HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-02-05-SC-min LEXINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
Lexington Town Office Building,Selectmen's Meeting Room
1625 Massachusetts Avenue
CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME: 7:04 p.m.
Chair Eileen Jay welcomed and introduced committee members.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Eileen Jay, Chairperson
Kate Colburn, Vice-Chairperson
Kathleen Lenihan, Clerk
Deepika Sawhney
Alessandro Alessandrini
Rosanna Jiang, Student Rep
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT
Dr. Julie Hackett, Superintendent
Peter Rowe, Interim Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations
Dr. Christine Lyons, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional
Development
The minutes were taken by Kristen Cronin, Executive Assistant to the School Committee and
Administrative Assistant to Superintendent
SCHOOL COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Members wished a Happy Lunar New Year to all celebrating.
Mr. Alessandrini read a quote by Maya Angelou in honor of Black History Month. "I've learned
that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never
forget how you made them feel."
Ms. Lenihan attended the Clarke Musical "Anne of Green Gables" and extended her
congratulations to all students and staff for making the play a huge success.
Ms. Lenihan reported that State Senator, Cindy Freedman, filed a Bill that would require the
HPPV vaccination be mandatory for school attendance. A copy of the Bill can be found here:
Bill S ®1520
Student Representative, Rosanna Jiang, wished all a Happy Lunar New Year to all celebrating.
Ms. Jiang reported over the past weekend Lexington students won their first technology
challenge for Robotics and the boys swim team also won first in the Middlesex League
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Competition. Ms. Jiang announced the All Town Winter Orchestra Concert for Wednesday,
February 6 at 7:30 pm at the Lexington High School Gym.
Ms. Colburn extended her congratulations to Cary Library for having an excellent birthday
party. Reggie O'Hare Gibson read a poem that he wrote after spending many months in
residence after talking to people in the town about how they use the library and what it means
to them. The poem was incredibly moving and really captured why people love Cary Library,
people from every background and every age.
Ms. Jay recognized the ceremony in honor of Jay Kaufman's services to Lexington and extended
her congratulations to Michelle Ciccolo.
Ms. Jay thanked the Lexington Education Association for sponsoring the "Fund Our Future"
event.
CONGRATULATIONS& CELEBRATIONS:
In honor of Black History month, Superintendent Hackett along with Dr. Chris Lyons, Sara
Cuthbertson, and Jodi Finnagan attended the 21st Annual FUNDA FEST: A Celebration of Black
Storytelling. There were internationally-renowned storytellers teaching and entertaining with
stories from the African diaspora. FUNDA celebrated 21 years of sharing stories from Black
traditions, this year making connections with Africa, and African American Gullah culture.
Superintendent Hackett attended the Fund Our Future event on Monday, February 4, 2019 and
spoke about the inadequacies of Chapter 70 aide and how these disparities impact classrooms,
schools, districts, and communities, which in turn lead to inequalities for children.
Superintendent Hackett congratulated Lexington Education Association (LEA) on their
successful event.
CONSENT AGENDA:
ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS/GIFTS
1. C.A.S.IT., Inc. Donation to Lexington High School World Language
Ms. Lenihan moved to approve donation from C.A.S./T., Inc. to the World Language
Department at Lexington High School in the amount of$1,000.00;seconded by Ms.
Colburn (Approved 5-0)
PAYROLL AND ACCOUNTS PAYABLE WARRANT APPROVAL
1. Payroll Period Dated February 1, 2019 ($4,365,731.47)
2. Accounts Payable Warrant Dated January 25, 2019 ($1,115,869.00)
3. Accounts Payable US Bank Reconciliation Warrant Dated January 25, 2019 ($24,514.62)
Ms. Sawhney moved to approve items 1-3 under Payroll and Accounts Payable
Warrants;seconded by Ms. Lenihan (Approved 5-0)
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APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. January 15, 2019
Mr.Alessandrini moved to approve School Committee minutes from January 15, 2019;
seconded by Ms. Lenihan(Approved 5-0)
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT:
Superintendent Hackett reported on the following:
Estabrook Principal Search Finalists:
Superintendent Hackett announced two outstanding finalists for the Estabrook principalship.
