School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING AGENDA Date: 2014-11-19 Time: 6:30 PM Location: City Council Chamber 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA SALUTE TO FLAG: 1. SALUTE TO FLAG: ROLL CALL: 2. ROLL CALL: SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: 3. 2014 / 466 Infectious Disease Report by Health Department Officials Jo-Ann Keegan, Frank Singleton, and Lesa Gulbicki. MINUTES: 4. 2014 / 464 Approval of the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, November 5, 2014. PERMISSION TO ENTER: 5. 2014 / 459 Permission to Enter: November 19, 2014 MEMORIALS: 6. 2014 / 475 Carol Stys, retired Murkland School Teacher and mother of the Special Education Director Jennifer McCrystal. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: 7. 2014 / 478 Paul Georges, to speak on Motion # 2014/458. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • P: 978.674.4324 • F: 978.937.7609 http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 3) MOTIONS: 8. 2014 / 455 [by Rodney Elliott]: Request the Superintendent consider developing a curriculum at LHS that focuses on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). 9. 2014 / 457 [by Mayor Rodney Elliott]: Request Superintendent contact area banks to seek support in expanding financial literacy program. 10. 2014 / 458 [by Steve Gendron]: Request the School Committee extend the contract of Jean Franco by one year through June of 2016. 11. 2014 / 460 [by David J. Conway]: To ask the Superintendent to meet with the Lowell Chief of Police to discuss the merit and feasibility of installing the “Shooter Protection System” for improved safety in our schools. 12. 2014 / 465 [by Kimberly Scott]: Request the Superintendent provide monthly financial updates including year to day expenditures and overtime reports. 13. 2014 / 467 [by Steve Gendron]: Request the Lowell High School Headmaster to report on the possibility of students using courtyards during school day. 14. 2014 / 468 [by Steve Gendron]: Request the Lowell High School Athletic Director to report the Athletic Subcommittee the status of Lowell High School Hockey Team. 15. 2014 / 469 [by Steve Gendron]: Request the Lowell High School Headmaster report to the Athletic Subcommittee on status of Lowell High School sports statistician. 16. 2014 / 470 [by Kimberly Scott]: Request the Superintendent develop a plan to participate in CS Education Week of December 8 through December 14, 2014. 17. 2014 / 471 [by Kimberly Scott]: Request the Superintendent develop a middle school Lyceum program. 18. 2014 / 472 [by Kimberly Scott]: Request the Superintendent provide a timeline on spelling instruction across the district. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • P: 978.674.4324 • F: 978.937.7609 http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 3) 19. 2014 / 473 [by Kimberly Scott]: Request the Superintendent provide an update on the uniformity of course offerings and curriculum at of all the elementary and middle schools across the district. REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT: 20. 2014 / 456 Disposal of Surplus Materials – Textbooks 21. 2014 / 463 Personnel Report 22. 2014 / 477 Response to Lowell High School Swimming Pool Scoreboard Motion. CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS: 23. 2014 / 461 Permission for Twenty Five (25) Lowell High students and four (4) staff members as chaperones, Maria Vejar, Carla Correa, Damery Montoya and Julio DeCarvalho to travel to the Galapagos Island. This trip is in accordance with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. The trip is schedule during April School vacation, however, in order to get the full experience of this trip two extra days are needed for traveling purposes. Students will leave on Friday, April 15 and return on Monday April 25, 2016. One (1) substitute will be needed for two days; however the cost of the substitute of $200 will be paid by Explorica Travel. The total cost of the trip per student will be $3,669.00. Chaperones will be responsible for all of their own expenses. 24. 2014 / 462 Permission for Title I Director Patricia Guziejka, to attend the annual Council of Administrators of Compensatory Education (C.A.C.E.) Conference to be held on Tuesday, December 2nd through Friday, December 5, 2014 in Chatham, MA. The cost of the conference will not exceed $895.00 and will be funded by Title I. Substitute is not needed. ADJOURNMENT: 25. ADJOURNMENT: Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • P: 978.674.4324 • F: 978.937.7609 http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING AGENDA Date: 2014-11-19 Time: 6:30 PM Location: City Council Chamber 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA SALUTE TO FLAG: 1. SALUTE TO FLAG: ROLL CALL: 2. ROLL CALL: SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: 3. 