School Committee Meeting – January 19, 2016 Meeting Notes
Reading Packet
The reading packet for the 1/19 School Committee meeting can be found at
http://lps.lexingtonma.org/cms/lib2/MA01001631/Centricity/Domain/231/19Jan16SCAgendaPacket.pdf
Announcements
Bridge School was evacuated on Tues 1/19/16 due to gas leaks and children were evacuated to LHS (they had to walk there). Lots of parents voiced concern about recurring gas/heating problems, evacuation plans/procedures (especially given cold temps), and emergency notification procedures (email vs. text). School Committee and Superintendent are working with Pat Goddard about facilities issues and School Committee will be working with parents to get input as to evacuation and communication protocols.
METCO Scholarship Fund
It is the 45th anniversary of the scholarship; there is now online giving and METCO facebook page. Trying to expand fundraising to help METCO students through college, and not just getting into college. Can get to METCO site from LPS site.
Planning Board
Charles Hornig from Planning Board spoke about a proposed zoning change to create a new “Governmental – Civic Use” district to rezone property in Lexington that is owned by government that is proposed to be used for non-residential purposes (currently the school buildings are zoned as residential).
Youth Risk Behavior Survey
Anonymous survey done at LHS in Spring 2015; done every 2 years in Feb/March since 1995 and first time in 2015 for middle schools
Stress (through homework and planning for college/future) is a big issue at LHS and stress / suicide is also an issue in middle school
For more detail, see the Executive Summary of the survey in the School Committee meeting packet at
http://lps.lexingtonma.org/cms/lib2/MA01001631/Centricity/Domain/231/19Jan16SCAgendaPacket.pdf
For more information about the Youth Coalition (that is working to address student stress and wellness) email lexcoalition@gmail.com.
Permanent Building Committee Appointments
Will be additional seats open on PBC for modulars at Fiske, Bowman and Bridge (total of up to 6) and Hastings
2 appointments each for Clarke and Diamond (total of 4) were announced.
- Mr. Goodell (Hastings/Diamond parent) and Bill Hurley (School Committee member)– Diamond
- Mr. Hobbs and Ms. Chase (both Clarke parents) – Clarke
Extended Day
Desire to do before school in elem school and after school in middle school, but not feasible currently due to limited space / other activities competing for limited space and construction happening (and World Languages being discussed which would extend the elementary school day)
FY Budget 2017 Discussion
The School Comm meeting this Saturday will also include a hearing for input on the budget.
Presentation can be reviewed at:
http://lps.lexingtonma.org/cms/lib2/MA01001631/Centricity/Domain/365/FY17%20Budget%20Presentation_Final%207.pdf
If budget hearing for this Sat gets cancelled due to snow, alternate dates for 2nd hearing are Tues, Jan 26, 2016 7 pm and Sat, Jan 30, 2016 at 10 am
Special Announcements
Several neighboring towns received bomb threats at schools on 1/19 but Lexington schools did not.
Please submit your family census information, even if your child does not attend Lexington public schools.
Next Meeting
Next Meeting on Sat, Jan 23, 2016, 10 am at LHS Auditorium and is public hearing on Superintendent’s budget (pending snow).
Comments are closed