School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING AGENDA Date: 2016-06-01 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. 2016 / 170 Spotlight on Excellence: Lowell Public School Retirees 4. 2016 / 203 Spotlight on Excellence: Science Fair Winners – Martha Cohn 5. 2016 / 204 Spotlight on Excellence: LHS Musical – Sharon Clark MINUTES: 6. 2016 / 191 Approval of the Minutes of the FY2017 Budget Hearing of Monday, May 9, 2016 and Wednesday, May 11, 2016. 7. 2016 / 205 Approval of the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, May 18, 2016 PERMISSION TO ENTER: 8. 2016 / 215 Permission to Enter: June 1, 2016 Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • P: 978.674.4324 • F: 978.937.7609 http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 6) MEMORIALS: 9. 2016 / 207 Janet (Conners) Lang, mother to Dr. Roger J. Lang IV, former Deputy Superintendent of Finance & Operations and Jill Lang, Director of LHS Freshman Academy, mother- in-law to Laurie Lang, Assistant Principal for Pyne Arts School. 10. 2016 / 235 Ernest Brekalis, father-in- law of Karen Brekalis, Bussines Office Account Clerk. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 11. 2016 / 214 Lowell High School Design Process and Committee Selection MOTIONS: 12. 2016 / 222 [by Steve Gendron]: Request that the superintendent create a Job Description for the position of Deputy Superintendent. 13. 2016 / 223 [by Mayor Edward Kennedy]: Request a report on which Principals have ordered all of their materials for the 2016-2017 school year, and which Principals have not yet done so. 14. 2016 / 224 by Robert Hoey]: Motion to Adopt a Resolution Against Lifting the Cap on Commonwealth Charter Schools 15. 2016 / 225 [by Mayor Edward Kennedy]: Request that the Superintendent provide the School Committee with a report estimating the total financial impact of continuing the policy that allows 36 students whose parents are Lowell School Department employees to attend Lowell Schools. The report should include the cost estimate or any ancillary or domino affect cost trigged by maintaining the policy for the 2016-17 school year. 16. 2016 / 226 [by Mayor Edward Kennedy]: Request that the School Committee provide further clarification on the vote taken at the May 18, 2016 School Committee meeting regarding students of parents who are school employees. 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 6) 17. 2016 / 227 [by Connie Martin]: Requesting that the Administration update the committee on outstanding motions and return to a regular quarterly report of all unaddressed motions. 18. 2016 / 228 [by Connie Martin]: Requesting that the Administration bring forward their recommendations for amendments to the Lowell Public Schools Purchasing Policies as previously discussed at the January 27th Policy and Procedure Subcommittee and the February 3rd Lowell School Committee meeting. 19. 2016 / 229 [by Connie Martin]: Requesting that the Administration update the committee on when it can expect to receive a report on the annual Principal evaluations and the current status of our Teacher Evaluations across the district as requested at the May 4th meeting of the Lowell School Committee. 20. 2016 / 230 [by Connie Martin]: Requesting a presentation from the Office of Curriculum and Instruction to feature a report from a School or District Team on a successful curriculum initiative taking place in the district. 21. 2016 / 231 [by Connie Martin]: Requesting that the Administration provide the committee with the individual grant budgets for all grants that are expected to be expended during the 2016-2017 school year. SUBCOMMITTEES: 22. 2016 / 206 Policy Subcommittee: Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of Monday, May 16, 2016 [Robert Hoey, Chair] 23. 2016 / 217 Lowell High School Subcommittee: Report and Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of Wednesday, May 18, 2016 [Robert Gignac, Chair] REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT: 24. 2016 / 219 Report Card System 25. 2016 / 218 STEM Advisory Committee 26. 2016 / 232 Interview Processes and Procedures Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • P: 978.674.4324 • F: 978.937.7609 http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 4 of 6) 27. 2016 / 233 Human Resources Initiatives NEW BUSINESS: 28. 2016 / 216 Budget Transfer CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS: 29. 2016 / 208 Greenhalge School Literacy Team members Assistant Principal Kelliann Woodlock and teacher Elaine Williamson and Susan Cappellini to attend the Teachers College June Institute on Teaching of Writing from Monday, June 27th to Friday, July 21st, 2016 in New York. The cost of the conference/travel/lodging will not exceed $1,200 per person and will be funded by Title I. 30. 2016 / 209 50 LHS International Language Club members and 4 staff members [Tricia Gabor, Jeannine Ameduri, William Donaghey, Mary Ann Dyson and Philip Maia], along with a coried chaperone, to travel to Quebec City, Canada from Friday, February 3rd through Monday, February 6, 2016. There is no cost to the School Department budget. No substitute teachers are needed. 31. 2016 / 211 Superintendent Dr. Salah E. Khelfaoui respectfully requests permission to attend the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendent’s Executive Institute 2016 in Falmouth, MA from Tuesday, July 12th through Friday, July 15th, 2016. The cost of the conference and stay will not exceed $1,800 and will be paid by the District's Professional Development funds and the cost of travel $50/day will not exceed $400. 32. 2016 / 213 Request permission to attend an overnight out of state conference for Carolyn Rocheleau, Coordinator of Special Programs, to attend the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Summer Institute in Phoenix, Arizona from July 19, 2016 thru July 21, 2016. No substitute needed. Cost associated with the conference includes travel, registration fees, food and lodging not to exceed 2,000.00 will be paid through the 21st Century Grant. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • P: 978.674.4324 • F: 978.937.7609 http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 5 of 6) 33. 2016 / 220 Rocio Camargo-Ruiz, Pawtucketville School Social Worker, to attend the "Reframing the Dream Helping our Nation One Child at a Time" Conference in New York City on June 9, 2016. Please note that the total cost is $150.00. Mrs. Camargo-Ruiz will be covering all costs associated with travel and hotel stay. There is no cost to the School Department. No substitute teacher needed. 34. 2016 / 221 Arlene M. De la Luz, McAvinnue School Social Worker, to attend the "Reframing the Dream Helping our Nation One Child at a Time" Conference in New York City on June 9, 2016. The cost of the conference is $150.00 and will funded by Individual School funds. Mrs. De la Luz will be covering all costs associated with travel and hotel stay. No substitute teacher needed. 35. 2016 / 234 Headmaster Brian Martin, requests permission for Dianne Luz, Deborath Linnehan and Analiz Santiago along with a group of 38 Upward Bound students participating in the MCC TRIO Upward Bound program to attend an educational and cultural Summer Field Trip to New York City scheduled for June 23 through June 24, 2016. There are no costs to the School Department Budget. PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL: 36. 2016 / 210 The members of the United Teachers of Lowell hereby request to donate eight [8] donated sick leave days to Kimberly Bradley, Pyne Arts School teacher. 37. 2016 / 212 The members of the United Teachers of Lowell hereby request to donate eight [8] donated sick leave days to Kristina Virella , Pawtucket Memorial School paraprofessional. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • P: 978.674.4324 • F: 978.937.7609 http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 6 of 6) EXECUTIVE SESSION: 38. 2016 / 202 Executive Session: •Initial Consideration of Contract Extension and language for School Superintendent •Consideration of Contract Extension and language for Assistant Superintendent •Contract Negotiations with Non-Union Personnel/Principals •Contract Negotiations SEIU ADJOURNMENT: 39. 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: 2016-06-01 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. 2016 / 170 Spotlight on Excellence: Lowell Public School Retirees 4. 2016 / 203 Spotlight on Excellence: Science Fair Winners – Martha Cohn 5. 2016 / 204 Spotlight on Excellence: LHS Musical – Sharon Clark MINUTES: 6. 2016 / 191 Approval of the Minutes of the FY2017 Budget Hearing of Mo nday, May 9, 2016 and Wednesday, May 11, 2016. 7. 2016 / 205 Approval of the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, May 18, 2016 Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 7) PERMISSION TO ENTER: 8. 2016 / 215 Permission to Enter: June 1, 2016 MEMORIALS: 9. 2016 / 207 Janet (Conners) Lang, mother to Dr. Roger J. Lang IV, former Deputy Superintendent of Finance & Operations and Jill Lang, Director of LHS Freshman Academy, mother- in-law to Laurie Lang, Assistant Principal for Pyne Arts School. 10. 2016 / 235 Ernest Brekalis, father-in- law of Karen Brekalis, Bussines Office Account Clerk. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 11. 2016 / 214 Lowell High School Design Process and Committee Selection MOTIONS: 12. 2016 / 222 [by Steve Gendron]: Request that the superintendent create a Job Description for the position of Deputy Superintendent. 13. 2016 / 223 [by Mayor Edward Kennedy]: Request a report on which Principals have ordered all of their materials for the 2016-2017 school year, and which Principals have not yet done so. 14. 2016 / 224 by Robert Hoey]: Motion to Adopt a Resolution Against Lifting the Cap on Commonwealth Charter Schools Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 7) 15. 2016 / 225 [by Mayor Edward Kennedy]: Request that the Superintendent provide the School Committee with a report estimating the total financial impact of continuing the policy that allows 36 students whose parents are Lowell School Department employees to attend Lowell Schools. The report should include the cost estimate or any ancillary or domino affect cost trigged by maintaining the policy for the 2016-17 school year. 16. 2016 / 226 [by Mayor Edward Kennedy]: Request that the School Committee provide further clarification on the vote taken at the May 18, 2016 School Committee meeting regarding students of parents who are school employees. 17. 2016 / 227 [by Connie Martin]: Requesting that the Administration update the committee on outstanding motions and return to a regular quarterly report of all unaddressed motions. 18. 2016 / 228 [by Connie Martin]: Requesting that the Administration bring forward their recommendations for amendments to the Lowell Public Schools Purchasing Policies as previously discussed at the January 27th Policy and Procedure Subcommittee and the February 3rd Lowell School Committee meeting. 19. 2016 / 229 [by Connie Martin]: Requesting that the Administration update the committee on when it can expect to receive a report on the annual Principal evaluations and the current status of our Teacher Evaluations across the district as requested at the May 4th meeting of the Lowell School Committee. 20. 2016 / 230 [by Connie Martin]: Requesting a presentation from the Office of Curriculum and Instruction to feature a report from a School or District Team on a successful curriculum initiative taking place in the district. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 4 of 7) 21. 2016 / 231 [by Connie Martin]: Requesting that the Administration provide the committee with the individual grant budgets for all grants that are expected to be expended during the 2016-2017 school year. SUBCOMMITTEES: 22. 2016 / 206 Policy Subcommittee: Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of Monday, May 16, 2016 [Robert Hoey, Chair] 23. 2016 / 217 Lowell High School Subcommittee: Report and Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of Wednesday, May 18, 2016 [Robert Gignac, Chair] REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT: 24. 2016 / 219 Report Card System 25. 2016 / 218 STEM Advisory Committee 26. 2016 / 232 Interview Processes and Procedures 27. 2016 / 233 Human Resources Initiatives NEW BUSINESS: 28. 2016 / 216 Budget Transfer Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 5 of 7) CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS: 29. 2016 / 208 Greenhalge School Literacy Team members Assistant Principal Kelliann Woodlock and teacher Elaine Williamson and Susan Cappellini to attend the Teachers College June Institute on Teaching of Writing from Monday, June 27th to Friday, July 21st, 2016 in New York. The cost of the conference/travel/lodging will not exceed $1,200 per person and will be funded by Title I. 30. 2016 / 209 50 LHS International Language Club members and 4 staff members [Tricia Gabor, Jeannine Ameduri, William Donaghey, Mary Ann Dyson and Philip Maia], along with a coried chaperone, to travel to Quebec City, Canada from Friday, February 3rd through Monday, February 6, 2016. There is no cost to the School Department budget. No substitute teachers are needed. 31. 2016 / 211 Superintendent Dr. Salah E. Khelfaoui respectfully requests permission to attend the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendent’s Executive Institute 2016 in Falmouth, MA from Tuesday, July 12th through Friday, July 15th, 2016. The cost of the conference and stay will not exceed $1,800 and will be paid by the District's Professional Development funds and the cost of travel $50/day will not exceed $400. 32. 2016 / 213 Request permission to attend an overnight out of state conference for Carolyn Rocheleau, Coordinator of Special Programs, to attend the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Summer Institute in Phoenix, Arizona from July 19, 2016 thru July 21, 2016. No substitute needed. Cost associated with the conference includes travel, registration fees, food and lodging not to exceed 2,000.00 will be paid through the 21st Century Grant. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 6 of 7) 33. 2016 / 220 Rocio Camargo-Ruiz, Pawtucketville School Social Worker, to attend the "Reframing the Dream Helping our Nation One Child at a Time" Conference in New York City on June 9, 2016. Please note that the total cost is $150.00. Mrs. Camargo-Ruiz will be covering all costs associated with travel and hotel stay. There is no cost to the School Department. No substitute teacher needed. 34. 2016 / 221 Arlene M. De la Luz, McAvinnue School Social Worker, to attend the "Reframing the Dream Helping our Nation One Child at a Time" Conference in New York City on June 9, 2016. The cost of the conference is $150.00 and will funded by Individual School funds. Mrs. De la Luz will be covering all costs associated with travel and hotel stay. No substitute teacher needed. 35. 2016 / 234 Headmaster Brian Martin, requests permission for Dianne Luz, Deborath Linnehan and Analiz Santiago along with a group of 38 Upward Bound students participating in the MCC TRIO Upward Bound program to attend an educational and cultural Summer Field Trip to New York City scheduled for June 23 through June 24, 2016. There are no costs to the School Department Budget. PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL: 36. 2016 / 210 The members of the United Teachers of Lowell hereby request to donate eight [8] donated sick leave days to Kimberly Bradley, Pyne Arts School teacher. 37. 2016 / 212 The members of the United Teachers of Lowell hereby request to donate eight [8] donated sick leave days to Kristina Virella , Pawtucket Memorial School paraprofessional. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 7 of 7) EXECUTIVE SESSION: 38. 2016 / 202 Executive Session: •Initial Consideration of Contract Extension and language for School Superintendent •Consideration of Contract Extension and language for Assistant Superintendent •Contract Negotiations with Non-Union Personnel/Principals •Contract Negotiations SEIU ADJOURNMENT: 39. 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 Spotlight on Excellence: Lowell Public School Retirees To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 170 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Spotlight on Excellence: Science Fair Winners – Martha Cohn To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 203 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: Spotlight on Excellence: Science Fair Winners – Martha Cohn  LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment Phone: (978) 674-4323 155 Merrimack Street E-mail: cabrams@lowell.k12.ma.us Lowell, Massachusetts 01852 Spotlight on Excellence TO: Dr. Salah E. Khelfaoui, Superintendent of Schools FROM: M. Claire Abrams, Assistant Superintendent DATE: May 26, 2016 RE: Spotlight on Excellence – 2016 Science and Engineering Fair The first Spotlight on Excellence presentation for Wednesday, June 1, 2016 will feature the 2016 Science and Engineering Fair that was held on February 10, 2016 @ Lowell High. The winner of the 2016 Science and Engineering Fair was the Dr. An Wang Middle School who scored the highest average. They were winners of the trophy which was made using a 3D printer by one of our UMASS Interns, Kreg Kaminski. The winner for the High School level was Katherine Huang whose project was titled Plasmid Transmission in E. Coli. This year we had over 200 middle school students participating and this included 108 projects. Students were from grades 5-8 and worked weekly with a STEM Advisor at each middle school. These STEM Advisors worked tirelessly with the students to assist in developing the projects, preparing their presentations and calming nerves. Our high school advisor was able to prepare high school students in a very short amount of time and they submitted some very impressive projects. In addition, a number of Bailey school students attended the fair to showcase their great work on STEM projects too. The Tiger Lego League from the Reilly School brought their Legos and Finch robot to show off their innovative ideas. Over 50 volunteers who were part of the LPS Staff, Middlesex Community College, UMASS Lowell, TRC Solutions, Kronos and Raytheon, judged the projects. Lowell has been fortunate to be part of a mentoring pilot supported by the Massachusetts State Science and Engineering Fair (MSSEF). We have a liaison, Bill Rigney, supported by MMSEF who works with community members and education partners so that each of our middle schools has at least one mentor working with the students and the STEM Advisor. These engineers and scientists from Aptima, MaCom, Merrimack College and TRC Solutions provide real world connections and career counseling to our students on a weekly basis. We hope to continue and grow this program with the help of MSSEF. I would like to thank Martha Cohn, Coordinator of Science & Social Studies for her assistance with this report.  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Spotlight on Excellence: LHS Musical – Sharon Clark To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 204 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: Spotlight on Excellence: LHS Musical – Sharon Clark  LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment Phone: (978) 674-4323 155 Merrimack Street E-mail: cabrams@lowell.k12.ma.us Lowell, Massachusetts 01852 Spotlight on Excellence TO: Dr Salah Khelfaoui, Superintendent of Schools FROM: Claire Abrams, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction DATE: May 26, 2016 RE: Spotlight on Excellence Lowell High - "High School Musical" The second Spotlight on Excellence presentation on Wednesday, May 18th will feature the LHS musical, "High School Musical" that was performed on Friday, May 6th and Saturday, May 7th. The performances were well attended and everything seemed to go off without any glitches. The students did a fabulous job on the show. The show, of course, is a hugely collaborative effort with staff, students and former staff members. We would like to recognize the following: Tricia Neary, our student theater advisor: Peter Carney, our new choral teacher worked with the students on the vocals, Rose Bubanas, one of our dance teachers created the choreography, David Keefe, middle school instrumental music teacher, directed the pit band which included another LPSD music teacher, Kevin Reilly, his son Brendon Reilly (LHS Alum), Tracy Yang, LHS Senior and Andrew Garside (His father taught in Lowell at one point). The set design was created by LHS junior Katie Leary and the Stage Manager was LHS senior Nathan Klowsowski. Attached is the list of all student cast and crew members. I would like to thank Dr. Sharon A. Clark, Fine Arts Department Chair at Lowell High School and Tricia Neary, After School Theatre Arts Program Advisor for their assistance with this report.  HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL CAST Cast Members Troy Bolton -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Andrew Costa Gabriella Montez ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amanda Botelho Ryan Evans -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John Quigley Sharpay Evans ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Erin McAnespie Chad Denforth ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sebastian Rivera Taylor McKessie -------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- Raylene Rocheleau Zeke Baylor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Marcell Richardson Martha Cox --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Katie Leary Jack Scott ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Casey Woods Kelsi Nielsen ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Molly DeLorenzo Ms. Darbus --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kayla Rose Noble Coach Jack Bolton ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Devon Bettencourt Ms. Tenny ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jaymison Griesmer Alan ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Evan Caverly Cathy ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- KatelynSt. Louis Cyndra --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MeghanPlourde Jason Cross ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Paul Pacheco James — ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Timothy Lamb Karaoke M.C. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Casey Woods Ripper ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Barnard Krouch Susan ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jaymison Griesmer Mongo -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Meghan Plourde Kratnoff ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kaelly Palacios Cheerleaders -------------------------------------------------- Sheila Mwangi, Heather Graham, Victoria O'Kim, Robin Som-Ouer, Sianna Burgos,Esta Thomas, Luana Arese, Joy Majwega Thespains ------------------------------------------------------ Tim Lamb, Meghan Plourde, Evan Caverly, Katelyn St.Louis, Brittany Egan, Kaelly Palacios Brainiacs -------------------------------------------------------- Makayla Challender, Christina Laderoute, Kelsey Langat, Allyson Imbacuan, Emma D'Argenio Basketball Players ------------------------------------------- Andres Chavez, Majesty Mangeni, Marnith Komsonkeo Dancer Captains ---------------------------------------------- Marnith Komsonkeo. Raylene Rocheleau Dancers ---------------------------------------------------------- Jillian Goerke, Angela Tuy, Cristin McDonough, Andres Chavez Middle School Cast -------------------------------------- Cody Martin, Alyssa Lesperance, Jewel Chan Spotlight on Excellence LHS – High School Musical 2  HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL CREW Crew Members Stage Manager -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nathan Klosowski Tech Crew --------------------------------------------- Kate Dyson,Emily Sorano, Josiah Belfiore, Cassidy Ladd, Samantha Richards, Caleb Peters, Anthony Ruiz, Kaylaundra Washington, Nick Fiorito, Ben Mendonca Lighting ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Elmer Martinez Lighting Team -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Josiah Belfiore Lighting Team --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nick Fiorito Sound -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brian Callahan Sound -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- David Gregory Set Design -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Katie Leary Set Construction Team ---------------------------- Kate Dyson, Emily Sorano, Josiah Belfiore, Cassidy Ladd, Samanth Richards, Caleb Peters, Anthony Ruiz, Kaylaundra Washington, Nick Music Director --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- David Keefe Lead Guitar -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kevin Reilly Bass Guitar ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brendan Reilly Keyboards -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tracy Yang Drums ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Andrew Garside Spotlight on Excellence LHS – High School Musical 3  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 FY2017 Budget Hearing of Monday, May 9, 2016 and Wednesday, May 11, 2016. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 191 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  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, May 18, 2016 To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 205 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Management Information Systems LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS Department Phone: (978) 674-4320 43 Highland Stree t Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Permission to Enter: June 1, 2016 To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Management Information Systems Department Agenda Item: 2016 / 215 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: Permission to Enter: June 1, 2016  Management Information Systems LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS Department Phone: (978) 674-4320 43 Highland Stree t Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Janet (Conners) Lang, mother to Dr. Roger J. Lang IV, former Deputy Superintendent of Finance & Operations and Jill Lang, Director of LHS Freshman Academy, mother-in-law to Laurie Lang, Assistant Principal for Pyne Arts School. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Management Information Systems Department Agenda Item: 2016 / 207 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Management Information Systems LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS Department Phone: (978) 674-4320 43 Highland Stree t Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Ernest Brekalis, father-in-law of Karen Brekalis, Business Office Account Clerk. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Management Information Systems Department Agenda Item: 2016 / 235 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Lowell High School Design Process and Committee Selection To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 214 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 that the superintendent create a Job Description for the position of Deputy Superintendent. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 222 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 Edward Kennedy]: Request a report on which Principals have ordered all of their materials for the 2016-2017 school year, and which Principals have not yet done so. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 223 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 Robert Hoey]: Motion to Adopt a Resolution Against Lifting the Cap on Commonwealth Charter Schools To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 224 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 Edward Kennedy]: Request that the Superintendent provide the School Committee with a report estimating the total financial impact of continuing the policy that allows 36 students whose parents are Lowell School Department employees to attend Lowell Schools. The report should include the cost estimate or any ancillary or domino affect cost trigged by maintaining the policy for the 2016-17 school year. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 225 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 Edward Kennedy]: Request that the School Committee provide further clarification on the vote taken at the May 18, 2016 School Committee meeting regarding students of parents who are school employees. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 226 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 Connie Martin]: Requesting that the Administration update the committee on outstanding motions and return to a regular quarterly report of all unaddressed motions. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 227 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 Connie Martin]: Requesting that the Administration bring forward their recommendations for amendments to the Lowell Public Schools Purchasing Policies as previously discussed at the January 27th Policy and Procedure Subcommittee and the February 3rd Lowell School Committee meeting. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 228 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 Connie Martin]: Requesting that the Administration update the committee on when it can expect to receive a report on the annual Principal evaluations and the current status of our Teacher Evaluations across the district as requested at the May 4th meeting of the Lowell School Committee. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 229 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 Connie Martin]: Requesting that the Administration provide the committee with the individual grant budgets for all grants that are expected to be expended during the 2016-2017 school year. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 231 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Policy Subcommittee: Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of Monday, May 16, 2016 [Robert Hoey, Chair] To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 206 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Lowell High School Subcommittee: Report and Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of Wednesday, May 18, 2016 [Robert Gignac, Chair] To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 217 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE Henry J. Mroz Central Administration Offices 155 Merrimack Street Lowell, Massachusetts 01852 Edward J. Kennedy, Jr. Tel: (978) 674-4324 Mayor and Chairperson Lowell School Committee Fax: (978) 937-7609 Lowell High School Subcommittee Meeting Andre P. Descoteaux City Hall Council Chambers Jackie Doherty May 18, 2016 Stephen J. Gendron 5:30 P.M. Robert J. Gignac Robert J. Hoey, Jr. Connie A. Martin LHS Subcommittee chair Robert Gignac called the meeting of the Subcommittee on Lowell High School to order at 5:30 p.m. LHS Subcommittee Members Also Present: Present: Central Office: Robert Gignac, Chair M. Claire Abrams, Assistant Superintendent Andre Descoteaux Robert Hoey Others: Brian Martin, LHS Headmaster The agenda for this subcommittee meeting included the following topics: 1. Our Restorative Justice School Community Reparative Agreement - Discussion 1. Our Restorative Justice School Community Reparative Agreement - Discussion Headmaster Martin provided a report on the Restorative Justice recommendations: 1) Discussion on recommendation to change the titles of the Housemasters and Headmaster. Request has been made to LSAA collective bargaining union for suggestions. 2) Utilize Creegan Media Center and school daily news to highlight topics on diversity. To date the MLK Day celebration and guest speaker Chief Justice Gants was taped as well as the school-wide essay contest on the elimination of the use of the “N Word”. 3) Standing Committee on hiring. Agreement was made that students would participate in the interview process for administrative positions as well as head coaching positions. 4) Student Handbook to include specific offensive language terms. Referred to Dr. Howe, Housemasters and Attorney Michael Ortiz for recommendation.  5) Organize school-wide cultural and ethnic events to expand current activities. Department Chair Stephen Gervais is working with the Student Support liaisons and the SCCC students to prepare for 2016-17. 6) Improve diversity opportunities for Student Government Association. LHS has worked to improve the opportunities and for the past four years there have been 13-16 office positions held by students of color. We believe the new Generation Citizen program in Social Studies will continue to build future leaders at LHS. 7) Hire a more diverse staff. The Central office has run a job fair at LHS and will work closely to improve the hiring of a diverse staff. 8) Diversity Training. Student leaders from the SCCC will be trained on June 10th by the LCHC diversity training coordinator and the full staff at LHS will be trained on June 20th. 9) Increase course offerings. We have added a “Seminar on American Diversity” to the Social Studies elective offerings. 10) Diversity Curriculum. We have a proposal from Primary Choice, a well-respected consultant, to work with staff beginning in August. A final presentation will be scheduled for June 15th School Committee Meeting suggested by Committeeman Robert Gignac. I would like to thank Headmaster Brian Martin for his assistance with this report. MOTION: by Mr. Gignac seconded by Mr. Hoey: to recommend to the Committee as a whole to accept as a report of progress. 3-0 Accept MOTION: by Mr. Gignac seconded by Mr. Descoteaux: to adjourn. 3-0 Accept. The meeting adjourned at 6:48 p.m. Respectfully submitted, M. Claire Abrams, Assistant Superintendent for Dr. Salah Khelfaoui, Superintendent and Secretary, Lowell School Committee LHS Subcommittee Meeting May 18, 2016 Page 2  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Report Card System To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 219 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: Report Card System  LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment Phone: (978) 674-4323 155 Merrimack Street Fax: (978) 275-6363 Lowell, Massachusetts 01852 E-mail: cabrams@lowell.k12.ma.us Report Card System TO: Dr. Salah E. Khelfaoui, Superintendent FROM: M. Claire Abrams, Assistant Superintendent DATE: May 26, 2016 The following report is in response to the motion by Ms. Jackie Doherty: Request the Superintendent provide the committee with an update of our current report card system, including: • Communication to aid parents in understanding report cards, particularly the standards-based report cards used in the elementary schools. • Rationale for or against using standards-based report cards for upper grades • Timeline for transitioning to standards-based report cards for upper grades should that be preferred going forward. Communication to aid parents in understanding report cards, particularly the standards-based report cards used in the elementary schools. The following has been collected from elementary school principals:  Teachers and curriculum support specialists at the Shaughnessy discuss the report cards at open house, parent/teacher conference nights, and at individually arranged sessions  according to parent needs.  Report cards are part of the discussion at IEP meetings. Parents are welcomed at any time to drop by schools with questions, misunderstandings  or concerns regarding report card grades. Report card conversations are completed on an individual basis with families during the  two parent conferences. Parent conference night is about two weeks before the distribution of the elementary report card so that teachers can brief parents on progress and what to expect with the  report card. Teachers explain the standard’s based report card during conferences.  Teachers meet with families during open house and always address the nature of the report cards. We have family sessions in which we discuss parent’s concerns about students’ progress. However, they are often poorly attended.   We do not have a regular scheduled parent meeting to discuss standards-based report cards. Teachers will address questions pertaining to progress reports and/or report cards  during parent/teacher conferences. We scheduled our 2nd Parent/Teacher Conferences for Thursday, April 14th; a week after report cards went home. This allowed parents to conference with teachers to discuss report card questions. This is how we handle the 2nd Parent/Teacher conferences each year. Last year, we held a parent workshop in November - 2 weeks before report cards went home. We had translators for 4 languages and several teacher volunteers. Many notifications were sent home (in various languages) and made several connect ed. calls in  advance to notify parents. Report card conversations are completed on an individual basis with families during the two parent conferences. Ideas for improvement  It might be worthwhile putting a video on the district’s website and link it to schools that helps to explain the report card. If a script was created it could be done in several  languages and people could access it pretty easily through computers, phones, etc. Gather data from schools that have scheduled times for parents to meet to see if  attendance at the meetings is positive. More time for parents to be able to come to schools, early release, morning and afternoon  hours. It would be beneficial during the next contract negotiations for teachers to have the November Election Day added as a workday for extended parent conferences. It might be a good time to discuss the possibility of a Professional Development day on the books for the Primary Election Day and a Parent Conference Day on the books for the November Election Day. Rationale for or against using standards-based report cards for upper grades The first step to move this discussion forward would be establishing a middle school advisory board to discuss the pros/cons of such a move. This committee needs to be comprised of teachers, administrators, and parents. The district believes the rationale for or against moving towards a standard-based report card for the upper grades is as follows. Benefits are obvious. We are teaching a standards-based curriculum, so grading based on standards is