1. Greetings and Call to Order
   The meeting was called to order by Ashton Peery, Vice Chair, at 7:00 p.m.
   Members present included Ashton Peery, Vice Chair; Julie Dobrow and Dennis Picker.
   Sue Hollingsworth, Chair, arrived at 7:15 p.m.
   Also present were Michael Brandmeyer, Superintendent, and Dave Jack, Business Administrator.
   Members absent: Jan Nyquist, Ron Deak, Hanscom Representative and Sherice Horton, METCO Representative.

2. Chairperson’s and Members’ report
   Ashton Peery welcomed Dennis Picker and Julie Dobrow as interim members to the School Committee and expressed his appreciation for their time and willingness to serve. Mr. Peery acknowledged the on-going work done by the METCO Forum Steering Committee, stating that he had read the feedback questionnaire.

   Mr. Peery also thanked Richard Jewett, community member in attendance, for his letter to the School Committee regarding communications.

3. Superintendent’s Report
   Mr. Brandmeyer also welcomed Mr. Picker and Ms. Dobrow stating that he looks forward to working with both of them. Mr. Brandmeyer also thanked members of the METCO Steering Committee for their work gathering data from the feedback questionnaire. He mentioned that the Boston Globe ran a small article regarding the Steering Committee meetings. The meetings are open and the next scheduled meeting is July 30th at 6:30 p.m.

   The Superintendent attended the Massachusetts Association of Superintendents Summer Institute in Falmouth last week. Topics and issues discussed were assessing student progress and high stakes testing. Mr. Brandmeyer stated that Massachusetts accepts accountability programs more than the other states.

   Mr. Brandmeyer, along with the Superintendents from Sudbury and Wayland, recently had lunch with Senator Susan Pope. They discussed the limited state funds for FY04-05 targeted to urban centers. Mr. Brandmeyer stated that there was concern regarding the funding for the SPED Circuit Breaker Law and that they asked Senator Pope to fight for this funding.

4. Public Comments
   No Comments

5. 5. Time Scheduled Appointments
   1. Update on Vagliano Memorial
      Christina Rago Brown presented a proposal to the School Committee for their approval of the Leslie Vagliano Memorial being placed in the Lincoln School Library. School Committee members looked at photos of the mobile titled “Fish Scholars” that is being dedicated in Leslie’s memory, and saw the blueprints of where it is to be placed in the library.

      Ashton Peery asked about the timeline for installation of the mobile. Mr. Brandmeyer stated that Mary Helen Lorenz is hoping for completion of the installation by the end of August, and that there will be a formal dedication by the Committee in the fall.

      Ashton Peery moved to accept the plan for the Leslie Vagliano Memorial and its placement in the school library. Julie Dobrow seconded. Approved 4-0.

   2. Lincoln Public Schools Food Service Program Report
      Dave Jack presented to the Committee the findings and recommendations from the Food Service Program Subcommittee. This committee was formed to review the financial and operational aspects of the food service program currently in place in the schools.

      The findings were as follows:

      1. The lack of adequate kitchen facilities on the Lincoln Campus is the largest obstacle in terms of operating the food service program.
      2. The Food Service Program made approximately $5,800 profit in FY’03.
         This profit margin does not allow for any major equipment replacements in the course of a year. This profit was generated due to the snack program that ran the first part of the year.
      3. With additional resources, the quality of meats purchased would improve.

      The recommendations were:

      1. Consider a study of the facilities to determine whether these facilities can be expanded to a full service kitchen.
      2. Upgrade quality of the meat products whenever possible. Cost is a governing factor in this recommendation.
      3. Suggest a healthy snack program. This would bring an immediate solution to affect cash flow. The revenue potential is between $10,000 and $15,000 per year.
      4. Provide a salad bar at Brooks. The Board of Health regulations would have to be looked at for approval of this recommendation.
      5. Monitoring of the nutritional value of all meals served to meet the recommended standard set by the National School Lunch Program.
      6. Pricing will remain the same for the 2003-2004 school year.

