School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Date: December 6, 2017 Time: 6:30PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA 01852 1. SALUTE TO FLAG 2. ROLL CALL On a roll call at 6:42 p.m.; all members were present, namely: Mr. Gignac, Mr. Hoey, Mayor Kennedy, Ms. Martin, Mr. Descoteaux, Ms. Doherty and Mr. Gendron. 3. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS 3.I. Spotlight On Excellence: Lowell High School, Department Of Athletics The Spotlight on Excellence presentation recognized the Lowell High School Girls’ Cross Country Team, Boys’ Cross Country Team, Boys’ Soccer Team and the Golf Team as well as their individual and team accomplishments. Mr. Lezenski, the Athletic Director at Lowell High School recognized the coaches and athletes. The coaches then shared the highlights and accomplishments of their season. Several athletes also introduced themselves to the Committee and spoke about their experience being a member of the team and representing Lowell High School. 4. MINUTES 4.I. Minutes: Approval of the Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Lowell School Committee Meeting of Wednesday November 9, 2017 Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the minutes and to place them on file; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 4.II. Minutes: Approval of the Minutes of the Regular School Committee Meeting of Wednesday November 15, 2017 Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the minutes and to place them on file; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 11) 5. PERMISSION TO ENTER 5.I. Permission To Enter: December 6, 2017 Mr. Gendron made a motion to approve the Permission to Enter; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED 6. MOTIONS 6.I. [By Steve Gendron]: Request the Superintendent work with the City Manager to develop a School Facility Maintenance Master Plan. Mr. Gendron made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 6.II. [By Steve Gendron]: Request that the mayor bring the same motion before the City Council. Work with the City Manager to develop a School Facility Maintenance Master Plan and designate funds to support it. Mr. Gendron made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 6.III. [By Jackie Doherty]: Request an update on the pathways to licensure program. This motion was withdrawn. 6.IV. [By Jackie Doherty]: Request recommendations to streamline the process to enable recently retired Lowell teachers to serve as substitute teachers. This motion was withdrawn. 6.V. [By Jackie Doherty]: Request an update on the number of students from Puerto Rico by grade level who have entered the district since Oct. 1, along with recommendations for obtaining funding to support those students. Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Hoey. Ms. Doherty amended her motion to request the Superintendent send a letter on behalf of the Lowell School Committee to Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and copy our State Legislators and Congresswoman Niki Tsongas requesting funds for the sixty-nine (69) students from Puerto Rico who have entered our district since October 1st and any additional students that may enter our district; seconded by Mr. Gignac. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 11) 6.VI. [By Connie Martin and Jackie Doherty]: Request that the administration provide the committee with assurances by January meeting showing we are 100% in compliance in the use of Student Activity Fund including an internal or external audit. Ms. Martin made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 7. SUBCOMMITTEES 7.I. Facilities Subcommittee: Report and Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of Monday, November 27, 2017 [Steven Gendron, Chair] Mr. Gendron, Chairperson of the Facilities Subcommittee spoke to the Committee about all the current heating and ventilation issues, as well as urgent roof leaks. He also shared concerns about the lack of ventilation in classrooms and restrooms throughout the district. He stated that all buildings at the present time have heat. Mr. Gendron made a motion to accept the Facilities Subcommittee report as a report of progress; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.II. Athletics Subcommittee: Report and Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of Monday, November 27, 2017 [Steven Gendron, Chair] Mr. Gendron, Chairperson of the Athletics Subcommittee spoke about the teams that were honored earlier in the meeting under the Spotlight on Excellence. He also spoke about the addition of the paperless/web based Family Id which allows parents to have the ability to fill out the forms on their own time. He spoke about rSchool Today which offers online scheduling, web design and a go to place for all athletic inquires. He concluded his report speaking about having a separate line item in the budget for the purchasing of uniforms as well as having more sport programs in the middle schools for both male and female students. Mr. Gendron made a motion to request the Athletic Director work with the CFO to formalize a plan to make a uniform line item in the budget as well as any other proposed changes; seconded by Mr. Gignac. 7 yeas APPROVED Mr. Gendron made a motion to accept the Athletics Subcommittee report as a report of progress; seconded by Mr. Gignac. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 4 of 11) 7.III. Joint Personnel and Policy Subcommittee: Report and Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of Wednesday, November 29, 2017 [Connie Martin, Chairperson and Robert Hoey, Chairperson] Ms. Martin, Chairperson of the Personnel Subcommittee spoke to the Committee about the Joint Policy and Personnel Subcommittee. Ms. Martin spoke about the following topics:  Internal Transfer Positing  New Transfer Protocol  Public Posting  Interview Process  The School Based Interview Team  Recommendation to Hire  The Offer & Candidate Process Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the Joint Policy and Personnel Subcommittee report as a report of progress; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 8. REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT 8.I. Establish Monthly Meeting Dates – Facilities Mr. Frisch, Assistant Superintendent for Finance provided a report to the Committee that informed them that he discussed establishing monthly meeting dates with the City Manager and the Superintendent of Schools and they recommended that we wait for the new City Council and School Committee Subcommittee assignments. Additionally, it was recommended to hold quarterly meetings in order to have time to review the work that has been completed in between meetings. Assistant Superintendent Frisch will provide an update at the first meeting in February, 2018. Ms. Doherty made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 8.I, 8.II, 8.III, 8.IV, 8.V., 8.VI, 8.VII, 8.VIII, 8.IX through 8.XII as reports of progress; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 8.II. Participation for Breakfast and Lunch School Committee The breakfast and lunch participation report that was provided to the Committee showed breakfast and lunch percentages by school during the month of November 2017. Ms. Doherty made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 8.I, 8.II, 8.III, 8.IV, 8.V., 8.VI, 8.VII, 8.VIII, 8.IX through 8.XII as reports of progress; 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 11) 8.III. Monthly District Enrollment Report The district enrollment report provided to the Committee showed the breakdown by school and grade through November 28, 2017. Ms. Doherty made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 8.I, 8.II, 8.III, 8.IV, 8.V., 8.VI, 8.VII, 8.VIII, 8.IX through 8.XII as reports of progress; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 8.IV. Response to Connie Martin’s Motion Of 07/19/17 Regarding a Review of Screening Committees And Hiring Process Ms. Sheehy, Director of Human Resources provided a report to the Committee that spoke about reviewing screening committees. Ms. Martin included this report when she gave the Committee the report from the Policy and Personnel Subcommittee. Ms. Doherty made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 8.I, 8.II, 8.III, 8.IV, 8.V., 8.VI, 8.VII, 8.VIII, 8.IX through 8.XII as reports of progress; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 8.V. Response To Connie Martin’s Motion Of 11/15/17 Regarding Acting Head of School For LHS Superintendent Khelfaoui presented a report to the Committee that informed them that during the next two (2) weeks, he and his team will be holding several meetings with various groups of students, teachers, administrators, staff and parents of Lowell High School. The meeting will focus on assessing the current performance and leadership of the Interim Head of School and on Monday, December 18, 2018 their findings will be discussed. If a consensus is reached on keeping the current Interim Head of School, the district will enter into negotiations for a contract for the permanent position and should the consensus be to open the search the goal would be to start on Tuesday, January 2, 2018. Several Committee members expressed concern and wanted the job to be posted. Ms. Doherty made a motion to seek the advice of the Law Department to see if our hiring practices are in order and if we have the authority to direct the Superintendent to post the Head of School position; seconded by Mr. Gendron. Mr. Gendron made a substitute