HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-05-07-SC-min LEXINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
Tuesday, May 7, 2019
Lexington Town Office Building
Selectmen's Meeting Room
1625 Massachusetts Avenue
CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME: 7:05 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
Scott Bokun
NOT PRESENT:
Peter Rowe, Interim Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations
Rosanna Jiang, Student Rep
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT
Dr. Julie Hackett, Superintendent
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 the Superintendent
Ms. Jay noted public comment would take place at the beginning of the meeting due to a highly
sensitive topic of interest that has been happening in the community recently and reminded
comments are to be respectful and to remain at a 3 minute limit.
COMMUNITY SPEAK
Steve McKenna, Precinct 6 TMM and Assistant Coach for LHS Track and Field - Mr. McKenna
spoke on behalf of the center track and field reconstruction project that was discussed during
the Annual Town Meeting. Mr. McKenna expressed his appreciation to the Committee for their
commitment to the kids and supporting them, but expressed disappointment that School
Committee voted against the hybrid grass field. Mr. McKenna is looking for answers to a
message that Dr. Hackett sent to coaches and read to students.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENTS/LIAISON UPDATES
School Committee members extended congratulations to students who participated in the
Legally Blond performance at the high school over the past weekend and to those who
participated in the Special Olympics at the high school.
Mr. Bokun attended the Lexington Human Rights Committee (HRC) meeting. Dr. Hackett was
also at the meeting and gave a presentation on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work. Mr.
Bokun commented that is was a good update on how we are moving forward and building
consensus among the administration and the schools to make progress on this issue. It was an
engaging discussion, taking a lot of data from a lot of sources, not just one school but a team.
Ms. Lenihan reported on the 2020 Committee and remarked that a subgroup of the committee
is enhancing communications in Lexington as they are aware of a disconnect with the
communication.
Ms. Lenihan announced the "Rubbish to Runway" show will be held at Clarke.
Ms. Sawhney shared that the Permanent Building Committee and Sustainable Lexington are
trying to come up with one cohesive policy which will provide sustainability guidelines for the
construction of new buildings and renovations within Lexington. They are working hard to come
up with a policy that meets all requirements and acceptable goals for sustainability within
Lexington and that outlines the purposes that the policy would be used for.
Ms. Sawhney gave a brief update from her meeting with Julie Fenn from SHAC to discuss ideas
on how to suppress the vaping that is happening among our youngsters. Ms. Sawhney would
like to report further on the anti-vaping steps at the May 21 School Committee meeting.
Ms. Sawhney reported on the Strategic Planning/Synthesis Team community workshops that
were held at the Community Center and in Boston. The community groups participated in the
Keep Loose Dream (KLDI) activity to provide their thoughts about the schools. Ms. Sawhney
noted that she was very impressed with the METCO Director, Barbara Hamilton and the work
that she continues to do with the Boston families and was surprised to learn that Ms. Hamilton
is also a pastor.
Ms. Colburn thanked the Board of Selectmen for attending the suicide prevention training, QPR
(Question, Persuade, Refer), along with the School Committee. Ms. Colburn commented that it
was a really eye opening training. It helped to understand what staff members are trained to do
if ever they are faced with a person who seems to be suicidal and how to intervene in that
process and assist in getting the person the help that they need.
Ms. Colburn thanked LexPride for hosting the One Teacher in Ten program on April 25th. It was
a very interesting and informative panel discussion of staff members and educators, who
identify as LGBTQ. Panelists shared their experiences and their ideas on how their experience
as educators could be better and what improvements can be made.
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Ms. Colburn thanked the SEPAC parents for coming to SEPAC events that are held with School
Committee members and for sharing their ideas and concerns.
Ms. Colburn reported on the SHAC LBGTQ Subcommittee meeting she attended. Ms. Colburn
noted that Naomi Martin, Athletic Director, attended the meeting and discussed how to
address gender identity in sports, so students can participate in sports that correspond to their
gender identity. Ms. Colburn expects this topic of discussion to come to the Committee within
the next 12-18 months.
Ms. Colburn gave a brief review of the School Master Planning Advisory Committee meeting on
April 12th. Ms. Colburn noted the cost for the short term space solutions for the high school
are expensive and acknowledged that it is hard to comprehend spending a lot of money on a
building that may be replaced. Ms. Colburn informed the committee that a final report would
most likely be presented sometime in August.
Ms. Jay echoed her colleagues' remarks on Legally Blond, and QPR Training.
Ms. Jay and Mr. Bokun attended the "Intelligent Lives" film screening on April 11th. The film is
the newest film from Dan Habib, creator of the film "Including Samuel." The film serves as a
catalyst to transform the label of intellectual disability from a life sentence of isolation into a
life of possibility, as it portrays three young adults with intellectual disabilities as they navigate
high school, college, and the workforce.
Ms. Jay provided a brief update from the Recreation Committee meeting she attended. She
noted that the Recreation Department will run a pilot program this summer to install a device
at either the town pool or one of the fields that displays a reading of the ultra violet sun ray
intensity. It is intended to help educate families and children and has an on-site sunscreen
dispenser.
Ms. Jay reported that a Policy Subcommittee meeting was held recently on policies related to
redistricting and noted that a first reading of the revised policy would be held later on this
evening's agenda.
CONGRATULATIONS AND CELEBRATIONS
Dr. Hackett extended her congratulations to the great performances from Legally Blond and the
Special Olympics event, both held over the past week, and to Clarke for winning the National
Science Bowl Competition.