Ms. Jennifer Buller has been an Interim Principal at the Edward Devotion School (currently
being renamed) in Brookline, MA since 2015. Mr. Mark McAneny has been the principal at the
Bishop Elementary School in Arlington, MA since 2011.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Update:
Diversity, equity, and inclusion has been at the heart of our work this year, and it is just the
beginning. As an organization, we continue to learn and evolve. Dr. Hackett is incredibly proud
of our students, staff, and school community who have coalesced around a shared vision of a
more unified Lexington Public Schools. She outlined and described a list of professional
learning opportunities related to identity, race, and culture that have occurred or will be taking
place in the Lexington Public Schools in the 2018-2019 school year.
New and Improved Website for Lexington Public Schools:
The Technology Department has selected Sterling Technologies of Winchester to design and
build a new Lexington Public Schools website and branding package. We anticipate launching
the new website during the summer of 2019.
A complete copy of the Superintendent's Report can be found here: 2- -19 SC Packet
COMMUNITY SPEAKS:
Julie Worzala, 4 Raymond St: Ms. Worzala commented on the professional learning that is
taking place in Lexington and asked how the trainings are going to help the student body with
all the racial issues that have been happening recently at the high school.
Dr. Hackett commented that while it may seem that the number incidents have been
increasing, perhaps it's more that the communication about them is increasing. One of the
concerns acknowledged in the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) report was that we need to
become more transparent with our communications. When we encounter challenges, we need
to be open and honest and share with our community. We aim to develop a culture where
talking about these issues directly is productive and beneficial. The hope is that, through the
professional development, there can be more of an expansion of this culture through to the
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students. We are exploring how to make sure that we get the education to students in the
same way we are doing with staff. We are testing out different pilots and looking at different
curricula.
Superintendent Hackett reminded the public that typically during Community Speaks there is
no interaction other than to listen; however, Superintendent Hackett felt that this was an
important topic to address and thanked Ms. Worzala for raising the question.
Mr. Alessandrini commented that when something racially insensitive happens at a national
level, local level or state level, it is important as an elective official to speak up and be examples
by talking to kids and adults in order not to condone the action but to condemn it.
PRESENTATION:
Superintendent Hackett reviewed her Mid-Cycle Self Assessment and read through the shared
goals of the Superintendent and School Committee.
• Goal #1: Professional Practice
o Community Outreach: Strategies,Timeline, and Evidence
• Goal #2: Student Learning
o Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Goal #3: School Committee - Superintendent Goal
o Lexington's Strategic Plan -Strategies, Timeline, and Evidence
• Goal #4: School Committee - Superintendent Goal
o Promoting Student Contentment, Engagement, Energy in Our Schools
The complete Mid-Cycle Self-Assessment can be viewed here: 2- -19 SC Packet -
Superintendent's Mid-Cycle Self-Assessment
Members had further discussion and Superintendent Hackett responded to their questions.
NEW BUSINESS:
Vote to Approve the Submission of the Statement of Interest (SOI) for Lexington High School
Superintendent Hackett reported on the process required to vote for submitting the Statement
of Interest (SOI) to the Massachusetts School Building Authority. It is important to note that
this vote authorizes the superintendent to submit the Statement of Interest (SOI) and is not a
vote for actually approving the Statement of Interest itself.
Members had comments and Superintendent Hackett responded to their questions.
Ms. Colburn move that the School Committee support the following resolution: Resolved-
Having convened in an open meeting on February 5, 2019 prior to the SOI submission closing
date, the School Committee of Lexington. Massachusetts, in accordance with its charter,
by-laws, and ordinances, has voted to authorize the Superintendent to submit to the
Massachusetts School Building Authority the Statement of Interest Form dated January 29,
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2019 for the Lexington High School located at 251 Waltham Street which describes and explains
the following deficiencies and the priority category(s)for which an application may be
submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority in the future, including:
1. Replacement or renovation of a building which is structurally unsound or otherwise in a
condition seriously jeopardizing the health and safety of school children, where no
alternative exists.
