1. Greetings and Call to Order
   The meeting was called to order by Ashton Peery, Vice Chair, at 7:02 p.m.
   Members present included Julie Dobrow; Dennis Picker; and Sherice Horton, METCO Representative.
   Also present were Michael Brandmeyer, Superintendent; Judy Glassman, Associate Principal; Paul Naso, Assistant Superintendent; and Dave Jack, Business Administrator.
   Members absent: Sue Hollingsworth, Jan Nyquist and Ron Deak, Hanscom Representative.

2. Chairperson’s and Members’ report
   Ashton Peery introduced Paul Naso to the METCO parents and explained that Mr. Naso is doing work in the area of curriculum and professional development.

3. Superintendent’s Report
   Mr. Brandmeyer stated that he will hold his comments for the time scheduled appointment session.

4. Public Comments
   Several METCO parents thanked the School Committee for their commitment to the children currently enrolled in the METCO Program.

5. Time Scheduled Appointments
   1. METCO Report
      Christina Horner, METCO Director gave a brief report on the current status of the METCO Program. She thanked the parent volunteers who have been coming to the school and helping out with clerical tasks. Ms. Horner’s hours were cut to 50% this year and the METCO office also lost the clerical position.

      Ms. Horner announced that six to ten Lincoln teachers will be attending the METCO Director’s Association Conference this year.

      Ms. Horner reported that 12 students K-4 attended the Lincoln Harvest Montessori Program this past summer and as a result the children felt a part of the Lincoln community. Ms. Horner stated that the Saturday Scholars Program is going well. This four hour program focuses on basic study skills, test taking and one on one instruction to increase reading speed. Lastly, Ms. Horner reports that in order to improve communication a weekly update is going home with the METCO children every Friday to let the parents know about upcoming events on the calendar such as conference dates, meetings and days off from school.

   2. Discussion of METCO Forum
      Mr. Peery introduced Julie Dobrow and Dennis Picker, our new School Committee members who have been appointed since the last Boston meeting, to the parents in attendance. Mr. Brandmeyer and Julie Dobrow gave a brief overview of the upcoming Information Night and the METCO Forum on Saturday, November 15th. Ms. Dobrow spoke about how and why this forum came about. Last spring a community member submitted a warrant article seeking to reduce METCO. The person who put forth the article agreed to withdraw it so that the community could engage in a conversation about METCO and its future in Lincoln. A steering committee comprised of members of the School Committee, PTA, Lincoln Sudbury School Committee, League of Women Voters and the K-8 Task Force was formed to plan the upcoming sessions.

      Ms. Dobrow explained the format that is being used for both the Information Night and the Forum and urged the parents to attend and to participate.

      Dennis Picker stated that the Information night on November 13th will provide information regarding the cost of the METCO program and its benefits.

      After some questions and discussion around cost, Mr. Brandmeyer stated that there is work being done in cooperation with other METCO communities on making a recommendation to advocate for State funding for METCO much like the funding that is available for School Choice Programs. If successful, this would increase the State’s support for the program significantly.

      Jean McGuire from METCO Inc. encouraged the parents to get involved in all aspects by attending the Forum, by joining other METCO families on Lobby Day at the state level and by contacting their congressmen. Multiple Boston parents expressed concern about the future of METCO in Lincoln. In particular they wanted to know what would happen to currently enrolled children. The School Committee emphasized that it would do whatever it could to ensure that everyone currently enrolled can complete their K-8 at the Lincoln School.

   3. Proposal for Overnight Field Trip to Washington DC
      Judy Glassman presented a proposal for the Lincoln School grade 8 overnight trip to Washington D.C. on June 1-4, 2004. Dennis Picker complimented Ms. Glassman on the proposal and the information tying the educational content of the trip to the curriculum.

      After some discussion regarding the issue of transportation safety, Dennis Picker moved to approve the proposal for the overnight field trip to Washington D.C. Julie Dobrow seconded. Approved 3-0. METCO Representative concurred.

   4. FY05 Budget Update
      Mr. Brandmeyer briefly summarized the FY05 Budget Proposal that was presented to the School Committee on October 23rd The Finance Committee has asked for a zero-based budget (no increase) and an override request. The School Committee is currently in budget reviews and will present the school budget to the Finance Committee on December 11, 2003.

6. Curriculum
   No discussion

7. Policy
   No Discussion

8. Budget and Financial
   1. FY04 financial Report
      Ashton Peery presented a brief report on the status of the current budget. He reports that the budget is healthy this year despite all the expenses due to the mold clean up. Insurance covered most of these costs.

   2. Warrant Approval
      Ashton Peery moved to accept the warrants in the amount of $590,694.67
      This consisted of one payroll and two accounts payable.
      Julie Dobrow seconded. Approved 3-0. METCO Representative concurred.

9. Old Business
   Julie Dobrow asked for an update on the 8:00 a.m. opening of school. Mr. Brandmeyer reported that this was instituted on November 3rd and is going smoothly. METCO parents thanked the School Committee for negotiating to open the school doors at 8:00 a.m.

10. New Business
    Dennis Picker asked that the School Committee adopt a set of Goals for itself for this year. He requested that this topic be placed on a future School Committee agenda for the purpose of reminding the Committee what they need to accomplish and to keep them on track. Ashton Peery suggested he would like to see the review of policies on the list of goals.

11. Approval of Minutes
    None available

12. Information Enclosures
    None

13. Adjournment
    Julie Dobrow moved to adjourn the meeting.
    Sherice Horton seconded. Approved 3-0.

    The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by
Stephanie Brown