HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-01-15-SC-min LEXINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
Tuesday,January 15, 2019
Lexington Town Office Building,Selectmen's Meeting Room
1625 Massachusetts Avenue
CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME: 8:13 a.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
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT
Dr. Julie Hackett, Superintendent
Peter Rowe, Interim Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations
Laura Reinholm, Assistant Director of Finance
NOT PRESENT
Rosanna Jiang, Student Representative
The minutes were taken by Kristen Cronin, Executive Assistant to the School Committee and
Administrative Assistant to Superintendent
Ms. Jay opened the Public Hearing on the Superintendent's FY 2020 Recommended Budget at
8:15 a.m.
Superintendent Hackett recognized and expressed thanks to the Visual Arts Coordinator,
Alethea Roy, and Executive Assistant to Finance and Operations, Adrian Leoni, for coordinating
the student's artwork for the cover of the FY 2020 Level Service and Recommended Budget
book.
Superintendent Hackett and Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Business, Peter Rowe,
reviewed highlights of the FY 2020 Recommended Budget. The FY 2020 Total Recommended
Budget is $113,469,614 which includes a $5,358,169 increase. The FY 2020 request represents
an increase of 4.96% over the FY 2019 appropriation. A link to review the complete copy of the
Superintendent's Recommended Budget can be found here: Lexington Public Schools FY 2020
Level Service and Recommended Budeet of the Superintend nt of Schools
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Some members questioned the shared cost being transferred to the Municipal accounts for
custodial positions and corresponding benefit costs associated with the opening of the new
facilities in FY 2020—Lexington Children's Place and the new Hastings Elementary School.
There was further discussion around proposed fee increases, specifically related to Athletics,
Early Childhood, and Food Services. Mr. Rowe commented that, of these three areas, the
Athletic fees would be the only one that would affect the proposed budget because of the way
it is structured. If we do not have the Athletic fee increase, other sources will need to be
explored to make up the $71,000.00.
Resident District Manager for Whitsons Culinary Group, Mr. Kevin Silvia, reported on the
recommendation to the School Committee to consider an increase in student lunch prices by
.25 cents per meal at all schools for FY 2020 and a corresponding increase for the Boar's Head
Stations at the High School and Middle Schools to increase from the current $3.75 to $4.00.
Mr. Silvia explained that increase in the State minimum wage and the increasing cost of food
are a few of the reasons for this request. Whitsons is planning to increase the offerings of more
locally sourced and organic food into the program. They are also working on initiatives to
convert to compostable paper products, including replacing the current milk cartons to a more
user friendly and recyclable plastic container.
Ms. Kate Colburn moved to approve the fee increases as proposed in Mr. Silvia's letter of
January 9, 2019 to Dr. Hackett, seconded by Mr.Alessandro Alessandrini. (Approved 5-0)
Ms. Jay asked asked the public if they had any questions on the budget, there were none. Ms.
Jay closed the public hearing at 9:30 a.m., so moved by Ms. Kate Colburn. (Approved 5-0)
Members moved into the Committee of the Whole meeting to continue the discussion of fee
increases for Middle School Athletics and the Early Childhood program. Ms. Liz Billings-Fouhy,
Director of Lexington Children's Place and Supervisor for Early Childhood Special Education,
reviewed the current pre-school rates with School Committee members. She noted that a
review of the rates charged at other area Integrated Preschool Programs indicate similar cost
configurations per hour.
Ms. Billings-Fouhy reported that Lexington Children's Place has charged the same tuition since
2010. As the program moves to it's new location at 20 Pelham Road, a 3% increase is proposed
for the next 3 school years, starting with the 2019-2020 school year.
Members had some questions for Ms. Billings-Fouhy that Mr. Rowe addressed.
Ms. Deepika Sawhney moved to approve the tuition increase for General Education Students
at Lexington Children's Place as stated in Ms. Billings-Fouhy-s memo of December 5, 2018 for
each of the three years, seconded by Ms. Kathleen Lenihan. (Approved 5-0)
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Ms. Naomi Martin, Director of Athletics, gave a brief history of past discussions on the budget
for interscholastic athletics since she has been with the Lexington Public Schools. Ms. Martin
stated that the athletic department has been fortunate over many years to have very few user
fee increases, and has actually over the years eliminated almost all admission charges to
sporting events hosted in Lexington. However, at the end of the FY19 budget cycle, Mr. Ian
Daily and Ms. Martin thought that FY 2020 may be the year that a modest user fee increase
discussion should be brought to the Lexington School Committee.
Ms. Martin stated that the middle school user fees have been static for many years, while the
cost of the interscholastic middle school programs continue to climb (salaries, officials,
transportation, equipment, dues and membership fees). The middle school programs continue
to grow in similarity to the robust offerings of the high school interscholastic program. Due to
rising costs and the continued growth of the middle school interscholastic programs, there is a
yearly negative impact to the Athletic Revolving Account. With a small increase to the family
cap at Lexington High School and a moderate increase to the user fees for both the varsity and
junior varsity interscholastic teams at Diamond and Clarke Middle School, the athletic
department could add a much needed $71,750.00 to the Athletic Revolving Account.
Members had further discussion around the topic of increasing the fees for athletics. One
member suggested raising the bus fee instead of increasing the fee for athletics.
Superintendent Hackett recommended to vote in favor of the athletic fee charges, while
looking at other venues to offset the increase either in this fiscal year or future fiscal year.
Ms. Kathleen Lenihan moved to give concept approval to an increase in athletic fees at the
Middle School and High School as outlined by our Athletic Director Naomi Martin seconded by
Ms. Kate Colburn, opposed by Mr.Alessandro Alessandrini. (Approved 4-1)
A motion was made to adjourn, so moved by Ms. Lenihan and seconded by Ms. Colburn at
11:36 a.m. (Approved 5-0)
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