Ron Deak, Hanscom Representative, reported that he will be attending meetings in the up-coming weeks regarding Phase I of the Privatization of Housing Project at Hanscom Air Force Base. Jan Nyquist asked if it is the responsibility of the town taxpayers to provide education for the Hanscom families that may be housed within the Town of Lincoln. Mr. Deak will ask this question at the meeting he will be attending in Annapolis.
Ashton Peery suggested that it would be of value to the School Committee to do some research talking to other communities that have been through a Privatization Housing Project.
The Superintendent mentioned the new drop-off pattern for traffic in the Smith Parking lot, stating that it appears to be going smoothly.
Mr. Brandmeyer gave an update about the mold that has been discovered at both campuses. Some classes were moved from their classrooms and re-located to other parts of the building on the 2nd day of school. The faculty has been great and are making the best of the situation under the circumstances.
The Superintendent read an invitation from HAFB for the Lincoln educational community to attend the Community Welcome at the base, from 5 to 8 p.m., on September 8th.
Mr. Brandmeyer also thanked Dave Jack and Dennis Picker for attending the Conservation Commission meeting regarding the new changes for the Smith Parking lot, while he was gone on vacation.
Mr. Jack asked for the parent’s patience and explained that for the first two weeks of school his office assesses ridership and can’t guarantee a definite answer until it’s known who is riding or not riding the buses.
Ashton Peery asked the parent to put in writing to the School Committee any remarks regarding the policy so that the Committee can take a look at the letter if a revision of the policy is needed.
Julie Dobrow asked Dave Jack if he could send a letter to the parents explaining the process that happens the first two weeks of school and to ask for assistance from parents who may be using the bus infrequently this year, thus freeing up a seat for a child who would like to ride every day. Mr. Jack said he would draft a letter and send it home this week.
PAC realized it needed to have an avenue to access and distribute information to the parents. Currently they give parents a brochure at the beginning of an Education Plan for their child. PAC is currently in the process of making a list serve that parents can access via e-mail.
The long term goal of PAC is to write more grants and to form a foundation so that money will be available on an ongoing basis to support the parents of special need students.
Julie Dobrow suggested that Ms. Muscolo also make a presentation to the PTA.
PAC will be sponsoring a presentation by Dr. Hester Brooks on the topic of integrating Assistive Technology. The title of the presentation is: “Curriculum access to all kinds of minds”, and is tentatively scheduled for October 30th at 6:30 p.m. in the Multi-purpose room in Hartwell. Ashton Peery suggested that perhaps the faculty at the school could also join this workshop.
Mr. Brandmeyer stated that PAC members are great advocates and he looks forward to working collaboratively with them.
Sue Hollingsworth moved to accept the PAC Annual Report. Jan Nyquist seconded. Approved 5-0. Hanscom Representative concurred.
Ashton Peery asked about Kathy O’Connell’s background as our new Math Specialist for the Lincoln School. Mr. Naso stated that Ms. O’Connell worked the past two years in Weston as a Math Specialist and worked very effectively in the area of professional development with the teachers, bringing clarity and cohesiveness to each grade level.
Paul Naso presented a proposal explaining the plan for the formation of a Task Force and the suggested responsibilities of its members. Possible areas of focus were reviewed and a timeline is set to report back to the School Committee by December 11th.
Some discussion ensued around the issues of affordability. Other questions need to be looked at too: What does research tell us the benefits are for low class size at elementary and middle schools? What about educational alternatives such as looping? What do other districts do inside and outside of Massachusetts? How do we promote a balance of diversity and inclusion.
More discussion followed questioning the need for a Task Force or would a public information meeting on the topic be better? A member of the audience suggested that the focus should be on the long range question of how to have good schools rather than the class size issue alone.
Mr. Peery stated that he sees the class size policy as part of a set of priorities that the Committee has to balance and he would like to see a discussion in that context. In the process of setting the budget do we want class size, inclusion, or diversity to drive the discussion? Jan Nyquist stated she would like the discussion in context of the broader picture. Mr. Brandmeyer stated that he hoped to get the direction the discussion would take from the School Committee.
The administrative team will build its budget proposal for presentation in early November and the Committee will submit its budget to the Finance Committee in December.
It is anticipated that the school department will be requested to propose both a base budget and a recommended budget (one that reflects the needs of the school department and allows for modest program improvements).
Members of the Committee had questions about the actual costs to run the school, whether the model we have in place today is the most efficient, and how to keep the teachers motivated and skilled through professional development.
Mr. Brandmeyer proposed to continue the conversation about budget at the September 18th meeting.
Jan Nyquist complimented Mr. Brandmeyer on the well written and concise memo he sent to the town.
Sue Hollingsworth asked Mr. Brandmeyer to add a paragraph addressing the privatization of housing at Hanscom.
Dennis Picker moved to authorize spending up to $100.000. Julie Dobrow seconded. Approved 5-0. Hanscom Representative concurred.
Respectfully submitted by
Stephanie Brown