2. Elimination of existing severe overcrowding.
3. Prevention of the loss of accreditation.
4. Prevention of severe overcrowding expected to result from increased enrollments.
5. Replacement, renovation or modernization of school facility systems, such as roofs,
windows, boilers, heating and ventilation systems, to increase energy conservation and
decrease energy related costs in a school facility.
7. Replacement of or addition to obsolete buildings in order to provide for a full range of
programs consistent with state and approved local requirements.
and hereby further specifically acknowledges that by submitting this Statement of Interest
Form, the Massachusetts School Building Authority in no way guarantees the acceptance or the
approval of an application, the awarding of a grant or any other funding commitment from the
Massachusetts School Building Authority, or commits the City/Town/Regional School District to
filing an application for funding with the Massachusetts School Building Authority, Ms. Lenihan
seconded the motion (Approved 5-0)
NEW BUSINESS Cont.:
Vote to Approve the Superintendent's FY 2020 Operating Budget and Capital Budget
Mr. Peter Rowe gave a final brief overview of the Superintendent's Recommended Budget and
suggested motions for School Committee to vote on:
• Total annual operating budget, broken down by Budget Lines
• Approve general fund, special revenue fund, and agency fund fees
• Transfer costs associated with new positions to Shared Expenses budget; and
• Set maximum amounts on the Transportation revolving fund as required by law (MGL
Chapter 44, Section 53E %)
• Total capital budget; LPS Technology
Ms. Colburn noted that there is $370,000.00 in budgetary items that administration
recommended and School Committee would like to fund, but the allocation received this year
was not sufficient to cover those items and the allocation was also not sufficient to prevent us
from raising the middle school fees without having to raise other fees to make up for it. Ms.
Colburn stated that at the Budget Summit meetings, the School Committee expressed their
issues and concerns, but there was no recommendation by the Town Manager or Selectmen to
change the budget allocation process in any way. It is important to let the public know that the
School Committee tried and had raised the issues, but unfortunately, we will have to go
without those items this year.
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Mr. Peter Rowe addressed the growth of the school department appropriation and how it
compares to other municipal costs and how Lexington compares to other like communities over
the last 10 years.
1. Motion to Approve the Lexington Public Schools Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2020 in
the amount of$113,469,614.00 allocated to budget lines as included in the Budget
Detail—Salaries & Wages table and the Budget Detail—Expenses table in this agenda
item.
3. Motion to transfer$369,162.00 from the School Department Revenue Allocation to the
Municipal Shared Services budget,for the purposes of health insurance, Medicare and
workers compensation for new positions.
4. Motion to transfer$131,400 to the Municipal Accounts for two (2) custodial positions
and their related benefits.
5. Motion to request Town Meeting, pursuant to Chapter 44, Section 53E 'z, to
re-authorize the use of the Transportation Revolving Fund, and to authorize to expend
amounts from such revolving fund accounts, and to set the maximum amounts that may
be expended from such revolving fund accounts in Fiscal Year 2020 at$1,150,000.
6. Motion to Approve the Lexington Public Schools Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2020 in
the amount of$1,743,900.00 for School Technology Capital.
Ms. Lenihan moved to approve motions 1, 3, 4, 5, & 6;seconded by Ms. Colburn (Approved
5-0)
Mr.Alessandrini moved to amend motion#2 so as to divide out middle school athletic fees
from proposed FY 2020 fee structure-seconded by Ms. Colburn (Approved 5-0)
Mr.Alessandrini then made the following motions:
2. Motion to approve FY 2020 general fund, special revenue fund, and agency fund
fees as outlined in this agenda item-seconded by Ms. Colburn (Approved 4-1;:Mr.
Alessandrini opposed)
2a. Motion to approve FY 2020 general fund, special revenue fund, and agency fund
fees as outlined in this agenda item, excluding the proposed middle school athletic fee
structure increase-seconded by Ms. Colburn (Failed 1-4)
A motion to adjourn was made;so moved at 9:09 pm(Approved 5-0)
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