Lincoln School Committee
Minutes of October 2, 2003
Hartwell Building, Lincoln MA

  1. Greetings and Call to Order
    The meeting was called to order by Sue Hollingsworth, Chair, at 7:03 p.m.
    Members present included Julie Dobrow, Dennis Picker, Jan Nyquist, and Ron Deak, Hanscom Representative. Ashton Peery, Vice Chair, arrived at 9:00 p.m.
    Also present were Michael Brandmeyer, Superintendent; Paul Naso, Assistant Superintendent; and Dave Jack, Business Manager.
    Members absent: Sherice Horton, METCO Representative.

  2. Chairperson’s and Members’ report
    Sue Hollingsworth thanked the faculty at the Lincoln School for an enjoyable and effective parent night at both the K-4 and Grades 5-8 Open House nights.

    Jan Nyquist expressed her excitement that her children are taking music lessons as part of the school’s music curriculum for grades 5 and 6.

  3. Superintendent’s Report
    Mr. Brandmeyer commented that Open House nights at both campuses went very well and that they were well attended.

    The Superintendent welcomed Karen Lewis, the new school nurse at the Lincoln Campus.

    Mr. Brandmeyer announced that October 10, 2003 is Institute Day. All faculty system- wide will be working on curriculum, program development and evaluation. Students will not have school on Friday. The Superintendent complimented Paul Naso for his extensive work and planning for this event.

    Mr. Brandmeyer reported that he taught two science classes at the Lincoln School today. He auctioned off a half personal day and lunch for a teacher as part of the LTA Auction last year. Specialist teacher, Terry Green, purchased this ‘gift’ at the auction.

    The Superintendent read excerpts from Lynn Wish’s very creative e-mail report of the softball game between Lincoln and Hanscom teachers and staff last week.

  4. Public Comments
    No public comments.

  5. Time Scheduled Appointments
    1. Mold Update
      Mr. Brandmeyer along with Dennis Picker gave a brief overview and update on the work being done at both campuses to clean the classrooms affected by mold. They shared information from the Mold Remediation Protocol draft developed by the Mold Management Team. The team consisted of representatives from the LTA, School Administration, Lincoln Board of Health and the Town Administrator’s office. The draft described the type of mold found and the cleaning procedures in place to correct the problem.

      Dave Jack gave a brief update on the cost of the clean up and abatement process. Insurance will cover most of the cost of the Lincoln campus. The Hanscom campus clean up costs will be covered by monies left over from Hanscom’s FY03 budget.

      Mr. Brandmeyer asked the Committee for their support in compensating the teachers for time they will be spending putting their classrooms back in order once they are allowed to occupy them once again.

      Dennis Picker moved to authorize the Superintendent, at his discretion, to award displaced teachers one day’s pay at their per diem rate to set up their classrooms. Julie Dobrow seconded. Approved 4-0. Hanscom Representative concurred.

    2. METCO Steering Committee

      Julie Dobrow reported the dates for the METCO Forum Information Session and Discussion Session sponsored by the METCO Steering Committee. The Information Session will be held on November 13, 2003 from 7:00 to 9:00 p. m.; A panel will be presenting a balanced view covering three topic areas: Cost, Educational Outcomes /Value, and Diversity.

      The Discussion Session on Saturday, November 15th will begin at 9:30 a.m.

      The Steering Committee is currently interviewing candidates to moderate this discussion and to field questions that come up during the session.

  6. Curriculum
    No Discussion

  7. Policy
    The Committee read and discussed the revised CORI Policy.
    Jan Nyquist moved to adopt the policy with corrections then approve the revised CORI Requirements Policy, the sample CORI Letter to Volunteers, and the CORI Request Form. Ron Deak seconded. Approved 4-0. Hanscom Representative concurred.

  8. Budget and Financial
    1. FY05 Budget Development Mr. Brandmeyer presented a timeline for the FY05 Budget Development Schedule. The Superintendent will meet with the school principals on October 10th for budget reviews. The principals will present their budget reports at the October 23rd School Committee meeting. The Finance Committee requests budget documents from the school department by December 1, 2003, and has scheduled a Budget Review Session for all departments on December 13th.
    2. Warrant Approval
      Jan Nyquist moved to accept the warrants in the amount of $823,590.35.
      This consisted of one payroll and three accounts payable. Dennis Picker seconded. Approved 4-0. Hanscom Representative concurred.

  9. Old Business
    1. State of the Town Discussion
      Ron Deak, Hanscom Representative, reported on the meeting for the Privatization Housing project at Hanscom Air Force Base. School Committee members asked about the Town of Lincoln’s involvement with this project. Mr. Deak stated that the design of the project is due by November 5th and that the Town should be involved in a discussion with the contractors prior to this date.

      Members of the Committee asked the Superintendent to address this issue in his letter to the Board of Selectmen in preparation for the State of the Town Meeting on November 1, 2003.

      Mr. Brandmeyer asked members of the School Committee to be part of the presentation team to deliver the School Department’s issues at the November 1st meeting. Sue Hollingsworth requested that the Superintendent also add public safety issues regarding transportation to the above mentioned letter to the Board of Selectmen.

    2. Review October Meeting Dates
      In order to allow time to prepare material for a preliminary FY05 budget, the Superintendent asked the Committee to move its October 16th meeting to the 23rd, along with tentative meetings set for October 30th and December 4th

      Jan Nyquist moved to approve the meeting date changes. Dennis Picker seconded. Approved 5-0.

      The School Committee meeting on November 6th will be held in Boston.

    3. New Business
      School Committee members discussed the negotiated time of opening the doors to the Lincoln School at 8:00 a.m. Mr. Brandmeyer stated that he needs to share the wishes of the Committee with the building principal, Mr. Schultz, so that he could implement a plan and put it in place. Ashton Peery and Julie Dobrow offered to work with Mr. Schultz if he would like their assistance.

      The Superintendent reports that Kevin Mooney, Police Chief, hired a special crossing guard for a month, as there was a near accident at the crosswalk at Town Hall.

      Mr. Brandmeyer asked the Committee if they are willing to co-fund the crossing guard position with the police department. After some discussion about other crosswalks also warranting a guard, it was decided to address the safety issues at the State of the Town meeting.

      Jan Nyquist reported that Sonja Wolfsberg has asked for a leave of her duties as School Committee appointee to the Board the DeCordova Museum, due to her father’s illness. Jan said she will be happy to take on Sonja’s duties while she is away.

    4. Approval of Minutes
      No minutes enclosed for September 4th or September 18th.

    5. Information Enclosures
      None

    6. Adjournment
      Jan Nyquist moved to adjourn the meeting. Dennis Picker seconded. Approved 5-0.
      Hanscom Representative left the meeting at 9:30 p.m.
      The meeting adjourned at 10:27 p.m.

    Respectfully submitted by
    Stephanie Brown