Lincoln School Committee
Minutes of January 8, 2003
Hartwell Building, Lincoln MA

  1. Greetings and Call to Order
    The meeting was called to order by Sue Hollingsworth, Chair, at 7:07 p.m.
    Members present included: Sue Hollingsworth, Chair, Ashton Peery, Vice Chair, Jan Nyquist, Anne Doyle, and Mark Masterson.
    Also present were Michael Brandmeyer, Superintendent, Jeanne Whitten, Assistant Superintendent, and Dave Jack, School Business Administrator.
    Members absent: Michelle Gardner Ince, and Mark Smith, Hanscom Representatives, and Sherice Horton, METCO Representative.

  2. Public Comments
    No Discussion

  3. Time Scheduled Appointments
    1. Finance Committee Update
      Paul Giese and members of the Finance Committee gave a brief overview of the budget process and conclusions reached for the FY04 budget. The Finance Committee focused on four points:
      1. Estimated revenues and expenses this year
      2. Available funds received from state aid, local revenue and property taxes
      3. Required pensions and insurance payments
      4. Estimate override budget

      The Finance Committee concluded that due to unexpected revenue gained from less expenditures for pensions and insurance, the School Department may add 1.8% to its base budget. This amount equates to $136,999. In addition the Finance Committee is preparing to support an override request of approximately $350,000 for FY04. If the community approves this override, the School Department will receive an additional $183,099.

    2. Discussion and VOTE of Recommended FY04 Budget
      The Superintendent presented to the School Committee his recommendations that the following items be restored to the Base Budget based on a 1.8% increase:

      Reading Teacher, Mathematics Specialist Teacher, funding for curriculum development, and the addition of Technology Assistants.

      Mark Masterson moved that the School Committee vote to amend the Base Budget (7,443,952) to include an additional 1.8% increase ($136,991), for a total of $7,580,093. Ashton Peery seconded.
      Approved 5-0.

      Mr. Brandmeyer also recommended to the School Committee the following positions and programs for inclusion on the School Department�s override list:

      Library Media Specialist, Curriculum Specialist for Mathematics, 56 hours of Instructional Assistants, Instructional materials (for elementary science programs), and funding for professional development.

      A comment was made by kindergarten teacher Becky Eston that it would be helpful to list the many programs and services that have been cut from the School Department over the past two to three years and present this list at the Town Meeting for the purpose of the override discussion. Jan Nyquist agreed.

      Mark Masterson moved that the School Committee vote a Recommended Budget which is compromised of the Base Budget of $7,580,093 and an additional $183,099 for a total FY04 Recommended Budget of $7,764,042. Sue Hollingsworth seconded. Approved 5-0.

    Mark Masterson left the meeting at 8:15 p.m.

  4. Curriculum
    1. Curriculum Update
      Jeanne Whitten presented an overview of work done to date on Focus Area #1: Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction. Dr. Whitten explained that the process for curriculum renewal is a multi -year process that typically takes five years to complete.

      The curriculum for arts, music, PE, math, language arts, and technology are all at various stages of the continuum.

      A Curriculum Advisory Committee will be organized to begin the blue printing process in Science in the spring. One project currently being planned is a live science exploration though a partnership with The Ocean Alliance, a Lincoln based firm. Through video conferencing Lincoln students in grades six and seven will talk with scientists living aboard a working vessel in the Indian Ocean. The scientists along with the students will be studying humpback whales.

  5. Policy
    1. Transportation Fee Policy: Second Reading and VOTE
      After some discussion and corrections of the language pertaining to the guidelines section of the revised Transportation Fee Policy (FILE EEAA), Anne Doyle moved to approve the revised Transportation Fee policy with corrections. Ashton Peery seconded. Approved 4-0.

    2. Policy Update
      The Superintendent and the School Committee agreed to continue updating the Policy Manual.

      The following policies have been completed to date:

      1. Public Participation
      2. Transportation Fee

      The Superintendent recommended that the School Committee appoint a liaison to each of the Policy teams listed below:

      • Dependent Children � Ashton Peery
      • Gifts and Donations � Sue Hollingsworth
      • Tutoring Students in School Buildings � Jan Nyquist
      • Conflict of Interest (associated with tutoring)- Jan Nyquist
      • Overnight Field Trips � Anne Doyle
      • Use of Facilities � Anne Doyle

  6. Budget and Financial
    1. Warrant Approval
      Ashton Peery moved to approve the warrants totaling $606,431.94.
      Anne Doyle Seconded.
      Approved 4-0.

  7. Old Business
    No Discussion

  8. New Business
    Sue Hollingsworth asked some clarifying question to Jerry Schultz about the fundraising letter that went to all the parents of Lincoln School students regarding the Instrumental Music instruction for fifth graders. Some thought that the letter was a little confusing and that perhaps another letter could be sent prior to the fundraising concert taking place at the end of January.

  9. Approval of Minutes
    Jan Nyquist moved to approve the amended minutes of the December 19th School Committee meeting.
    Sue Hollingsworth seconded. Approved 4-0

  10. Information Enclosures
    Members of the School Committee reviewed a letter written in response to the grades 6, 7 and 8th grade teachers from The Lincoln School and discussed setting a date to meet with the teachers.

  11. Adjournment
    Ashton Peery moved to adjourn the meeting.
    Anne Doyle seconded. Approved 4-0.
    The meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by
Stephanie Brown