Lincoln School Committee
Minutes of May 1, 2003
Franklin Park Golf Course

  1. Greetings and Call to Order
    The meeting was called to order by Sue Hollingsworth, Chair, at 7:08 p.m.
    Members present included: Sue Hollingsworth, Chair; Ashton Peery, Vice Chair; Jan Nyquist, and Mark Masterson,
    Also present were Michael Brandmeyer, Superintendent; Dr. Jeanne Whitten, Assistant Superintendent and Dave Jack, School Business Administrator.
    Members absent: Jurrien Timmer; Sherice Horton, METCO Representative; Michelle Gardner-Ince, Ron Deak and Mark Smith; Hanscom Representatives.

  2. Public Comments
    No Discussion

  3. Chairperson�s and Members� Report
    No Discussion

  4. Superintendent�s Report
    Mr. Brandmeyer gave an update on the Assistant Superintendent Search. Out of a pool of thirty-five candidates, ten were invited for an interview and four finalists have been invited back to visit Lincoln. These visits will take place on May 5, 6, 8 and 9. Mr. Brandmeyer will conduct the necessary reference checks ; then members of the hiring committee will visit the finalists� school districts. The Superintendent hopes that the final candidates will be interviewed by the School Committee members at a Monday, May 19 special ,School Committee meeting.

    The Superintendent talked about the recent visit from Heifer International to Hanscom Primary School. The students have been fundraising this school year in hopes of purchasing a goat for a family in another country. The students actually raised enough money to purchase three goats at the cost of $120 each. Heifer International brought goats to the school so the students could see the animals. Mr. Brandmeyer also announced that the art display at the Lincoln Library in the Town of Lincoln is still up for those who have not seen it yet. It�s worth the visit!

  5. Time Scheduled Appointments
    1. METCO Director�s Report
      Christina Horner, METCO Director, presented the accomplishments of the METCO students and Staff for the 2002-2003 school year. Academic achievement was the highest priority and 19 out of 27 sixth through eighth grade Boston students earned a B- or better average.

      Ms. Horner announced that Kaniah Dixon-Dunn, a 7th grade Lincoln student, was the proud winner of the �What METCO Means to ME� Contest sponsored by the Parent Legislative Committee, a volunteer parent group comprised of members of many participating METCO communities. Kaniah received a savings bond, public recognition at the Annual Lobby Day event at the State House and a VIP tour of the State House.

      Ms. Horner spoke about the Kids for Change sponsored activities for the current school year. �Mix it Up Day� took place in November where students across the country were challenged to �mix up� their peer groups when they ate in the cafeteria. Students also sponsored several Wednesday afternoon discussions and attended the �World of Difference� conference. Coming up on Friday, May 16, 2003 the Kids For Change, Lincoln-METCO and the Recreation Department will once again cosponsor the Middle School dance at Northeastern University in Boston.

      Another program Ms. Horner is particularly proud of is the Reading Buddies Program led by students from the Lincoln-Sudbury METCO program. The staff of the Lincoln METCO, Sudbury-METCO and the Lincoln-Sudbury METCO worked together to implement the program. On March 22, approximately 20 kindergarten through sixth grade students gathered at the Boys and Girls Club in Dorchester, where more than half of the participants were from the Lincoln-METCO program. The next session is slated for May 3rd.

      Christina introduced several students Jessica Allen and Rusulenni Castro to read aloud their essays �What METCO Means To Me�. She also introduced Maria Mercedes Garcia who read her animal story she wrote for her third grade Native American project.

      Mr. Brandmeyer extended his congratulations to Christina Horner, Poppy Milner and Amy Hood and to all the teachers who work with the Lincoln METCO children.

      A parent in the audience thanked Christina for her efforts in keeping parents informed and united.

      Sue Hollingsworth on behalf of the School Committee thanked Christina and said they are grateful for the leadership she has provided this year.

    2. METCO Coordinating Committee Report
      1. Gina Halsted presented the results of the 2002-2003 METCO Coordinating Committee objectives that were established in September. The Coordinating Committee hoped to increase the number of Host Families for children in grades K-3, to developed special activities for the children in grades 6-8, and to improve communications between the Lincoln and Boston communities. Gina was happy to announce that 100% of children in first and second grades have either Host families or Emergency Contact families. Third grade has about 50% participating families. The monthly visiting bus has increased ridership this year due to the work of the Coordinating Committee Grade Representatives, better advertising of the Visiting Bus days and more reliable bus service.

        Gina Halsted will be stepping down as Chair of the Coordinating Committee after serving for the past three years.

        Sue Hollingsworth thanked Gina for all her work and the awesome job she has done.

      2. Update on METCO Forum
        Mr. Brandmeyer gave a brief update regarding the upcoming METCO Forum. Dates being considered for the initial discussion are June 2nd, 3rd or 4th. This forum is being sponsored by the School Committee, the PTA and the League of Women Voters. Dr. Wu from Tufts will be present for the planning meeting on Tuesday, May 6th to provide a focus for the discussion.

  6. Curriculum
    1. Academic Support Program for METCO Students
      Christina Horner presented information regarding the Lincoln-METCO Harvest Summer Program. This is a four-week, full-day academic and recreational program, with a focus on Literacy. The program is designed to strengthen academic performance and increase the self-esteem of students in Grades K-2 who demonstrate the greatest need for additional support.

    2. Preschool Curriculum Update
      Dr. Jeanne Whitten and the Integrated Preschool Team reported on the work they have done over the past two years on the preschool curriculum renewal plan. Noel Symons , Laurie Berkowitz and Beth Wyman were in attendance to answer questions. Dr. Whitten reports that this is the first curriculum written since the State Frameworks came out in 2001.

  7. Policy
    1. Field Trips: Second Reading and VOTE
      Members of the Committee read the proposed changes in the Field Trip policy and discussed them. Mark Masterson had a question regarding the language around Overnight Field Trips. Some discussion ensued around the trips that a teacher may plan that are not school sponsored. A decision was made to re-write the language in this section of the policy to better reflect the views of the Committee.

  8. Budget and Financial
    1. Warrant Approval
      Jan Nyquist moved to approve the warrants in the amount of $955,366.56
      Mark Masterson seconded. Approved 4-0.

  9. Old Business
    No discussion.

  10. New Business
    No discussion

  11. Approval of Minutes
    Ashton Peery moved to approve the minutes of the School Committee on April 14, 2003.
    Mark Masterson seconded. Approved 4-0.

  12. Adjournment
    Mark Masterson moved to adjourn the meeting. Ashton Peery seconded.
    Approved 4-0.
    The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by
Stephanie Brown