a good thing. It focuses teachers on the standards, and provides a better sense of what a student can actually do. It certainly assists teachers in identifying the needs of students in specific standards as well as identifies students early on who have mastered a standard so they can be taught appropriately as well. Not moving towards standards-based grading does not move the district forward in being able to focus on specific standards and does not give students the opportunity to be truly graded on all aspects of the curriculum. Staying with a system not standards-based does not allow for each student to be graded in all aspects of the standards. For example in ELA, Mathematics and Science, much more attention is given to standards of practice that focus in on critical thinking skills, model development etc. “Grades have long been identified by those in the measurement community as prime examples of un- reliable measurement. Huge differences exist among teachers in the criteria they use when assigning grades. Even in schools where established Report Card System 2 June 1, 2016 policies offer guidelines for grading, significant variation remains in individual teachers’ grading practices. The unique adaptations teachers use in assigning grades to students with disabilities and English learners make that variation wider still”. (Guskey & Bailey, 2010) Timeline for transitioning to standards-based report cards for upper grades should that be preferred going forward. 1. Convene a Middle School Advisory Team to investigate moving forward with a standards- based grading system in the middle school, with a focus on grades five and six first. This advisory team should meet on a monthly basis beginning in September 2016 and chaired by the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment. A proposed report card would need to be approved by June 2017, so the course structure in X2-Aspen could be re-programmed before schedules are finalized in August.  The recommendation from the district would be to convert grades 5 & 6 first, as a pilot,  and give that a year or two before moving grades 7 & 8. There will be a challenge of moving the fourth grade report card to the fifth grade in terms of the social-emotional habits of mind category. In K-4, the self-contained classroom teacher enters those grades. The district would need to find a way to parcel out some of this to subject area teachers, and to give specialists the ability to grade more than  the academic standard. It becomes a little more of a challenge in grades 7-8, when students branch out from the usual 5-6 pairing of ELA-SS and Math-Science teachers, as you are going to have more teachers who would want to weigh in on the habits-social emotional grades. It also becomes more work for teachers, as they have higher caseloads than elementary teachers,  and would need to increase the number of data entries over a larger cohort of students. The one thing that would make it easier is to have students use the standards-based gradebook in X2, open the parent portal, so the formal report card is published three times each year, but teachers and students can look at their progress at any time and there won’t be a data entry period where teachers calculate averages for the report cards.  The recommendation is going to trimesters for the middle school standards based cards, to conform to the elementary reporting. I would like to thank the following for their assistance with this report: Mr. Paul Schlichtman, Coordinator of Research, Testing and Assessment Mr. Jeff Gwiazda, Coordinator of Mathematics Ms. Melissa Newell, Coordinator of Language and Literacy Ms. Martha Cohn, Coordinator of Science, and Social Studies Report Card System 3 June 1, 2016 LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment Phone: (978) 674-4323 155 Merrimack Street Fax: (978) 275-6363 Lowell, Massachusetts 01852 E-mail: cabrams@lowell.k12.ma.us STEM Advisory Committee TO: Dr. Salah E. Khelfaoui, Superintendent FROM: M. Claire Abrams, Assistant Superintendent DATE: May 26, 2016 The following are the names of individuals who have expressed interest on being members of the STEM Advisory Committee. We thank all of them for their support in assisting the district in moving STEM education forward. Oliver C. Ibe, ScD, MBA, FAAS, Acting Chair, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Anthony Iarrapino, Engineering Teacher, Lowell High School Sumudu Lewis, Master Teacher for Uteach at University of Massachusetts Lowell LZ Nunn, Executive Director at Project LEARN, Inc. Amy McLeod, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, Lowell High School Jeff Gwiazda, Mathematics Coordinator, PreK-12, Lowell Public Schools Linda Dart-Kathios, Professor in the Mathematics department, Middlesex Community College, Lowell MA Roger Morneau, Department Head, Science and Engineering, Lowell High School Martha Cohn, Coordinator of Science and Social Studies, PreK-12, Lowell Public Schools Paula Bransfield, District STEM Specialist PreK-12, Lowell Public Schools  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Interview Processes and Procedures To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 232 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: endeavor, but would also allow us to hire qualified candidates earlier in the hiring season, ensuring that we are able to hire certified and highly qualified staff. Strategy # 1: The Lowell Public Schools will institute an early hiring candidate pool, enabling us to hire as early as possible to obtain the highest quality candidates for teaching and administrative positions. Sometimes collective bargaining regulations and or contractual obligations prevent us from hiring early. To abide by posting time frames and work in accordance with our current system of sending interviewees to school-based committees, we often are weeks behind other districts in the hiring cycle. To be clear, many districts do end up in this later hiring position for the same reasons. In 2015, the Boston Public Schools instituted an early hiring candidate pool and by many accounts it has helped them to hire candidates earlier. This type of an initiative would potentially assist us in hiring more diverse candidates as well due to an earlier hiring time frame. In this proposed process, candidates will interview with a first interview committee prior to the actual posting of teaching and administrative positions. This will create a pool of “early hiring candidates,” from which to draw when teacher candidates are sent to schools for their final interview with the principal, or in the case of administrative candidates, to the Superintendent. Under this process, the second/final round interview with Principals will be finalized within two weeks of the posting closing, with the hope that we finalize interviews and send confirmation letters earlier. This would allow us to select teachers and administrators from a highly qualified candidate pool because they have not yet committed to other districts. This requires the participation of all parties to ensure that the final interviews are conducted over late spring and early summer this year, with the hope that it would be even earlier next year. Important to note is that next school year, 2016-2017, would be the real test of the success of this initiative because the time is already quite late in this hiring season. However, if approved, we would institute an early hiring candidate pool as soon as possible for the 2015-2016 hiring season, with the intent of starting the process in late January of 2017, for the 2016-2017 hiring season. Recommendation # 2: Lowell residents receive automatic interview when they apply for positions of any kind in the