motion to direct the Superintendent to follow our existing policy and put together a screening committee and begin interviews for the Head of School; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 4 yeas, 3 nays APPROVED Ms. Doherty made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 8.I, 8.II, 8.III, 8.IV, 8.V., 8.VI, 8.VII, 8.VIII, 8.IX through 8.XII as reports of progress; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 6 of 11) 8.VI. Information Requested at the Personnel & Policy Subcommittee Meeting of November 29, 2017 Ms. Sheehy, Director of Human Resources provided a report to the Committee that informed them that during the summer of 2017, the Office of Personnel & Recruitment sought information from hiring committee participants in anecdotal form and began developing a survey instrument for further use. It also addressed how advisory committees can have an impact. Ms. Doherty made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 8.I, 8.II, 8.III, 8.IV, 8.V., 8.VI, 8.VII, 8.VIII, 8.IX through 8.XII as reports of progress; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 8.VII. Human Resources Recruitment Efforts April Rourke, Assistant Director of Personnel & Recruitment provided a report to the Committee that informed them that during the months of November and December the Personnel & Recruitment Office has and will continue to participate in several recruiting efforts. They will continue to implement recruitment efforts by attending career fairs, on-site recruitment at colleges and universities, and sponsoring substitute teaching seminars and workshops in an effort to keep applicant submission at an increasing volume through the end of the 2017-2018 school year. Ms. Doherty made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 8.I, 8.II, 8.III, 8.IV, 8.V., 8.VI, 8.VII, 8.VIII, 8.IX through 8.XII as reports of progress; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 8.VIII. Facilities Report - Update Mr. Frisch, Assistant Superintendent for Finance provided a report to the Committee that informed them that each school has at least one working boiler; however fourteen (14) boilers are non- operational throughout the district. At this time, the City estimates that all fourteen (14) boilers will be operational by the end of December 2017. Currently, there is $300,000 of available funds the City has to use to pay for repairs to the heating and control systems throughout the district. The City and Schools will meet after January 1, 2018 to decide how best to allocate the remaining funds after the fourteen (14) boilers are repaired. The plan would be to use the funds to upgrade the heating controls throughout the district in order to improve the temperature comfort for students and staff. Ms. Doherty made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 8.I, 8.II, 8.III, 8.IV, 8.V., 8.VI, 8.VII, 8.VIII, 8.IX through 8.XII as reports of progress; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 7 of 11) 8.IX. Response to Jackie Doherty’s Motion of 11/15/17 regarding Professional Development Throughout the District on November 7, 2017 Robin Desmond, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment provided the Committee with a report that informed them that this year was the first year that Election Day, November 7, 2017, was negotiated into the UTL contract as an in-district professional development day for teachers and paraprofessionals. In order for the professional development to be most effective, building leaders created their own agendas to target specific needs of their staff, students, and school. Curriculum Coordinators and Student Support Specialists were available and scheduled at various schools to lead and/or support learning sessions. Ms. Doherty made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 8.I, 8.II, 8.III, 8.IV, 8.V., 8.VI, 8.VII, 8.VIII, 8.IX through 8.XII as reports of progress; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 8.X. Response to Jackie Doherty’s Motion of 09/20/17 Regarding Hiring Practices and Background Checks Ms. Doherty made a motion to refer Item # 8.IX. Response to Jackie Doherty’s Motion of 11/15/17 regarding Professional Development Throughout the District on November 7, 2017 and Item # 8.XI. Response to Jackie Doherty’s Motion of 11/15/17 Regarding Diversity Staffing Initiatives to a Policy and Personnel Subcommittee meeting for further discussion; seconded by Mr. Gendron. 7 yeas APPROVED 8.XI. Response to Jackie Doherty’s Motion of 11/15/17 Regarding Diversity Staffing Initiatives Ms. Doherty made a motion to refer Item # 8.IX. Response to Jackie Doherty’s Motion of 11/15/17 regarding Professional Development Throughout the District on November 7, 2017 and Item # 8.XI. Response to Jackie Doherty’s Motion of 11/15/17 Regarding Diversity Staffing Initiatives to a Policy and Personnel Subcommittee meeting for further discussion; seconded by Mr. Gendron. 