School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, October 19, 2016 TIME 6:31 PM SALUTE TO FLAG: 1. - SALUTE TO FLAG: ROLL CALL: 2. - ROLL CALL: On a roll call at 6:31 p.m., all members were present, namely: Mayor Kennedy, Ms. Martin, Mr. Descoteaux, Ms. Doherty, Mr. Gendron, Mr. Gignac and Mr. Hoey. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: 3. 2016 / 410 - Spotlight on Excellence – Summer Mathematics Program The Spotlight on Excellence presentation featured the ninth year of the Grades K – 8 Summer Mathematics Program. The following list recognizes the school and invited students who were the lucky drawing winners of a $20.00 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 13) Bailey School: Isabella Correa, Kaiya Kum-Vann, Shaelynn Sylvestre Bartlett School: Aaliyah Espinola, McKayla Loyn, Keegan McGloughlin Butler School: Alyssa An, Abdulai Jalloh, Annamaria Mbuyu Daley School: Ashley Mieses, Aseal Salman, Vy Vu Greenhalge School: Abdul Jalloh, Princess Nimely, Yureissy Rodriguez Lincoln School: Desmond Aquino, Alexander Sophal, Alexis Velazquez McAuliffe School: Ethan Martin, Kiareliz Mejia, Tessa Roun McAvinnue School: Juwan Acevedo, Yamailee Rivera, Damien Valencia Moody School: Barthina Boules, Ameer Salman, Gabriella Tramontin Morey School: Angelina Cheang, Reaksmey Pot, Kayden Ry Murkland School: Javian Dejesus, Scarlett Grey, Thao Vu Pawtucketville School: Janar Awni, Sophia Dixon, Caillou Lee Pyne/Arts School: Joseph Buckley, Ayla Hun, Quinn McDonald Reilly School: Alexia Anderson, Javiien Lazu, Jano Samir Robinson School: Kimson Lam, Jonathan Porter, Ava Savard Shaughnessy School: Sarah Chan, Alison Hegarty, Aaron Mao STEM Academy: Isabell Baez-Luciano, Kenevong Khan, Joshua Kokeh Stoklosa School: Daryan Kong, Daniel Miranda, Evanny Vy Sullivan School: Samara Cardoso, Kamariya Davis, Annabella Keenan Wang School: Jacob Hamilton, Melissa Ing, Kyle Reardon Washington School: Tessica Hau, Theo Kelly, Milly Serrano MINUTES: 4. 2016 / 409 - Approval of the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, October 5, 2016 Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 13) VOTING Motion by: Robert Hoey Second by: Connie Martin Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Kennedy, Jr, Edward J. x Gendron, Stephen x Descoteaux, Andre x Doherty, Jacqueline x Gignac, Robert x Hoey, Robert x Martin, Connie x PERMISSION TO ENTER: 5. 2016 / 416 - Permission to Enter: October 19, 2016 VOTING Motion by: Robert Gignac Second by: Robert Hoey Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Kennedy, Jr, Edward J. x Gendron, Stephen x Descoteaux, Andre x Doherty, Jacqueline x Gignac, Robert x Hoey, Robert x Martin, Connie x Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 4 of 13) MEMORIALS: 6. 2016 / 408 - Claire V. (Neylon) Durkin, mother of Kathy Woods, Reilly School Assistant Principal, Dottie Durkin, Pawtucketville School Teacher, grandmother of Erin Quealy, Murkland School Teacher and mother-in-law of Pam Durkin, Morey School Teacher. 7. 2016 / 411 - William Boutselis, retired Lowell High School teacher. MOTIONS: 8. 2016 / 413 - by Robert Hoey]: Request that the Superintendent look into the possibility of the City allowing Food trucks to visit Lowell High School on designated weeks. VOTING Motion by: Robert Hoey Second by: Robert Gignac Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Kennedy, Jr, Edward J. x Gendron, Stephen x Descoteaux, Andre x Doherty, Jacqueline x Gignac, Robert x Hoey, Robert x Martin, Connie x Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 5 of 13) 9. 2016 / 417 - [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. VOTING Motion by: Connie Martin Second by: Jacqueline Doherty Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Kennedy, Jr, Edward J. x Gendron, Stephen x Descoteaux, Andre x Doherty, Jacqueline x Gignac, Robert x Hoey, Robert x Martin, Connie x 10. 