HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-12-04-SC-min1
LSC Meeting of 12.4.16 – Approved by LSC on 2.2.16
LEXINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Friday, December 4, 2015
McSwiney Center for Professional Learning / EDCO Collaborative North Crossing
Academy, Thoreau Room, 36 Middlesex Turnpike, Bedford, MA
PRESENT: Jessie Steigerwald, Chair; Bill Hurley, Vice Chair; Margaret Coppe; Judy Crocker,
Clerk; Alessandro Alessandrini
OTHERS PRESENT: Dorothy Presser from the Massachusetts Association of School
Committees, Dr. Tom Scott from the Massachusetts Association of Superintendents (for an
hour).
The meeting was led by Dorothy Presser and the minutes were taken by Dorothy Presser and
edited by the School Committee. The meeting began at 4:20 p.m., when Mr. Alessandrini
arrived. At 5:30, Dr. Scott left the meeting. The meeting ended at approximately 8:20 p.m.
Mr. Alessandrini notified Ms. Steigerwald that he was detained, but would arrive as soon as
possible. Ms. Steigerwald informed the committee and members agreed to wait until Mr.
Alessandrini arrived to begin. Mr. Alessandrini arrived at 4:20; the chair called the meeting to
order and Ms. Presser led the rest of the meeting.
Ms. Presser outlined the retreat agenda and the opportunity to revisit School Governance topics
that had been discussed at the August 20th retreat when Dr. Czajkowski and members began
outlining their roles and responsibilities, communication preferences and approach to conducting
work during meetings. Dr. Czajkowski has now presented her 90-day evaluation to the School
Committee (December 1, 2015), and in that presentation and other discussions, has shared
reflections, concerns, frustrations, and areas where she would like additional support.
To open the meeting, Ms. Presser and Dr. Scott discussed the importance of having a high-
functioning School Committee and strong partnership between the Superintendent and School
Committee. Ms. Presser shared that she felt the committee could focus on the work they had
begun relating to school governance and becoming a high-performing team as a committee, and
with the superintendent. Ms. Presser asked what each member was looking for as an outcome
from today’s discussion. Members shared their views and all were supportive of finding ways to
improve both the School Committee and the relationship with Dr. Czajkowski.
In her comments, Ms. Coppe noted the following items that she wanted addressed: 1. unrealistic
agendas that lead to lengthy meetings; 2. the number of daytime meetings that she was unable to
attend; and 3. communication about those meetings to the whole committee as well as other
matters. Ms. Coppe said she wanted to support Dr. Czajkowksi including if it meant a change in
the chair. Ms. Coppe was also concerned about not having the superintendent present.
In response to Ms. Coppe’s statement about changing chairs, Ms. Steigerwald affirmed that the
chair served at the pleasure of the committee and the chairmanship was up to the members. For
her desired outcomes, Ms. Steigerwald hoped members could improve meetings and follow
agreed upon norms. She expressed that transitioning between superintendents while the capital
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LSC Meeting of 12.4.16 – Approved by LSC on 2.2.16
projects were moving forward was challenging, and that while meetings about capital projects
were intense, she hoped the committee could improve the way those conversations took place.
She hoped to review some of the concerns in Dr. Czajkowski’s 90-day presentation about
Lexington’s culture, the number of meetings, and also consider other instances, including three
separate times – in mid-July, late October, and most recently late November – when Dr.
Czajkowski had said she might not remain. Ms. Steigerwald hoped Dr. Czajkowski would like to
remain in Lexington, and, if so, Ms. Steigerwald wanted clarity around the way to move forward
constructively – both in improving the School Committee dynamics, and in improving the
communication between Dr. Czajkowski and the School Committee.
After members expressed their desired outcomes, Ms. Presser and Dr. Scott responded.
In response to Ms. Coppe’s concern about Dr. Czajkowski not being present, Ms. Presser and Dr.
Scott noted that they had specifically talked to Dr. Czajkowski about the retreat and that she had
been invited to attend but Ms. Presser said that the School Committee would be more productive
meeting without the Superintendent, and that a follow-up session could include Dr. Czajkowski
as well. Ms. Presser observed that having worked with the School Committee and talking to Dr.