2014 / 466 Infectious Disease Report by Health Department Officials Jo-Ann Keegan, Frank Singleton, and Lesa Gulbicki. MINUTES: 4. 2014 / 464 Approval of the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, November 5, 2014. PERMISSION TO ENTER: 5. 2014 / 459 Permission to Enter: November 19, 2014 MEMORIALS: 6. 2014 / 475 Carol Stys, retired Murkland School Teacher and mother of the Special Education Director Jennifer McCrystal. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 4) PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: 7. 2014 / 478 Paul Georges, to speak on Motion # 2014/458. MOTIONS: 8. 2014 / 455 [by Rodney Elliott]: Request the Superintendent consider developing a curriculum at LHS that focuses on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). 9. 2014 / 457 [by Mayor Rodney Elliott]: Request Superintendent contact area banks to seek support in expanding financial literacy program. 10. 2014 / 458 [by Steve Gendron]: Request the School Committee extend the contract of Jean Franco by one year through June of 2016. 11. 2014 / 460 [by David J. Conway]: To ask the Superintendent to meet with the Lowell Chief of Police to discuss the merit and feasibility of installing the “Shooter Protection System” for improved safety in our schools. 12. 2014 / 465 [by Kimberly Scott]: Request the Superintendent provide monthly financial updates including year to day expenditures and overtime reports. 13. 2014 / 467 [by Steve Gendron]: Request the Lowell High School Headmaster to report on the possibility of students using courtyards during school day. 14. 2014 / 468 [by Steve Gendron]: Request the Lowell High School Athletic Director to report the Athletic Subcommittee the status of Lowell High School Hockey Team. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 4) 15. 2014 / 469 [by Steve Gendron]: Request the Lowell High School Headmaster report to the Athletic Subcommittee on status of Lowell High School sports statistician. 16. 2014 / 470 [by Kimberly Scott]: Request the Superintendent develop a plan to participate in CS Education Week of December 8 through December 14, 2014. 17. 2014 / 471 [by Kimberly Scott]: Request the Superintendent develop a middle school Lyceum program. 18. 2014 / 472 [by Kimberly Scott]: Request the Superintendent provide a timeline on spelling instruction across the district. 19. 2014 / 473 [by Kimberly Scott]: Request the Superintendent provide an update on the uniformity of course offerings and curriculum at of all the elementary and middle schools across the district. REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT: 20. 2014 / 456 Disposal of Surplus Materials – Textbooks 21. 2014 / 463 Personnel Report 22. 2014 / 477 Response to Lowell High School Swimming Pool Scoreboard Motion. CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS: Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 4 of 4) 23. 2014 / 461 Permission for Twenty Five (25) Lowell High students and four (4) staff members as chaperones, Maria Vejar, Carla Correa, Damery Montoya and Julio DeCarvalho to travel to the Galapagos Island. This trip is in accordance with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. The trip is schedule during April School vacation, however, in order to get the full experience of this trip two extra days are needed for traveling purposes. Students will leave on Friday, April 15 and return on Monday April 25, 2016. One (1) substitute will be needed for two days; however the cost of the substitute of $200 will be paid by Explorica Travel. The total cost of the trip per student will be $3,669.00. Chaperones will be responsible for all of their own expenses. 24. 2014 / 462 Permission for Title I Director Patricia Guziejka, to attend the annual Council of Administrators of Compensatory Education (C.A.C.E.) Conference to be held on Tuesday, December 2nd through Friday, December 5, 2014 in Chatham, MA. The cost of the conference will not exceed $895.00 and will be funded by Title I. Substitute is not needed. ADJOURNMENT: 25. ADJOURNMENT: Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Infectious Disease Report by Health Department Officials Jo-Ann Keegan, Frank Singleton, and Lesa Gulbicki. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 466 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: Infectious Disease Report  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Approval of the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, November 5, 2014. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 464 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Permission to Enter: November 19, 2014 To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 459 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Office of Finance & Operations Phone: (978) 674-2019 LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 155 Merrimack Street Fax: (978) 937-7620 Lowell, Massachusetts 08152 E-mail: jlang@lowell.k12.ma.us PERMISSION TO ENTER To: Jean M. Franco, Superintendent of Schools From: Jay Lang, Deputy Superintendent of Finance and Operations Date: November 14, 2014 Subject: Permission to Enter – November 19, 2014 School Committee Meeting BRANDON RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT CENTER, INC. $ 54,839 27 Winter Street Natick, MA 01760 To provide for the out-of district tuition costs for one (1) student enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP. Funding provided by the School Department – Special Education Tuition Account FLLAC EDUCATIONAL COLLABORATIVE $ 53,344 2 Narrows Road Suite C105 Westminster, MA 01473 To provide for the out-of district tuition costs for one (1) student enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP. Funding provided by the School Department – Special Education Tuition Account THE MCLEAN HOSPITAL CORPORATION $ 54,814 115 Mill Street MA 101 Belmont, MA 02178 To provide for the out-of district tuition costs for one (1) student enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP. Funding provided by the School Department – Special Education Tuition Account  ROBERT F. KENNEDY CHILDREN’S ACTON CORP. $ 56,573 11 Beacon Street, Suite 200 Boston, MA 02108 To provide for the out-of district tuition costs for one (1) student enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP. Funding provided by the School Department – Special Education Tuition Account DEBORAH KRUPKOSKI $ 12,125 3 Trailside Drive Chelmsford, MA 01824 To provide professional development for administrators and classroom teachers/special education staff who will learn key concepts related to balanced literacy instruction and assessment in alternative school settings. Funding provided by the Title I Grant 2  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Carol Stys, retired Murkland School Teacher and mother of the Special Education Director Jennifer McCrystal. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 475 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Paul Georges, to speak on Motion # 2014/458. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 478 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 [by Rodney Elliott]: Request the Superintendent consider developing a curriculum at LHS that focuses on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 455 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 [by Mayor Rodney Elliott]: Request Superintendent contact area banks to seek support in expanding financial literacy program. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 457 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 [by Steve Gendron]: Request the School Committee extend the contract of Jean Franco by one year through June of 2016. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 458 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 [by David J. Conway]: To ask the Superintendent to meet with the Lowell Chief of Police to discuss the merit and feasibility of installing the “Shooter Protection System” for improved safety in our schools. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 460 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 [by Kimberly Scott]: Request the Superintendent provide monthly financial updates including year to day expenditures and overtime reports. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 465 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 [by Steve Gendron]: Request the Lowell High School Headmaster to report on the possibility of students using courtyards during school day. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 467 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 [by Steve Gendron]: Request the Lowell High School Athletic Director to report the Athletic Subcommittee the status of Lowell High School Hockey Team. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 468 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 [by Steve Gendron]: Request the Lowell High School Headmaster report to the Athletic Subcommittee on status of Lowell High School sports statistician. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 469 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 [by Kimberly Scott]: Request the Superintendent develop a plan to participate in CS Education Week of December 8 through December 14, 2014. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 470 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 [by Kimberly Scott]: Request the Superintendent develop a middle school Lyceum program. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 471 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 [ by Kimberly Scott]: Request the Superintendent provide a timeline on spelling instruction across the district. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 472 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Disposal of Surplus Materials – Textbooks To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 456 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment Phone: (978) 674-4323 43 Highland Street Fax: (978) 674-2146 Lowell, Massachusetts 01852 E-mail: cabrams@lowell.k12.ma.us Disposal of Surplus Materials Textbooks TO: Jean M. Franco, Superintendent FROM: M. Claire Abrams, Assistant Superintendent DATE: November 13, 2014 RE: Disposal of Surplus Materials - Textbooks The following is a report on the motion below. Textbooks Disposal [by David Conway]: Request the Superintendent provides a report with recommendations regarding the disposal of our outdated textbooks and other associated material. The Lowell Public Schools does have a Disposal of Surplus Supplies Policy approved by the School Committee on November 12, 2003. The policy is attached on the following page.  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Personnel Report To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 463 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS Personnel Office Phone: (978) 674-2021 43 Highland Street Fax: (978) 674-2141 Lowell, Massachusetts 01852 E-mail: mcassidy@lowell.k12.ma.us Personnel Report TO: Jean Franco, Superintendent FROM: Michael Cassidy, Director of Human Resources DATE: November 12, 2014 RE: Personnel Report The Personnel Office is hereby officially informing you of retirements, resignations, promotions and new hires. Thank you for sharing this report with members of the Lowell School Committee and including it in the official record. MC/dj 1  I. RETIREMENTS Cynthia Ung (24 yrs) Special Education Teacher 219 Jenness Street Shaughnessy School Lynn, MA 01904 Effective Date: January 20, 2015 Marilyn McCarthy (21 yrs) Social Worker 402 Sutton Street Shaughnessy School North Andover, MA 01845 Effective Date: June 30, 2015 Eugene Verschoor (22 yrs) Technology Education Teacher 16 Pleasant Street Sullivan School West Newbury, MA 01985 Effective Date: June 30, 2015 II. RESIGNATIONS Darryl Doiron Math Resource Teacher 157 Virginia Ave Rogers/Bailey Schools Lowell, MA 01852 Effective Date: November 11, 2014 Gretchen Dussault Biology Teacher 55 Starbird Street Lowell High School Lowell, MA 01854 Effective Date: October 17, 2014 Susan Perry Paraprofessional 112 Potter Road Washington School Gilmantin Ironworks, NH 03837 Effective Date: September 22, 2014 Jennifer Stover Mathematics Teacher 12 Gallup Drive Lowell High School Chelmsford, MA 01824 Effective Date: January 24, 2015 Danielle Coimbra Paraprofessional 35 Jenness Street Wang School Lowell, MA 01851 Effective Date: September 24, 2014 Erica Van Fleet Art Teacher 20 Barrett Street Pawtucketville Memorial School Manchester, NH 03104 Effective Date: August 14, 2014 III. NEW HIRES AND PROMOTIONS (P = Promotion) None to report IV. TEACHERS HIRED FROM THE LIST OF ELIGIBLE TEACHERS None to report 2  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Response to Lowell High School Swimming Pool Scoreboard Motion. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 477 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Permission for Twenty Five (25) Lowell High students and four (4) staff members as chaperones, Maria Vejar, Carla Correa, Damery Montoya and Julio DeCarvalho to travel to the Galapagos Island. This trip is in accordance with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. The trip is schedule during April School vacation, however, in order to get the full experience of this trip two extra days are needed for traveling purposes. Students will leave on Friday, April 15 and return on Monday April 25, 2016. One (1) substitute will be needed for two days; however the cost of the substitute of $200 will be paid by Explorica Travel. The total cost of the trip per student will be $3,669.00. Chaperones will be responsible for all of their own expenses. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 461 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: LHS Galapagos field trip  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Permission for Title I Director Patricia Guziejka, to attend the annual Council of Administrators of Compensatory Education (C.A.C.E.) Conference to be held on Tuesday, December 2nd through Friday, December 5, 2014 in Chatham, MA. The cost of the conference will not exceed $895.00 and will be funded by Title I. Substitute is not needed. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2014 / 462 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: