Minutes of the
Lincoln School Committee Meeting
Tuesday, June 8, 2004

PRESENT:Dennis Picker; Ashton Peery: Julie Dobrow, Jan Nyquist, Sandy Hessler; David Birney and Laura Koning, Hanscom Representatives.
Also present: Mickey Brandmeyer, Superintendent; Paul Naso, Assistant Superintendent; and Dave Jack, Business Administrator.
Ms. Nyquist left at 9:58
ABSENT: none
  1. Greetings and Call to Order
    Dennis Picker called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

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  2. Chairperson’s and Members’ report
    Mr. Picker informed the Committee that the letter to the editor from the School Committee is being published, but it will have his signature and the phrase “on behalf of Lincoln School Committee.”

    Ashton Peery announced that he had spoken earlier that day with the new Lincoln School leadership team and he reported that they are eager to assume their responsibilities.

    Jan Nyquist reported that the annual Lincoln School PTA picnic was a success. She added that the PTA had given Mr. Schultz a farewell gift.

    Mr. Picker reported that the Lincoln School held a language celebration night to honor students who were award winners in national competitions.

  3. Public Comments
    There were no comments from the public.

  4. Time Scheduled Appointments
    1. Review Accomplishment Against 2003-2004 School Committee Goals
      Mr. Picker explained that in the spirit of self assessment the Committee would reflect on its accomplishments with regard to their 2003-2004 goals. He introduced the draft assessment and explained the task. The Committee discussed the appropriateness of the accomplishments and comments.

      Mr. Jewett observed that there is an awkwardness to a self-assessment and stressed the need to add a statement indicating that the remarks are the result of self-assessment.

      The Committee also discussed whether there is a need to ask for feedback from the Superintendent and to seek input from other sources. They agreed to proceed this year as planned but consider ways to refine the assessment process for next year. They also agreed in general to remove value statements. The Committee then proceeded through each of the goals and indicated the key points to be reflected in their assessments.

      The Committee decided to continue discussion of the self assessment to the next meeting.

    2. Discussion on District/Superintendent and School Committee Goals for 2004-2005
      Mr. Brandmeyer introduced the revised draft of the District/Superintendent goals for 2004-2005 and invited the Committee’s input and feedback.

      The Committee requested that one of the goals directly address teaching and professional development; they requested that the Special Education review goal be re-written; and they requested that a goal about budget preparation be added to the Operations category.

      (At this point the Committee agreed to proceed out of order to item IV. C. of the agenda, in order to accommodate John Snell, who had assisted Mr. Jack in preparing the energy savings report. Minutes for that portion appear below.)

      Regarding School Committee goals, Mr. Picker introduced a draft set of goals and explained each of the seven goals. He added that each goal will have its own work plan. He suggested that the Committee arrive at a clear understanding of each goal before members declare which goals they want to oversee.

      After discussion of the goals, the Committee agreed to add a goal on policy and oversight of program improvement, academic achievement, and teaching and learning, to complement the goal covering oversight of operations.

      The Committee agreed to continue discussion of a revised draft at the next meeting.

    3. Energy Savings Report and N-Star Proposal
      Mr. Jack introduced the discussion, which concerns a proposal to replace outdated light bulbs and fixtures in order to improve energy efficiency. The proposal is a result of a study conducted last spring at the Lincoln and Hanscom campuses by Nstar. The proposal includes cost sharing by NStar. He provided details about projects proposed to be done this summer and explained the attractive investment paybacks. Mr. Jack also introduced John Snell of Peregrine Energy, which does energy efficiency studies for public buildings, who is also a Lincoln resident and member of the Planning Board. Mr. Snell has been voluntarily advising the district on this matter.

      Mr. Snell called the proposal a “good first salvo” and recommended highly that the work be done. In response to Mr. Peery’s question about payback time, Mr. Snell called it a “quick payback” and projected that payback would likely occur within 2-3 years. He was gratified that the schools were taking a leadership role in promoting energy conservation.

      The Committee inquired further about the efficiency and lighting improvements the proposed changes would accomplish. In response to Laura Koning’s inquiry about needs at the Hanscom campus, there was also discussion about the best approach with energy efficiency at those facilities and how best to take advantage of the NStar opportunity. David Birney also asked for confirmation that under this program, NStar’s subcontractors would take care of hazardous material disposal, which they would.