Dr. Hackett recognized teachers, administrative assistants and nurses for National Teacher
Appreciation Week, Administrative Assistant's Day and Nurse's Day.
CONSENT AGENDA
ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS/GIFTS
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Ms. Lenihan moved to approve donation from Wilson Farms to Bridge School's Gift Account in
the amount of$52.00;seconded by Ms. Sawhney(Approved 5-0)
PAYROLL AND ACCOUNTS PAYABLE WARRANT APPROVAL
Ms. Lenihan moved to approve the School Department's payroll warrant dated April 12, 2019
in the amount of$3,891,589.86 and payroll warrant dated April 26, 2019 in the amount of
$3,789,695.01;seconded by Ms. Lenihan (Approved 5-0)
Ms. Lenihan moved to approve the School Department's accounts payable warrant dated
April 19, 2019 in the amount of$883,141.66; US Bank Reconciliations dated April 19, 2019 in
the amount of$65,424.65& accounts payable warrant dated May 3, 2019 in the amount of
$1,352,616.74;seconded by Mr. Bokun(approved 5-0)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Bokun moved to approve School Committee minutes from March 12, March 25&April 1,
2019;seconded by Ms. Sawhney(approved 5-0)
COMMUNITY SPEAK:
Mark St. Louis -Vice Chair for Association of Black Citizens of Lexington (ABCL) read a memo to
the Lexington School Committee with proposals and recommendations related to the reported
racial incidents at the high school and overall racial climate in the Lexington Public Schools.
Many community members expressed frustration and concerns about racial incidents
happening in the district and town of Lexington. Something needs to be institutionalized and
become systemic in order to not have to continue genuflecting to incidents and being reactive
to incidents rather than addressing the culture and the way that we are living together in this
town. We should all work together.
Superintendent's Report:
Superintendent Hackett addressed members of the audience, saying that individual acts of
meanness are not to be tolerated. She wants to make it very clear to students and the
community that it will not be tolerated in the school system at all.The administration and staff
are very interested in getting on with the work that has to be done. We are dealing with
decades of racism, hurtful and bias language that happens not just in Lexington, but in
Massachusetts, and in the United States, unfortunately. We will work on a way that will,
hopefully, be lasting and working toward a common vision to implement changes.
Dr. Hackett shared with the School Committee the presentation she gave at the Human Rights
Commission (LHRC) meeting. A copy of the full presentation can be viewed here: -7-19 SC
Packet
PRESENTATION: LABBB Update - Preparing for Independent life after 22-TABLED
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UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Update on 2019-2020 Plans for the LHS Swim Team:
Dr. Hackett read a memo provided by Naomi Martin with an update for the 2019-2020 plans for
the LHS swim team. The memo states that we are still waiting on pool availability at Atkinson
Pool in Sudbury and at Hanscom Airforce Base for the Fall 2019 season. We should have further
information in a few weeks as well as an updated schedule to parents at the Annual Pre-Season
Fall Student Athlete and Parents Sports Meeting for incoming 9th-12 graders at Lexington High
School on Tuesday June 4th at 6:00 p.m.
Track& Field Update:
Mr. Rowe noted that in December, the Recreation Department recommended that the center
track and field be renovated with a synthetic field rather than a hybrid field. The Recreation
Committee agreed and asked for School Committee to support the decision. Mr. McKenna's
question asked earlier in the evening regarding the students' concern was for space for the
throwing sports to practice on a grass field. The school athletic department will be working
with the Recreation Department to see what can be done to help improve the grass area by
Worthern Road for the throwing field.
Superintendent Hackett announced that there are currently three administrative vacancies and
requested two School Committee members be part of the Interview Teams for the Principal of
Clarke Middle School and the Director of Innovation and Instructional Technology. Dr. Hackett
will be meeting with a recommended candidate for the Director of School Health Services and
hopes to make a final decision next week.
Dissolve School Committee appointments to PBC for Clarke and Diamond projects
Ms. Colburn moved to dissolve School Committee appointments to Permanent Building
Committee for Clarke& Diamond projects-seconded by Ms. Lenihan (approved 5-0)
COMMUNITY SPEAK:
Some community members expressed their concerns over the travel time for the swim team to
practice at Atkins pool in Sudbury. Due to traffic, it was very difficult and would sometimes
take at least 45 minutes to an hour-and-a-half before practice to get there, then they would
have to turn around and sit in traffic again. It's a long day for the kids and a long bus ride.
Parents had additional concerns about when students would be able to get their homework
done. They are hoping to work out something closer, such as Hanscom because it is a shorter
bus ride.
Ms. Kelly Suber- Member of ABCL, echoed what was said earlier about the direction and
efforts that are being taken and is encouraged about ways to address the systemic issues that
have been happening around town and schools around issues of racism.
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Ms. Suber commented as a Unit C member for Lexington Public Schools and addressed to
School Committee regarding a grievance.
NEW BUSINESS:
Vote on EDCO's Amended Articles of Agreement-TABLED
Policy Reading#1- Revisions to Policies EEA,JCA,JC,JCAC:
School Committee members reviewed suggested revisions for the following policies:
1. EEA- Student Transportation Policies & EEAA -Walkers and Riders
2. JCA-Assignment of Students to Schools
3. JC-Attendance Areas and JCAA - Redistricting
4. JCAC- Student Transfer Policy
Members agreed to send suggested feedback to Policy Subcommittee members and to
Maureen Kavanugh. Changes will be included in the next reading.
At 10:28 p.m., Ms.Jay made a motion to adjourn, so moved by Ms. Colburn (approved 5-0)
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