7 yeas APPROVED 8.XII. Personnel Report The Personnel Report officially informs the Committee of all retirements, resignations, promotions and new hires. Ms. Doherty made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 8.I, 8.II, 8.III, 8.IV, 8.V., 8.VI, 8.VII, 8.VIII, 8.IX through 8.XII as reports of progress; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 8 of 11) 8.XIII. Home Education Superintendent Khelfaoui recommended that the following parents/guardians be allowed to home educate their child: Phillip & Kate Charron 115 West Meadow Road Mr. Hoey made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED 9. NEW BUSINESS 9.I. Lowell High School Participation - Hechinger Report Study Lowell High School is requesting permission to engage in a study being conducted this year by the Hechinger Report, on online educational platform that can be found at: http://hechingerreport.org. The goal is to illustrate what it looks like outside of the world of policy and edu-speak to prepare young people for the workforce and its quickly changing requirements. Mr. Gignac made a motion to approve the Lowell High School Participation – Hechinger Report Study; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED Ms. Martin made a motion to go into Executive Session at the conclusion of the meeting to discuss Item # 9.II. Legal Counsel Job Description and Scope of Work and 9.III. Consideration of UTL Bargaining Proposals a. UTL: Consideration of clarification language on contract language related to stipends in UTL Collective Bargaining Agreement, b. UTL: bargaining and/or consideration of proposal for Advisor compensation for FY2018,c. UTL: consideration and discussion of golf coach MOA for FY18" and to return to open session for discussion; seconded by Mr. Gendron. 7 yeas APPROVED On a roll call at 9:26 p.m.; all members were present, namely,: Mr. Gignac, Mr. Hoey, Mayor Kennedy, Ms. Martin, Mr. Descoteaux, Ms. Doherty and Mr. Gendron. 9.II. Legal Counsel Job Description and Scope of Work Mr. Gignac made a motion to approve the Legal Counsel Job Description and Scope of Work; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 9 of 11) 9.III. Consideration of UTL Bargaining Proposals a. UTL: Consideration of clarification language on contract language related to stipends in UTL Collective Bargaining Agreement Mr. Gendron made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED b. UTL: bargaining and/or consideration of proposal for Advisor compensation for FY2018 Mr. Gignac made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED c. UTL: consideration and discussion of golf coach MOA for FY18" Ms. Martin made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 10. CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS 10.I. Wang- Washington D.C. The 8th grade Wang School students, along with teacher/chaperones Kathy Clark, Steve Silva, Julie Ramalho and Matthew Palmer to travel to Washington D.C. from Tuesday, May 29 through Friday, June 1, 2018. Fundraising activities will be held throughout the school year to defray the cost of the trip [$697/per student] for all participating students. No substitute teachers are needed. Mr. Gignac made a motion to take and approve both convention/conference requests together; seconded by Mr. Hoey . 7 yeas APPROVED 10.II. Career Academy-Arlington, VA Permission for Career Academy Engagement Center staff members Lauren Campion and Dorothy Louise, to attend the annual Promise Neighborhoods Full Service Community Schools Director’s Meeting. The conference to be held on Tuesday, December 12th through Thursday, December 14, 2017 in Arlington, VA. The cost of the conference will not exceed $1,560 and will be funded by Full Service Community School grant (1674). No substitute teacher is needed. Mr. Gignac made a motion to take and approve both convention/conference requests together; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 10 of 11) 11. PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL 11.I. The Members of the LSAA Hereby Donate Thirty Five [35] Sick Leave Days to Shelby Boisvert Lowell High School Guidance Counselor. Mr. Gignac made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 11.II. UTL Donated Sick Days - Spellisey The Members of the United Teachers of Lowell hereby donate eleven [11] sick leave days to Katherine Spellisey, Morey School Teacher. Mr. Gignac made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 11 of 11) 12. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to adjourn at 9:28 p.m.; seconded by Mr. Gendron. 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