School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, October 07, 2015 TIME 6:30 PM SALUTE TO FLAG: 1. - SALUTE TO FLAG: ROLL CALL: 2. - ROLL CALL: On a roll call at 6:35 p.m., all members were present, namely: Ms. Ross-Sitcawich, Ms. Scott, Mr. Conway, Mayor/Chairman Elliott, Mr. Gendron, Mr. Leary and Ms. Martin. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: 3. 2015 / 356 - Spotlight on Excellence: Summer Reading The Spotlight on Excellence presentation featured the eighth year of the Grades K – 8 Summer Reading Program. The following list recognizes the school and invited students who were the lucky drawing winners of a $25.00 gift certificate to the Barnes & Noble Bookstore: Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 15) Bailey School: Autumn Gallant, Anielia Olivares, John Soucy Bartlett School: Kayla Van, Valerie Kiarie, Charyta Ban Butler School: Reiley Freitas, Ashlei Boisvert, Samantha Seng Daley School: Emma Szcesiul, Ben Ro, Amaya Yi-Sing Greenhalge School: Bruschi McManus, Bashar Abdulmuttalib, Maureen Onyeneho Laura Lee School: Dylan Cormier Lincoln School: Leda Loy, Veronica Porseng, Richman Porseng McAuliffe School: Joseph Schiavo, Dylan Marx, Brenda Cruz McAvinnue School: Elijah Matos, Jessica Allard, Aquiles Gomez Moody School: Eduarda Tramontin, Gabriella Tramontin, Barthinia Boules Morey School: Dennis Thoeun, Chloe Vorn-Sargetelli, Diandra Heung Murkland School: Richeervy Eng, Edna Bonsu, Xavier Chhun Pawtucketville School: Raymond Walsh, Dylan Connor, Jasmine Robson Pyne/Arts School: Genesis Algarin, Francisco Rosario, Jessica Sullivan Reilly School: Aria Clough, Laydn Lane, Bryan Espinola Robinson School: Eh Paw, Ken Lei, Alyssa Kehoe Shaughnessy School: Christian DaRocha, Angelina Sao, Tiana You STEM Academy @ Rogers: Athena Edwards, Melisa Muteba, Aubrey Inglis Stoklosa School: Andralize Rosario , Madalynn Gilpin, Faith Men Sullivan School: Olivia Gallagher, Darren Sar, Samara Cardoso Wang School: Jessica Jackson, Caleb Walsh, Juliet Thach Washington School: Marieliz Acosta, Logan Briggs, Jhavian Rivera MINUTES: 4. 2015 / 342 - Approval of the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, September 16, 2015 VOTING Motion by: David Conway 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 x Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 15) PERMISSION TO ENTER: 5. 2015 / 345 - Permission to Enter: October 7, 2015 VOTING Motion by: Kristin Ross-Sitcawich Second by: Kimberly Scott 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 x MEMORIALS: 6. 2015 / 341 - Attorney Richard P. Howe, former Mayor, City Council and father-in-law of Lowell High School Discipline & Operations Specialist Dr. Roxane JM Howe. 7. 2015 / 343 - Sylvia A. Lawler, mother-in-law of Interim Assistant Superintendent for Finance & Operations Frank Antonelli. 8. 2015 / 359 - Ann M. Hegarty , sister of Eileen Donoghue, Massachusetts State Senator. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 4 of 15) MOTIONS: 9. 2015 / 339 - [by Mayor Rodney Elliott]: Request School Committee accept thirty [30] copies of “Veterans Heroes in Our Neighborhood” book donated by Veterans Assisting Veterans and request Superintendent distribute one to each school. VOTING Motion by: Rodney M. Elliott 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 x 10. 2015 / 355 - [by Mayor Rodney Elliott]: Superintendent provide a report on the financial status of School Department Budget. VOTING Motion by: Rodney M. Elliott Second by: Stephen Gendron Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 5 of 15) 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 x 11. 2015 / 340 - [by Connie Martin]: Requesting that Personnel Subcommittee schedule a meeting for the Superintendent to present his proposed evaluation instrument for review and discussion, prior to submission for approval to the full Lowell School Committee at the October 21st meeting. 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 x Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 6 of 15) 12. 2015 / 350 - [by Kristin Ross-Sitcawich]: Request the Superintendent review and revise as needed, the Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan, per plan language, must be reviewed/revised biennially. VOTING Motion by: Kristin Ross-Sitcawich Second by: Kimberly Scott 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 x 13. 2015 / 352 - [by Kristin Ross-Sitcawich]: Request the Superintendent provide an update as to the status of the district wide safety assessment. 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 x Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 7 of 15) SUBCOMMITTEES: 14. 2015 / 344 - Curriculum: Report and Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of Tuesday, September 29, 2015 [Connie Martin, Chairperson] Ms. Martin, Chair of the Curriculum Subcommittee spoke to the Committee about the following topics: 1. Presentation from STEM Academy Principal/Teachers 2. Project Lead The Way Discussion 3. Teaching Strategies Gold/Kindergarten Report Card Update 4. Test Prep during School Year 5. Middle School Lyceum Discussion The report was accepted as a report of progress. VOTING Motion by: Kristin Ross-Sitcawich 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 x Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 8 of 15) REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT: 15. 2015 / 337 - Quarterly Reports on Motions Superintendent Khelfaoui presented the Quarterly Report on motions to the Committee and welcomed any questions they may have. A brief discussion took place with the Committee members agreeing to forward any motions that appear on the report that they don’t believe are completed to the Superintendent and for said motions to remain open on the quarterly reports. The report was accepted as a report of progress. VOTING Motion by: David Conway 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 x 16. 