School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Date: April 5, 2017 Time: 6:30PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA 01852 1. ROLL CALL On a roll call at 6:37 p.m.; members present were, namely,: Mr. Gendron, Mr. Gignac, Mr. Hoey, Mayor Kennedy Ms. Martin, Mr. Descoteaux and Ms. Doherty. Cole Conlon, LHS Student Representative was also present. 2. SALUTE TO FLAG 3. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS 3.I. Public Hearing Inter-district School Choice Program A motion was made under General consent to take the Vote on Inter-District School Choice under the New Business portion of the agenda out of order. The Public Hearing took place at 7:00 p.m. No one spoke in favor or in opposition. A motion was then made to recommend that the Lowell Public Schools participate in the Inter-District School Choice Program for grades 9 - 12, for the 2017-2018 school year and to allot 30 seats within grades 9 – 12. The motion was approved. 3.II. Spotlight on Excellence: 2017 Science and Engineering Fair The Spotlight on Excellence presentation featured the Daley School, the winner of the 2017 Science and Engineering Fair. Several of the students who participated introduced themselves to the Committee and told them about their project. 3.III. Spotlight on Excellence – Bartlett Community Partnership The 2nd Spotlight on Excellence presentation featured Teaching a Computer to Sing “TACTS” Program. The goal of this project is to research ways in which the teaching of basic computing skills can be integrated into after-school choral programs. This program was also just recently featured in the Lowell Sun. Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 9) 3.IV. Spotlight on Excellence: LHS Ice Hockey Team The 3rd Spotlight on Excellence presentation featured the Lowell High School Ice Hockey Team who had an outstanding season both on and off the ice. The team participated in a very successful “Fight Type 1 Diabetes” fund raising game to aid in research and care for Type 1 Diabetes. The team also qualified for the MIAA State Tournament and captured the Division III North Championship, advancing on to the state semi-finals. 4. MINUTES 4.I. Approval of the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, March 15, 2017 Mr. Hoey made a motion to accept the minutes and to place them on file; seconded by Mr. Gignac. 7 yeas APPROVED 5. PERMISSION TO ENTER 5.I. Permission to Enter: April 5, 2017 Mr. Gignac made a motion to approve the Permission to Enter; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 6. MEMORIALS 6.I. Memorial- Golden Eileen C. Golden, mother of Thomas A. “Tipa” Golden, Massachusetts State Representative, and mother- in-law of Kenneth C. Trott, Pyne Arts School Custodian. 6.II. Memorial - Stephen O’Brien Stephen O’Brien, husband of Cheryl O’Brien, Special Education Executive Secretary and father-in-law to Lynne O’Brien, Pawtucketville Memorial School Teacher. 6.III. Memorial - Merrill William A. Merrill, retired Lowell High School History teacher and Guidance Counselor. Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 9) 7. MOTIONS 7.I. [By Robert Gignac]: Request the Superintendent work with the City Administration to develop a plan and/or update on the capital improvement funds that were allocated for the schools. Mr. Gignac made a motion to approve; seconded by Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.II. [by Connie Martin]: Requesting an update on the plan for recruiting and hiring a new Head of School for Lowell High School, including a proposed timeline for assembling the interviewing committee and any public sessions that will be part of the process. The following people registered to speak and spoke on this motion: 1. Jonathon Richmond 2. Daniel Uk Ms. Martin made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 6 yeas, 1 nay APPROVED 7.III. [ by Steve Gendron]: Request the Superintendent form a task force to interview Lowell High School Head of School applicants. The motion was withdrawn. 7.IV. [by Connie Martin]: Requesting an update on the staffing plans for Principals and Assistant Principals for the fy17 and fy18. Ms. Martin made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Gignac. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.V. [By Jacqueline Doherty]: Request the Superintendent provide the committee with the DESE School Climate Survey along with recommendations as to whether we should implement this survey or some other instrument. The recommendations should also include timelines for beginning to collect baseline data about school climate, family involvement, or other aspects that address the education of the whole child. Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Gignac. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.VI. [By Steve Gendron]: Request the Superintendent work with the City and the LRTA to develop a program to provide free bus passes to Lowell High School students based on financial need. Mr. Gendron made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 4 of 9) 7.VII. [by Connie Martin]: Requesting that the administration provide the committee with an update on plans to accommodate the middle school bubble for the FY 17-18 school year Ms. Martin made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Hoey 7 yeas APPROVED 7.VIII. [Robert J. Hoey]: Request Superintendent conduct a review of safety and security in our schools. Mr. Hoey made a motion to refer this to the Lowell High School Subcommittee for further discussion; seconded by Mr. Gignac. 