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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-10-15-SC-min LEXINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING Tuesday, October 15, 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 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 noted that October is Dyslexia Awareness month and ADHD Awareness month. SEPAC is hosting events on both topics. ADHD as a Superpower will be held on Monday, October 21 at 7:00 p.m. at Lexington High School, Science Lecture Hall. On Tuesday, October 22 at 7:00 p.m., there will be a dyslexia film screening of The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia. Registration for the film event can be found at Lexington SEPAC/SEPTA Mr. Bokun noted as part of"No Hate November", the Human Rights Committee will sponsor a screening of the movie "Wonder" followed by a family-friendly Kindness activity to be held on Saturday, November 2 from 1:00 -4:00p.m. at the Lexington Community Center, Room 237. On November 18 at 7:00p.m., the Human Rights Committee will have a panel discussion to be held at Cary Memorial Library on The Impact of Hate and How We Combat It. Further information on both events can be found here: Human Ri hts Committee Mr. Bokun reported that SEPAC sent out their parent survey earlier today regarding special education placement, service delivery, school partnerships on communication. The survey is to 1 LSC Meeting 10/15/19 Approved 11/5/19 provide some meaningful feedback to LPS and to aid us in the development of the special education and 504 process and of programming going forward. Ms. Lenihan extended her thanks to the high school staff for organizing back to school night. Ms. Lenihan also attended a hearing on Senate Bill 1264, An Act relative to preventing cancers caused by human papilloma virus. This bill would require children to have the HPV vaccination in order to attend school. Ms. Sawhney attended the Bridge School playground ribbon cutting. She enjoyed performance and speeches by Bridge students. Ms. Sawhney attended the IAL Diwali Festival of Lights on Saturday October 12. She thanked Dr. Lewis and Dr. Hackett for attending the event. It was a nicely done event with a lot of student performances and enthusiasm from parents and the community. Ms. Sawhney spoke in remembrance of Dr. Woodie Flowers, a Professor at MIT who recently passed away. Dr. Flowers served as a distinguished advisor to FIRST (For Inspiration & Recognition of Science &Technology) and participated in the design of the FIRST Robotics Competition game for many years. He will be missed. Ms. Colburn thanked Ms. Lenihan for her testimony and support for the HPV Vaccine, and appreciated the time M.s Lenihan put in to her testimony. Ms. Colburn also attended the Back to School Night at the high school. She noted how crowded LHS is and how badly a new high school is needed. She is looking forward to hearing a response back from MSBA. Ms. Colburn expressed her appreciation for the teachers. Ms. Jay had no announcements. CONGRATULATIONS AND CELEBRATIONS Dr. Hackett thanked Ms. Sawhney and members of IAL for hosting the Diwali Festival of Lights events. She wished all who celebrate Diwali happiness, prosperity, and joy in the year. The Superintendent announced the celebration of the opening of Lexington Children's Place (LCP) with a ribbon cutting on October 28, 2019 at 3:30. Dr. Hackett noted it took many members of the school community to make the new LCP a reality. The ribbon-cutting ceremony is a chance to thank the Lexington residents and officials past and present for all of their support. All residents and members of PK-12 school community are invited to attend the LCP ribbon-cutting ceremony, which will be followed by a tour of our beautiful new school. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Hackett reported on the Redistricting proposal and the changes being contemplated. She noted that there has been a significant number of communications from Lexington residents regarding the redistricting proposal which was presented to the School Committee on October 1, 2019. Dr. Hackett thanked Applied Geographics, Dr. Kavanaugh, and members of the Advisory 2 LSC Meeting 10/15/19 Approved 11/5/19 and Working Groups for their tremendous effort and thoughtful planning. If adopted by the School Committee, the redistricting proposal under consideration will have widespread impact. We greatly appreciate hearing from so many members of the school community who continue to weigh in on the redistricting proposal, either by online form, email or petition. Dr. Hackett also thanked Sara Cuthbertson, PPC President, and members of the PPC (PTA/PTO Presidents Council), who have been incredibly helpful in fielding questions and keeping parents informed. As a reminder, the School Committee vote is on November 5, 2019. The public is invited to join in two upcoming public forums scheduled for October 16, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. at Battin Hall and October 24, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at Battin Hall. All meetings will be recorded and available online through LexMedia. All materials are posted on the district website at SCUpateRed istricin including proposed maps and online feedback form. Ms. Jay thanked the superintendent and remarked that she can see how much work is being done behind the scenes and in between the public meetings. Ms. Jay assured the community that members are reading their emails and taking all input and feedback into consideration. Members had questions for Dr. Kavanaugh which she addressed. Dr. Hackett continued to report on some of the contemplated changes being discussed. She noted these are not definite changes,just explorations. 1. Grandfathering Grades 6 & 7 2. Moving Avalon Main Campus to Harrington instead of Liberty Heights 3. Some implication in earlier analysis that could see some shifts in the Bowman disproportionately 4. Moving Katandin Woods to Estabrook Ms. Sawhney would like to hear more feedback from Avalon families. All members agreed to use caution with regard to school assignment for the Avalon community. dDue to past redistricting concerns, several members expressed the importance of treating the Avalon communities equitably, and to try to have them assigned to their most convenient school. Dr. Hackett noted that middle schoolers in the Avalon community would have a shorter distance to travel if they were to be moved. She reminded members this is just one scenario that was recommended by the consultant to explore. Members had further questions for Dr. Kavanaugh which she addressed. Click the link to review a full copy of the Superintendent's Report: 10-1 -19 Superintendent's Report COMMUNITY SPEAKS: Dr. Singh - 98 Laconia St: Dr. Singh raised three health concerns with regard to the redistricting: 3 LSC Meeting 10/15/19 Approved 11/5/19 1. Mental health crisis= he reported the anxiety rate amongst 9-13 year olds is between 4-14%. 