HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-03-12-SC-minLSC Meeting Minutes of 3.12.16 – Ad Hoc Student Assignment Committee – Workshop 1
Approved by the SC on 4.26.16
LEXINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
Ad Hoc Student Assignment Committee
Saturday, March 12, 2016
Estabrook Elementary School - Cafeteria
117 Grove Street
Present: Chair William J. Hurley, Sandro Alessandrini, Judy Crocker, Eileen Jay, Superintendent
Dr.Czajkowski
Absent: Jessie Steigerwald
Others Present: Carol Pilarski (Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction and
Professional Development), Maureen Kavanaugh (Director of Planning and Assessment), and
elementary principals, Ad Hoc Student Assignment Committee (SAC) members
The meeting convened at 10:07 a.m.
Presentation: Dr. C provided a comprehensive Overview and historical perspective on rapid student
enrollment increase in recent years (2007-present) and the work of the Student Assignment Committee
since inception in the Spring of 2015.
Maureen Kavanaugh spoke to a slide presentation showing growth at each elementary school since
2007-08.
Priya Sankalia and Kate Hickey from AppGeo projected and explained slides demonstrating Potential
Student Assignment Scenarios including boundary changes and explanation of the potential use of
‘Buffer Zones” which allow school assignment between two or more schools, including examples of
other area towns that employ buffer zones.
The floor was opened to the nearly 160 people in attendance to ask questions. At least twenty parents
asked questions of the Superintendent, Ms. Kavanaugh, and the AppGeo presenters. School Committee
members offered comments/questions for clarification.
The Student Assignment Committee includes 12 parent representatives, two from each elementary
school. They submitted to the school committee an depth letter of support for utilizing buffer zones as
“..... the only way to provide school district administration the tools to manage and balance enrollment
and ensure that educational parity continues.”The letter was submitted with the names of all 12
members. Mr. Hurley thanked the School Enrollment Committee for the letter and dedicated work that
they have, and continue to perform.
Dr. Czajkowski explained next steps and reminded the audience that the next public forum on this topic
will be presented next Wednesday evening from 7-9 pm, March16th, at the Clarke Middle School.
The School Committee attended the Ad Hoc Student Assignment Committee (SAC).
The slide presentation can be viewed on the School Committee website.
LSC Meeting Minutes of 3.12.16 – Ad Hoc Student Assignment Committee – Workshop 2
Approved by the SC on 4.26.16
Some questions asked by parents that attending the Ad Hoc Student Assignment Committee
Workshop were:
• Ideally you have said that class sizes should be 18-21, classrooms sizes currently are way over
that. What class size are you considering when making these redistricting proposals? Second
grade class sizes are 24-25 is that acceptable for redistricting?
• Would the expectation be that if any of these scenarios go forth that it would continue for every
year example 2017, 2018 etc..
• What are the class sizes being considering with the redistricting proposals?
• How will you handle the increase in class sizes after redistricting?
• Overcrowding is a Lexington Public Schools issue not a Bowman problem.
• Every school should share the burden of overcrowding.
• Projected growth at Estabrook – has logistics been viewed and will the same flow for Hastings?
• 5 year projections – Is there data?
• Will there be enough staff to fill the classrooms?
• Have decisions been made on the buffer zones?
• How will families be notified of the decisions?
• Do families have a choice on what schools they can attend in regards to buffer zones?
• Once a family has been assigned to a school will they be redistricted again?
• Parent volunteer to move survey?
• Long term impact?
• Definition on scenarios – please provide some clarification.
• Different schools have different size classrooms, is that being considered?
• If a family is in a buffer zone, will they be able to choose, or “preference” one of the schools
designated to the buffer zone?
• Space vs. first priority over geographical
The Superintendent and other administrators and School Committee present responded to questions and
invited parents to send further questions or suggestions to the web site that was provided.
12:16 p.m. Adjourn: On a motion made by Alessandrini and seconded by Crocker the School
Committee voted unanimously 4-0 to adjourn.
Submitted: Wm. J. Hurley, Chairman
Materials: Agenda; HO.1-Memo from The Superintendent’s Ad Hoc Student Assignment Committee
dated March 12, 2016; HO.2-Ad Hoc Student Assignment Committee Student Assignment
Considerations; HO.3-Power Point Presentation-Student Assignment Analysis for the Lexington Public
Schools-Public Forum & School Committee Workshop
Place on Consent Agenda for SC Approval 4.26.16
Voted Approved by the School Committee 4.26.16