      Questions were asked about outsourcing operations to improve the quality of food. Mr. Jack stated that the committee looked at the Marriot but that our system is too small to attract their business. Sue Hollingsworth inquired about looking into options and ideas around putting in a kitchen at Brooks.

      Discussion followed around how these recommendations would be implemented. Some discussion took place around the issue of the time it currently takes to serve the students and how that could be improved.

      Julie Dobrow suggested the idea of partnering with the Codman Farm Food Project to purchase quality produce.

      Mr. Jack stated that the subcommittee is willing to continue to meet to study ways to improve the food service offered at the schools.

   3. Update on Smith Parking Lot Improvements
      A request for Determination of Applicability for the parking lot improvement has been made to the Conservation Commission. They will hear the request on August 6th. Once the request is approved the project will begin. The driveway will be widened by six feet and the traffic pattern will be revised along with additional new parking lot striping.

   4. Update on 2003-2004 Enrollment
      The Superintendent presented a report of actual enrollment numbers as of July 9th. In the Lincoln School all of the average class sizes, with the exception of grade three are lower than the policy target class size. As of this report, grade 3 has an enrollment of 89 students, which results in three classes at target (22 students) and one class at target +1 (23 students). As of this meeting, the Superintendent sees no need to add additional sections but he will continue to monitor the enrollment throughout the summer. Mr. Brandmeyer stated that 20 hours of teacher assistant time has been added to grade three.

6. Curriculum
   No Discussion.

7. Policy
   Mr. Brandmeyer reviewed the current practices for new hires the Lincoln Public Schools has in place. Since 1997 CORI (Criminal Offense Records Information) checks have been conducted on all new employees. A new state law was enacted on November 27, 2002 and became effective February 25, 2003 that requires all schools to conduct CORI checks on current and prospective employees, volunteers, school transportation providers and others who may have direct and unmonitored contact with children.

   Julie Dobrow volunteered to help develop policy to address which parent volunteers would undergo CORI checks. Lincoln Sudbury Regional High School requests CORI‘s be completed on all parents who go on field trips.

8. Budget and Financial
   1. FY03 End of Year Report
      Mr. Jack reported that the FY’03 Budget was closed as of July 15, 2003. He reports that we have now established historical spending trends for the last two years that we can rely on to predict monies needed in the FY’05 budget preparation. Mr. Jack stated that $4,400 went back to the Town of Lincoln as free cash and that some encumbrances remain in place for FY’03 salaries until August.

      Sue Hollingsworth asked about the DoDea surplus. Mr. Jack stated that a time will be scheduled with the principals of the Hanscom schools to address their facility needs.

      Mr. Brandmeyer recognized and thanked Dave for all his efforts stating that he trusts him and appreciates the way in which he serves the district.
      Ashton Peery thanked Dave on behalf of the School Committee stating that he and Jan Nyquist met with him quite frequently asking many questions and Dave would provide answers or do some homework to provide answers in a timely manner.
      Dennis Picker complimented Dave on closing the books in two weeks.
      Mr. Jack thanked everyone for their kind words and complimented his team, Mary Jane and Stephanie, for making this past year run smoothly.

   2. Warrant Approval
      Ashton Peery moved to approve the warrants totaling $2,323,040.59.
      This warrant consisted of three Payrolls and five Accounts Payable.
      Sue Hollingsworth seconded. Approved 4-0.

9. Old Business
   Mr. Brandmeyer informed the Committee of the dates of the new Teacher Orientation, which is Tuesday, August 26. The teachers return to their classrooms on August 27 and 28th.

   Paul Naso, Assistant Superintendent, will start on August 5th.

10. New Business
    Mr. Brandmeyer stated that the process of applying for grants will be added to the September 4th School Committee agenda.

11. Approval of Minutes
    There were no minutes enclosed from the June 19th School Committee meeting.

12. Information Enclosures
    The Lincoln Community Preservation Act Committee is considering proposals for FY 2005. Dennis Picker volunteered to facilitate the development of ideas for proposals and will bring a report to the School Committee in September.

13. Adjournment
    Sue Hollingsworth moved to adjourn the meeting. Ashton Peery seconded.
    Approved 4-0.
    The meeting adjourned at 9:17 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by
Stephanie Brown