option
for
the
needs
of
Lexington.
Lexington
Education
Foundation
Update
Janice
Litwin,
Board
Member
for
LEF,
updated
the
committee
on
the
grants
and
programs
that
LEF
has
supported
for
the
Lexington
Public
Schools.
Litwin
also
described
LEF’s
major
fundraisers.
Some
of
the
awards
made
for
next
year:
$281,518
dollars
in
grants.
$158,485
program
grants
and
$57,750
for
school
community
grants.
They
received
a
record
number
of
fellowship
grants
(28)
this
year.
They
have
close
relationships
with
the
teachers
in
each
school.
They
have
been
working
on
improvements
to
their
website
and
are
making
it
more
accessible
for
teachers
trying
to
apply.
Their
mission
has
always
been
putting
every
dollar
raised
back
in
to
the
schools.
Litwin
answered
questions
from
the
committee
and
also
described
the
LEF
Star
Award
program.
MOTION
to
accept
LEF
commitment
to
donate
$281,518
for
the
2016-‐2017
school
year
(Hurley,
Alessandrini)
The
Motion
was
approved
5-‐0.
Motion
withdrawn.
MOTION
to
accept
the
LEF
commitment
to
donate
$281,518
for
the
2015-‐2016
school
year
(Hurley,
Alessandrini)
The
motion
was
approved
5-‐0.
MOTION
to
accept
the
LEF
donation
to
Lexington
Public
Schools
of
$154,521
for
program
grants.
(Steigerwald,
Alessandrini)
The
Motion
was
approved
5-‐0.
LSC
Meeting
Minutes
6/9/2015
6
Update
on
2015-‐2016
K-‐5
School
Enrollment
Numbers
Maureen
Kavanaugh:
The
FY16
projected
enrollment
as
of
June
1,
2015
is
2920.
There
were
questions
and
comments
from
the
committee.
K-‐5
Social
Studies
Curriculum
Review
–
Year
4
Report
Ms.
Jane
Hundley,
K-‐5
Social
Studies
Curriculum
Coordinator
presented
the
report.
Members
had
some
questions
and
comments,
thanked
Ms.
Hundley
for
her
presentation,
and
extended
thanks
to
the
team
who
had
worked
on
the
extensive
curriculum
review.
K-‐12
World
Languages
Curriculum
Review
–
Year
1
Report
Marie
Murphy,
High
School
World
Language
Department
Head
and
Catherine
Brooks,
Middle
School
World
Language
Department
Head
presented
the
report.
Members
had
some
questions
and
comments,
thanked
Ms.
Murphy
and
Ms.
Brooks
for
their
report,
and
thanked
the
team
who
had
worked
on
the
initial
year
of
the
curriculum
review.
Dawn
McKenna,
9
Hancock
Street:
Given
that
the
School
Committee
has
articulated
that
there
will
be
elementary
world
language,
as
chair
of
the
Tourism
Committee
she
doesn’t
think
we
do
a
good
enough
job
with
the
programs.
They
want
to
partner
with
us
and
work
with
our
sister
city
group.
She
hopes
the
School
Committee
will
support
blending
together
those
relationships.
Revisions
to
the
Pre-‐Kindergarten
through
Grade
5
Space
Plan
Dr.
Ash
presented
a
memo
to
the
School
Committee:
He
recommends
that
a
Superintendent’s
Advisory
Committee
be
established
to
study
this
question
and
make
a
recommendation
to
the
School
Committee
by
July
8,
2015.
The
charge
of
the
committee
will
be
to:
*Work
with
available
members
of
the
former
Enrollment
Working
Group
and
the
Superintendent
to
project
the
number
of
general
and
specialized
classrooms
needed
in
each
school
through
June
30,
2019
(general
education,
art,
music,
English
language
learners,
and
special
education).
The
committee’s
recommendation
on
the
location
of
the
new
spaces
may
take
into
consideration
the
reasonableness
of
possible
short-‐
and
long-‐term
redistricting
plans.
*Recommend
by
mid-‐September
a
redistricting
plan(s)
to
be
implemented
at
the
beginning
of
the
2016-‐2017
school
year.
Alessandrini
thinks
that
as
a
school
committee,
what
we
are
doing
here
is
premature,
creating
a
committee
is
premature,
and
drawing
the
lines
is
premature.
He
thinks
it
will
create
tension
between
communities.
He
will
not
vote
or
support
it
and
thinks
we
are
pushing
the
costs
down
the
road.
Hurley
explained
that
it
is
a
“what
if”
scenario.
He
doesn’t
disagree
with
anything
Alessandrini
said.
He
thinks
we
would
have
the
input
from
families
of
what
makes
sense
for
redistricting.
And
doesn’t
see
it
as
making
prejudgments.
Coppe
thinks
that
if
we
form
the
committee
it
should
be
a
Superintendent’s
Committee.
This
is
a
fast
moving
process.
She
would
also
urge
that
the
people
selected
be
aware
that
they
have
to
make
a
commitment.
LSC
Meeting
Minutes
6/9/2015
7
Dr.
Ash
stressed
the
urgent
issue
of
what
we
will
bring
to
the
summit.
The
committees
(Selectmen,
etc.)
will
want
to
know
how
many
rooms
we
want
and
to
prove
it.
Crocker
wants
to
have
the
committee,
but
thinks
it
should
work
under
the
open
meeting
law.
Kate
Colburn,
49
Forest
Street:
DiNisco
is
now
going
through
the
process
of
what
space
they
have
and
need,
and
they
are
trained
to
do
it.
She
worries
about
whether
the
parents
would
be
the
better
decision
makers.
DiNisco
is
already
doing
the
work.
Committee
members
discussed
the
focus
for
parents
is
on
the
possible
redistricting
situations,
not
the
need
for
space
for
educational
purpose,
which
is
a
staff
role
and
not
really
for
this
group,
though
they
might
be
updated
about
DiNisco’s
process.
MOTION
to
establish
the
Superintendent’s
Advisory
Committee
(Hurley,
Coppe)
The
Motion
was
approved
3-‐2
with
Alessandrini
and
Crocker
opposing.
Steigerwald
asked
for
two
volunteers
to
serve
on
the
group.
Crocker
and
Hurley
volunteered.
Steigerwald
said
she
was
willing
but
would
miss
the
first
meeting
as
she
would
be
out
of
town
the
24th.
There
were
no
other
volunteers.
Crocker
and
Hurley
will
serve.
Hurley
explained
that
we
don’t
want
people
to
have
the
impression
that
because
four
classrooms
will
become
available
we
don’t
need
ultimately
need
to
add
four
later.
It’s
just
that
it
is
speeding
up
some
of
the
process
by
potentially
having
four
available
sooner
and
the
goal
is
to
see
the
best
way
to
have
that
space
contribute
to
alleviate
overcrowding.
Report
on
School
Professional
Climate
Maureen
Kavanaugh
presented
the
report.
Members
had
some
questions
and
comments.
Budget
Transfers
MOTION
to
authorize
the
use
of
up
to
$159,000
in
furniture,
equipment,
and
unforeseen
expenses
at
the
close
of
FY15.
(Crocker,
Hurley)
The
Motion
was
approved
5-‐0.
MOTION
to
authorize
the
use
of
up
to
$115,000
from
the
Food
Service
Revolving
Fund
for
a
dishwasher
and
related
installation
expenses
subject
to
$10,000
or
more
in
new
fund
balance
generated
by
the
FY15
program
year
(Alessandrini,
Crocker)
The
Motion
was
approved
5-‐0
Vote
on
2015-‐2016
District
Goals
This
will
be
moved
to
next
week’s
meeting.
Report
on
2014-‐2015
District
Goals
This
will
be
moved
to
next
week’s
meeting.
Review
and
Approve
in
Form
the
Following
Policies:
IJND
–
Curriculum
and
Instruction:
Access
to
Electronic
Media
IJNDB
–
Standards
for
Acceptable
Use
of
Technology
IJNDD
–
Policy
on
Use
of
Social
Media
Sites
LSC
Meeting
Minutes
6/9/2015
8
IJNDC
–
School
and
district
Web
Pages
IHBG
–
Consideration
of
Home
Schooling
Policy
IJOC
–
School
Volunteers
Lexington
Public
Schools
IJOA
–
Field
Trips
IKE
–
Promotion
and
Retention
of
Students
IKB
–
Homework
AD
–
Mission/Vision
KF
–
Facilities
FF
–
Naming
New
Facilities
GCBB
–
Employment
of
Principals
GCRD
–
Private
Tutoring
for
Pay
MOTION
to
approve
the
above
policies
in
form,
as
amended.
(Alessandrini,
Coppe)
The
Motion
was
approved
5-‐0.
MOTION
to
adjourn
(Hurley,
Coppe)
The
Motion
was
approved
5-‐0.
The
meeting
was
adjourned
at
11:35
pm.
Meeting
Materials:
Agenda;
LEF
Spring
2015
Awards
List;
Memo
from
Jane
Hundley
regarding
K-‐5
Social
Studies
Review;
Memo
from
Catherine
Brooks
and
Marie
Murphy
regarding
the
World
Language
Curriculum
Review;
Memo
from
Maureen
Kavanaugh
updating
projected
enrollment;
Memo
from
Dr.
Ash
regarding
revisions
to
the
PreK-‐5
space
plan;
LPS
Professional
Climate
Surveys;
Memo
from
Fary
ellen
Dunn
regarding
school
space
for
before/after
school
care;
Memo
from
Mary
Ellen
Dunn
regarding
use
of
available
funds
and
update
to
food
service
revolving
fund;
2015-‐2016
District
Improvement
Plan;
Policies
I,
K,
G;
World
Language
Curriculum
Review
Year
1;
K-‐5
Social
Studies
Curriculum
Review
Overview;
Memo
from
LEF
regarding
STAR
Awards;
Memo
from
LEF
regarding
grant
activity;
Copy
of
the
Minuteman
presentation;
PBC
Update
from
J.
Crocker
Voted by the School Committee July 7, 2015