2015 / 347 - MGL Chapter 71 Section 69 Superintendent Khelfaoui spoke to the Committee about the Massachusetts General Law Chapter 71 Section 69 Report that he received from Jeannine M. Durkin, Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services. The report informs the Committee that all building-based administrators (e.g. Principals, Headmaster and Coordinators) have been asked to facilitate the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance over the intercom in their respective schools. All Administrators have also been reminded that no student or staff member is required to recite the pledge, and that it is the right of the student or staff to abstain without explanation or sanction as specified in recent Case Law, SJC-11317. 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 9 of 15) VOTING Motion by: James Leary 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 x 17. 2015 / 348 - K-8 Enrollment Report Superintendent Khelfaoui spoke to the Committee about 2014-2015 K-8 Enrollment Report that he received from Jeannine M. Durkin, Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services. The report contained three (3) separate spreadsheets with K-8 enrollment comparative data as of October 1, 2014 and October 1, 2015. The report was accepted as a report of progress. VOTING Motion by: Kristin Ross-Sitcawich Second by: Kimberly Scott 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 x Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 10 of 15) 18. 2015 / 358 - Response to motion of 07/15/15 by Kristin Ross-Sitcawich: Request the Superintendent and appropriate School Department personnel present a report to the School Committee as the budgetary impact of the most recently enacted Earned Sick Leave Law, in particular as it relates to non- benefited, part time personnel. Superintendent Khelfaoui spoke to the Committee about the Earned Sick Leave Law Report that he received from Michael Cassidy, Director of Human Resources. The report informed the Committee that most Lowell Public School employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. The part time and/or temporary employees who are not covered would earn one (1) hour of sick time for every thirty (30) hours worked, or an average of 23 hours of sick time annually. This benefit would only be provided to them if the Lowell City Council adopts the law and appropriates funding for employees. The report was accepted as a report of progress. VOTING Motion by: Kristin Ross-Sitcawich 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 x Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 11 of 15) 19. - A motion was made to change the Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations position for the Lowell Public Schools to a CFO for the Lowell Public Schools. VOTING Motion by: David Conway Second by: Connie Martin 19.1. - An amended motion was made to change the Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations position for the Lowell Public Schools to a CFO for the Lowell Public Schools with an Assistant Superintendent certification preferred to be included in the posting. VOTING Motion by: Rodney M. Elliott 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 x Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 12 of 15) NEW BUSINESS: 19.2. 2015 / 357 - Permission to Post: Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations An amended motion was made to change the Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations position for the Lowell Public Schools to a CFO for the Lowell Public Schools with an Assistant Superintendent certification preferred to be included in the posting. The motion passed. 20. - A motion was made to take all three (3) convention/conference requests together. VOTING Motion by: James Leary 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 x 20.1. - A motion was made to approve all three (3) convention/conference requests. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 13 of 15) VOTING Motion by: David Conway 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 x CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS: 20.1.1 2015 / 346 - Permission for District STEM Specialist Paula Bransfield to attend the . National Science Teachers Association conference held on November 10, 2015 through November 12, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There will be no cost to the district. All expenses are being covered by Delta Education. No substitute teacher is needed. A motion was made to approve all three (3) convention/conference requests. The motion passed. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 14 of 15) 21. 2015 / 353 - Request permission for Eighty-six [86] Pawtucket Memorial students, along with Principal Mathew McLean, Teachers; Dottie Durkin, Kim Bonfilio, Katie Fay, Aimee Galloway, Jessica Thissell, Kristina Virella, Ashley Smith and Isiah Simmons to participate in an overnight field trip to the Museum of Science in Boston on Thursday, November 5th through Friday, November 6, 2015. The trip will be paid by students and staff. The PTO will pay for the transportation cost. There are no costs to the School Department budget. No substitute teacher is needed. A motion was made to approve all three (3) convention/conference requests. The motion passed. 22. 2015 / 354 - The 8th grade students at the Dr. An Wang Middle School would like permission to travel to Washington, D.C. The trip will take place at the conclusion of the 2016 MCAS. The trip is all inclusive and costs $670.00 per student. Fundraising activities will be held throughout the school year to defray the cost of the trip. There will be a minimum of 40 students who travel to Washington, D.C. along with four chaperones who at this time include: Kathy Clark, Social Studies Teacher; MaryLou MacKenzie, Math Teacher, Matt Palmer, Social Studies Teacher; and Richard Callahan, Social Studies Teacher. This trip is at no cost to the Lowell School Department or the City of Lowell. No substitute teachers are needed. A motion was made to approve all three (3) convention/conference requests. The motion passed. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 15 of 15) ADJOURNMENT: 23. - ADJOURNMENT: Motion to adjourn at 8:37 p.m. by Ms. Martin; seconded by Ms. Ross-Sitcawich 7 yeas Respectfully submitted, Dr. Salah E. Khelfaoui, Superintendent and Secretary to the Lowell School Committee Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us