      The Committee agreed to proceed with the plan as proposed for the Lincoln campus, and also directed the administration to come to the next meeting with a proposal for the Hanscom campus.

  5. Superintendent’s Report
    Mr. Brandmeyer acknowledged the Foreign Language celebration that occurred the previous evening for the Lincoln School. He thanked the teachers and parent volunteer Jennifer Burkett-Picker for their efforts.

    Mr. Brandmeyer also acknowledged the contributions of the Masonic Angel Fund which this year has given over $5000 to children in need of financial support for various school-related and non school-related needs. This is a process coordinated at the schools by the social workers. Ms. Nyquist asked Mr. Brandmeyer to ensure that those transactions are appropriately audited.

    Mr. Brandmeyer explained that he had considered the Committee’s concerns about fees and ensuring that all students are able to participate in activities that require fees. He suggested that next fall they consider the need for revised procedures and policies regarding scholarships.

  6. Curriculum
    1. Briefing
    2. Update on Curriculum Initiatives
      Mr. Naso provided an update on the status of work initiated following the curriculum improvement priorities he reported in January. His update included four main points: 1) all initiatives have stressed the importance that curriculum development needs to be guided by clear learning expectations; 2) all curriculum improvement projects also need to lead to improved communication about curriculum; 3) some curriculum areas and curriculum issues have been especially difficult to untangle (e.g. priorities for Health/Wellness instruction; when curriculum work can occur cross-campus); and 4) in some instances the first step to program improvement requires better ways to manage and interpret student performance data.

  7. Policy
    None

  8. Budget and Financial
    1. Warrant Approval
      Mr. Peery offered a motion that the Committee approve a warrant in the amount of $1,305,208.47. Mr. Picker seconded the motion. The Committee unanimously approved the motion.

  9. Old Business
    1. School Committee Communications Plan: Review Web Posting Guidelines
      Ms. Dobrow offered a brief update on the work of the Communication Subcommittee which met earlier that day. Currently they are working on an organizational chart that is being prepared for dissemination in September which would clarify roles and responsibilities of the various people and entities involved in running the school district.

      The Committee discussed the current practice for determining which documents the Committee will put on its web pages. Mr. Picker explained a set of proposed guidelines that are intended to address requests coming from the Communications Subcommittee for posting more information. After the Committee discussed the guidelines, Mr. Picker moved that the draft guidelines be accepted. Mr. Peery seconded the motion. The Committee unanimously approved the motion.

      Mr. Picker asked that the Committee agree to posting the documents related to the Technology Planning Process and the recently updated policies for METCO and facilities rental. The Committee agreed to these postings.

    2. Update on Plans for Facilities Study
      Mr. Jack followed up on a previous discussion and reported conversations he has had about receiving quotes for a facilities study. Early estimates suggest that costs for such a study are not likely to exceed $20,000.

      Mr. Brandmeyer reported on his discussion with the Capital Planning Committee regarding how to pay for this study. They identified three possible sources of funding: end-of-year monies, a request for a reserve fund transfer, and funds remaining from a previous warrant.

      The Committee discussed these alternatives and agreed to return to this topic at the June 14th meeting.

  10. New Business
    1. School Committee Meeting Dates: July 2004 and 2004-2005
      The Committee considered meeting dates for early July and agreed to hold a meeting on Wednesday, Wed July 7th.

      The Committee reviewed the proposed meeting schedule for the 2004-2005 school year. Mr. Picker proposed adding a meeting on November 4th. The Committee also added meetings on February 3rd and February 17th instead of a meeting on February 10th. He also suggested that the Committee wait until topics are set before selecting Hanscom or Boston meeting dates.

      Mr. Picker moved that the Committee adopt the calendar as amended. Ms. Dobrow seconded the motion. The Committee unanimously approved the motion.

  11. Approval of Minutes
    None

  12. Information Enclosures
  13. Adjournment
    Mr. Peery moved that the Committee adjourn. Ms. Hessler seconded the motion. The Committee unanimously agreed to adjourn at 10:37 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by
Paul Naso, Assistant Superintendent