Lowell Public Schools. With the intent of the above motion in mind, and if the above motion passes, we could ensure that Lowell residents holding all of the necessary certifications and qualifications receive interviews. They must hold these certifications and qualifications at the close of the posting time frame. In no way is this to be considered a residency requirement for employees. This also abides by all of the guidelines on hiring responsibilities set forth in Education Reform Act/Chapter 71. If this motion passes, our policy would be simply to ensure that Lowell residents holding the necessary qualifications and certifications pertaining to positions for which they apply, would have an opportunity to receive a first round interview, as all qualified and certified candidates should. These Lowell resident interviewees would be subject to the same questions and other practices conducted during the hiring process as all other interviewees and would not be provided any special consideration. The interview team would then vote on three candidates whose names would be forwarded to the Office of Human Resources for the scheduling of their second/ final interview. The Lowell residents’ names would be forwarded, or not forwarded, depending on their interview performance and other criteria utilized by the interview panel. It is believed that this interview process could ensure fair access to all, and reduce the chances that potential qualified candidates would be denied an interview based on irrelevant or arbitrary reasoning.  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Human Resources Initiatives To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 233 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: Lowell and Middlesex Community College. Our hope is that by hiring qualified community members as paraprofessionals, we can further our ultimate goal of a highly qualified staff that reflects the ethnic and multilingual background of our student body and our city. Thank you especially to Judith Hogan from Middlesex Community College who outlined existing opportunities for our paraprofessionals and grants that are currently in place to support these staff members. The following is an informational document outlining this opportunity as it pertains to future paraprofessionals. (One small piece of this program is to designate a percentage of our paraprofessional positions for students graduating from Lowell High School that may be planning to apply to the Middlesex Community College Early Childhood Education Associate’s Degree program and may reflect the diversity of our student body. This piece would start during the 2016-2017 school year and would require the collaboration of the Lowell High School Guidance Office.) LPS Community to Paraprofessional Development Program LPS Community to Paraprofessional Development Program (CPDP) provides a comprehensive approach to supporting the development of Lowell community members, into diverse cohorts of educators, equipped with the skills necessary to work with Lowell’s diverse and often underrepresented student body. This program is designed to incentivize two-year degree completion among our paraprofessional staff, to encourage transfer to a four-year degree, and to assist paraprofessionals in the attainment of initial teacher licensure. Through hands-on experience, coursework, and participation in a collegial cohort, community members have the opportunity to work as Lowell Public Schools’ paraprofessionals while developing the skills to work with Lowell’s students by enrolling in the Associate’s Degree in Education at Middlesex Community College, then, transferring to UMass Lowell to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree and preliminary or initial teacher licensure. Commitment: This program consists of work as an LPS paraprofessional, with the annual salary, course reimbursement, and contractual benefits afforded to entry-level paraprofessional staff members. • Participants must attend training sessions offered by the Lowell Public Schools Office of Human Resources and complete the required coursework toward an Associate’s Degree offered by Middlesex Community College. • If participants maintain a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) at Middlesex Community College, and complete the Associate’s Degree in 2.5 years, while in the CPDP Program, participants may benefit from the reduction in tuition and fees offered through the recently announced Commonwealth Commitment Program. Participants may or may not finish in 2.5 years, depending on individuals’ prior coursework, course-load, and availability of summer coursework. For more information on Commonwealth Commitment, please visit: http://www.mass.edu/masstransfer/macomcom/home.asp  • Participants agree to continue employment in the Lowell Public Schools until the completion of the Bachelor’s Degree coursework at UMass Lowell and the attainment of the initial licensure from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. • Cohort members develop a professional resume and portfolio, and receive continued professional and personal development while working as a paraprofessional in the Lowell Public Schools. The Lowell Public Schools, Middlesex Community College and UMass Lowell collaboratively provide a supportive and nurturing collegial cohort through which paraprofessionals work toward their associate’s degree at MCC and develop the skills necessary to work with Lowell’s diverse student body in preparation for transfer to the four year education degree at UML. This approach consists of three connected experiences that: (1) provide a realistic job “preview” and exposure to content and key initiatives in the field of education, within Lowell Public Schools, (2) support hands-on, practical experience of the content and interactions within Lowell Public Schools, and (3) work with LPS Human Resource Office, Middlesex Community College and UMass Lowell, to determine actions for completion of the associate’s degree at MCC, with the goal of transferring to UMass Lowell to obtain initial teacher licensure. To be eligible for the Community to Paraprofessional Program, participants must: 1. Be accepted into MCC’s Associate’s Degree Program 2. Take and pass the Paraprofessional Exam 3. Successfully pass a CORI background check 4. Have a passion for working with children from all backgrounds 5. Preference given to multilingual candidates, and highly qualified candidates that represent our diverse student body 6. Work with LPS HR Office on their specific route to licensure Training: CPDP is designed to assist the Lowell Public Schools in the development of a diverse educator force while training community members to develop the skills necessary to work with Lowell’s diverse student body. During the program, participants will: • Participate in Lowell Public Schools’ Courageous Conversations cultural competence trainings • Participate in the development of LPS School Site Councils • Participate in Common Planning Time sessions at the school • Access computer labs to participate in online components of MCC’s coursework • Work with LPS teachers on lesson plan development • Draw upon LPS Office of Human Resources in developing a professional portfolio and resume • Participate in experiential learning opportunities • Participate in informational interviews, job shadowing and LPS special programs • Participate in informal and formal interaction w/ LPS teachers and administrators • Participate in ongoing cohort support through the collaborative efforts of LPS, MCC and UML • Access Lowell Public Schools MTEL support through Office of Human Resources This informational sheet was developed in conjunction with MCC and UML staff and is mindful of; 1. MCC, UML and LPS programmatic requirements 2. LPS paraprofessional posting requirements 3. buy-in from all three participating organizations 4. varying routes to licensure.  