Mr. Naso also summarized the status of the work of the Lincoln School Principal Search Committee which had completed its interviews and made recommendations to the Superintendent.
Ms. Harris also introduced Todd Helmus who is the new Chair of the Lincoln-METCO Coordinating Committee. Mr. Helmus stated the specific charge of the Coordinating Committee (“to promote social interactions among students”) and expressed his desire to continue the same practices that have been a part of the Committee’s efforts in the past. He indicated that his priorities for the year would be to review fundraising capability and to increase public advocacy for the program. Mr. Helmus reflected on the results of the recent ballot question and stressed the need for those who support the program to continue to highlight the benefits.
Mr. Helmus also reported his interest in developing more structured interactions between Boston and Lincoln parents that will bring the communication beyond the social opportunities that currently exist. He proposed the creations of workshops, dialogues and other events for Lincoln and Boston parents to attend in common.
The parents present as well as the School Committee joined Mr. Helmus in applauding the accomplishments of Gina Halsted, previous Chair of the Coordinating Committee.
Mr. Peery also announced that the recent Town Election results meant that Dennis Picker and Julie Dobrow have been re-elected to the School Committee and that Sandy Hessler will join the Committee as a new member. Mr. Picker assured those present that during the campaign all candidates running for seats on the School Committee expressed strong support for the Lincoln METCO program.
Mr. Peery reported the actual results of the ballot question and interpreted the results as being a strong statement of “open arms” toward the Boston students. He noted, however, that one third of the vote favored a reduction in the program and emphasized the importance of communicating its value to Lincoln residence.
Ms. Dobrow added that she concluded that the results are “quite positive.” She urged that the community now shift the discussion to a consideration of how to improve the program. Ms. Dobrow said that she appreciated the efforts and suggestions of Ms. Harris and Mr. Helmus.
Mr. Picker added that he viewed the results as a positive response to the program. He also announced that the budget override was approved by the town and provided some details about what program improvements would result from these increases.
Jan Nyquist commented on the process used by the Town to consider the questions about the METCO program. She said that she was relieved that the conversation was handled respectfully and that she believed that regarding the METCO program the community was now in a “real positive place.”
Ms. Dobrow explained that the Lincoln School Committee has lobbied state officials for additional METCO funding and has asked other communities to join that effort.
Mr. Picker reported that during the Town Meeting discussion Kahris McLaughlin gave a “stirring speech “ that had a positive effect on the participants.
Parents Comments and Discussion
The meeting proceeded to a dialogue between the Boston parents present at the meeting, members of the School Committee and administrators. The parents’ questions and comments addressed a range of topics. One parent who had attended the Town Meeting acknowledged that there were speakers who were not in support of the program.
Several parents welcomed Mr. Helmus to his new role and supported his suggestion for more “structured” dialogue among Boston and Lincoln parents. Citing their experiences as classroom volunteers and at other school events, parents agreed that there is great need to bring people together. One parent reported that he “feels ignored” by Lincoln parents when he encounters them at the school. Ms. Harris observed that it is important to open that dialogue.
Some parents inquired about the Director’s position and when it might be restored to full time status. In response to that concern, members of the Committee summarized the effects of the financial crisis from a few years ago, the reduction in the size of the METCO grant and the fact that many other programs and positions had not yet been fully restored. Other parents noted that without a full-time Director it has placed a greater burden on families to maintain the coordination and communication within the program.
Several parents spoke about the importance of volunteering at the school and in their children’s classrooms and how that allows them to feel “more connected” to their children’s experiences in Lincoln.
Some parents urged the School Committee and administrators to include substantive program items on their agenda when they have meetings in Boston. They are interested in having the opportunity to discuss the academic experiences of their children and to hear about the directions being taken with the curriculum and instructional practices.
Mr. Picker offered to summarize the themes he was hearing in the parents’ remarks. He noted three main points: 1) the METCO program staffing appears to parents to be insufficient; 2) parents support Mr. Helmus’s proposals for increased parent-parent dialogue; and 3) at Lincoln School Committee meetings in Boston, parents want to hear about education, not only about METCO.
Ms. Harris thanked Sherice Horton for her service as METCO Representative to the School Committee and wished her a speedy recovery from her recent injury.
Respectfully submitted by
Paul Naso, Assistant Superintendent