2016 / 418 - [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 as previously requested at the June 1, 2016 meeting of the Lowell School Committee. VOTING Motion by: Connie Martin Second by: Stephen Gendron Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 6 of 13) Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Kennedy, Jr, Edward J. x Gendron, Stephen x Descoteaux, Andre x Doherty, Jacqueline x Gignac, Robert x Hoey, Robert x Martin, Connie x 11. - A motion was made to approve the revisions to Policy DJ and that the language that states that requisitions should be signed by the Superintendent or his/her designee on Policy DJ should remain. VOTING Motion by: Robert Gignac Second by: Stephen Gendron Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Kennedy, Jr, Edward J. x Gendron, Stephen x Descoteaux, Andre x Doherty, Jacqueline x Gignac, Robert x Hoey, Robert x Martin, Connie x 11.1. - A motion was made to replace all of DJE with DJE-R and to replace all of DJB with DJB-R. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 7 of 13) VOTING Motion by: Robert Gignac Second by: Stephen Gendron Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Kennedy, Jr, Edward J. x Gendron, Stephen x Descoteaux, Andre x Doherty, Jacqueline x Gignac, Robert x Hoey, Robert x Martin, Connie x SUBCOMMITTEES: 11.1.1 2016 / 404 - Finance: Report and Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of . Wednesday, October 5, 2016 [Robert Gignac, Chair] Mr. Gignac, Chairperson of the Finance Subcommittee spoke to the Committee about the Purchasing Policy. Presently, the language in Policy DJ reads Assistant Superintendent for Business and the title should now read Assistant Superintendent for Finance/School Business Administrator. Mr. Gignac also informed the Committee that the language that presently reads “prepare” a requisition without prior approval of the Committee when formal bidding procedures are not required by law and the budget allocation for the category is adequate to cover the obligation be changed to “approve”. A motion was then made to approve the revisions and that the language that states that requisitions should be signed by the Superintendent or his/her designee on Policy DJ should remain. The motion passed. Mr. Gignac also spoke about the Bidding Requirement DJE – R that states that all procurement of goods and services will be in compliance with state law. Mr. Gignac explained that bids or proposals will be approved by the School Committee and that the School Committee reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to accept the bid that appears to be in the best interest of the school system. A motion was made to replace all of DJE with DJE-R and to replace all of DJB with DJB-R. The motion passed. The final item on the Finance Subcommittee agenda regarding agenda item Budget and Expenditure Transfer was referred to a future Finance Subcommittee. 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 8 of 13) VOTING Motion by: Robert Hoey Second by: Stephen Gendron Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Kennedy, Jr, Edward J. x Gendron, Stephen x Descoteaux, Andre x Doherty, Jacqueline x Gignac, Robert x Hoey, Robert x Martin, Connie x REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT: 12. 2016 / 406 - Quarterly Report on Motions Superintendent Khelfaoui presented the Quarterly Report on Motions to the Committee and welcomed any questions they may have. A motion was made to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent: 2016/406, 2016/414, 2016/415, 2016/419 and 2016/420 as reports of progress. The motion passed. 13. 2016 / 414 - Massachusetts Department of Education Release of 2015-20416 Chronic Attendance Jeannine Durkin, Deputy Superintendent for Student Support Services spoke to the Committee about the Massachusetts Department of Education Release of 2015-2016 Chronic Attendance report that she had provided to the Superintendent. Deputy Superintendent Durkin informed the Committee that the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education published the Chronic Attendance Rates for all schools in Massachusetts in August of 2016. A chronic absence is defined by missing 10% or more of school regardless of whether or not the absence is validly excused. The Lowell Public School’s rate has dropped significantly for the second year in a row Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 9 of 13) A motion was made to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent: 2016/406, 2016/414, 2016/415, 2016/419 and 2016/420 as reports of progress. The motion passed. 14. 