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Home My WebLink About2016-03-08-SC-minLSC –Meeting Minutes of 3.8.16 – Approved 6.21.16 1 LEXINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE OPEN MEETING Tuesday, March 8, 2016 Town Hall, Selectmen’s Meeting Room 1625 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA Present: Chair, Bill Hurley; Jessie Steigerwald; Judy Crocker; Alessandro Alessandrini; Eileen Jay; Mary Czajkowski, Superintendent Others Present: Pat Goddard (Director of Facilities); Maureen Kavanaugh (Director of Planning and Assessment); Kate Hickey, Applied Geographics, Priya Sankalia, Applied Geographics The Minutes were taken by Paula McDonough, Executive Assistant to the School Committee Steigerwald called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. in Open Session. Call to Order and Welcome: Chair Jessie Steigerwald called the meeting to order, and introduced committee members. She congratulated Mr. Alessandrini on his re-election and welcomed Ms. Jay to the School Committee. School Committee Organizational Meeting – Annual Elections (Reference 3.10.15) Steigerwald explained the School Committee’s official policy regarding their Annual Elections for officers, and asked for a volunteer to read the policy. Policy File: BDA and File: DBD was read. She then shared the Robert’s Rules for elections and outlined the procedure. Steigerwald called for any nominations. Crocker nominated Hurley for Chair. Steigerwald asked Hurley if he would accept the nomination. Steigerwald called for any other nominations. There were no other nominations. Steigerwald took a roll call vote: Jay – AYE; Alessandrini – AYE; Crocker – AYE; Steigerwald – AYE; Hurley - AYE Steigerwald announced the results of the election and congratulated Hurley as the new Chair. Members discussed whether to fill the positions of Vice Chair and Clerk. They agreed that the decision about these will be discussed at a later meeting, likely after their retreat. Mr. Hurley explained that the School Committee would go into Executive Session. At 6:20 p.m. Ms. Steigerwald offered the following language : “I suggest a motion that the School Committee to go into Executive Session under Exemption 3 to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining regarding SEIU Unit and Exemption 2 to discuss strategy for negotiating with non-union personnel regarding the School Committee Executive Assistant to return, and to return open session.” Mr. Hurley, newly elected chair, said, “I so move” and further declared that an executive session was necessary to protect the negotiating and bargaining position of the School Committee. LSC –Meeting Minutes of 3.8.16 – Approved 6.21.16 2 Steigerwald -AYE; Crocker -AYE; Hurley -AYE; Alessandrini-AYE; Jay –AYE At 6:20 p.m. the Motion was approved 5-0 by a roll call vote, and the minutes for the Executive Session are in a separate document. 6:20 PM Executive Session Convened At approximately 7:15 PM the Executive Session ended and the School Committee returned to Open Session whereupon Mr. Hurley immediately called for a brief recess. 7:21 PM Mr. Hurley called the Public Session back to order and invited public comments. He noted that many parents were in attendance to discuss a recent announcement that certain middle school sports teams might be limited next year and Mr. Hurley invited Dr. Czajkowski to provide an update before recognizing members of the public. Dr. Czajkowski thanked the parents for their emails to both to the Superintendent and the School Committee regarding the middle school sports program. Dr. Czajkowski read a letter from the administration that will be sent home to parents to provide an update on the program. She noted that she had not been aware of the decision, and that in the future she expected to be notified before any program might be cut or eliminated. Ana Monaco, Clarke principal, provided further information about middle school baseball and softball. Ms. Monaco noted that while they had a team last year, many parents wanted their funds reimbursed because they felt there had not been enough opportunities to play, and that had been a factor. Public Comments: Many parents were present to express their concerns with ending JV Baseball and Softball at Clarke and Diamond. April Maloney, parent of Diamond student A lot of kids have been discouraged from signing up based on hearing that they would not have a chance to be on a team. Rick Wedell, 18 Munroe Road Would like to understand the history of the number of students who signed up and the date by which the decision was made to cancel the program. Dawn McKenna –Feels middle school sports are important and that any decision to cut a program should be a public process and wonders what the process was without involving the School