HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-04-28-SC-minLEXINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Conducted by Remote Participation
CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME: 6:03 p.m.
Chair Eileen Jay welcomed and introduced committee members
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Eileen Jay, Chairperson
Kathleen Lenihan, Clerk
Deepika Sawhney
Scott Bokun
Sara Cuthbertson
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
Student Representative
Sara Mei
The minutes were taken by Kristen Cronin, Executive Assistant to the School Committee and
Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent.
Ms. Jay reviewed some of the ground rules for how the meeting will be conducted. Ms. Jay
read Governor Baker's Executive Order from March 12, 2020. LCM of Governor Baker's
Executive Order. Ms. Jay covered additional ground rules for an effective and clear conduct of
business and to assure accurate meeting minutes.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENTS & LIAISON REPORTS:
Ms. Lenihan reported on a meeting of the SHAC LGBTQ Subcommittee where they discussed
suggestions for supporting students virtually during this period of remote learning.
Possible actions included creating a tip sheet for teachers, having a panel to discuss the National
Geographic film Gender Revolution, and recognizing April 24th as the annual Day of Silence.
Ms. Lenihan and Ms. Sawhney attended a virtual MASC session about the CARES Act related to
federal funding for COVID-19 relief. We should pay attention to how this will play out at the
state and municipal level.
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Congratulations and Celebrations:
Dr. Hackett extended her congratulations to Chinese American Association of Lexington (CARL).
She reported that as of April 14, 2020, CARL has made a total of 144 donations. They have
donated 91,180 masks, aided 42 hospitals and clinics, 25 nursing homes, 9 Town departments
and the post office, raised $104,214, spent $94,268 on PPE, and donated $1,000. In addition
CARL recently donated a total of 2,000 face masks to the Town of Lexington (500 to the
municipal side and 1,500 masks to the Lexington Public Schools)! The face masks will be made
available to LPS educators and our LPS families living in Boston who need them. A heartfelt
thank you to CAAL for all you do to support our schools!
SUPERINTENDENT REPORT:
SupeCintendent Report 4-28-2020 Dr. Hackett reported on the following:
Joy in Learning
Dr. Hackett commented that at each meeting she would like to report on the "joy in learning".
She noted the joy in learning is when those elements in the LPS Strategic Plan—student agency,
authentic learning, giving back to the community, caring for yourself, and others—are
integrated into an experience that allows students to make meaning and purpose in their lives.
As Dr. Hackett mentioned at the March 31st School Committee, LHS student, Anhad Sawhney,
and other members of the LHS Robotics Team have been producing masks, face shields, and
other protective equipment to assist healthcare workers. In their continuing efforts, they have
produced roughly 600 personal protective equipment that is dropped off weekly at Lowell
Makes. In coordination with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, the company
sanitizes and distributes this equipment to local hospitals and doctors' offices in need.
In addition to the LHS Robotics Team's efforts to increase healthcare workers' access to PPE,
Sara Mei, LHS Student Liaison to the School Committee, creates lots of joy in learning! Recently,
she and her friends have also started a new mission to create 3-D printing face shields and mask
straps that go "behind the head" to alleviate pressure on the ears and make masks tighter. Sara
is one of the most positive young people I know, and with her "can -do" attitude, she
continues to set a terrific example for young people and adults alike!
Redistricting and Later School Start Update
Next, Dr. Hackett provided a brief update on the plans for redistricting and later school start
times. She said that many people have been wondering if Lexington would be proceeding with
redistricting and later school start times. The answer is yes, it is still the intention to move
ahead in the fall. Dr. Hackett informed the committee that Mr. Martellone, Project Manager for
Later School Start Times, is still working on the Lexington High School traffic flow.
Dr. Hackett welcomed Ms. Anna Monaco, Project Manager for Redistricting, to provide a brief
update on what's been happening. Ms. Monaco reported that during the month of March, each
of the elementary schools hosted a coffee circle focused on redistricting. Ms. Monaco thanked
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the principals, counselors and social workers for hosting these events. During the circles,
parents and staff were able to express their mixed emotions about redistricting, share some
strategies for talking with children, ask questions, and share ideas about what would make the
process go smoothly for families. Ms. Monaco also thanked each of the schools PTO's and PTA's
for sending representatives and for providing the coffee.
Ms. Monaco said that a database was created for families interested in having their contact data
shared with other families. The google document was sent out to families last week. If you did
not fill out the survey to allow your information to be shared with other families and you would
like to receive or share that information now, you can email Ms. Monaco at
amonaco@!eAiLngtonma.orgto change your preference.
Ms. Monaco met with the principals last week to discuss creative virtual ways to introduce their
schools to new families since they are not able to provide the traditional open houses or move
up day as originally planned.
Governor's School Closure Announcement
Dr. Hackett gave a brief background on the school closure announcement from Governor Baker.
On March 13, 2020, we announced the two week closure of Lexington Public Schools. On
March 17, 2020, by executive order Governor Baker announced the closure of all Massachusetts
public schools. On March 26, 2020, Governor Baker announced that school closures would be
extended through May 4, 2020. On Tuesday, April 21, 2020, Governor Baker announced that all
public schools would be closed through the end of the school year.
LPS Remote Learning Implications
One question we hear frequently is "What are the implications of the extended school closure
on LPS Remote Learning Plans?" On Friday, April 24, 2020, the Massachusetts Commissioner of
Education released "
and ®" We analyzed the State's guidance and developed the following summary of MA
DESE highlights for you. We also included specific LPS actions and artifacts, to show how the
LPS Remote Learning Plan, along with recent enhancements and efforts underway, align with
recently released State guidance. For those interested in learning more about Lexington's
remote learning plans during this extended period of school closure, please check out our
04-27-2020 LPS Remote
i
EDCO Update
Dr. Hackett provided a brief update on EDCO and the vote that was made at the last meeting
regarding withdrawal from EDCO. She was told by EDCO that a formal vote was needed by the
School Committee to terminate the organization; therefore, on the advice of legal counsel, Dr.
Hackett is requesting the School Committee make another vote for "termination of the
organization."
Ms. Jay made the following motion: Pursuant to Article 9 of the Articles of Agreement,
Lexington is requesting that the School Committee initiate proceedings to terminate the EDCO
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Collaboration within 30 days. So moved by Ms. Jay, seconded by Mr. eokun, a roll call vote
was taken (Approved 5-0)
NEASC Virtual Global Forum
On Tuesday, April 21, 2020 Dr. Hackett participated as a panelist on the NEASC Virtual Global
Forum: "Assessment and Grading during COVID-19." More than 1,000 attendees from over 50
countries attended the discussion that was hosted by Cameron Staples, President/CEO, NEASC
and his co -host Alyson Geary, Deputy Director, NEASC Commission on Public Schools. Her
co -panelists included Abby Benedetto, Deeper Learning Coach, Envision Learning Partners and
Stacy Caldwell, Chief Executive Officer, Mastery Transcript Consortium. Dr. Hackett appreciated
the insights and perspectives of the co -panelists, and it was a timely discussion as we consider
how students learn best and demonstrate what they know during this period of remote
learning. Abby's " ." presentation focuses on a "virtual
defense" for students, but it can be easily adapted to other ways to demonstrate and evaluate
applied transferable skills in a remote learning environment. Dr. Hackett said, "I love the
concept of being 'tight on criteria and loose on path' and the emphasis on equity and
relationships in design principles. It also is worth noting that authentic learning experiences are
often the most challenging." For those interested in watching the NEASC Virtual Global Forum,
here is the link.
Earth Day
Town officials, including State Rep. Ciccolo, the Town Manager, Select Board, School Committee
members and Dr. Hackett celebrated the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and National Arbor Day
by planting trees at Lexington Children's Place! The 50th anniversary of Earth Day was on April
221, 2020. The Earth Day 2020 theme is "climate action," and organizers note that "The
enormous challenge—but also the vast opportunities of action on climate change have
distinguished the issue as the most pressing topic for the 50th anniversary." National Arbor Day
was on April 24, 2020. Today we finally got a glimpse of sunshine! We worked together to
celebrate these two important events by planting trees at Lexington Children's Place. It is our
hope that 50 years from now, the Town of Lexington will be able to see the stand of trees we
planted during the pandemic and be reminded that the trees are a symbol of strength and
hope. Even in the worst of times, Lexington is resilient, and we know how to embrace our
revolutionary spirit! (The event, originally planned for 04-24-2020, was postponed due to rain
and is described in this ).
COMMUNITY SPEAK:
Rachel Wong & Lily Sheth, two LHS students, have become anti-vaping advocates. They
explained their efforts to inform their peers about the risks of vaping. It is a threat to
respiratory health in general and even more dangerous in conjunction with Covid-19. They
hope to spread awareness about that.
Dr. Hackett noted that both of them were student ambassadors for the LPS Strategic Plan, and
they did great work then and now.
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Ms. Mona Roy, Burtwell Rd.: She is looking for clarification on whether teachers are allowed to
give direct instruction. Ms. Roy indicated that she thought Dr. Hackett said that it is permissible
to give direct instruction previously, and she wanted to check to be sure this is accurate, as she
is receiving questions from parents.
Dr. Hackett stated that teachers can give direct instruction; however, it is important to keep in
mind that direct instruction is going to look differently. For example, the guidance that the
Commissioner and LPS just released suggests that if direct instruction is given, it should be done
asynchronously, so all students can access the material.
CONSENT AGENDA
Ms. Sawhney moved to accept the following items on the Consent Agenda:
• Accounts Payable BMO (Bank of Montreal Reconciliations) dated April 24, 2020 in the
amount of $33,317.81
• Accounts Payable dated April 24, 2020 in the amount of $661,.579.64
• Payroll dated April 24, 2020 in the amount of $3,910,801.16
• School Committee minutes from April 14, 2020
Ms. Lenihan seconded; Ms. Jay took a roll call vote (Approved 5-0)
NEW & UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Vote on School Choice
The School Committee took a vote on the following motion:
Ms. Jay moved that the Lexington Public Schools will not participate in School Choice
program for the 2020-2021 school year -seconded by Ms. Sawhney; Ms. Jay took a roll call
vote (Approved 5-0)
Update on Contractor Payments during Closure of Schools 2020
Mr. David Coehlo, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations, provided a brief update
on contractor payments. Mr. Coehlo said they have completed negotiations with the district's
main transportation service provider, C&W, at a 75% rate. Conversations have been had with
the METCO transportation service provider as well as VanPool and LABBB. Mr. Coehlo said
nothing has been finalized at this time because there are several communities that use those
vendors and they are working together to come up with a common percentage to offer the
vendors. Mr. Coehlo said all of the out -of -district payments have been sent through the end of
March and we are gathering up April invoices to be paid to those schools.
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Ms. Jay asked when the 75% rate for C&W would start and for how long? Mr. Coehlo reported
that it would be in effect on March 17th and last through June with the assumption that in the
fall we would be going at the full pace.
Ms. Sawhney asked about the Town Meeting articles. She also asked for more information on
the demolition of the old Hastings building. Dr. Hackett indicated that her understanding is that
they are hoping for a June 1 Town Meeting. She noted that the topic of laptops came up on the
Town Manager's phone call, and LPS has additional laptops that Town Meeting members are
welcome to use. Further she noted she will contact Mike Cronin for an update on Hastings.
COMMUNITY SPEAK:
None
Ms. Jay made a motion to adjourn at 7:43 p.m.; seconded by Ms. Cuthbertson. Motion passed
by roll call (5-0).
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