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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-09-16-SC-minLEXINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING Tuesday, September 16, 2025 Meeting Minutes CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME: 6:03 PM SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT Eileen Jay, Chairperson Larry Freeman, Vice -Chair Kathleen Lenihan Sarah Carter Sara Cuthbertson did not attend the meeting. SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT Dr. Julie Hackett, Superintendent The minutes were taken by Julie Kaye, School Committee Meeting Recording Secretary. The School Committee convened at the School Committee Meeting Room at Central Office and remotely. Members of the public can view and participate in person or in the meeting webinar from their computer or tablet by clicking on the link provided with the meeting agenda. Please note that this meeting is being recorded and that attendees are participating by video conference. This evening's meeting is being broadcast live and also taped by LexMedia for future on -demand viewing. All supporting materials that have been provided to members of this body are available on the Town's website unless otherwise noted. CONSENT AGENDA Mr. Freeman read the following consent agenda items: • Payroll and Accounts Payable Warrant Approval a. September 5, 2025 - AP Warrant in the amount of $378,019.95 b. September 5, 2025 -Payroll in the amount of $5,089,616.26 c. September 19, 2025 - BMO in the amount of $21,788.36 d. September 19, 2025 -AP Warrant in the amount of $2,178,976.53 Ms. Carter read the following consent agenda items: • Minutes a. August 26, 2025 Ms. Lenihan moved to approve the consent agenda as presented, Ms. Carter seconded. The motion passed 4-0. • Field Trips a. Diamond Middle School - Quebec City, Quebec, Canada from 02-09-2026 - 02-13-2026 b. Clarke Middle School -Quebec City, Quebec, Canada from 05-26-2026- 05-29-2026 Ms. Gaudet, Director of Secondary Education, joined the School Committee to summarize the Middle School Field Tris Memo. The School Committee discussed Middle School international trips, noting equity concerns since almost half of special education students aren't in language classes and therefore don't have the same access to trips. Updated pricing brought Clarke and Diamond trips closer in cost (the initial amount presented at the last meeting was incorrect), with timing and length explaining differences. The School Committee also raised concerns about safety, district costs, and fairness, but agreed to approve the trip to allow planning while committing to update forms and review travel policies going forward. Ms. Carter moved to approve the eighth -grade Quebec trips as presented for Diamond and Clarke schools, Mr. Freeman seconded. Motion passed 3-1, Ms. Lenihan opposed. SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS AND LIAISON REPORTS Ms. Lenihan announced that the High School Building Project Community Forum will be held on Thursday, September 18th, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the Cary Memorial Building. Ms. Carter attended the Community Center's 10 -year celebration and the Volunteer 250 arch lighting. She encouraged the School Committee to report volunteer hours. Mr. Freeman announced that the Unified Basketball team is having a car wash fundraiser on Saturday September 20th at LHS from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Rain date is September 21st. Ms. Jay reported that she recorded a video about her experience volunteering on a committee for a presentation that the Town is putting together. Part of a video presentation of the new high school was shown. COMMUNITY SPEAK Dawn McKenna - 9 Hancock St: Ms. McKenna thanked the school for approving the field trips, emphasizing their value for students. She also advocated for reinstating the exchange program with Antony, France, which began in the 1980s. She noted her disappointment that it had lapsed and suggested offering stipends to encourage staff to take it on. Olga Guttag - 273 Emerson Rd: Ms. Guttag valued past international trips but raised concerns about current risks for refugee and non -citizen families, who may fear leaving the country and being unable to return. She urged suspending all international trips until the political situation improves, to avoid adding stress and to ensure fairness, even though it would deprive students of valuable experiences. NEW BUSINESS A. Supt/SC Collaborative Goals Dr. Hackett started off the presentation. Also presenting were: Christine Lyons, Asst. Superintendent for Human Resources; Jennifer Gaudet, Director of Secondary Education; Andrea So, Director of Elementary Education; Maureen Kavanaugh, Director of Data & Strategy; Phala Chea, PK -12 English Language Education Program Coordinator; Laura Spear, Director of Special Education; Tom Martellone, Director of Innovation and Instructional Technology; Christopher Scully, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations; and Sara Calleja, K-5 ELA & Literacy Department Head. • Goal 1: Addressing & Narrowing Achievement Gaps o Project Lead: Chris Lyons ■ 1-A. LPS Grows Its Own Diverse Pipeline ■ 1-B. A Mentor for Every 10 ■ 1-C. Strengthening Core Instruction through S&E ■ 1-D. Improving Outcomes for All: Understanding Gaps & Supporting Students • Goal 2: Redefining Success o Project Lead: Jennifer Gaudet ■ 2-A1 Phase I: Parity in LHS Teacher Assignments ■ 2-A. Phase II: Preliminary Grad Requirements & Competency Determination ■ 2-B. Phase III: LPS Strategic Plan, 2.0 • Goal 3: Cultivating Student Agency o Project Lead: Andrea So ■ 3-A. PK -12 Learning for Justice Curriculum • Goal 4: Innovate for Sustainable Change o Project Lead: Chris Scully ■ 4-A. Financial Planning ■ 4-B. Building Sustainable Special Education Systems & Structures ■ 4-C. K-5 Literacy Working Group ■ 4-D. Curriculum Review Revision ■ 4-E. There's an app for that! ■ 4-F Technology Efficiency Study School Committee Questions/Comments: Ms. Carter is pleased that our district keeps asking what we can do better and that we are always looking forward to ways to improve. Ms. Jay mentioned the DEI Community Input Team and one of its outcomes, the Learning for Justice Curriculum, which is now part of goal #3. She noted concerns within the community about how we find ways to embed underrepresented groups in our standard curriculum. She asked how this would be incorporated into the curriculum review process. Ms. Gaudet responded that there are recommendations for departments to contact community groups for conversations throughout various phases. Ms. Gaudet added that during the review process, a structure will be created for how we do that. B. Financial Assistance Update Dr. Hackett explained that the finance department has undergone a transition and that we've been looking at ways to improve processes. Dr. Scully discussed the financial assistance process, explaining that the program was established by policy in 2008, and is separate from federal free/reduced lunch programs. This program provides fee reductions based on income—up to 350% of the federal poverty level—recognizing higher living costs in Massachusetts. Dr. Scully outlined that families can apply anytime with documentation verifying income, and eligible students receive reductions for transportation, athletics, and curriculum -based field trips. About 175 students applied this year, most receiving full or partial fee waivers. Families with extenuating circumstances can communicate confidentially. The district aims to make the application process more efficient for families and staff. School Committee Questions/Comments: Mr. Freeman asked who makes the judgment call for financial assistance. Dr. Scully responded that he makes the determination based on the documentation provided. Mr. Freeman also asked how the money gets dispersed, when families should apply, and how much money we should set aside for each student. Dr. Scully replied that they ideally want families to apply in the spring. Once approved, the information is shared with principals, athletics, and transportation so families don't need to apply multiple times, and the approval carries through the year. He also explained that money is handled differently depending on the situation, with athletics and transportation using revolving funds. Costs vary widely by student, and there hasn't been past tracking of exact amounts, but he plans to start tracking this year and provide a follow-up memo. Mr. Freeman added that we need more than just a single -strand approval. Dr. Hackett explained that we aren't spending money on these; we just aren't taking in as much money. Ms. Carter stressed that the policy needs to be clear about what it covers. She also would like PTOs, principals, and finance to talk together about this process so families don't face unnecessary hurdles, and it reaches as many families as possible. C. FY 2027 Budget Guidelines and Calendar Discussion • FY 2026 8u let Guidelines and Calendar for Reference School Committee Questions/Comments: Ms. Lenihan asked about the effects that the Supreme Court case, Mahmoud v. Taylor, could have on the budget and how that could be captured in the budget. Dr. Hackett explained the different ways the budget process has been done in the past. She asked the School Committee what they would like to do now. She suggested that they review the Strategic Priorities, consider possible curriculum adoptions, and other big decisions coming up. Dr. Hackett also added that at a recent budget meeting, articulating support for staff in the budget guidelines was discussed. She suggested that the School Committee think about how to put that in words in the budget document. The School Committee agreed to take it to the Finance Subcommittee before the next School Committee meeting on September 30th. Dr. Hackett also noted that this is a bargaining year, and our legal expenses always increase during contract negotiations. Ms. Lenihan asked if the summit dates are locked in; she might not be able to attend the October 16th meeting. Dr. Scully added that this date was given to him by the Town; it is the only locked -in date as of now. Ms. Jay pointed out that February 10th is the expected date of budget adoption, but she feels that this timing is late. She recommended that the item be moved to January 27th. Finance must vote on the capital budget before then. Dr. Scully mentioned that he hopes to have a "budget kickoff" with principals and administrators to open communication. Ms. Jay pointed out that the School Committee usually gets an October enrollment update. She asked if this would be ready before the summit. Dr. Hackett replied that it would be ready, and Dr. Kavanaugh would have the PowerPoint shortly after October 1st. Ms. Jay requested that the information be sent to the School Committee members since the earliest meeting in October is on the 21st. Ms. Lenihan spoke about the Kindergarten enrollment and the census. She wonders if K enrollment is lower because there are fewer children or if families are choosing private schools over public ones. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Hackett reviewed her Su2edntendenfs Report with the School Committee. The highlights from her report include: • On September 5th, Dr.Hackett attended the Bionic Project at LHS. The Boys' and Girls' Soccer programs hosted this event, which featured presentations on empathy, allyship, and adaptive sports. • Dr. Hackett also went to the Dishari Lighting Ceremony on September 13th at the High School. • Building Inclusive School Community: A District -Wide Approach and Creating Safe Spaces through Community Circles were briefly discussed. COMMUNITY SPEAK Dawn McKenna - 9 Hancock St: Ms. McKenna highlighted several concerns from the agenda. First, she emphasized the importance of coordinating financial assistance between the schools and municipal human services, especially with upcoming zoning and housing projects likely to increase need. Ms. McKenna also urged the consistent use of "one town" language to avoid the divisiveness seen in past debates over debt exclusions. She recommended simplifying budget guidelines and clarifying whether an operating override will be required, given the additional costs of new school buildings and housing growth. Finally, she raised concerns about the new high school's field house. Olga Guttag - 273 Emerson Rd: Ms.Guttag thanked the School Committee for addressing budget challenges and streamlining student support. She suggested reducing consultant costs by offering such opportunities to staff first, when qualified. Ms. Guttag noted this could save money and help support, recruit, and retain teachers, especially given educators' financial difficulties. She also suggested implementing a policy for this. POSSIBLE ACTT N ITEMS Items added: M►re= ADJOURNMENT Mr. Freeman made a motion to adjourn at 8:50 PM, Ms. Carter seconded, passed 4-0.