Committee and giving people an opportunity to provide input. Spoke about an upcoming event relating to Lexington’s sister city, Antony France. Lisa Mazerall, 8 Park Street Parents expressed that it is their experience that the program provides a valuable asset to the many student athletes that have participated over the years. What students and athletes receive through these programs cannot be replicated through recreational baseball alternatives. By eliminating the programs you will be creating a potential multiyear gap in the development of any non-varsity athlete. This gap would be extremely difficult to correct in the future. LSC –Meeting Minutes of 3.8.16 – Approved 6.21.16 3 Ann Rollins, 187 Woburn Street Should there be additional resources put into recruiting so students understand value of the athletic and physical aspect of the team sport. Jeff Heiser, 0 Essex Street Eighteen players on a team means that each child doesn’t have as much of a chance to play. Smaller size team allows more opportunities. Within baseball, if there are 22 children, or more, 23 children could form two teams and could find people to play. Put more effort into finding schools with JV teams Meredith Applegate, Reed Street, reading on behalf of Lexington Little League Board (with Rick Wedell and Rick Schroeder). Unanimous support to keep the programs going this year and into the future. Their registration numbers show middle school interest is strong and growing, as is elementary registration. Parents would like to keep JV Baseball and Softball at Clarke and Diamond. It is the feeder to Varsity, the first opportunity for most kids to play on the "big" field, promotes team, school, and town pride and spirit, and keeps these students outside and staying active. Please don't deprive the rest of the students the opportunity to play baseball at school. Elaine Ashton – Asks for clarification before Town Meeting about a chart from Hill International that indicates additional capacity for programming at the middle schools. She would like clarification about what the graph represents in terms of educational program needs rather than facility space. How would programs be impacted if the space is not obtained? Dr. Czajkowski and Mr. Hurley said they will provide an answer. Superintendent’s Announcements: 1. School math competition MATH COUNTS – received email from Joshua Frost 8th grade math teacher, Clarke finished first in the State. 2. Dr. Czajkowski provided an update on the following: a. Introduced the new Harrington principal (thank the search committee; site visits were conducted to both Harrington and Donald Ross Elementary School in Braintree). Welcome Donna Bonarrigo. b. Both Director of Educational Technology and Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and PD positions have been posted. 3. Educators from Kuwait visiting 3/9/16 – Central Administration, Estabrook and High School 4. Blackboard Connect 5i – going live on Thursday, March 10th; a message from all principals will be sent as a test. This new program has the ability to send text messages to parents and staff. 5. Meeting with elementary principals, Pat Goddard, Carol Pilarski, and Donna DiNisco to develop a common language regarding classroom and program spaces in our elementary schools. LSC –Meeting Minutes of 3.8.16 – Approved 6.21.16 4 6. There will be two public forums on redistricting for parents, staff and the community. The first one will be held this Saturday, March 12th from 10 am to noon at the Estabrook School. The second forum will take place on Wednesday, March 16th from 7 to 9 pm at the Clarke Middle School. No decisions have been made on student placements and this information will not be discussed at either forum. Rather, there will be a discussion of the process including student enrollment, space, potential scenarios, buffer zone information and next steps. I would like to ask the school committee if they would like to hold a school committee workshop as a part of this forum. School Committee Member Announcements: Steigerwald: • Parent Academy will take place March 19th and it is useful for parents from pre-school through high school. School staff are among the presenters and it is a great resource. • Margaret Coppe’s reception will not be held on March 24th – it conflicts with Mr. Hadley’s reception. New date will be announced. • Community Coalition event is tomorrow March 9 and community invited to participate. Hurley: Thanked Claire Sheth for being a strong candidate, congratulated Alessandrini and Jay. LEF celebration will take place April 2nd, 7pm – 11pm at the Nashawtuc Country Club. Jay: Thanked the community for their support throughout the campaign. Ms. Jay is excited to be part of the School Committee. Alessandrini: none Crocker: • Congratulations to senior