2. Obesity epidemic -walkability analysis that was done a one mile radius is not getting at the heart of the matter. Walkability is being incredibly impacted. 3. Climate change - want to teach our kids to use their feet and be bicycling. Ms. Moehring, 12 Oakland Street - Ms. Moehring addressed the walkability issue being impacted, as well as keeping the neighborhoods and the communities together. Expressed concern that her neighborhood is being split. Ms. Moehring feels the buffer zones should be looked at more clearly. Resident at 7 Hancock Ave - Expressed concerns of the divide of two communities/neighbors and the walkability. Superintendent Report- Continued The Superintendent finished her report with an update on the Lexington Public Schools Master Plan. She noted that a team of thoughtful, dedicated members of the Lexington community worked throughout the 2018-2019 school year on a Master Plan for the Lexington Public Schools. The Master Planning Committee explored important topics such as possible land acquisition, the Lexington High School Statement of Interest, the enrollment capacities of each school building and possible "right-sizing" strategies, and short-term and long-term space utilization plans. DiNisco Designs has taken the information discussed by the Master Planning Committee and developed a comprehensive Master Plan. Dr. Hackett reported that a public presentation of the draft Master Plan will be provided at an upcoming School Committee meeting in November or December. CONSENT AGENDA PAYROLL AND ACCOUNTS PAYABLE WARRANT APPROVAL Mr. Sawhney moved to approve Payroll Warrant dated October 11, 2019 in the amount of $3,972,175.51;Accounts Payable Warrant dated October 11, 2019 in the amount of $1,024,705.07-seconded by Ms. Colburn (Approved 5-0) APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ms. Bokun moved to approve the October 1, 2019 School Committee Minutes-seconded by Ms. Colburn (Approved 5-0) New Business: Renewable Energy Power Purchase Agreement Dr. Hackett provided the School Committee with a memo from Cadmus Technical Consultant to Town of Lexington. Dr. Hackett reported that the Lexington Department of Public Facilities is currently negotiating a Renewable Energy Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Ameresco, a solar developer who was selected through a competitive RFP to install solar and energy storage at multiple Town facilities, including seven school sites. The proposed projects represent 4 LSC Meeting 10/15/19 Approved 11/5/19 significant economic and social benefits to Lexington. The Department of Public Facilities would like to provide the School Committee with an outline of these benefits as well as a general outline of the development plan, so they may review and authorize the project prior to final Town Manager approval. Some committee members had questions for Dr. Hackett which she addressed. Discussion and Vote on MASC Resolutions Dr. Hackett along with School Committee reviewed the 9 MASC Resolutions to be voted on during the MASC/MASS Annual Conference in November. Ms. Colburn moved for School Committee to support Resolution 1 - Banning Polystyrene from Schools;Resolution 3-School Transportation; Resolution 4- Climate Change;Resolution 5- Full Funding of Transportation Costs for Students in Foster Care and State Care;Resolution 6- Universal Quality Pre-Kindergarten Access in MAssachusetts; Resolution 7-Poverty and Children;Resolution 8-Resolution for Access to Menstrual Supplies;seconded by Ms. Lenihan (Approved 5-0) Ms. Colburn moved for School Committee not to approve Resolution 2-Pertaining to Educator Diversity and Professional Licensure;seconded by Ms. Sawhney(Approved 4-1, Mr. Bokun opposed) Ms. Colburn moved for School Committee to support Resolution 9- Charter School Reform seconded by Ms. Lenihan (Approved 4- 1, Ms. Sawhney opposed) Appoint Official Voting Delegate and Alternate Voting Delegate to the MASC Annual Business Meeting Ms. Colburn moved to appoint Mr. Scott Bokun as the Official Voting Delegate and Ms. Lenihan as the Alternate Voting Delegate at the MASC/MASS Annual Business Meeting; seconded by Ms. Sawhney(Approved 5-0) COMMUNITY SPEAK: Mr. John Coakley, 23 Oakland Street - Mr. Coakley expressed his concerns/disappointment on the redistricting proposal and would like for School Committee to reconsider dividing the neighborhood of Meriam Hill. Second and Final Reading/Vote on Homework Policy IKB Revisions School Committee reviewed and discussed a new draft of the Homework Policy IKB. Ms. Colburn moved to amend Section 1, sub-section Purpose in the last sentence to read "homework often provides students with the opportunity to benefit from constructive feedback from educators;therefore,feedback should be timely and meaningful-seconded by Ms. Lenihan (Approved 5-0) 5 LSC Meeting 10/15/19 Approved 11/5/19 Mr. Bokun moved to amend the third paragraph in Section 2 to remove the word "extended" and replace with "supplemental"-seconded by Ms. Lenihan(Approved 5-0) Ms. Lenihan moved to amend Section 2,paragraph two, sentence one to substitute "Grade 5" for "late elementary grades"-seconded by Ms. Colburn (Approved 3-2) Ms. Colburn moved to strike the first paragraph in Section 3 of Policy IKB-seconded by Ms. Sawhney(Approved 5-0) Ms. Lenihan moved to approve Homework Policy IKB as amended-seconded by Ms. Colburn (Approved 5-0) COMMUNITY SPEAK: None Mr. Bokun asked when a student representative would be assigned to attend school committee meetings. Dr. Hackett is suggesting that there be a voluntary student sign-up sheet for the meetings and have two students attend the meetings at a time. She would also like to see students vote with the committee, although their votes would not be binding. Need to follow up with Principal Stephens. At 10:00 pm Ms.Jay made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Ms. Colburn (Approved 5-0) 6 LSC Meeting 10/15/19 Approved 11/5/19