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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-12-08-SC-min LEXINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING Tuesday, December 8,2020 Conducted by Remote Participation Meeting Minutes AGENDA: CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME: 6:00 p.m. Chair Kathleen Lenihan welcomed and introduced committee members SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT Kathleen Lenihan, Chairperson Eileen Jay, Vice-Chair Deepika Sawhney Scott Bokun Sara Cuthbertson, Clerk STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE Sara Mei SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT Dr. Julie Hackett, Superintendent Mr. David Coehlo, Assistant Superintendent for Finance & Operations Dr. Christine Lyons, Assistant Superintendent to Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Development The minutes were taken by Kristen Keough, Executive Assistant to the School Committee Ms. Lenihan read Governor Baker's Executive Order from March 12, 2020 which allows public meetings to be conducted remotely due to the state emergency related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Ms. Lenihan covered additional ground rules for an effective and clear conduct of business and to assure accurate meeting minutes. MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS/LIAISON REPORTS: Members thanked LEF for hosting the Trivia Bee. Mr. Bokun provided a brief overview of the Planning Board meeting from December 2nd. He reported that there was a 90 minute discussion about Equity, Diversity & Inclusion and affordable housing with regards to Article 8 which was passed at the fall Special Town Meeting. Ms. Cuthbertson attended the first SHAC meeting of the year along with Mr. Bokun and Ms. Jay. She commented that they were in separate breakout rooms with adult community members LSC 12/08/2020 Meeting Minutes-Approved 2/2/2021 KC and students both involved with the school and not. Ms. Cuthbertson reported that SHAC will still be holding a Parent Academy (virtual) this year and will share more information as it becomes available. Ms. Sawhney announced the upcoming Virtual - IAL College & Career Workshop: Multiple Pathways to Success: Future Trends in Education & Career being held on Saturday, December 12, 2020. Registration is required through Cary Library to receive the Zoom link and passcode. Ms. Sawhney provided a brief update on bringing electric buses to Lexington. Ms. Jay followed up with further clarification on Ms. Sawhney's announcement for the Virtual College & Career Workshop, as well as Ms. Cuthbertson's comments for the SHAC meeting. Ms. Jay provided a brief update on the Recreation Committee. A Comunity Needs Assessment was done to understand the needs related to parks, recreation programs, and facilities. It can be found on the Recreation Department website. COMMUNITY SPEAK: Mr. Brad Libby, 43 Wachusett Drive: Mr. Libby commented that he disagrees on the decision to have student athletes go full remote during the winter season. Michael Schroder, 56 Grapevine Ave.: Mr. Schroder echoed comments on the decision to have winter athletes go full remote during the winter season. Mr. Schroder believes this decision is being driven by fear rather than facts. He urges the board to reject the proposal and allow Lexington High School student athletes to participate in athletics and in-person learning. Sandy Parks, 18 Blossom St.: Ms. Parks echoed concerns about winter athletes being required to participate in the Remote Learning Academy for the winter sports season. Patricia Genesse, 76 Reed St.: Ms. Genesse commented on how important it is for the students to continue with the winter sports season and believes it should be the parents' decision to have their students participate in remote learning or hybrid. Imperative for the kids to play athletics. Karen Cacciatore, 3 Brent Rd.: Ms. Cacciatore expressed concerns about winter sports and children on IEPs and echoed comments from other Community Speak participants. Aria, student at LHS: Aria commented that she runs an environmental club called "Make Lex Green." She noted that this year they are working on a socially-distanced trash pick up around the LHS campus. Aria said the event will take place on Friday, December 18th from 1:00-4:00 PM. LSC 12/08/2020 Meeting Minutes-Approved 2/2/2021 KC CONGRATULATIONS & CELEBRATIONS: Dr. Hackett announced the success of the first two rounds of the Remote Learning Academy (RLA) Book Exchange! She noted the RLA Book Exchange will take place every two weeks. LPS families can come to school or to the Boston Book Exchange site to pick up a book bag filled with approximately 10 books specifically chosen for their child(ren). Dr. Hackett said the books supplement the curriculum being taught and help teachers tailor instruction for their remote students. Dr. Hackett announced that Harrington PTA had a new website. Dr. Hackett said seven tech-savvy high school students (5 from LHS and 2 from Lexington