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
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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
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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:
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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
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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)
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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)
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