7 yeas APPROVED 8. SUBCOMMITTEES 8.I. Joint Finance and Student Support Services Subcommittee: Report and approval of the minutes of the Meeting of Wednesday, March 29, 2017 [Robert Gignac, Chairperson and Jackie Doherty, Chairperson] Ms. Doherty, Chairperson of the Student Support Services Subcommittee discussed rezoning the school district, K-12 student population by zip code and transportation cost estimates of busing students to a high school at Cawley. Ms. Doherty said that the plan that is being proposed is based on data that projects forty-six (46) additional buses will be needed to transport approximately two thousand (2,000) students to LHS at Cawley Stadium at a projected cost of $3.2 million dollars in the first year. In 2021, factoring incremental contractual steps, that figure is projected to increase to $3.8 million dollars. Ms. Doherty spoke about the draft rezoning proposal that included the following key factors: neighborhood zones, school bell times, and maintain compliance with the voluntary desegregation plan. Presently, the Lowell Public Schools (LPS) is divided into two zones, the East Zone, which includes the Centralville, Belvidere, and the South Lowell areas of the city and the West Zone which consists of the Pawtucketville, Acre and the Highlands portions of the city. There are also six (6) citywide schools that are scattered across both zones. If a student is assigned to a city wideschool, they would be afforded transportation. The same policy applies to parochial and charter school students with regards to transportation. The new proposal has the school district divided into five (5) neighborhood zones. This scenario was designed to align the district closer to neighborhood schools and also to comply with the federal voluntary desegregation plan that is in effect. Each of the zones adheres to the parameters set forth with the voluntary desegregation plan. To ensure parity, each zone would need to consist of at least one kindergarten thru eighth grade model, one elementary kindergarten thru fourth grade, and one fifth thru eighth grade middle school setting. Bell times would also need to be revisited. Changing the bell times provides an added potential benefit for busing LHS students no matter where the high school is located by adding an additional bus without incurring additional transportation costs. Mr. Hoey made a motion to request that the City Council authorize a feasibility study on transportation; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 5 of 9) Mr. Gignac made a motion to accept the report as a report of progress; seconded by Mr. Gignac. 7 yeas APPROVED 9. REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT 9.I. Tutoring Services Offered by the Dharma Center Ms. Robin Desmond, Interim Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment provided the Committee with a report about tutoring services offered at the Dharma Center. The Dharma Center of America (DCA) is a community service center located at 155 Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA. The center is working to provide a food pantry, tutoring services, and yoga classes at no cost to the public. DCA is powered by a group of volunteers, who are professionals in the field of technology, finance, education, and consulting. DCA is in the early stages of developing a free tutoring program for Lowell students. Lowell High School has been in contact with the DCA to gain access to the free tutoring schedule available to high school aged students. Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent as reports of progress: 9.I, 9.II and 9.III; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 9.II. Community Service Learning Program Update Ms. Robin Desmond, Interim Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment provided the Committee with an update about the community service learning program. During the month of October, all elementary and middle school principals were provided a template to record all community service activities expected to take place during the school year. In February, principals were asked to verify the community service activities for their school and the number of hours spent on each activity. To date, elementary and middle school students have performed approximately 1275 hours of community service for the 2016-2017 school year. The report included examples of community service activities performed this year. Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent as reports of progress: 9.I, 9.II and 9.III; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 9.III. Quarterly Reports on Motions Superintendent Khelfaoui presented the Quarterly Report on Motions to the Committee and welcomed any questions they may have. Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent as reports of progress: 9.I, 9.II and 9.III; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 6 of 9) 10. NEW BUSINESS 10.I. Vote of Inter-district School Choice Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to recommend that the Lowell Public Schools participate in the Inter- District School Choice Program for grades 9 - 12, for the 2017-2018 school year and to allot 30 seats within grades 9 – 12; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 10.II. Approval of a Study Proposal Meghan Lehnerd requested permission to conduct research pertaining to the Farm to School program operating in the Lowell Public Schools. The study is part of Ms. Lehnerd’s doctoral dissertation at Tuft’s University. The research policy complies with Policy LC. Mr. Hoey made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED 11. CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS 11.I. LHS - Trip to Quebec The Lowell High School International