Anna Kelly who scored her 2,015th career point at Lexington's loss in the state basketball quarterfinals versus Revere. • On April 28, Lexington will host the Goldin Foundation Educator's Forum, where Carol Pilarski will be one of the honorees for her outstanding achievements and contributions in our classrooms, schools, and communities. It is one of many accolades being bestowed on Ms. Pilarski. • Thank you to the parents who have attended tonight's SC meeting to share their concerns on JV middle schools sports. Engaging in such a dialogue is one way in which concerns can be highlighted and addressed. Consent Agenda: 1. Approve Minutes a) Vote to Approve Minutes of January 8, 2015 – As Amended b) Vote to Approve Minutes of January 20, 2015 c) Vote to Approve Minutes of February 21, 2015 d) Vote to Approve Minutes of February 25, 2015 e) Vote to Approve Minutes of October 5, 2015 f) Vote to Approve Minutes of November 2, 2015 – As Amended g) Vote to Approve Minutes of December 7, 2015 – As Amended h) Vote to Approve and Not Release Executive Session Minutes of December 15, 2016 i) Vote to Approve Minutes of February 10, 2016 j) Vote to Approve Minutes of February 22, 2016 LSC –Meeting Minutes of 3.8.16 – Approved 6.21.16 5 k) Vote to Approve and Not Release Executive Session Minutes of February 23, 2016 2. Vote to Accept a $500.00 Donation to the Fiske School from Alliance Energy LLC. Mr. Hurley asked to delete a line of information from the minutes of January 8, 2015. Members agreed to this edit. Motion to approve consent agenda with amendments to January 8, 2015. (Steigerwald/Crocker) The Motion was approved (5-0). Agenda: A.1 - Agenda Item Title: - Applied Geographics (App Geo) Redistricting Presentation Presenter: Dr. Mary Czajkowski, Superintendent; Maureen Kavanaugh, Director of Planning and Assessment; Kate Hickey, Applied Geographics; Priya Sankalia, Applied Geographics Summary: Applied Geographics and District staff will provide the School Committee a summary of proposed student assignment scenarios, including a discussion of buffer zones. We will also discuss the upcoming public forums (scheduled for March 12th and March 16th) and the possibility of posting each as a School Committee workshop. Each of these topics was reviewed and supporting Power Point presentation was handed out at the meeting. Scenario Recap: • Modest Approach has less impact on current district boundaries and while it may not meet near term goals of fully utilizing existing space, it anticipates the projected growth at Estabrook. • Larger Scale Approach meets near-term goals of using available space, but will likely create overcrowding at Estabrook in the future. • Buffer Zones, in combination with either of the approaches above, have been shown to be a successful strategy to mitigate overcrowding and support equitable distribution. Next Steps: • Presentation/discussion at public forums Estabrook – March 12, 10AM-noon Clarke – March 16, 7-9PM • Convene Working Group to review feedback from public forums and school committee • April 7, 12 – SAC Meeting • April 26 – School Committee Meeting There were questions and comments from the School Committee. Members asked for clarification on the buffer zones and for the administration to formally invite the Preschool Association of Lexington and LexFun. Dr. Czajkowski invited the School Committee to participate in the workshops scheduled for March 12th and March 16th. Members were interested, but not all were available on those dates. Steigerwald said she could not attend the 16th. The meetings will be posted so members are free to attend when they can. LSC –Meeting Minutes of 3.8.16 – Approved 6.21.16 6 A.2 - Agenda Item Title: Recommendation to Award Contract for Rental of Space for an After School Structured Program for Elementary Students - Tabled A.3 - Agenda Item Title: Community Coalition – Youth Initiative Update Presenter: Jessie Steigerwald, Sandro Alessandrini and Eileen Jay Summary: In preparation for the next March 9, 2016 Community Coalition event, Maureen Kavanaugh has prepared a slide show with information from the Youth Behavior Risk Survey. It will be shared with the community on March 9. Dr. Czajkowski will participate at the event For our discussion, the Steering Committee has recommended some specific goals that participants will be asked to evaluate on March 9. This is an opportunity for the School Committee to hear about and discuss these suggested goals in advance of the public event. Jay, Alessandrini and Steigerwald provided updates from the Steering Committee. There were questions and comments from the School Committee. Ms. Crocker reported that she would not be able to be present as she is attending the Town Meeting Moderator’s meeting. Follow-Up: At our next meeting after the Coalition