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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-06-10-SC-minLEXINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING Tuesday, June 10, 2025 Meeting Minutes CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME: 6:02 PM SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT Eileen Jay, Chairperson Larry Freeman, Vice -chair Sara Cuthbertson, Clerk Kathleen Lenihan Sarah Carter 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. Ms. Jay announced that there will be a slightly different order tonight. The LEF update will be presented first, prior to announcements and other agenda items. Dr. Hackett invited Johnny Cole, Diamond Principal, Jeremie Bateman, Diamond Assistant Principal, and Stefani Harvey, Diamond Assistant Principal, to join the School Committee. Dr. Cole introduced his two new Assistant Principals. CONSENT AGENDA Mr. Freeman read the following consent agenda items: • Payroll and Accounts Payable Warrant Approval a. May 16, 2025 - Payroll in the amount of $5,083,414.34 b. May 23, 2025 - BMO Warrant in the amount of $30,251.39 c. May 23, 2025 - AP Warrant in the amount of $1,383,040.49 d. May 30, 2025 - Payroll in the amount of $5,315,946.49 e. June 6, 2025 - AP Warrant in the amount of $2,725,594.60 Ms. Carter read the following consent agenda items: • Minutes a. April 29, 2025 b. April 15, 2025 Ms. Lenihan read the following consent agenda items: • Field Trips a. LHS Envirothon Science Team Field Trip to Calgary, Alberta, Canada from July 19 - 26, 2025 Ms. Cuthbertson read the following consent agenda items: • Donations a. Vote to approve the $6,000 Donation to the LHS Science Department from the Society for Science and Regeneron b. Vote to approve the $2,000 donation made to the Harrington DLP from an anonymous donor Mr. Freeman moved to approve the entire consent agenda, Ms. Cuthbertson seconded. The motion passed 5-0. LEXINGTON EDUCATION FOUNDATION UPDATE Nicole Coelho, outgoing co -president of the Lexington Education Foundation (LEF), gave an annual update highlighting a successful year. Some of the key points from the slideshow include: • Leadership Transition: Nicole Coelho and Alison Nixie will be replaced by Karen Zhao and Kyle York. • Fundraising Events: o Trivia Bee (including a new Junior Bee): Raised over $5,000. o Celebration for Education: Raised over $30,000. o Grantee Reception & Discovery Day: Strong community participation. o Golf Classic: Returning September 5th. o Selling Star Awards • Grants Awarded: o $235,000 in grants across 43 teacher -initiated proposals. o Categories include: Fellowships, School Community Grants, Program Grants, and Rapid Response Grants. • Projects: o Sensory gardens, author visits, updated book closets, greenhouse projects. o Teacher trainings, including Orton -Gillingham, and national conferences. o Rapid response grants like Indian Classical Music Instruments and Lunar New Year celebrations. • Large program grants: o Pilarski Summer Workshop on equity and curriculum. o Decodable Nonfiction Books for Elementary Literacy. o Take-home Math Kits for K-5 families. o Journalism, Broadcasting, Media Literacy, and Video Production Equipment to support student media production. SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS AND LIAISON REPORTS Ms. Lenihan announced that she testified virtually in support of Senate Bill S.142, which would prohibit municipalities from banning face coverings worn for medical or protective purposes. She emphasized that mask -wearing is a personal choice often tied to health, allergies, or comfort, and she urged others to learn about the bill. Ms. Lenihan also stated that this is the year's final regular School Committee meeting. She expressed appreciation for our new member, Ms. Carter, and mentioned policy planning for the fall. Ms. Cuthbertson announced that she attended the Special Olympics, praising the event's organization, the energy of student athletes and volunteers, and the inclusive, positive atmosphere. Ms. Carter attended the Clarke Celebration of Learning with Dr. Lyons and Dr. Hackett, and enjoyed seeing student work, particularly a fun science activity on inertia. She also attended the Credit for Life event at the high school, organized by the Social Studies Department. Ms. Carter explained that this program helps juniors learn about financial habits and real-world responsibilities and is funded by the LEF. Lastly, she attended the Safe Routes to School celebration, noting that Clarke, Fiske, and Estabrook received gold -level recognition, and emphasized the program's value in promoting environmental awareness and safe travel. Mr. Freeman congratulated this year's graduates! Ms. Jay attended the SEPAC quarterly meeting today and two weeks ago the SEPAC Q&A session with LPS administration. She thanked Dr. Hackett and the special education staff for engaging and collaborating and answering questions. Ms. Jay also attended the Lexington Human Rights Committee meeting in May where there was a discussion of the Systemic Barriers Report with LPS administration. The LHRC will also host two sessions on how to have tough conversations. Ms. Jay attended the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) Learning Lunch for School Committee chairs; it was a nice chance to compare notes and experiences with other School Committee chairs. COMMUNITY SPEAK Jennifer Elverum - 3 Penny Lane (on Zoom): Ms. Elverum expressed disappointment that the ELA curriculum review wasn't addressed earlier in the school year or given its own agenda item. She urged the School Committee to pause the internal review and instead hire an independent consultant, like Hill for Literacy, to conduct the audit. Ms. Elverum also highlighted concerns with literacy outcomes, noting that 73% of Black students and 62% of low-income students in grade three are not meeting benchmarks. She called these results unacceptable and inequitable, asking for immediate action and involvement from the School Committee. Wendi Hoffer - 3 Crawford Rd (on Zoom): Ms. Hoffer is one of the leaders of "Lex Kids Be Kids", a parent group that works to shift norms around smartphones and social media through community events. She thanked the Committee for the February update to the personal device policy but raised two concerns: unclear enforcement and poor communication. She urged the district to clarify rules, define consequences, and improve outreach to families and staff. Kyle York - 15 Cliffe Ave (on Zoom): Mr. York thanked Dr. Hackett for waiving fees on a public records request but expressed frustration over repeated delays in receiving the requested invoices, originally promised by May 30. He questioned the need for further review and suggested hesitation in releasing the documents. Mr. York highlighted spending on hotels, restaurants, and catering, contrasting it with recent school budget requests for basic supplies like tissues and sports equipment. Robin Strizhak - President of the LEA (on Zoom): She thanked Dr. Hackett and Dr. Lyons for their work with the Unit C negotiations team, highlighting productive discussions and mutual problem -solving. They look forward to ratifying and building on the agreement. Olga Guttag - 273 Emerson Rd (on Zoom): Ms. Guttag asked for detailed financial information about the Bloom project and the LPS budget. She wanted to know the cost difference between finishing Bloom's central office wing, leaving it unfinished, or using it for classrooms. She also requested confirmation of a $10 million estimate to move the central office if needed, and asked about any cost impacts from tariffs in Bloom's current estimates. In addition, she sought information on the current LPS budget gap or surplus, how it is being addressed, and future projections for a possible operating override. She also asked how recent federal funding cuts will affect LPS, including pass-through funds and grants. She emphasized that transparency is important to maintain public trust and avoid repeated requests for public records. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Hackett gave a statement about Mr. York's public records request. She explained that LPS has received a high volume of requests for large and complex public records from Mr. York. Dr. Lyons, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Staff Support, read a detailed memo outlining the timeline for this request. It explained the steps taken to respond, including gathering thousands of emails, reviewing hundreds of invoices, and processing credit card records going back years. While the district has tried to fulfill requests at no cost, the workload has become too great, delaying regular school operations. Going forward, each new request will be treated separately under the 10 -day legal timeline, and LPS will charge for the staff time needed to complete them. Dr. Lyons also emphasized that staff have been responsive, thanked multiple departments for their work, and confirmed that the remaining requested documents will be sent to Mr. York by June 23. Mr. Freeman expressed concern that large public records requests are straining district resources, pulling staff from essential work that should prioritize students. While supporting transparency, he emphasized that district operations must come first. Given existing financial constraints, Mr. Freeman agreed with charging for staff time