School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, January 21, 2015 TIME 6:30 PM SALUTE TO FLAG: 1. - SALUTE TO FLAG: ROLL CALL: 2. - ROLL CALL: On a roll call at 6:34 p.m., members present were, namely: Ms. Ross-Sitcawich, Mr. Conway, Mayor/Chairman Elliott, Mr. Gendron, Mr. Leary and Ms. Martin. Ms. Scott was absent. MINUTES: 3. 2015 / 9 - Approval of the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, January 7, 2015 VOTING Motion by: Kristin Ross-Sitcawich Second by: Connie Martin Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Elliott, Rodney M. x Conway, David x Gendron, Stephen x Leary, James x Martin, Connie x Ross-Sitcawich, Kristin x Scott, Kimberly Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 21) PERMISSION TO ENTER: 4. 2015 / 10 - Permission to Enter: January 21, 2015 VOTING Motion by: Connie Martin Second by: Kristin Ross-Sitcawich Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Elliott, Rodney M. x Conway, David x Gendron, Stephen x Leary, James x Martin, Connie x Ross-Sitcawich, Kristin x Scott, Kimberly MEMORIALS: 5. 2015 / 33 - Gregory Murphy, brother of the City Manager Kevin Murphy, brother of retired Lowell High School Housemaster Kathy Akashian, brother-in-law of retired Assistant Superintendent Ann Murphy, brother-in-law of retired teacher Norma Murphy, uncle of Lowell High School Hockey Coach Brian Akashian. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 21) MOTIONS: 6. 2015 / 14 - [by Steve Gendron]: Request that the Superintendent begin preparations for the 2nd annual Citywide Community Service Day in April. VOTING Motion by: Stephen Gendron Second by: David Conway Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Elliott, Rodney M. x Conway, David x Gendron, Stephen x Leary, James x Martin, Connie x Ross-Sitcawich, Kristin x Scott, Kimberly 7. - A motion was made to suspend the rules to take motion # 2015/15 and motion # 2015/29 together. VOTING Motion by: James Leary Second by: David Conway Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Elliott, Rodney M. x Conway, David x Gendron, Stephen x Leary, James x Martin, Connie x Ross-Sitcawich, Kristin x Scott, Kimberly Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 4 of 21) 7.1. 2015 / 15 - [by David J. Conway]: To ask the Superintendent and the Mayor to schedule a joint subcommittee meeting between the Lowell High School Subcommittee and the City Councils' Educational Partnerships. This joint subcommittee meeting would be prudent in light of the fact that the MSBA Board of Directors is contemplating the Lowell High School project at their March meeting. A motion was made to suspend the rules to take motion # 2015/15 and motion # 2015/29 together. The motion passed. 8. 2015 / 16 - [by David J. Conway]: To request that the Superintendent determine a consulting company to do a full "Safety Audit" of all our schools. This company must be a specialist in school safety and is not to be a manufacturer or agent of any safety products or programs. VOTING Motion by: David Conway Second by: Connie Martin Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Elliott, Rodney M. x Conway, David x Gendron, Stephen x Leary, James x Martin, Connie x Ross-Sitcawich, Kristin x Scott, Kimberly Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 5 of 21) 9. 2015 / 29 - [by James Leary]: Request Mayor Elliot arrange a joint meeting between the City Council Facilities Subcommittee and the School Committee Facilities Subcommittees prior to the MSBA Board of Directors meeting in March to discuss of the Lowell High School Project. A motion was made to suspend the rules to take motion # 2015/15 and motion # 2015/29 together. The motion passed. SUBCOMMITTEES: 10. 2015 / 11 - Lowell High School: Report and Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of Tuesday, January 6, 2015 [David Conway, Chair] Mr. Conway, Chair of the Lowell High School Subcommittee spoke to the Committee about the Colleen Creegan TV studio and their plan to revisit the mission of the television studio. He also spoke about the 1826 store and potentially setting up a small store at the front of the Family Resource Center. He concluded sharing responses to open motions. The report was accepted as a report of progress. VOTING Motion by: Stephen Gendron Second by: James Leary Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Elliott, Rodney M. x Conway, David x Gendron, Stephen x Leary, James x Martin, Connie x Ross-Sitcawich, Kristin x Scott, Kimberly Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 6 of 21) 11. - A motion was made to recommend to the Committee as a whole to approve the research study of Elizabeth Often, UMASS Lowell Doctoral candidate. VOTING Motion by: Connie Martin Second by: Kristin Ross-Sitcawich Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Elliott, Rodney M. x Conway, David x Gendron, Stephen x Leary, James x Martin, Connie x Ross-Sitcawich, Kristin x Scott, Kimberly 11.1. 2015 / 34 - Curriculum: Report and Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of Tuesday, January 13, 2015 [Connie Martin, Chairperson] Ms. Martin, Chair of the Curriculum Subcommittee spoke to the Committee about the Research Proposal by Elizabeth Often. A motion was then made to recommend to the Committee as a whole to approve the research study of Elizabeth Often, UMASS Lowell Doctoral candidate. The motion passed. She also gave the Committee an update on school by school data as well as a community services update. The report was accepted as a report of progress. VOTING Motion by: James Leary Second by: Kristin Ross-Sitcawich Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 7 of 21) Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Elliott, Rodney M. x Conway, David x Gendron, Stephen x Leary, James x Martin, Connie x Ross-Sitcawich, Kristin x Scott, Kimberly 12. - A motion was made to have the Superintendent's job posting include a qualification that candidates must have some teaching and administrative work experience in education. VOTING Motion by: David Conway Second by: Connie Martin Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Elliott, Rodney M. x Conway, David x Gendron, Stephen x Leary, James x Martin, Connie x Ross-Sitcawich, Kristin x Scott, Kimberly 12.1. - A motion was made to approve the timeline as submitted to the Committee for the Superintendent's Selection. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 8 of 21) VOTING Motion by: Connie Martin Second by: Kristin Ross-Sitcawich Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Elliott, Rodney M. x Conway, David x Gendron, Stephen x Leary, James x Martin, Connie x Ross-Sitcawich, Kristin x Scott, Kimberly 12.2. - A motion was made to approve the survey as submitted for the Superintendent's Search. VOTING Motion by: Connie Martin Second by: James Leary Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Elliott, Rodney M. x Conway, David x Gendron, Stephen x Leary, James x Martin, Connie x Ross-Sitcawich, Kristin x Scott, Kimberly Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 9 of 21) 12.3. 2015 / 25 - Personnel: Report of the Personnel Subcommittee Meeting of Monday, January 15, 2015 [Connie Martin, Chair] Ms. Martin, Chairperson of the Personnel Subcommittee spoke to the Committee about the Superintendent’s Search process. She informed the Committee that the posting will be advertised in Education Week and that a copy of the advertisement must be submitted by February 13, 2015. She also gave the timeline for focus groups, a screening committee and eventual site visits and final interviews. The following motions were made. A motion was made to have the Superintendent's job posting include a qualification that candidates must have some teaching and administrative work experience in education. A motion was made to approve the survey as submitted for the Superintendent's Search. A motion was made to approve the timeline as submitted to the Committee for the Superintendent's Selection. All of the above motions passed. The report was accepted as a report of progress. VOTING Motion by: Stephen Gendron Second by: David Conway Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Elliott, Rodney M. x Conway, David x Gendron, Stephen x Leary, James x Martin, Connie x Ross-Sitcawich, Kristin x Scott, Kimberly Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 10 of 21) REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT: 13. 2015 / 13 - January Quarterly Report on Motions Superintendent Franco presented the Quarterly Report on motions to the Committee and welcomed any questions they may have. The report was accepted as a report of progress. VOTING Motion by: James Leary Second by: Stephen Gendron Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Elliott, Rodney M. x Conway, David x Gendron, Stephen x Leary, James x Martin, Connie x Ross-Sitcawich, Kristin x Scott, Kimberly 14. 2015 / 18 - Before and After School Programming Summary Report Superintendent Franco spoke to the Committee about the Before and After School Program Summary report that she received from Jeannine M. Durkin, Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services. The report informed the Committee that providing all students with access and community based child care and enrichment opportunities continues to be a goal of the district. To support this goal, the Lowell Public Schools has secured $ 1,171,644 in 21st Century Community Learning Center grant funds to provide free and after school care at eight (8) of our schools. The report was accepted as a report of progress. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 11 of 21) VOTING Motion by: David Conway Second by: Kristin Ross-Sitcawich Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Elliott, Rodney M. x Conway, David x Gendron, Stephen x Leary, James x Martin, Connie x Ross-Sitcawich, Kristin x Scott, Kimberly 15. 2015 / 28 - Status Update: School Safety and Security Review Superintendent Franco spoke about the memorandum that she received from Jay Lang, Deputy Superintendent of Finance and Operations regarding school safety and security review. Deputy Lang informed the Committee that the business office has recently reviewed the request for proposals (RFP’s) that have been issued in other districts and educational institutions to engage the services of a firm to conduct a safety and security review of the district facilities. District and school safety plans have been updated and are ready for review by an outside firm. The report included a timeline for the issuance of the RFP and anticipated work. The report was accepted as a report of progress. VOTING Motion by: Connie Martin Second by: James Leary Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Elliott, Rodney M. x Conway, David x Gendron, Stephen x Leary, James x Martin, Connie x Ross-Sitcawich, Kristin x Scott, Kimberly Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 12 of 21) 16. 2015 / 17 - UTEC Update Superintendent Franco spoke to the Committee about the UTEC update that she received from Jeannine M. Durkin, Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services. The update informed the Committee that the UTEC Alternative Diploma Program (ADP) will no longer be offered to Lowell Public School students after the 2014-2015 school year. The report was accepted as a report of progress. VOTING Motion by: Stephen Gendron Second by: David Conway Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Elliott, Rodney M. x Conway, David x Gendron, Stephen x Leary, James x Martin, Connie x Ross-Sitcawich, Kristin x Scott, Kimberly 17. 2015 / 26 - MSBA Application & Funding Process Superintendent Franco spoke about the memorandum that she received from Jay Lang, Deputy Superintendent of Finance and Operations regarding the MSBA application and funding process. The report included the information posted on the MSBA website for the various phases of the application process if the Lowell High School project receives approval. The report was accepted as a report of progress. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 13 of 21) VOTING Motion by: Connie Martin Second by: James Leary Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Elliott, Rodney M. x Conway, David x Gendron, Stephen x Leary, James x Martin, Connie x Ross-Sitcawich, Kristin x Scott, Kimberly 18. 2015 / 27 - Personnel Report Superintendent Franco shared the Personnel Report that she received from Michael Cassidy, Director of Human Resources. The report officially informs the Committee of all retirements, resignations, promotions and new hires. The report was accepted as a report of progress. VOTING Motion by: Connie Martin Second by: Stephen Gendron Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Elliott, Rodney M. x Conway, David x Gendron, Stephen x Leary, James x Martin, Connie x Ross-Sitcawich, Kristin x Scott, Kimberly Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 14 of 21) 19. 2015 / 32 - Hiring & Recruitment Schedule Superintendent Franco shared the Personnel Office update that she received from Michael Cassidy, Director of Human Resources. The update informs the Committee that the personnel office has begun the hiring process and developed a recruitment plan for the 2015-2016 school year. The report was accepted as a report of progress. VOTING Motion by: Kristin Ross-Sitcawich Second by: Connie Martin Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Elliott, Rodney M. x Conway, David x Gendron, Stephen x Leary, James x Martin, Connie x Ross-Sitcawich, Kristin x Scott, Kimberly 20. 2015 / 31 - Home Education Superintendent Franco recommended that the following parents/guardians be allowed to home educate their child: Crystal and Arthur Gonsalves 86 Belmont Avenue Carol Nyereyegona 100 Massmills Drive Apt. 508 Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 15 of 21) VOTING Motion by: Stephen Gendron Second by: James Leary Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Elliott, Rodney M. x Conway, David x Gendron, Stephen x Leary, James x Martin, Connie x Ross-Sitcawich, Kristin x Scott, Kimberly 21. - A motion was made to take all 6 (six) convention/conference requests together. VOTING Motion by: Stephen Gendron Second by: David Conway Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Elliott, Rodney M. x Conway, David x Gendron, Stephen x Leary, James x Martin, Connie x Ross-Sitcawich, Kristin x Scott, Kimberly Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 16 of 21) CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS: 21.1. 2015 / 19 - Headmaster Brian Martin, request permission for Lt Col Peter D’Amico, MSgt Sue Antolini and TSgt David Smith all Lowell High staff to travel to Washington, DC leaving Friday, April 17, 2015 and returning Tuesday, April 21, 2015 with approximately 45 students. This trip is in support of the Aerospace Science I curriculum. No cost to the School District or Lowell High School, No substitutes needed. Students will miss one day of school and the remainder of the trip will be during school vacation week. The trip will be funded using a combination of AFJROTC funds, student fund-raising, and student contribution. VOTING Motion by: David Conway Second by: Kristin Ross-Sitcawich Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Elliott, Rodney M. x Conway, David x Gendron, Stephen x Leary, James x Martin, Connie x Ross-Sitcawich, Kristin x Scott, Kimberly 22. 2015 20 - Headmaster Brian Martin, request permission for Lowell High School Business Professional Advisor, Jill McNamara along with 20 members of the Lowell Chapter of the Business Professionals of America to attend the National Leadership Conference in Framingham, MA from Saturday, March 7, 2015 through Monday, March 9, 2015 at the Sheraton Tara Hotel & Conference Center. Students will be absent from school on Monday, March 9, 2015. The only cost will be $100 for a substitute teacher for 1 day and will be paid by Lowell High School Individual School account. The cost of the conference will be paid for through The 1826 School Store for students and staff. Students have been raising funds to defray the cost of the trip and each student will pay $50 of the $250 per student. This will include all meals and 2 nights at the Sheraton Tara. There will be no additional cost to the Lowell School Department budget. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 17 of 21) VOTING Motion by: David Conway Second by: Kristin Ross-Sitcawich Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Elliott, Rodney M. x Conway, David x Gendron, Stephen x Leary, James x Martin, Connie x Ross-Sitcawich, Kristin x Scott, Kimberly 23. 2015 / 21 - Headmaster Brian Martin, request permission for ROTC staff members MSgt Kevin Casilli, and TSgt David Smith along with Coried chaperone Ms. Diana Echavarria to travel to College Park, Maryland with approximately 40 students for the Air Force National Drill Competition. The competition is scheduled for Saturday, March 28, 2015. The team will depart Lowell High School at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 26, 2015 and travel by bus paid for by the AFJROTC funds, and will return on Sunday, March 29, 2015. The estimated cost of the competition will not exceed a total of $15,000.00 including transportation, lodging and food. The only cost will be for one substitute at the cost of $100 to be charged against LHS Professional Development. This trip will be funded using a combination of AFJROTC funds, student fundraising, and student contribution. VOTING Motion by: David Conway Second by: Kristin Ross-Sitcawich Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 18 of 21) Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Elliott, Rodney M. x Conway, David x Gendron, Stephen x Leary, James x Martin, Connie x Ross-Sitcawich, Kristin x Scott, Kimberly 24. 2015 / 22 - Headmaster Brian Martin, request permission for Outdoor Adventures Advisor, Kendra Bauer and Michael Crowe, both employees of Lowell School Department along with Coried chaperones Jen Bauer and Brendan McHugh, to participate in an overnight winter adventure excursion supported by the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Youth Opportunity Program with 10 – 14 club members. We will be traveling to Noble View Outdoor Center in Russell, Massachusetts from Saturday, February 14 – Monday, February 16, 2015 (school vacation week). No substitutes are required. The club will travel via school bus, which will be paid for by the students and subsidized by the club’s funds. VOTING Motion by: David Conway Second by: Kristin Ross-Sitcawich Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Elliott, Rodney M. x Conway, David x Gendron, Stephen x Leary, James x Martin, Connie x Ross-Sitcawich, Kristin x Scott, Kimberly Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 19 of 21) 25. 2015 / 23 - Headmaster Brian Martin, request permission for Peter D’Amico, Kevin Casilli, and David Smith to travel to Pease Air Force Base, New Hampshire with approximately 25 cadet students to fly on a US Air Force aircraft and experience an in-flight aerial refueling mission. The ASII curriculum involves learning about the science of flight and aviation. Transportation and all costs associated with this trip will be funded using AFJROTC funds. No substitutes will be needed. VOTING Motion by: David Conway Second by: Kristin Ross-Sitcawich Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Elliott, Rodney M. x Conway, David x Gendron, Stephen x Leary, James x Martin, Connie x Ross-Sitcawich, Kristin x Scott, Kimberly 26. 2015 / 24 - Headmaster Brian Martin, request approval for LHS Cheerleading coaches Nicole Apostolakos and Alyssa Godfroy, along with the LHS Cheerleading Team and coried chaperones, to travel to South Hadley High School, South Hadley, Ma., and Chicopee High School, Chicopee, Ma., for an overnight competition for Saturday, February 14 and Sunday, February 15, 2015. The trip, transportation, meals and lodging will be paid by the Friends of Lowell High School Cheerleading Committee and the cheerleaders ($40.00 per student). Entry fees of $600 will be funded by the LHS Athletic Department. No substitute teachers are needed. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 20 of 21) VOTING Motion by: David Conway Second by: Kristin Ross-Sitcawich Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Elliott, Rodney M. x Conway, David x Gendron, Stephen x Leary, James x Martin, Connie x Ross-Sitcawich, Kristin x Scott, Kimberly COMMUNICATIONS: 27. 2015 / 30 - A thank you card from the family of Janet F. Mulligan, for the moment of silence. The communication was accepted and placed on file. VOTING Motion by: Connie Martin Second by: Stephen Gendron Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Elliott, Rodney M. x Conway, David x Gendron, Stephen x Leary, James x Martin, Connie x Ross-Sitcawich, Kristin x Scott, Kimberly Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 21 of 21) ADJOURNMENT: 28. - ADJOURNMENT: Motion to adjourn at 8:08 p.m. by Mr. Leary; seconded by Mr. Conway 6 yeas, 1 absent Respectfully submitted, Jean M. Franco, Superintendent and Secretary to the Lowell School Committee JMF/mes Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us