HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-09-24-SC-min LEXINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
Tuesday,September 24, 2019
Lexington Town Office Building
Selectmen's Meeting Room
1625 Massachusetts Avenue
CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME: 7:23 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
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT
Dr. Julie Hackett, Superintendent
Dr. Christine Lyons, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional
Development
Mr. David Coelho, Assistant Superintendent for Finance & Operations
The minutes were taken by Kristen Cronin, Executive Assistant to the School Committee and
Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent.
School Committee Announcements/Liaison Reports
Mr. Bokun reminded the community of the Lexington Community Coalition "White Fragility"
book discussion at Cary Library on Wednesday, September 26 starting at 7:00 p.m.
Ms. Lenihan extended her congratulations to students that participated in the Climate Strike on
Friday, September 20th at Lexington and around the world.
Ms. Lenihan reported on the 20/20 Subgroup Committee, called "Enhancing Communications in
Lexington." She noted this Subgroup was created from a result of the town-wide survey that
was done a few years. The Subgroup is working on constructing a survey to send out to other
communities to find out how they communicate with their citizens.
Ms. Sawhney attended the Appropriation Committee meeting and noted she sent a written
communication to the Superintendent and asked if she could forward the communication to
the rest of the committee members.
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Ms. Sawhney attended the Recreation Committee meeting. She noted the center track is
scheduled to be completed by November 8, 2019, weather permitting. Other topics discussed
included their Capital planning budget and what would be a high priority for them and be
funded by the town.
Ms. Colburn reported on the SEPAC business meeting she and Mr. Bokun attended on
September 12. Ms. Colburn noted the SEPAC business meetings would be called Community
meetings, to more accurately capture the topics discussed. Ms. Colburn encouraged families
who are not currently members of SEPAC and who have children on an IEP or 504 to look at the
SEPAC website. They provide excellent resources, and helpful community support.
Ms. Colburn expressed her admiration for the students that participated in the climate strike
and thanked the administration for the approach they took by not giving the students a free
pass. In doing so it allowed the students to stand up for something they really believed in even
when it was difficult. Ms. Colburn was impressed with the students policy requirements and
hope the administration will take a close look at the requirements.
Ms. Jay echoed her congratulations to the students involved in the climate strike.
Ms. Jay noted there would be a joint meeting with Selectboard to review the draft proposed
Integrated Building policy on Monday, October 7, 2019 at 7:00.
Ms. Jay noted there would be a joint meeting with the Mental Health Task Force to discuss their
progress on October 29, 2019.
CONGRATULATIONS AND CELEBRATIONS
Superintendent Hackett echoed congratulations on the success for the student climate strike.
Superintendent Hackett extended her congratulations to Chris Shaw and his family for Chris
Shaw Day at Fenway Park.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Superintendent Hackett provided a brief update on her delegation to Antony. France. She
reported it was Lexington's third trip in thirty years. Made many meaningful connections in
Antony and developed new friendships with officials from Czechoslovakia and Germany.
Superintendent Hackett reported on the Next Steps for the Strategic Plan of Lexington Public
Schools. Community Forums will be held on Monday, October 7 from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. at the
Community Center and again on Monday, October 21, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Community
Center.
Superintendent Hackett gave a brief update on the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)
Precautions.
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Superintendent Hackett provided a brief redistricting update for elementary and middle school.
She noted a recommended redistricting plan will be presented to the School Committee on
October 1, 2019. Community members will have an opportunity to weigh in on this plan by
attending one of the public hearings to be held Wednesday, October 16, from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
to be held at Estabrook Hall in Cary Memorial building and again on Thursday, October 24, from
6:00 -8:00 p.m. at Estabrook Hall. Following a review of community feedback and any needed
revision, a final recommendation will be presented to the School Committee for vote on
November 5th.
For a full copy of the Superintendent's Report click here:9-2 -19 Superintendent's Report
Community Speaks:
Dawn McKenna, 9 Hancock Street: Ms. Mckenna noted that she is the Chairman for the
Lexington Tourism Committee and the Antony working group. Ms. McKenna thanked the
School Committee for allowing Dr. Hackett to travel to Antony and she thanked Dr. Hackett for
going.
Ms. McKenna advocated to bring Elementary Foreign Language back to Lexington Public
Schools.
CONSENT AGENDA
ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS/GIFTS
Ms. Lenihan moved to approve A+Stop and Shop Rewards Program Donation to Lexington
High School in the amount of$1,084.58-seconded by Ms. Colburn(approved 5-0)
Ms. Lenihan moved to approve PTO Donation to Lexington High School in the amount of
$3,600($900.00 to each high school class from 2020, 2021, 2022& 2023)seconded by Ms.
Sawhney(approved 5-0)
Ms. Lenihan moved to approve$500.00 Donation from Vocal Music Activities to the Lexington
High School. -tabled vote Ms. Colburn asked for more information.
PAYROLL AND ACCOUNTS PAYABLE WARRANT APPROVAL
Mr. Bokun moved to approve Payroll Warrant dated September 13, 2019 in the amount of
$3,909,425.74;Accounts Payable dated September 13, 2019 in the amount of$797,086.56-
seconded by Ms. Sawhney (approved 5-0)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ms. Sawhney moved to approve School Committee minutes for September 10, 2019-
seconded by Ms. Colburn (approved 5-0)
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INTERNATIONAL FIELD TRIP:
Ms. Colburn moved to approve William Diamond Middle School and Jonas Clarke Middle
School to travel to Quebec City, QC on May 26-May 29, 2019-seconded by Mr. Bokun
Presentation: Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2019
Mr. Eamonn Sheehan, K-12 Director of PE/Wellness, Ms. Julie Fenn, Assistant Coordinator for
PE/Wellness and Mr. Bert Rothenbach, Research and Consulting, LLC presented highlights from
the latest round of the Lexington Public Schools Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS),
administered in Spring 2019. The YRBS was developed by the United States Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) to monitor health behaviors among middle school and high
school students. The questionnaires used by LPS are based on the official CDC questionnaire,
but with an extensive set of revisions targeted at the specific needs of the LPS community. In
addition to the brief presentation, executive summaries for middle and high school results were
also provided.
Mr. Rothenbach noted the survey report does not present separate data for small
subpopulations of students—such as students with non-binary gender identities—due to (I)
higher margins of error, and (2) respondent anonymity. He did note that Dr. Kavanaugh and her
team would be able to run additional analysis and prepare other reports. There are lots of
groups of students that are very important when studying their health behavior and the data
can be used for that purpose.
Committee members had questions for Mr. Rothenbach, Ms. Fenn and Mr. Sheehan which they
addressed.
Community Speak
Valerie Overton (she/her) 25 Emerson Gardens: Ms. Ovetton commented on the YRBS data and
expressed concerns over missing information related to the LGBTQ+youth.
Deb Zucker(she/her) 119 Laconia Street: Ms. Zucker also commented on the YRBS data and
expressed concerns over missing information related to the LGBTQ+youth.
FY2021 Budget Calendar and Guidelines:
David Coelho, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations. Mr. Coehlo reported on
the FY2021 budget calendar along with FY2021 guidelines. These guidelines provide the
administration with the framework to develop the Fiscal Year 2020-21 budget. Upon approval,
these guidelines will formally begin the Fiscal Year 2020-21 budget development process and
will be disseminated on the Finance and Operations website and distributed accordingly.
Committee members reviewed and had small discussion and edits for the FY21 budget
guidelines.
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Update on LABBB Member Credit Distribution:
Mr. David Coehlo, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations addressed a memo
regarding the LABBB Surplus Funds and Distribution of Tuition Credits. Mr. Coehlo stated in
accordance with our LABBB Collaborative Member Agreement, the LABBB Board of Directors
annually approves, by majority vote, the dollar amount designated as cumulative surplus fund.
The board votes to either keep the surplus for use by the collaborative, or return some or all of
the funds to the member districts in the form of credits. These credits will be applied to our
LABBB student tuitions in FY2020. For this year, they identified an additional $2M from FY2019
activities to distribute to member districts. In the FY2020 Lexington PS budget, we anticipated
and applied $250K of LABBB credits as an offset against our collaborative tuition line item. This
increased level of abavable surplus funds will generate a total of$567.9K in credits for
Lexington. These credits must be used by June 30, 2020
Approval of LABBB Collaborative Capital Budget Funding Increase:
Mr. David Coehlo, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations reviewed the LABBB
Capital Fund increase request. Annually the LABBB Collaborative requests its member school
committees to vote on their Capital expenditure Plan. For FY2020 the LABBB board is
requesting an increase in the capital fund for LABBB Collaborative as approved by the LABBB
Board of Directors and The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), of
$5000,000 to a total of$3.1M. This requested increase in the Capital plan will fund future
building projects, renovations, classroom updates, temporary classroom updates, temporary
classroom (modular) space and other unexpected building costs where LABBB utilizes space in
the host district.
MS. Colburn move that the Lexington School Committee approve the LABBB board request to
increase in the LABBB capital plan for FY2020 by$500,000 for a total of$3.1M seconded by
Ms. Sawhney(Approved 5-0)
Policy Subcommittee Update:
Ms. Jay provided a brief overview on Policy Subcommittee meetings held previously. She noted
that one of the policies they are currently working on is to revise the field trip/international
field trip, to help institute a procedure, particularly for those trips requiring school committee
approval. Dr. Lyons has been working on helping create a smoother timeline process with
regards to the first steps of notifying school committee of an upcoming trip all the way to the
approval process, i.e. flight information, cost of trip, hotel.
Committee members had some questions for Dr. Lyons which she addressed.
At 9:55 pm Ms.Jay made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Ms. Colburn (approved 5-0)
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