School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, November 18, 2015 TIME 6:34 PM SALUTE TO FLAG: 1. - SALUTE TO FLAG: ROLL CALL: 2. - ROLL CALL: On a roll call at 6:34 p.m., all members were present, namely: Mayor/Chairman Elliott, Mr. Gendron, Mr. Leary, Ms. Martin, Ms. Ross-Sitcawich, Ms. Scott and Mr. Conway. 3. - A motion was made to suspend the rules to allow an award from Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) be presented to Ms. Martin recognizing her for her longevity on the Lowell School Committee. 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 x Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 17) MINUTES: 3.1. 2015 / 406 - Approval of the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, November 4, 2015 VOTING Motion by: Kimberly Scott 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 PERMISSION TO ENTER: 4. 2015 / 402 - Permission to Enter: November 18, 2015 VOTING Motion by: Stephen Gendron Second by: David Conway Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 17) 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: 5. 2015 / 405 - Patricia "Pat" Lobas, retired Laura Lee School Clerk. B. Joseph Tully, State and City Official 6. - A motion was made to suspend the rules so item # 2015/415 and item # 2015/425 could be discussed together. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 4 of 17) 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 MOTIONS: 6.1. 2015 / 415 - [by Connie Martin]: Requesting that the Administration provide a report on the number of Lowell Public Schools Teachers who live outside the district but have enrolled their children in the Lowell Public Schools. A motion was made to suspend the rules so item # 2015/415 and item # 2015/425 could be discussed together. The motion passed. Another motion was made to refer motion item # 2015/415 and motion item # 2015/425 to the Policy Subcommittee for further discussion. The motion passed. VOTING Motion by: Connie Martin Second by: James Leary 7. - A motion was made to refer motion item # 2015/415 and motion item # 2015/425 to the Policy Subcommittee for further discussion. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 5 of 17) VOTING Motion by: Stephen Gendron 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 7.1. 2015 / 424 - [by Kristin Ross-Sitcawich & Kimberly Scott]: Request the Superintendent perform a review of our school assignment process to ensure that the district is in compliance with existing policies and include a plan to reassign those students improperly placed into schools outside of their school zones. 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 6 of 17) 8. 2015 / 425 - [by Kristin Ross-Sitcawich & Kimberly Scott]: Request the Superintendent furnish the committee a report on the number of out of district students placed in Lowell Public Schools, namely those whose parents work in district and are non-residents and if found out of compliance with the policies of the district, facilitate a plan for compliance. A motion was made to suspend the rules so item # 2015/415 and item # 2015/425 could be discussed together. The motion passed. Another motion was made to refer motion item # 2015/415 and motion item # 2015/425 to the Policy Subcommittee for further discussion. The motion passed. VOTING Motion by: Kristin Ross-Sitcawich Second by: Kimberly Scott 9. - A motion was made to defer the Curriculum Subcommittee report until the next regularly scheduled Lowell School Committee Meeting on December 2, 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 x Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 7 of 17) SUBCOMMITTEES: 9.1. 2015 / 401 - Curriculum: Report of the Meeting of Tuesday, November 17, 2015 [Connie Martin, Chairperson] A motion was made to defer the Curriculum Subcommittee report until the next regularly scheduled Lowell School Committee Meeting on December 2, 2015. The motion passed. REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT: 10. 2015 / 404 - Personnel Report Superintendent Khelfaoui shared the Personnel Report that he 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: David Conway 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 8 of 17) 11. 2015 / 419 - Strategic Plan Updates Superintendent Khelfaoui spoke to the Committee about the Strategic Plan and gave them an update on several actions that have taken place. The report was accepted as a report of progress. 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 12. - A motion was made to take all seventeen (17) motion responses together. VOTING Motion by: James Leary Second by: Stephen Gendron Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 9 of 17) 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 12.1. - A motion was made to delay the Delay of School report until the next regularly scheduled Lowell School Committee Meeting on December 2, 2015. 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 x Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 10 of 17) 12.1.1 - A motion was made to send the motion Advocacy for Newcomer Program . and the motion Refugee Receiving Districts to a Curriculum and Student Support Services joint Subcommittee Meeting. VOTING Motion by: Kristin Ross-Sitcawich Second by: David Conway Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Elliott, Rodney M. Conway, David Gendron, Stephen Leary, James Martin, Connie Ross-Sitcawich, Kristin Scott, Kimberly 12.1.1 2015 / 407 - Response to David Conway's Motion of 08/21/13 regarding Lowell High .1. Change of Start Time. A motion was made to take all seventeen (17) motion responses together. The motion passed. No discussion regarding this response took place on the floor. 13. 