event on March 9, we should include this topic as an agenda item again so that we can review what the community and town departments shared and reach agreements about how we would be able to contribute to the goals that are set. A.4.a– Agenda Item Title Recommend Release of $20,320 from Article 2 of March 2015 Special Town Meeting for Lexington Children’s Place Modifications. Presenter: Pat Goddard Summary: DiNisco Design has worked with Lexington Children’s Place administration and developed a plan to provide two classrooms and one OT/PT space, as well as space for testing, speech, administration, and parent waiting at the Old Harrington. In addition, designer services for adding a bathroom, at the new Harrington, in a kindergarten wing classroom is also included in the scope of work. A release of funds in the amount of $20,320, which supplements the previous amount of $28,000, is necessary to complete designer services through construction. Construction is planned for the summer of 2016 and previously appropriated capital funds will be utilized for construction. DiNisco Designed presented a plan of the LCP at Harrington Renovations 3.0.01 & 3.4.01 which was presented to the School Committee as a handout. There were questions and comments from the School Committee. LCP Director, Ms. Billings- Fouhy provided an overview of how the program will utilize space at the Central Office. A.4.b - Agenda Item Title: Middle School Update LCP Design Fee Presenter: Pat Goddard Summary: DiNisco Design has worked with Lexington Children’s Place administration and developed a plan to provide two classrooms and one OT/PT space, as well as space for testing, speech, administration, and parent waiting at the Old Harrington. In addition, designer services for adding a bathroom, at the new Harrington, in a kindergarten wing classroom is also included in the scope of work. Funds in the amount of $20,320, which supplements the previous amount LSC –Meeting Minutes of 3.8.16 – Approved 6.21.16 7 of $28,000, is necessary to complete designer services through construction. Construction is planned for the summer of 2016 and previously appropriated capital funds will be utilized for construction. Update: DiNisco corrected a transcribed number on page #5 that showed the STM 2016-3 Appropriation Request. Last night it was $61,237,000 and it should have been $62,137,000. The overall project cost will remain $66,615,000. There were questions and comments from the School Committee on Clarke and Diamond Project Budget and Cost Updates as well as the Summer Renovation Budget. No votes were required at this time. A.5.a - Agenda Item Title Appointments to Permanent Building Committee for Maria Hastings School Capital Project – (REFERENCE 1.19.16) Summary: Carl Valente, Town Manager, notified the School Committee that we may recommend two individuals to serve as Permanent Building Committee Members for School Projects specifically for the Maria Hastings capital project. Mr. Hurley read the names of the applicants. The candidates were as follows: Judy Crocker; Edwin Goodell; Margaret Coppe; Andrew Clarke and Curt Barrentine. Crocker moved to appoint Clarke and Barrentine to serve as Permanent Building Committee Members for School Projects for the Maria Hastings capital project (Steigerwald, seconded). There was a brief discussion by members and they reached agreement. Crocker suggested removing herself from the nomination seeing as there were ample applicants and she is currently the PBC School Committee liaison. Steigerwald -AYE; Crocker -AYE; Hurley -AYE; Alessandrini-AYE; Jay -AYE The Motion was approved 5-0 A.6-Agenda Item Title: Sub-Committee Appointments and Liaison Assignments Presenter: Jessie Steigerwald Summary: Each year we review our liaison assignments and sub-committee assignments. In accordance with Policy BDE “Subcommittees of the School Committee”, the sub-committee assignments are reviewed at the annual organizational meeting – which takes place tonight as it is the meeting following Lexington’s local election. In addition to sub-committees, we maintain liaison assignments and review these annually. BDE: SUBCOMMITTEES OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE - FILE: BDE The School Committee shall appoint members to subcommittees at their annual organizational meeting for a period of one year. LSC –Meeting Minutes of 3.8.16 – Approved 6.21.16 8 School Committee members reviewed all the roles and made the following changes: School Committee Member Roles & Liaison Assignments 2016 – 2017 School Committee Sub-Committees Policy Manual Subcommittee Judith Crocker /Eileen Jay Finance Working Group Judith Crocker/ Alessandro Alessandrini Lexington Public Schools, Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent Working Groups Quarterly Curriculum Updates Eileen Jay/Jessie Steigerwald SAC Student Assignment Committee Judith Crocker /Bill Hurley Unions – School Committee Liaison Attends Negotiation Sessions Association of Lexington Administrators (ALA) Judith Crocker Custodians and Maintenance (Local 888 – SEIU) Alessandro Alessandrini Lexington Education Association Unit A (LEA-A) William Hurley Lexington Education Association Unit C (LEA-C) Jessie Steigerwald/Eileen Jay Lexington Education Association Technology Unit (LEA-Tech Unit) William Hurley/Eileen Jay Lexington Education Secretaries Association (LEA-D) Judith Crocker Other Appointed Positions/Recommended by SC and Appointed by Selectmen or Town Manager Permanent Building Committee for Multiple School Projects Clarke: Howard Hobbs/William Hurley Diamond: Lee Noel Chase/Edwin Goodell Hastings: Curt Barrentine/ Andrew Clarke Liaison to Other Boards, Town Committees, or Municipally Governed Groups Appropriation Committee William Hurley Board of Selectmen William Hurley Capital Expenditures Committee William Hurley Council on Aging/Human Services Jessie Steigerwald Diversity Task Force Alessandro Alessandrini/Eileen Jay Human Rights Committee Judith Crocker Permanent Building Committee Judith Crocker Planning Board Jessie Steigerwald TMMA Executive Board Alessandro Alessandrini/William Hurley Youth Services Council Alessandro Alessandrini Liaison to Groups Serving Lexington Public Schools Lexington Education Foundation William Hurley PTA/PTO Presidents’ Council Alessandro Alessandrini/Eileen Jay School Health Advisory Council Eileen Jay LSC –Meeting Minutes of 3.8.16 – Approved 6.21.16 9 Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) Alessandro Alessandrini Liaison to Regional (Beyond Lexington) Organizations or Issues EDCO Liaison William Hurley EDCO Board Mary Czajkowski, Superintendent Voting Member for Lexington William Hurley Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) Judith Crocker MASC Delegate 2016 Open Other Appointed Positions/Appointed by other groups (not Selectmen) Cary Memorial Library Trustees Judith Crocker, Bill Hurley, Jessie Steigerwald Alessandro Alessandrini, Eileen Jay Library Executive Trustees Committee Jessie Steigerwald LexMedia Jeff Leonard, Director of Fine & Performing Arts Monroe Center for the Arts Open 2020 Vision Committee Judith Crocker Community Center Program Advisory Committee Alessandro Alessandrini A.7-Agenda Item Title: School Committee Retreat Planning Update Presenter: Jessie Steigerwald Summary: The School Committee has discussed this at prior meetings and authorized the Superintendent to enter into a contract with Mr. Evans so planning for the next retreat could take place. Dr. Czajkowski’s presentation to the School Committee on February 23, 2016 outlines quarterly meetings between the superintendent, school committee and facilitator. At the February 23 meeting, all members and Dr. Czajkowski confirmed two dates for possible meetings with Mr. Evans: March 29 6-9:30 and March 31 6-9:30. Ms. Jay has also held these dates. All are still available. Dr. Czajkowski requested revisiting this item at the 3/8/16 meeting following the election to include any new member(s) in the discussion and to designate who will be working to set the agenda. It was agreed by all members that Alessandrini and Hurley would work with Dr. Czajkowski and Mr. Evans to plan the agenda for the upcoming Superintendent-School Committee retreat with input from members. LSC –Meeting Minutes of 3.8.16 – Approved 6.21.16 10 10:03p.m. Adjourn: On a motion to adjourn (Alessandrini/ Crocker) members voted 5-0 to adjourn at 10:03 p.m. Meeting Materials: Meeting Agenda; School Committee Organizational Meeting – Annual Elections (Reference 3.10.15); A.1- Applied Geographics (App Geo) Redistricting Presentation; A.2- Recommendation to Award Contract for Rental of Space for an After School Structured Program for Elementary Students – Tabled; A.3- Community Coalition – Youth Initiative Update; A.4.a- Recommend Release of $20,320 from Article 2 of March 2015 Special Town Meeting for Lexington Children’s Place Modifications; A.4.b- Middle School Update LCP Design Fee; A.5- Appointments to Permanent Building Committee for Maria Hastings School Capital Project; A.6-Sub-Committee Appointments and Liaison Assignments; A.7- School Committee Retreat Planning Update; HO.1-Student Reassignment Analysis for the Lexington Public Schools Power Point; HO.2-DiNisco Design Partnership plans for LCP at Harrington Renovations 3.0.01 & 3.4.01; HO.3-Updated SC Agenda Item Summary Sheet: Middle School Update – LCP Design Fee; HO.4-DiNisco Design-Lexington PBC Meeting-Multiple Schools Construction Project dated March 7, 2016. Place on Consent Agenda for SC Approval 6.21.16 Voted Approved by the School Committee 6.21.16