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Home My WebLink About2018-03-26-SC-min 1 LSC Meeting 3-26-18 Minutes Approved – 9/11/18 LEXINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE Meeting Monday, March 26, 2018 Cary Memorial Building, Estabrook Hall 1605 Massachusetts Avenue Present: Chair, Eileen Jay; Vice-Chair, Kate Colburn; Alessandro Alessandrini; Kathleen Lenihan; Deepika Sawhney (6:49); Superintendent, Dr. Czajkowski; Not Present: Student Representative, Rosanna Jiang The minutes were taken by Kristen Cronin, Executive Assistant to the School Committee and Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent The meeting convened at 6:34 pm Call to Order and Welcome: Chair Eileen Jay called the meeting to order and introduced committee members Public Comment: None Agenda Discussion and Vote on Town Meeting Articles : Members reviewed and voted on the 2018 Annual Town Meeting Articles related to School Committee: Article 2/Article 4 – Operating Budget: Eileen Jay moved that the School Committee support Article 4 under Article 2 – Appropriate FY2019 Operating Budget, at the 2018 Annual Town Meeting – Approved (4-0) Article 8 – Diversity Advisory Task Force: Eileen Jay moved that the School Committee support Article 8 – Appropriate to Create Diversity Advisory Task Force, at the Annual Town Meeting – Approved (4-0) Article 9 – Establish Departmental Revolving Funds (Transportation & Building Rental) Eileen Jay moved that the School Committee support Article 9 – Establish and Continue Departmental Revolving Funds, at the Annual Town Meeting – Approved (4-0) Article 10F – Bowman Playground Replacement: Eileen Jay moved that the School Committee support Article 10F – Playground Replacement Program at Bowman, at Annual Town Meeting – Approved (4-0) Article 10G H – Center Field & Track Replacement/Lighting: Eileen Jay moved that the School Committee support Article 10G – Athletic Facility Lighting, at Annual Town Meeting – Approved (4-0) 2 LSC Meeting 3-26-18 Minutes Approved – 9/11/18 Kate Colburn read the following statement in connection with Article 10G: The School Committee unanimously supports Article 10 (g), with the understanding that the lights at issue maybe moved and reused if the property on which they are installed is needed for a high school project. Further discussion was had on Article 10H – Center Track and Field Reconstruction – Members want to make clear to Town Meeting that the committee is in support of Article 10(h), however, it is likely that a high school project will be brought forward in the near future, but the location and siting of the project is completely uncertain. Any potential impact on the center track reconstruction is entirely unknown at this time. Kate Colburn read the following statement from School Committee on Article 10H: The School Committee unanimously supports Article 10(h). Our current track has reached the end of its useful life and must be replaced for our middle schools and high school to continue to operate track programs past this season. Track is unusual in Lexington because it is one of only a few no-cut sports. Any student can participate, regardless of athletic ability or experience, and hundreds of students choose to join track every year. As our community works to reduce unhealthy stress among our students, the availability of positive, healthy, team-building experiences like our track teams is essential. As the Capital Expenditures Committee noted in their report, it is possible that the track complex could be impacted by a future high school project, but the likelihood of this is entirely unknown. The School Committee intends to submit a Statement of Interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority in 2019. Only after the project is accepted, which could take years, would an MSBA-required feasibility study determine issues like location, site suitability, cost, and whether the project would involve new construction or renovation. There is some chance that the most cost-effective, feasible option will require use of property beyond the high school’s current site, including possible impact on adjacent athletic areas. Even given the uncertainty, the School Committee supports this project. It is important for our students, that the track and the programs that rely on it remain operational during the years it will take to develop the high school project. We strongly encourage Town Meeting to support Article 10(h). Steve McKenna – Precinct 6 TMM: had some questions for School Committee members and made a brief statement expressing concern over some of the language in the statement. Article 10H – Center Field & Track Reconstruction Eileen Jay moved that the School Committee support Article 10H – Center Field and Track Reconstruction, at Annual Town Meeting – Approved (5-0) Article 12 – Lexington Children’s Place Eileen Jay moved that the School Committee Support Article 12 – Appropriate for Lexington Children’s Place Construction, at Annual Town Meeting – Approved (5-0) Article 19 – School Capital Projects and Equipment for Technology Eileen Jay moved that the School Committee Support Article 19 – Appropriate for School Capital Projects and Equipment, at Annual Town Meeting – Approved (5-0) Article 20C - School Paving Program Eileen Jay moved that the School Committee Support Article 20C – Appropriate for Public Facilities Capital Projects, at Annual Town Meeting – Approved (5-0) 3 LSC Meeting 3-26-18 Minutes Approved – 9/11/18 Article 20G – School Building Envelopes & System Eileen Jay moved that the School Committee Support Article 20G – Appropriate for Public Facilities Capital Projects, at Annual Town Meeting – Approved (5-0) Article 20H – LHS School Security Eileen Jay moved that the School Committee Support Article 20H – Appropriate for Public Facilities Capital Projects, at Annual Town Meeting – Approved (5-0) Article 26 – Stabilization Fund (Avalon Bay & School Bus Transportation) Eileen Jay moved that School Committee Support Article 26 – Establish, Dissolve and Appropriate to and from Specified Stabilization Funds – Approved (5-0) Article 32 – Amend General By-law Regarding Financial Committee Members had some questions for Assistant Superintendent of Finance, Ian Dailey. It was agreed to table a vote after reaching out to the chair of the CEC for further clarification on this Article. Article 35 – Resolution to Request Warrant Articles to be accompanied by Financial Projections Some discussion was had regarding this article and members agreed to table Article 35 until further notice. Article 36 – Amend General By-Laws to Repeal Prohibition of Recreational Marijuana Establishments in Town (Citizens Article) Article 43 – Amend Chapter 135 Zoning By-Law (Citizen Article) Some discussion was had on Article 36 and Article 43. Members are not in support of Article 36 and Article 43. Some discussion was had on Article 34. It was agreed not to take a position at this time. Vote to Appoint School Committee Warrant Approval Delegate/Alternate Motion to approve Kate Colburn as to approve payroll and accounts payable batches in accordance with School Committee Policy DGA: Authorized Signatures effective March 26, 2018. (Jay/Alessandrini) 5-0 Motion to approve Deepika Sawhney as alternate to approve payroll and accounts payable batches in accordance with School Committee Policy DGA: Authorized Signatures effective March 26, 2018. (Jay/Alessandrinin) 5-0 School Committee remained in open session and relocated to Battin Hall for the purpose of participating in Town Meeting. Meeting Materials: Agenda; A.1- Town of Lexington Warrant Packet