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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-03-21-SC-minLEXINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING Monday, March 21, 2016 Cary Memorial Building, Estabrook Hall 1605 Massachusetts Avenue Present: Chair William Hurley, Jessie Steigerwald, Judy Crocker, Eileen Jay, Superintendent Dr.Czajkowski Alessandro Alessandrini - Absent Student Representative Abigail Schwartz – Not present Others Present: Pat Goddard (Director of Public Facilities); Ian Dailey (Interim Director of Finance and Operations); Ana Monaco (Principal, Clarke Middle School); Anne Carothers (Principal, Diamond Middle School) Minutes were taken by Ana Paula McDonough, Executive Assistant to the School Committee. The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m. Call to Order and Welcome: Chair William Hurley called the meeting to order, and introduced committee members. Public Comment: Edward Eisner, 13 Doran Farm Lane – Asked the School Committee for the real answer as to why JV Baseball was canceled. There were 45 kids at the meeting today and they were all interested in participating. This is just from one middle school, so if the numbers are similar at both schools, there would be enough interest to at least play local games. Dr.Czajkowski stated that she has reached out to the Director of Athletics and the Principal at Diamond to ask for an explanation as to why we are not fielding a JV baseball team at Diamond when 45 students attended the meeting today? Superintendent’s Announcements: None School Committee Member Announcements: Hurley: Mr. Hurley received a telephone call from a parent indicating that several parents were planning to attend the School Committee meeting tonight regarding The Student Advisory Committee (SAC) to speak in regards to the redistricting. Mr. Hurley asked that the parents attend the Wednesday, March 23rd meeting and voice their concerns. Steigerwald: • MASC’s “Day on the Hill” will take place during the last week of April. Steigerwald and Crocker attended last year and are planning to attend this year. Requested that the Chair put this on the agenda so all members could discuss this year’s topics. • Congratulated Diamond and Clarke students for their participation in our middle school math teams and the recent competitions. • Congratulated Lexington’s Destination Imagination teams who participated in a regional event. The combined Clarke and Diamond team will be moving on to represent Lexington at the state tournament. Crocker: • Congratulations to the middle and high school students who were recognized in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. • The Lexington Community Education's spring brochure was mailed last week. This is a division of Lexington Public Schools. • Crocker asked that her colleagues to save the date for the School Committee Seminar on Late Start Time sponsored by MASC Division I and II. It will be held April 7 at 5pm at Newton North High School. Dinner will be served by MASC. Panelists include Dr. Chris Landrigan, Director Sleep and Patient Safety, Brigham and Women's Hospital along with School Committee members and principals from Natick, Sharon, and Ashland. • Thank you to the TMMA for a wonderful bus tour and to Mr. Goddard for providing the handout. The Diamond School visit fielded questions and comments on the traffic plan, conservation involvement, the courtyard, age of modulars, and number of classrooms in the proposed addition, construction timeline, and new cafeteria. Agenda: A.1 –Agenda Title: Discussion of Town Meeting Articles Presenter: Dr. Czajkowski Summary: March 21, 2016 - Special Town Meeting 2016 ARTICLE 2 - Appropriate for Middle School – Additions and Remodeling To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money for constructing, originally equipping and furnishing additions to the Clarke and Diamond Middle Schools and for remodeling, reconstructing and making extraordinary repairs to the existing Middle Schools, including original equipment and furnishings, and for the payment of all other costs incidental and related thereto; determine whether the money shall be provided by the tax levy, by transfer from available funds, by borrowing, possibly contingent on a referendum pursuant to MGL c.59, §21.C, or by any combination of these methods; determine if the Town will authorize the Selectmen to apply for, accept, expend and borrow in anticipating of state aid; or act in any other manner in relation thereto. (Inserted by the Board of Selectmen at the request of the School Committee) FUNDS REQUESTED: $65,826,000 DESCRIPTION: It is anticipated that there