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Budget Transfer To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 216 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS Henry J. Mroz Administration Office 155 Merrimack Street Lowell, Massachusetts 01852 Tel: (978) 674-4325 Gary N. Frisch Tel: (978) 674-2019 School Business Administrator Fax: (978) 937-7620 E-Mail: gfrisch@lowell.k12.ma.us Transfer Requests: Motion to transfer the following the following three requests. Transfer Request #1 From: School Suspense Account $2,610,198. To: Employee Salary Accounts $2,225,000 Special Education Transportation $ 385,198 The purpose of this transfer is to pay for salary increases due to the contractual employee association agreements and additional special education transportation costs in excess of the original budget. Transfer Request #2 From: Food Service Revolving Account $1,138,816 To: Reimburse Admin indirect costs For 2015-16 $243,438 Reimburse Tech Services For 2015-16 $151,361 Reimburse custodial cleaning for 2015-16 744,117 The purpose of this transfer is to reimburse the school department local budget for expenses associated with the school lunch program for 2015-16. Transfer Request #3 From: Custodial Cleaning $744,117 Admin indirect costs $196,344 To: Special Education – Out of District Costs $940,461 The purpose of this transfer is to pay for the remaining special education costs for 2015-16 from the local expense account in lieu of using the circuit breaker account. Maintaining a balance in excess of $3,090,016 was planned for in the 2016-17 budget.  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Greenhalge School Literacy Team members Assistant Principal Kelliann Woodlock and teacher Elaine Williamson and Susan Cappellini to attend the Teachers College June Institute on Teaching of Writing from Monday, June 27th to Friday, July 21st, 2016 in New York. The cost of the conference/travel/lodging will not exceed $1,200 per person and will be funded by Title I. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 208 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 50 LHS International Language Club members and 4 staff members [Tricia Gabor, Jeannine Ameduri, William Donaghey, Mary Ann Dyson and Philip Maia], along with a coried chaperone, to travel to Quebec City, Canada from Friday, February 3rd through Monday, February 6, 2016. There is no cost to the School Department budget. No substitute teachers are needed. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 209 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Superintendent Dr. Salah E. Khelfaoui respectfully requests permission to attend the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendent’s Executive Institute 2016 in Falmouth, MA from Tuesday, July 12th through Friday, July 15th, 2016. The cost of the conference and stay will not exceed $1,800 and will be paid by the District's Professional Development funds and the cost of travel $50/day will not exceed $400. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 211 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Superintendent of Schools Phone: (978) 674-4324 LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Street Fax: (978) 937-7609 Lowell, Massachusetts 08152 E-mail: jfranco@lowell.k12.ma.us Conference for Dr. Salah E. Khelfaoui To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Dr. Salah E. Khelfaoui, Superintendent of Schools Date: May 27, 2016 Re: 2016 MASS Superintendent’s Executive Institute Conference I respectfully request permission to attend the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendent’s Executive Institute 2016 in Falmouth, MA from Tuesday, July 12th through Friday, July 15th, 2016. The cost of the conference and stay will not exceed $1,800 and will be paid by the District's Professional Development funds and the cost of travel $50/day will not exceed $400. This meaningful summit has provided extraordinary insight on a wide variety of issues facing o u r district and our country. Thank you in advance for your consideration and support.  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Request permission to attend an overnight out of state conference for Carolyn Rocheleau, Coordinator of Special Programs, to attend the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Summer Institute in Phoenix, Arizona from July 19, 2016 thru July 21, 2016. No substitute needed. Cost associated with the conference includes travel, registration fees, food and lodging not to exceed 2,000.00 will be paid through the 21st Century Grant. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 213 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Rocio Camargo-Ruiz, Pawtucketville School Social Worker, to attend the "Reframing the Dream Helping our Nation One Child at a Time" Conference in New York City on June 9, 2016. Please note that the total cost is $150.00. Mrs. Camargo-Ruiz will be covering all costs associated with travel and hotel stay. There is no cost to the School Department. No substitute teacher needed. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 220 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Arlene M. De la Luz, McAvinnue School Social Worker, to attend the "Reframing the Dream Helping our Nation One Child at a Time" Conference in New York City on June 9, 2016. The cost of the conference is $150.00 and will funded by Individual School funds. Mrs. De la Luz will be covering all costs associated with travel and hotel stay. No substitute teacher needed. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 221 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Headmaster Brian Martin, requests permission for Dianne Luz, Deborath Linnehan and Analiz Santiago along with a group of 38 Upward Bound students participating in the MCC TRIO Upward Bound program to attend an educational and cultural Summer Field Trip to New York City scheduled for June 23 through June 24, 2016. There are no costs to the School Department Budget. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 234 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: LHS  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 The members of the United Teachers of Lowell hereby request to donate eight [8] donated sick leave days to Kimberly Bradley, Pyne Arts School teacher. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 210 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Lowe ll Public Schools LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 43 Highland Stree t Phone: (978) 674-4320 Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 The members of the United Teachers of Lowell hereby request to donate eight [8] donated sick leave days to Kristina Virella , Pawtucket Memorial School paraprofessional. To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Lowell Public Schools Agenda Item: 2016 / 212 Recommendation: Background: Attachments:  Management Information Systems LOW ELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS Department Phone: (978) 674-4320 43 Highland Stree t Lowe ll, Massachuse tts 08152 Executive Session: •Initial Consideration of Contract Extension and language for School Superintendent •Consideration of Contract Extension and language for Assistant Superintendent •Contract Negotiations with Non-Union Personnel/Principals •Contract Negotiations SEIU To: Members of the Lowell School Committee From: Management Information Systems Department Agenda Item: 2016 / 202 Recommendation: Background: Attachments: