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Adopted January 23, 2001
Date Approved by School Committee: 1/ 23/ 01
The Lexington School Committee, parents, teachers and the greater Lexington community share a common purpose to provide ongoing support for public education. The Committee welcomes and encourages efforts in support of individual schools whether those efforts are demonstrated by the contribution of time and talents or by financial donations.
Activities to promote communication between home and school, support the educational program and build a sense of community are important to the spirit of each school and should continue. Examples of such activities at the elementary level include but are not limited to school newsletters and notices, school fairs, family events such as picnics and talent shows, family math nights, interior/ exterior enhancements such as plantings and murals, interior display cases and bulletin board supplies.
The School Committee recognizes that residencies secured through Arts Created Together (A.C.T.) monies and or Lexington Education Foundation (L.E.F.) grants enhance curriculum and should continue. However, any initiative to provide enrichment materials and activities must be consonant with the educational goals of each school and with Lexington Public Schools ’ core values. . The School Committee urges all school- affiliated groups to work collaboratively with the principals and school councils throughout the year to define appropriate enrichment objectives.
Trying to reach an appropriate balance between focus on individual schools and focus on the school system as a whole is a worthy goal. The role of the School Committee is to maximize system wide resources for all Lexington students and to see they are distributed in a fair and equitable manner. Enrichment should focus at class, grade or school levels as opposed to being for the benefit of individual students. The final decision with regard to approving efforts to enrich student experiences before, during and after school hours rests with the school principal.
Acquisition of computer technology by individual schools through fund raising, donation of equipment and/ or grants will be counted toward the goals enumerated within the Technology Plan. The Lexington School Committee endorses the system- wide Technology Plan and will advocate for funds toward the Plan’s full implementation.
Generally speaking, funding raising for the purpose of purchasing large capital items that are standard use for school buildings and grounds is beyond the scope of responsibility for parent- teacher organizations and members of the community at large. Examples of large capital items include but are not limited to copier machines, play-ground equipment and classroom furniture. However, there are times when funding from the P. T. A. can enhance a school program. Therefore, elementary P. T. A.’s will be allowed to annually spend an amount approved by the school committee with consultation from the school administration on building and equipment projects. In addition, a system will be developed for P. T. A.’s to work with their building principals and the Director of Facilities and Grounds to generate a list for system-wide prioritization of building and equipment related projects.
Providing financial resources for the purposes of hiring building staff (certified and classified contracted personnel) and/ or changing established curricula is beyond the scope of responsibility for parent-teacher organizations and members of the community at large. This decision is the responsibility of the Lexington School Committee in concert with the professional judgment of the school administration.
Fund raising projects, which entail door-to-door solicitations by students of grades K- 5, will not be allowed.
Appeals and request for consideration of exceptions to this policy should be directed to the attention of the Lexington School Committee and the Superintendent of Schools.