2015 / 409 - Response to Kimberly Scott's Motion of 02/18/15 regarding Delayed Start in Lieu of a School Cancellation. A motion was made to take all seventeen (17) motion responses together. The motion passed. A motion was also made to delay the Delay of School report until the next regularly scheduled Lowell School Committee Meeting on December 2, 2015. The motion passed. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 11 of 17) 14. 2015 / 410 - Response to Kristin Ross-Sitcawich's Motion of 02/01/15 regarding School Maintenance. A motion was made to take all seventeen (17) motion responses together. The motion passed. The Committee did discuss this motion briefly on the floor and stated the importance of our schools keeping their property looking its best. 15. 2015 / 414 - Response to Kimberly Scott and Kristin Ross-Sitcawich's Motion of 10/03/15 regarding Heating Systems A motion was made to take all seventeen (17) motion responses together. The motion passed. No discussion regarding this response took place on the floor. 16. 2015 / 416 - Response to Kimberly Scott's Motion of 06/19/15 regarding Solid Waste- Recycling A motion was made to take all seventeen (17) motion responses together. The motion passed. No discussion regarding this response took place on the floor. 17. 2015 / 417 - Response to Kristin Ross-Sitcawich's Motion of 02/18/15 regarding Safety Signals A motion was made to take all seventeen (17) motion responses together. The motion passed. No discussion regarding this response took place on the floor. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 12 of 17) 18. 2015 / 420 - Response to David Conway's Motion of 02/19/14 regarding Incident Command System A motion was made to take all seventeen (17) motion responses together. The motion passed. No discussion regarding this response took place on the floor. 19. 2015 / 421 - Response to Steve Gendron's Motion of 06/18/14 regarding Maintenance of Grounds A motion was made to take all seventeen (17) motion responses together. The motion passed. The Committee did discuss this motion briefly on the floor and stated the importance of our schools keeping their property looking its best. 20. 2015 / 426 - Response to Kristin Ross-Sitcawich's Motion of 02/04/15 regarding Lowell Public Schools Website A motion was made to take all seventeen (17) motion responses together. The motion passed. No discussion regarding this response took place on the floor. 21. 2015 / 427 - Response to James Leary's Motion of 02/04/15 regarding Federal and State Resources for Newcomer Student Programs. A motion was made to take all seventeen (17) motion responses together. The motion passed. A motion was made to discuss the Newcomer Programs at a future joint Curriculum and Student Support Subcommittee Meeting. The motion passed. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 13 of 17) 22. 2015 / 428 - Response to Steve Gendron's Motion of 02/09/14 regarding Lowell High School Maintenance Issues A motion was made to take all seventeen (17) motion responses together. The motion passed. No discussion regarding this response took place on the floor. 23. 2015 / 429 - Response to Kristin Ross-Sitcawich's Motion of 02/04/15 Lowell Public Schools Parking Lots A motion was made to take all seventeen (17) motion responses together. The motion passed. No discussion regarding this response took place on the floor. 24. 2015 / 430 - Response to David Conway's Motion of 02/19/14 regarding Branding School Department Vehicles A motion was made to take all seventeen (17) motion responses together. The motion passed. No discussion regarding this response took place on the floor. 25. 2015 / 431 - Response to Kimberly Scott's Motion of 05/07/14 regarding Composting A motion was made to take all seventeen (17) motion responses together. The motion passed. No discussion regarding this response took place on the floor. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 14 of 17) 26. 2015 / 432 - Response to Steve Gendron's Motion of 10/21/15 regarding PARCC Test A motion was made to take all seventeen (17) motion responses together. The motion passed. The Committee requested that the Superintendent resubmit the letter with a date on it. The previous letter sent did not have a date on it. 27. 2015 / 418 - Response to Kimberly Scott's Motion of 10/03/15 regarding Open Work Orders A motion was made to take all seventeen (17) motion responses together. The motion passed. No discussion regarding this response took place on the floor. 28. 2015 / 423 - Quarterly Reports on Motions A motion was made to take all seventeen (17) motion responses together. The motion passed. The Committee had further discussion regarding the quarterly motions under the New Business portion of the agenda. NEW BUSINESS: 29. 2015 / 422 - Vote to Remove Agenda Items from Quarterly Report on Motions A vote was approved to remove most items, but several motions were discussed on the floor to remain on the report. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 15 of 17) 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 x 30. - A motion was made to recess at 7:51 p.m. and enter into Executive Session and to adjourn the meeting from Executive Session. 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 16 of 17) EXECUTIVE SESSION: 30.1. 2015 / 411 - Executive Session: Regarding UTL- collective bargaining and grievances and litigation update. A motion was made to recess at 7:51 p.m. and enter into Executive Session and to adjourn the meeting from Executive Session. The motion passed. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 17 of 17) ADJOURNMENT: 31. - ADJOURNMENT: Motion to recess at 7:51 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