2016 / 415 - Monthly Budget Report The Monthly Budget Report that was provided to the Committee by Gary Frisch, Assistant Superintendent for Finance/School Business Administrator showed the budget report for the period ending September 30, 2016. Mr. Frisch gave the following summary: Original Budget $158,445,232 Carrying Forward from Last Year $1,936,702 Revised Budget $160,381,934 Year-To-Date Expenditures $18,451,857 Outstanding Purchase Orders $14,955,666 Remaining Balance $126,974,411 A motion was made to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent: 2016/406, 2016/414, 2016/415, 2016/419 and 2016/420 as reports of progress. The motion passed. 15. 2016 / 419 - Personnel Report Superintendent Khelfaoui shared the Personnel Report that he received from Anne Sheehy, Interim Director of Human Resources. The report officially informs the Committee of all retirements, resignations, promotions and new hires. A motion was made to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent: 2016/406, 2016/414, 2016/415, 2016/419 and 2016/420 as reports of progress. The motion passed. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 10 of 13) 16. 2016 / 420 - List of Eligible Teachers Superintendent Khelfaoui shared with the Committee the List of Eligible Teachers Report that he received from Anne Sheehy, Interim Director of Human Resources. A motion was made to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent: 2016/406, 2016/414, 2016/415, 2016/419 and 2016/420 as reports of progress. The motion passed. 16.1. - A motion was made to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent: 2016/406, 2016/414, 2016/415, 2016/419 and 2016/420 as reports of progress. VOTING Motion by: Stephen Gendron Second by: Andre Descoteaux Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Kennedy, Jr, Edward J. x Gendron, Stephen x Descoteaux, Andre x Doherty, Jacqueline x Gignac, Robert x Hoey, Robert x Martin, Connie x 17. - A motion was made to suspend the rules to include an additional conference request to be added to the other request for approval. The motion was approved by General Consent. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 11 of 13) 17.1. - A motion was made to take and approve both convention/conference requests for approval. VOTING Motion by: Robert Hoey Second by: Connie Martin Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE Kennedy, Jr, Edward J. x Gendron, Stephen x Descoteaux, Andre x Doherty, Jacqueline x Gignac, Robert x Hoey, Robert x Martin, Connie x CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS: 17.1.1 2016 / 412 - Brian Martin, request permission for Becky Bussiere, LHS staff, and CORIE'D . chaperones, Greg Bussiere, Jana Deren, Jen Plourge and Denise Quigley to attend the Bay State Choir Festival to be held in Easton, MA on Friday, November 12 and Saturday, November 13, 2016 with [90] ninety choir students. The cost of the trip is approximately $4,350 000 and will be funded using a combination of the Student Activity Account funds and/or student contribution. No substitute teacher is needed. A motion was made to take and approve both convention/conference requests for approval. The motion passed. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 12 of 13) Dr. Salah E. Khelfaoui respectfully request permission to attend the MASC/MASS Joint Conference from Wednesday, November 2th through Saturday, November 5th, 2016 in Hyannis, Massachusetts along with School Committee members, Jackie Doherty, Andy Descoteaux and Robert Gignac. The cost of the conference, lodging, meals and travel for Superintendent Khelfaoui not to exceed $1500 and will be paid by the District’s Professional Development funds. The cost of the conference, lodging, meals and travel for Committee members Doherty, Descoteaux and Gignac not to exceed $ 3,400 will be funded by the School Committee Expense account budget. Thank you in advance for your consideration and support. A motion was made to take and approve both convention/conference requests for approval. The motion passed. Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 13 of 13) ADJOURNMENT: 18. - ADJOURNMENT: Motion to adjourn at 7:36 p.m. by Mr. Hoey; seconded by Ms. Martin 7 yeas Respectfully submitted, Dr. Salah E. Khelfaoui, Superintendent and Secretary to the Lowell School Committee SEK/mes Lowell Public Schools • 43 Highland Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us