Christian Academy) responded to a call for help on this project. Since September, the volunteers worked closely taking weekly tutorial classes with their mentor, Dr. Wei Ding, holding Zoom project meetings, and working through the numerous PTA Board content changes. Under Dr. Ding's leadership, the high school students shaped their team, collaborated on creating pages, and spent hours coding. Click here to view the new website. SUPERINTENDENT REPORT: The Superintendent reported on the following items: • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion • Lexington High School Winter Sports Recommendation • Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) Update and Competency Determination • LPS Supervision & Evaluation System Update • LPS Family Survey Results and Mid-Course Adjustments • LPS COVID-19 Testing Update The complete Superintendent's Report can be viewed here. LPS COVID-19 Testing Update Dr. Hackett reported that the district is one step closer to implementing a sustainable surveillance testing plan for Lexington Public Schools and reported on the timeline/next steps for the district. Committee members had a lengthy discussion regarding the COVID-19 testing including issues such as funding, and community volunteers. Ms. Lenihan and Ms. Cuthbertson reported on meetings they had with Wellesley School Committee members, as well as with a consortium of towns, to learn about their experiences in doing COVID testing. A brief explanation of how pooled testing works was shared. Lexington High School Winter Sports Recommendation LSC 12/08/2020 Meeting Minutes-Approved 2/2/2021 KC Dr. Hackett commented that there are three options to consider for the upcoming winter sports season: (1) no participation in winter sports; (2) participation in winter sports with restrictions; and (3) full participation in winter sports. Due to the rapidly increasing rates of infection, Dr. Hackett recommends that LHS students be permitted to participate in indoor winter sports (a) if the student is in full remote learning; and (b) if those participating in LPS organized sports adopt all of the State modifications and other restrictions imposed by the Middlesex League. Committee members had lengthy discussion regarding allowing students to participate in winter sports. Ms. Cuthbertson asked who would be in charge of making sure kids and spectators do not hang around before/after the game. Ms. Martin said there will not be any locker room access and athletes are to get dressed prior to arriving. They will be let into the building as a team and let out of the building as a team. Ms. Martin said the district has been fortunate to be able to provide extra staffing. The athletics department has worked with Dave Coehlo to provide extra game administrators and extra staff. Ms. Martin said no game has been played without extra administrative presence and that will continue through the winter season, both in pre-game and post-game. Ms. Cuthbertson asked about livestreaming the games. Ms. Martin replied that it is something we want to have happen. LexMedia had some issues accessing live streaming due to WiFi at the outdoor venues. Ms. Martin said she will be in touch with LexMedia to see if they are able to work the issue out. She noted that if LexMedia is not available then she will continue to work with Dr. Hackett and Mr. Coehlo to find a solution. Ms. Jay echoed committee member comments and feels that Dr. Hackett's compromise is a good one. Ms. Jay asked whether a student athlete who chooses to go full remote for the winter sport season will be allowed to return to hybrid at the end of that season, and if a 14-day quarantine will be required. Dr. Hackett replied yes, students will be able to return back to hybrid with a 14-day quarantine with testing on Day 8 and a return by Day 11. Ms. Jay asked about how swim teams would work. Ms. Martin said the Middlesex League superintendents agreed that there were too many facilities challenges right now to try to run swimming. Ms. Martin said the district is going to move forward in trying to secure additional pool time for the Fall II season. LSC 12/08/2020 Meeting Minutes-Approved 2/2/2021 KC Mr. Bokun said he agrees with Dr. Hackett's compromise and reminded everyone that the district is doing the best it can in the middle of a pandemic. Mr. Bokun expressed that this is not a punishment but a protection for students, staff and families. Ms.Jay moved to adopt the Superintendent's winter sports recommendation to permit LHS students to participate in indoor winter sports (a) if the student is in full remote learning;and (b)if those participating in LPS organized sports adopt all of the State modifications and other restrictions imposed by the Middlesex League;seconded by Ms. Cuthbertson. Ms. Lenihan took a roll call vote-Approved 4-1 [Bokun—Yes; Cuthbertson—Yes;Jay—Yes;Lenihan—No; Sawhney—Yes] (Yes—non-binding preference of student liaison) Ms. Sawhney commented about the cost for the winter season and the statement that said if the season is cancelled