at full hourly rates to avoid budget losses. Mr. Freeman is disturbed by the public comments implying misuse of funds, which he believes is not the case. Ms. Cuthbertson also encouraged the public to attend finance subcommittee meetings to get answers directly. She noted the district is continually consolidating positions to manage the budget and that staff already have heavy workloads. While transparency is important, it must be balanced with the need to run the district effectively. Ms. Cuthbertson appreciated Dr. Lyons' thorough memo and staff efforts but warned that overly burdensome information requests can take time away from serving students. Ms. Jay agreed and suggested creating explicit guidelines for charging public records requests. Dr. Hackett responded that we need to follow our legal obligation to charge. Ms. Cuthbertson reminded the community that a lot of information is already publicly available, and to email the School Committee if they can not find something. Dr. Hackett reviewed her Superintendent's Report with the School Committee. The highlights from her report include: 1. Great News from Lexington Schools! • Successful Unit C negotiations, thanks to everyone involved • Director of Finance Interviews this week • Joy in Learning 2. Teaching & Learning • Annual Curriculum Review Report 3. High School Building Project Updates • Community polling resulted in a preference for a red brick exterior • Lots of discussions about renewable energy 4. Upcoming Events • LEF Volunteer Information Session • LEF Star Awards • Music for All, free lessons to children in the community • Self -Defense and Awareness Seminar 5. We All Belong • Multicultural celebrations at Hastings • International Festival at Bridge • Fiske Elementary School Fair • AAPI Month celebration at Harrington • Autism Acceptance Rock Garden • LexELPAC Celebration of Learning • MayUBU Month at LHS • Holidays & Observances Mr. Freeman left the meeting. Ms. Lenihan requested that we invite those working on curriculum reviews to come talk to the School Committee next year. A new model was discussed. NEW BUSINESS A. FY 25 3rd Quarter Financial effort Mr. Coelho joined the School Committee, he reviewed the linked document above. • We are currently projecting a $2.39 million deficiency in our salary line items due to the additional personnel. However, through the use of all of our identified FY25 offset accounts and in the expense lines, we'll have a surplus of $2.39 million, so it fully offsets; there will be no turnback. • We currently have 25.86 supplemental positions that have been either requested and or filled. • We currently have approximately 16 vacancies. • Major expenses: Special Education Out -of -District Tuition, Special Education Consultants, Transportation, and Legal Services. Ms. Cuthbertson moved that the School Committee approve the transfer of $2,390,463 from FY2025 LPS Operating Budget Expense Accounts for Special Education OOD Tuitions to FY2025 LPS Operating Budget Salary Accounts to balance the FY2025 salary budget line items, Ms. Lenihan seconded. The motion passed 4-0. B. Vote on the Middle School Conference MCA Dr. Hackett read the section Conferences and Early Release Days. Ms. Cuthbertson moved that the School Committee approve the Memorandum of Agreement between the LEA, ALA and School Committee for Middle School Conferences for 2025-2026 dated March 17, 2025, Ms. Lenihan seconded. The motion passed 4-0. END -OF -YEAR SUPERINTENDENT EVALUATION 2024-2025 Ms. Jay read the End -of -Year Superintendent Evaluation for Dr. Hackett. The School Committee gave Dr. Hackett top ratings in all areas, praising her leadership on major projects, curriculum improvements, and strong fiscal management. They highlighted her community engagement and DEI work, suggested expanding student feedback and refining curriculum, and called her an outstanding, visionary leader for Lexington Public Schools. COMMUNITY SPEAK Leah Rochbert - Unit C member & building representative: Ms. Rochbert read a statement on behalf of another staff member who wishes to remain anonymous. The staff member thanked Superintendent Hackett for personally stepping into Unit C contract negotiations, recognizing their hard work and dedication, and showing empathy for their financial struggles. They credited her involvement and professional approach with breaking a stalled process and helping make progress after difficult negotiations. POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS Items added at the meeting: • No items were added, items will be reviewed at a retreat. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Carter motioned to adjourn at 8:44 PM, Ms Lenihan seconded. Passed, 4-0.