Language Club is requesting permission for 50 Students and 5 LHS staff members, William Donaghey, Stephen Gervais, Tricia Gabor, Jeannine Ameduri and Mary Ann Dyson, to travel to Quebec City, Canada from Friday, February 2nd through Monday, February 5, 2018. The total cost of $550 will be paid by each student traveling. The cost of $400 for four substitute teachers will be paid by the LHS Individual School Budget. Ms. Doherty made a motion to take and approve all seven (7) convention/conference requests together; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 6 yeas, 1 absent APPROVED 11.II. LHS - Trip to Spain Head of School Brian Martin, requests permission for 14 Students and 2 chaperones, Philip Maia and Mary Ann Dyson, both Lowell High staff to travel to Spain (Madrid, Cordoba and Seville) during the April school vacation 2017. Students will miss one day of school leaving on Monday, April 17th and will return on Monday, April 24, 2017. The total cost of the trip to be incurred by each student will be $2,865. There is no cost to the Lowell School Department or LHS individual fund. Ms. Doherty made a motion to take and approve all seven (7) convention/conference requests together; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 6 yeas, 1 absent APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 7 of 9) 11.III. LHS - Gervais to Birmingham, Alabama. LHS Department Head for Foreign Language and ELL Stephen Gervais to attend the 2017 DENSHO workshop on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute in Birmingham, Alabama. There is no cost to the School Department budget. No substitute teacher is needed. Ms. Doherty made a motion to take and approve all seven (7) convention/conference requests together; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 6 yeas, 1 absent APPROVED 11.IV. LHS Trip to Japan 2018 Lowell High School staff members Stephen Gervais and Darmery Montoya along with 20 students, to travel to Japan during April 2018 school vacation. [Friday, April 13 through Monday, April 23, 2018. The total cost of $4480 will be paid by each student traveling. There is no cost to the School Department budget. No substitute teachers are needed. Ms. Doherty made a motion to take and approve all seven (7) convention/conference requests together; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 6 yeas, 1 absent APPROVED 11.V. AFJROTC Cadet Leadership Course Lowell High School staff LTCol. Eileen Ironfield, TSgt David Smith, TSgt Susan Antonilini and TSgt Kevin Casilli with approximately 100 cadet students, to attend session 1 of the MA 771’s annual Cadet Leadership Course at Fort Devens Airforce Base, Massachusetts. Session 1 will take place from Wednesday, June 21 through Friday, June 23, 2017. The cost of the trip is approximately $7,000 and will be paid by AFJROTC funds, student fundraising and student contribution. The cost for three substitute teachers for three days will be $900 and will be paid by the LHS Professional Development funds. Ms. Doherty made a motion to take and approve all seven (7) convention/conference requests together; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 6 yeas, 1 absent APPROVED 11.VI. Conference for Lisa Van Thiel and Darcie Coleman Request permission to attend an overnight out of state conference for Lisa Van Thiel, Early Childhood Coordinator and Darcie Coleman, Early Childhood Social Worker, to attend the National Parent-Child Home Program Model Training in Garden City, New Jersey from June 6, 2017 thru June 8, 2017. No substitute needed. Cost associated with the conference includes travel, registration fees, food and lodging not to exceed 4,800.00 will be paid by the Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Grant (CFCE). Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 8 of 9) Ms. Doherty made a motion to take and approve all seven (7) convention/conference requests together; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 6 yeas, 1 absent APPROVED 11.VII. LHS - Boys' and Girls' Track and Field Teams to New York The Lowell High School Coaches Tim Patterson, Dave Casey and assistant coaches along with the Boys' and Girls' Track and Field teams to compete in the Glenn D. Louks Games Track and Field Meet at White Plains High School, White Plains, New York, May 12 & May 13, 2017 including a school day and overnight stay on May 12, 2017. The entry fee of $300.00, transportation cost $300 and lodging 1,000 will be shared by the Friends of Lowell High School Track Committee and private funds. Ms. Doherty made a motion to take and approve all seven (7) convention/conference requests together; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 6 yeas, 1 absent APPROVED 12. PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL 12.I. UTL Donated Sick Leave Days The Members of the United Teachers of Lowell hereby donate forty five [45] sick leave days to Donna Lamarche, Butler School Food Service. Mr. Hoey made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED 12.II. UTL Donated Sick Leave Days The Members of the United Teachers of Lowell hereby donate fifty five [55] sick leave days to Sarah Ross, Bartlett School Teacher. Mr. Hoey made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 9 of 9) 13. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Hoey made a motion to recess at 8:21 p.m. and enter into Executive Session and to adjourn the meeting from Executive Session; seconded by Mr. Gignac. 7 yeas APPROVED Respectfully submitted, Dr. Salah E. Khelfaoui, Superintendent and Secretary to the Lowell School Committee SEK/mes Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us