money cannot be refunded. Dr. Hackett replied that it had to do with the reimbursements that were given last year. She noted that it is not just sports but transportation as well, and said if someone is struggling financially, they should reach out to the district for help. School committee took a five minute recess PRESENTATION: LPS Familxt Survey Results & Mid-Course Adjustments Presenter: Dr. Maureen Kavanaugh Dr. Kavanaugh said that she would be sharing some highlights from the most recent family survey. Dr. Kavanaugh commented that this particular data set is just one piece of information that they are reviewing, as noted in the Superintendent's update. Dr. Kavanaugh said the overarching goal from this survey is to consider the question, "How are things going?" from as many angles as possible given the complexity of the situation. Dr. Kavanaugh said tonight's presentation will not cover all of the angles, and updates will be shared as soon as they become known to the district. Dr. Kavanaugh said an online survey was administered to all LPS families in November 2020. Families were asked to complete one response per student. 2,710 responses were received for an overall response rate of 39.2%. Dr. Kavanaugh reviewed the graphs from the survey results. Dr. Kavanaugh said in summary: • Significant improvements from the spring • Maintained the strength of the flexibility of the spring • Accessible communications & updates, especially the elementary level • Potential focus areas for mid-course corrections: • Blue & Gold week differences in work expectations and quality, especially K-8 o Level of academic challenge o Teacher feedback on how students are doing o Finding more ways to provide social interactions and support for students • Ongoing goal: increasing the amount of in-person learning opportunities for students (prioritizing our youngest learners to start) LSC 12/08/2020 Meeting Minutes-Approved 2/2/2021 KC School Committee Questions Each member thanked Dr. Kavanaugh for tonight's presentation. Ms. Cuthbertson asked if there has been much feedback in the on/off schedule and students having a challenge with adjusting. Dr. Kavanaugh said it is a topic that came up on occasion in the open-ended responses. Overall the survey responses mirrored what Ms. Cuthbertson asked. Some families described how the week on/off is working quite well, while others said the schedule and routine presented some difficulty. Dr. Kavanaugh said that parents and staff are pleased that the district chose a weekly hybrid vs. a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday hybrid like many other districts. Ms. Sawhney asked for a copy of the survey comments to review. Ms. Sawhney asked how the survey captures responses from families that have a challenge reading/understanding the survey because of a language barrier. Dr. Kavanaugh said the demographics showed 5.7% respondents who indicated they have a child receiving instruction for English as a second language. Ms. Jay commented that it is clear students are missing the social interaction and asked if there was a way to possibly get students to come together outside of school hours, e.g. after school or on the Friday% day. Dr. Hackett responded that in the middle school chats, people felt the blue weeks are a little lighter and parents were wondering about the possibility of having enrichment blocks during those periods. Mr. Bokun asked what the response rate was for the survey conducted in June. Dr. Kavanaugh replied that it was closer to the typical 33%. Ms. Mei echoed Dr. Jay's comments about students being able to socialize. Ms. Mei said that with all the club meetings being held on Zoom there is a lot more participation. Ms. Mei suggested that middle schoolers who want to create clubs could find a faculty advisor and engage in more club opportunities. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Flu Vaccine lldate for 2020-2021 Dr. Hackett provided a brief update on the flu vaccine requirement for public schools and shared the total number of students who have/have not received their flu vaccine by the expected December 31, 2020 due date. COMMUNITY SPEAK NONE POLICY SUBCOMMITTEE: 2nd Reading for Policy KC Members had discussion on this policy and minor edits were made. LSC 12/08/2020 Meeting Minutes-Approved 2/2/2021 KC Mr. Bokun moved to accept the updated fundraising policy KCD-Fundraising Contributions as amended;Ms. Sawhney seconded. Ms. Lenihan took a roll can vote-Approved 5-0 CONSENT AGENDA: Mr. Bokun moved to approve the following consent agenda items: • December 4, 2020-Payroll in the amount of$4,027,487.67 • December 4, 2020-Accounts Payable in the amount of$1,509,255.99 Seconded by Ms. Cuthbertson. Ms. Lenihan took a roll call vote-Approved 5-0 Mr. Bokun noted the next School Committee meeting is scheduled for January. Ms. Lenihan made a motion to adjourn at 10:00 PM so moved by Ms. Jay; seconded by Mr. Bokun. Ms. Lenihan took a roll call vote -Approved 5-0 LSC 12/08/2020 Meeting Minutes-Approved 2/2/2021 KC