will be two parts to the motion for this article. The first part will seek an appropriation for renovation work at Clarke and Diamond Middle Schools (Phase1) that, due to existing enrollment, it is imperative that the work be completed this summer, before the beginning of the 2016/2017 school year. The second part will be for the design and construction of renovations and additions to Clarke and Diamond Middle Schools (Phase 2) to address anticipated school enrollments. Phase 2 work will be completed over the next 18 months for the Clarke School and 30 months for the Diamond School. While it is anticipated that both Phase 1 and 2 of this project will be included as part of a Debt Exclusion question submitted to the voters later this spring, Phase 1 work needs to be completed in time for the 2016/2017 school year. The contract for this work, therefore, will need to be signed the first week of April, before the likely debt exclusion vote. The contract for the Phase 2 work will go forward only if the debt exclusion vote is approved. • Bill Hurley – Will make a motion to accept report and ask Moderator to recognize Pat Goddard • Pat Goddard – Will make a Power Point Presentation Pat Goddard reviewed the handout with the School Committee. Project Costs by Appropriation There were questions and comments from the School Committee. Mr. Hurley let the committee know that Mr. Pato (Chair of the Selectmen) reached out to him and asked that the committee report back to the Selectmen by Wednesday the latest, whether or not they would want the Debt Exemption be one or two questions. The two options are: (1) single question: all the projects-$71,661,247 (2) break it down to two; Middle Schools-$66,615,953 and the modular’s design and other projects-$5,046,247. Members shared their comments and asked questions. Mr. Hurley asked that the committee come to a decision before the end of the evening on the Debt Exemption question(s). Discussion of Town Meeting Articles School Committee members suggested taking formal votes on the Town Meeting Articles the committee supports. Article #2-Appropriate For Middle Schools – Additions and Remodeling Motion that the School Committee support Special Town Meeting 2016-3 Article 2- Appropriate for Middle Schools-Additions and Remodeling. (Steigerwald, Hurley) The Motion was approved 4-0. Alessandrini - Absent Article #4-Appropriate FY2017 Operating Budget Motion that the School Committee support Article 4- Appropriate FY2017 Operating Budget. (Crocker, Steigerwald) The Motion was approved 4-0. Alessandrini – Absent Article #13-Appropriate For School Capital Projects and Equipment Motion that the School Committee support Article 13-Appropriate For School Capital Projects and Equipment. (Hurley, Jay) The Motion was approved 4-0. Alessandrini - Absent Article #15-Appropriate For Public Facilities Capital Projects Motion that the School Committee support Article 15-Appropriate For Public Facilities Capital Project; 15(b)-School Building Envelopes and Systems Program; 15(c) –LHS Heating Systems Upgrade; 15(g)-Diamond Middle School Renovations-Construction; 15(h)-Clarke Middle School Renovations-Construction;15(i)-School Traffic Safety Improvements; 15(l)-LHS Security Evaluation and Upgrade; 15(m)-LHS Guidance Space Mining – Design; 15(n)-LHS Nurse Office and Treatment Space – Design; 15(o)-LHS Fitness Center/Athletic Training Floor. (Crocker, Steigerwald) The Motion was approved 4-0. Alessandrini - Absent Article #7-Establish and Continue Departmental Resolving Funds and Special Revenue Fund Motion to support Article 7-School Bus Transportation and School Bus Fees $1,050,000 (Crocker, Jay) The Motion was approved 4-0. Alessandrini - Absent Article #10- Appropriate For School Capital Projects and Equipment Motion that the School Committee support Article 10 Appropriate For School Capital Projects and Equipment; 10(h)-Sidewalk Improvements, Additions, Designs and Easements; 10(l)- Pleasant Street Sidewalk and easements; 10(q)-Transportation Mitigation. (Crocker, Steigerwald) The Motion was approved 4-0. Alessandrini - Absent Article #14-Appropriate For School Zone Traffic Calming Motion that the School Committee support Indefinite Postponement of Article 14. (Steigerwald, Jay) The Motion was approved 4-0. Alessandrini – Absent Ms. Crocker noted there will be a Safe Routes update for School Committee at a later date. Article #21- Establish and Appropriate to and From Specified Stabilization Funds Motion that the School Committee support Article 21- Establish and Appropriate to and From Specified Stabilization Funds. (Steigerwald, Hurley) The Motion was approved 4-0. Alessandrini - Absent Article #23-Appropriate From Debt Service Stabilization Funds Motion that the School Committee support Article 23- Appropriate From Debt Service Stabilization Funds. (Steigerwald, Crocker) The Motion was approved 4-0. Alessandrini - Absent Article #38-Amend Zoning Bylaw – Government-Civic Districts(s) Steigerwald moved that the School Committee support Article 21- Amend Zoning Bylaw – Government-Civic Districts(s). Steigerwald noted the potential impact for future school projects. Hurley expressed a preference not to take a position at this time and to wait for further information. There was no second. A.2.a –Agenda Title: Policy JLDBA Intervention, Prevention, and Postvention Suicide Policy Presenter: Judy Crocker Summary: SC Policy JLDBA Intervention, Prevention, and Postvention has been reviewed and revised by the Director of Guidance Val Viscosi and Social Worker Stacy Glickman, Superintendent, counsel, and the School Committee Policy Manual Subcommittee. The revised draft Policy is ready for its third reading and adoption by the School Committee. Follow-Up: Replace the newly adopted version of the policy in the School Committee Policy Handbook and post electronically to the School Committee website under Section J. Motion to Adopt Policy JLDBA Intervention, Prevention, and Postvention Suicide Policy and rescind its prior policy. (Crocker / Steigerwald) The motion was approved (4-0). Alessandrini - Absent A.2.b –Agenda Title: Policy JKAA Restraint of Students Presenter: Judy Crocker Summary: School Committee Policy JKAA Restraint of Students has been reviewed and revised by the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, Director of Special Education Ellen Sugita, Superintendent, counsel, and the School Committee Policy Manual Subcommittee. The revised draft Policy is ready for its third reading and adoption by the School Committee. Follow-Up: Replace the newly adopted version of the policy in the School Committee Policy Handbook and post electronically to the School Committee website under Section J. Motion to Adopt Policy JKAA Restraint of Students and rescind its prior policy. (Crocker, Steigerwald) The motion was approved (4-0). Alessandrini - Absent A.3 –Agenda Title: School Committee Retreat Planning Update Presenter: Bill Hurley Summary: Alessandrini, Hurley and Dr. Czajkowski provided feedback relating to conversation with Rob Evans of the agenda topic. Hurley stated that there have been two dates in March set aside for the School Committee Retreat Planning. Steigerwald originally reached out to Mr. Evans to facilitate the retreat and both Hurley and Steigerwald met with Mr. Evans. A telephone conversation between Hurley, Alessandrini, Dr. Czajkowski and Mr. Evans took place last week. Hurley suggested that a retreat be scheduled for after the Town Meetings and Debt Exemption. Mr. Evans agreed with Mr. Hurley as there would be no time for planning and suggested that the retreat be moved to the end of April or early May. Dr. Czajkowski: Dr. Czajkowski stated that one of her goals was to have quarterly retreats, which were set up with Steigerwald, Dr. Czajkowski and Dorothy Presser. Dr. Czajkowski is not able to complete her goal without the School Committee. Dr. Czajkowski stated that the School Committee could either mark her down on that goal because she would not be able to complete it or look at possible dates Mr. Evan’s has proposed. At this point, Dr. Czajkowski does not perceive having 4 retreats completed before the end of the school year. In Dr. Czajkowski two previous districts they did not have quarterly retreats; they had one retreat at the beginning of the year with the school committee which was a transition retreat. Mr. Hurley does not believe in his opinion the number of Retreat are nearly as important as the quality. What the School Committee Members discuss in terms of moving forward to accomplish the goals that they have set far exceeds whether four retreat are completed. Ms. Crocker respectively disagreed and would like to see the retreat to occur. The last and only time the Committee met with the Superintendent in a retreat was August, which in a transition period is not enough. Ms. Crocker feels that this is not fair to the Superintendent or the Committee as she has reached out a few times to the Chair regarding retreat scheduling. She feels that the retreats will be successful in working on communication amongst each other and the operating norms. Mrs. Steigerwald agreed with Ms. Crocker’s comments. She also summarized the last seven years and the shift that prior committee’s had made to try to schedule a retreat shortly after the election to welcome new members, to review the norms with new members and to include them in signing on to the norms, and to have the chance to reform as a new team. The current student assignment /redistricting process is challenging, and may at times be intense – and the homework policy discussions may also, and the capital projects have been very demanding. During these times, the purpose of a retreat is to have a less formal setting where other, broader topics can be discussed in a less pressured environment. It has been helpful in the past to have a team building time for members and for members with the superintendent and Steigerwald wished everyone would support continuing this practice to reach the goal of being a high performing team. It has been put off since January and she did not think it was helpful to put it off another two months. Dr. Czajkowski agrees with Mr. Hurley that it is not the number of retreats but it’s the quality of them. She feels that there needs to be a complete committee to continue this discussion, Mr. Alessandrini was not present. Mr. Evans proposed the following dates: May 10th, May 16th, May 17th, May 18th, and May 20th through Mary 24th. Dr. Czajkowski is available on all those dates. New members should have an orientation with MASC before the retreat. A.4 –Agenda Title: Resolution Calling for Full Funding of the Foundation Budget Review Commission Recommendations Presenter: Judy Crocker Summary: The Suburban Coalition is compiling a list of board and committees that have passed the Resolution Calling for Full Funding of the Foundation Budget Review Commission Recommendations. The Suburban Coalition is a statewide organization of local officials that advocates for the resources, funding and support at the state level to sustain thriving communities throughout the Commonwealth. It provides input to the state about local services, state funding and state regulations. The Suburban Coalition is the only statewide organization that brings together Selectmen, School Committees and Finance Committees and other local officials to jointly advocate for our communities. The House Ways & Means version of the FY17 Budget will likely be released around April 13 and will be debated the week of April 25. Many legislators are expressing concern that the 1.6% increase in Chapter 70 proposed in the Governor's budget is too low and all are aware that the proposed budget does nothing to address the recommendations of the Foundation Budget Review Commission. By passing the Resolution, boards can send a strong message to Beacon Hill about the importance of Chapter 70 aid for our communities. Motion that the Lexington School Committee pass the Resolution calling for full funding of the Foundation Budget Review Commission recommendations. (Crocker, Steigerwald) The motion was approved (4-0). Alessandrini – Absent Steigerwald noted suggested we should see if the Selectmen would also support the resolution. Crocker will reach out to the Selectmen and let them know that School Committee voted in favor of endorsing a resolution calling for the state to recognize its subcommittee's recommendations and endorse Chapter 70 full programmatic funding for Massachusetts public students. The School Committee would very much appreciate their consideration of making a similar endorsement. 7:23 P.M. Hurley called a recess for the School Committee to relocate to Battin Hall in the Cary Memorial Building to participate in the Special Town Meeting. Materials: Agenda; A.1-Multiple Schools Capital Projects; A.2.a-Agenda Item Summary- Policy JLDBA Intervention, Prevention, and Postvention Suicide Policy; The revised draft Policy is ready for its third reading and adoption by the SC Policy JLDBA Intervention, Prevention, and Postvention Suicide Policy; Second Reading DRAFT SC Policy JLDBA Intervention, Prevention, and Postvention Suicide Policy; A.2.b-Agenda Item Summary- Policy JKAA Restraint of Students; The revised draft Policy is ready for its third reading and adoption by the SC Policy JKAA Restraint of Students; Second Reading DRAFT SC Policy JKAA Restraint of Students; A.3- Agenda Item Summary- School Committee Retreat Planning Update; A.4-Agenda Item Summary: Resolution Calling for Full Funding of the Foundation Budget Review Commission Recommendations; Chapter 70 Funding Resolution; Chapter 70 Resolution Background; List of Boards passing the Resolution as of March 1, 2016; HO.1-Project Costs by Appropriation, dated March 21, 2016, Pat Goddard; HO.2-March 21, 2016-Special Town Meeting 2016-3 Article 2, Appropriate for Middle Schools Additions and Remodeling. Voted Approved by the School Committee: 10-4-16