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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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)
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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.
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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
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