Czajkowski, she believed a meeting between members to discuss the committee could be
productive, and that a follow-up session could include Dr. Czajkowski as well.
Dr. Scott said that in his recent conversations with Dr. Czajkowski, including this morning, she
had shared concerns about the relationships among School Committee members and about her
relationship with the Chair. Dr. Czajkowski had expressed to Dr. Scott that the School
Committee was not showing respect for one another and that she felt the Committee members
meeting without her could help the members come to grips with their relationships with each
other. Dr. Scott said that Dr. Czajkowski had identified to him that she saw only a couple of
options in terms of the difficulties she was having with the Chair: Ms. Steigerwald could step
down as Chair; Ms. Steigerwald could remain the Chair and run the meetings, but Mr. Hurley
could be the interface between Ms. Steigerwald and Dr. Czajkowski in agenda setting and
planning meetings; Dr. Czajkowski could resign. In response to Ms. Steigerwald’s question
about whether Dr. Czajkowski wished to remain in Lexington, Dr. Scott said he had talked to Dr.
Czajkowski about her wishes in this regard and expressed for the superintendent that Dr.
Czajkowski would like to stay in Lexington for multiple reasons, but that if things did not
improve she might consider leaving.
There were questions and comments from members, and all five members expressed a shared
goal of retaining Dr. Czajkowski as superintendent, finding ways to improve, and supporting her
in her adjustment to the new position. Some were concerned about a pattern of expressing the
possibility of resigning. Mr. Alessandrini said loosing Dr. Czajkowski would mean losing one of
the best if not the best Superintendents in Massachusetts. Mr. Alessandrini was concerned
Lexington would go back to the days of “revolving-door Superintendents”. School Committee
members concurred. Dr. Scott left the meeting at 5:30 p.m.
Ms. Presser asked members to next take up the specific practices in School Governance and
encouraged members to focus on what each could do to improve the School Committee, rather
than on changing other members. For the next three hours members discussed ways they could
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LSC Meeting of 12.4.16 – Approved by LSC on 2.2.16
improve practices around following norms, constructive ways to disagree, and managing
discussion in an efficient and respectful manner. They also discussed the new Executive
Assistant to the School Committee and areas where she needed support from the administration.
In addition, they talked about ongoing challenges due to the current items on their plate,
including capital projects and work with other boards and committees. These items were
discussed throughout the three hours, so this portion of the minutes captures the themes.
Highlights of major themes are presented first, and then Ms. Presser’s summary of the
agreements that were reached is included below.
Superintendent: Members discussed the other instances when Dr. Czajkowski said she might not
remain in the position. [This was discussed briefly when Dr. Scott was present, and again after
he left. The summary is included here.] In late November, it followed a heated conversation
with Ms. Crocker and Ms. Steigerwald related to displeasure with the number of questions from
members and from other Boards and Committees that were directed to Mr. Goddard, Director of
Facilities, and the number of questions in general about the capital projects. There was also
tension around the Chair’s requests to Dr. Czajkowski for support for the newly hired Executive
Assistant to the School Committee, including an appropriate location, equipment and training. At
the end of the November conversation, Dr. Czajkowski directly informed Ms. Crocker, Ms.
Steigerwald and, later that morning, Mr. Hurley, that she might leave her position.
Discussion about the Chairmanship: Ms. Coppe suggested changing the chair. Ms. Steigerwald
affirmed that the chair serves at the pleasure of the committee and wanted to hear member views.
No members offered to serve as chair at this time. Members discussed the annual reorganization
meeting which takes place at the meeting following the March election. There was further
discussion between members. Ms. Coppe’s suggestion was not pursued. Consensus was reached
by [all] other members that any change in Chairmanship at this time would not be in the best
interests of the school district and that the Committee should address the topic at the annual
reorganization meeting after the March elections. Members continued the discussion to consider
the arrangement proposed by Dr. Czajkowski (through Dr. Scott). The agreements that were
reached are captured below, in the summary provided by Ms. Presser. Ms. Steigerwald
expressed reservations about the interface proposal, but was willing to try it. She hoped for a
direct (or facilitated) resolution to Dr. Czajkowski’s concerns with her and an opportunity to
resolve any difficulties. She shared with members that earlier the same day she, Dr. Czajkowski
and Mr. Hurley had held the regular agenda setting meeting together, that it had been a
productive and efficient meeting, and that the message that Dr. Scott delivered earlier in today’s
meeting – that Dr. Czajkowski wished her to step down as chair – was unexpected.
Discussion about minutes: There were conflicting views about minutes as some members would
prefer shorter minutes and others prefer more detailed minutes. Ms. Steigerwald expressed
concern about the process for production of minutes during the extended period when there was
no recording secretary. She had wished all members had been willing to pitch in to support the
record keeping and thanked Ms. Crocker for offering assistance during this period. Ms. Coppe
felt preparation of the minutes was the Chair’s job in the absence of a recording secretary.
Discussion about agendas, length of meetings, and timing of meetings. Multiple members
continued to desire shorter meetings, as they had at prior retreats. Members held different
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LSC Meeting of 12.4.16 – Approved by LSC on 2.2.16
viewpoints about the cause of long meetings, whether it was agendas, the complexity of the
capital projects, the unpredictable timing for the way capital project information was delivered to
the committee (often on the day of the meeting, or at the meeting), or the interest of members in
having extended discussions during the meetings. Some members noted that the length of
meetings have remained relatively close to expected end times with a few exceptions, in contrast
to the previous few years. When meetings are held in the daytime, it is frequently at the request
of staff and other town committees. Some members felt it was unreasonable to expect staff and
other committees to accommodate the preferences of individual School Committee members.
Discussion about capital projects and other Boards & Committees: Members agreed the timing
for the capital projects was critical and fast-moving, and that the 18+ month period when
alternate school capital projects had been rejected had been difficult. Members discussed
meetings that included the chairs plus one member from the Selectmen, Appropriation
Committee, Capital Expenditure Committee, and sometimes Permanent Building Committee.
They reviewed participants: as chair and liaison to the Appropriation Committee, Ms.
Steigerwald participated, and had most often been joined by liaison to the Capital Expenditures
Committee, Mr. Hurley and, sometimes by liaison to the Permanent Building Committee, Ms.
Crocker. The Town Manager, Director of Finance/Comptroller, Superintendent and Director of
Facilities also attended most meetings. Members who had not attended had expressed in a
regular meeting that they felt excluded, which was a concern for all members. Though they were
then invited to take turns participating, the meeting times did not work for their schedules, and a
member expressed displeasure at the daytime scheduling, or the days that were selected.
Another member noted that scheduling was coordinated by the Selectmen, to align with multiple
people, including staff. Another felt it was not reasonable to ask staff to attend additional night
meetings. Members who had attended noted that updates to all members were shared after most
meetings and that any policy questions that were raised in these meetings were brought to the full
School Committee so all members could deliberate about them in open sessions. Even logistical
questions that were discussed in these meetings – for example, proposed timing for TMMA
information sessions – had been communicated to the full group. Members had different views
about the value of these meetings, some felt they were important to help the capital projects
come to fruition, and some members would prefer that they end.
Other topics discussed: There was a lengthy discussion about how to communicate updates.
Some members currently take time to prepare and communicate written meeting updates
regularly within a reasonable period of time for those unable to attend. Some members currently
carry a larger share of the liaison roles and some felt that it would be helpful for others to share
the work more evenly. Some members would prefer to provide verbal updates at meetings.
Members discussed how individual comments impact fellow members and the committee as a
whole. Some members expressed their displeasure with individuals who 1) repeated topics that
the Town Manager specifically requested not be discussed in open meetings held by the
Selectmen, School Committee, Permanent Building Committee, or Finance Committees and 2)
perceived grandstanding in doing so over 5 meetings. This was stated to be embarrassing and
having placed the remainder of the committee in an awkward position with the other boards and
Town Manager. Concerns were discussed about preserving the Committee’s level of trust with
these committees and of not using meeting time to purposefully repeat the same individual
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LSC Meeting of 12.4.16 – Approved by LSC on 2.2.16
comment content without adding new information. Committee members discussed respecting the
concerns of fellow colleagues.
This is a summary of the items the committee agreed to try going forward. There were three
areas in which committee members agreed, by consensus, that some changes would be made:
meetings, communications and the relationship with the superintendent.
School Governance - Meetings:
Members continued to share a goal of making meetings more efficient. There was discussion of
the plan to implement the NOVUS agenda software and practice of writing out all motions. The
committee agreed to stick with the recently introduced Consent Agenda as aspects of it seem to
be working. Members talked about streamlining the minutes so that they were simpler and could
be completed and approved more quickly. The timing of audience and public comments will be
implemented. The process for discussing a topic involving a vote was agreed to include 1)
making a motion, 2) topic discussion, followed by 3) voting. Members agreed that the chair
would speak last on any topic. This would include giving very short, if any, introductions to the
topic at hand. On complex discussions, Chair Ms. Steigerwald would like to “go down the row”
to recognize people to speak. Members agreed to try this.
Members agreed to each take personal responsibility for improving the atmosphere during
meetings. Members agreed to observe the norms they had previously agreed to, and to treat one
another with respect. There was a request and agreement to try to avoid purposeful repetition of
content, and to avoid interruptions. Members affirmed that they had each signed the
unanimously voted upon Committee Operating Norms.
Communications: For sharing information with fellow committee members regarding liaison
meetings, it was decided that people attending the liaison meetings would report back to the full
committee no later than the next School Committee meeting if possible. Members would use
their judgment as to whether there is important communication to be passed along before that
time and, if so, make sure the information gets to fellow committee members. It was
recommended that this be done by getting the information to the School Committee Executive
Assistant, Ms. McDonough and having her distribute it to members and Dr. Czajkowski.
For communicating with Dr. Czajkowski, the Committee agreed with her suggestion that
questions would go through Ms. McDonough, who could work with Dr. Czajkowski’s Executive
Assistant, Ms. Sousa, to ensure the questions are channeled to the correct place. Members felt
they wanted to have direct access to Dr. Czajkowski on occasion, so the circumstances under
which this would happen need some more exploration with Dr. Czajkowski. The Committee
discussed the possibility of one-on-one meetings periodically, perhaps once a quarter, with Dr.
Czajkowski, as some members currently do. This needs further discussion with Dr. Czajkowski.
Roles and Responsibilities - Relationship with the Superintendent: All committee members
agreed that Mr. Hurley, Vice Chair, would be the conduit for direct communication with Dr.
Czajkowski. This includes agenda-setting meetings and day-to-day communications regarding
Ms. McDonough’s work. Ms. Steigerwald will continue to serve as Chair, will run the meetings
and conduct all other School Committee business. Mr. Hurley was charged with talking with Dr.
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LSC Meeting of 12.4.16 – Approved by LSC on 2.2.16
Czajkowski on Monday morning (December 7) about Ms. McDonough’s position. The
conversation would cover finding an appropriate location for her and a discussion of how the
position could work smoothly going forward.
Mr. Hurley will also continue to discuss with Dr. Czajkowski and with Ms. Steigerwald how
communications and responsibilities of the Superintendent, Chair & Vice-Chair can work
smoothly going forward. Members thanked Ms. Crocker for providing snacks and beverages.
Everyone expressed an interest in a follow-up workshop that includes Dr. Czajkowski. A time
and place for the follow-up was not determined. The meeting ended at approximately 8:20 p.m.
Materials: Agenda; Operating Norms for the Lexington School Committee, September 29, 2015;
“Liaison Report” blank sheet and sample; “Agenda Item Summary” blank sheet and sample; Job
Description for Special Assistant to the Superintendent for Communication, Residency, Central
Registration & Special Projects”; 90 Day Summation “Listen, Learn, Lead with Balance”
December 1, 2015, Dr. Mary Czajkowski.