School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Date: June 20, 2018 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 6:36 p.m., all members were present, namely: Mr. Lay, Ms. Martin, Mr. Nutter, Mr. Descoteaux, Ms. Doherty and Mr. Hoey. Mayor Samaras arrived at 6:42 p.m. 3. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS 3.I. Spotlight On Excellence: Lowell Public School Retirees The first Spotlight on Excellence featured the Lowell Public School Retirees. Vice Mayor Doherty thanked the retirees who were present in the chamber for their dedication to the students and wished them well. Vice Mayor Doherty presented each retiree with a citation from Mayor Samaras. 3.II. Spotlight On Excellence: Folk Festival Foundation 2018 Poster Competition The second Spotlight on Excellence featured the Folk Festival Foundation 2018 poster competition. This year, sophomore, Aileen Yim won first place and her design will be used throughout the Merrimack Valley to publicize the 2018 Folk Festival. 3.III. Spotlight On Excellence: Lowell High School, Spring 2018 Boys Track & Field The third Spotlight on Excellence presentation recognized the Lowell High School, Spring Boys Track and Field Team as well as their individual and team accomplishments. Mr. Lecezenski, the Athletic Director at Lowell High School recognized Mr. Casey, the Boys Track Coach and the athletes. Mr. Casey then shared the highlights and accomplishments of their season. The senior athletes introduced themselves to the Committee. Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 10) 3.IV. Spotlight On Excellence: Lowell High School Canaligator Tank Challenge The fourth Spotlight on Excellence presentation featured the Lowell High School Canaligator Tank Challenge. The Canaligator Tank, is based on the popular television show, Shark Tank, and offered entrepreneurial experience and funding to bring the students’ ideas to fruition. Funding was offered to junior Liz Hamel and sophomore Owen Flanagan for their idea “Operation Healthy Lunch”, which involved incorporating a self-serve, fresh food cart (with fruit, dairy and other perishable items) into lunch. The other winning team included freshman Kaitlyn Chartier, Allison Carrabis, Alexsia Ortiz and Freaceline Alexandre. Their plan involved offering yoga at the high school to increase opportunities for physical activity and reduce stress. 3.V. Executive Session: To discuss NRT's complaint and other related issues, public discussion of which could have a detrimental effect on the city's position. Ms. Martin made a motion to recess at 7:04 p.m. and enter into Executive Session; seconded by Mr. Nutter. 7 yeas APPROVED School Committee members returned from Executive Session and on a roll call at 8:49 p.m., all members were present, namely: Mr. Lay, Ms. Martin, Mr. Nutter, Mayor Samaras, Mr. Descoteaux, Ms. Doherty and Mr. Hoey. 4. MINUTES 4.I. Minutes Of Budget Hearing: Approval of the Minutes of the FY2019 Budget Hearing of Monday, May 14, 2018 Mr. Nutter made a motion to accept and place on file the minutes from the May 14, 2018 and the May 16, 2018 School Committee meetings; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED 4.II. Minutes: Approval of the Minutes of the Budget Hearing and regularly scheduled Lowell School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, May 16, 2018 Mr. Nutter made a motion to accept and place on file the minutes from the May 14, 2018 and the May 16, 2018 School Committee meetings; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED 5. PERMISSION TO ENTER 5.I. Permission To Enter: June 20, 2018 Mr. Nutter made a motion to remove two (2) NRT Bus, Inc. amended contracts in the amounts of $827,858.00, Yr. 2 $77,000 and Yr. 3 $80,000; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED Mr. Nutter made a motion to approve the remaining contracts on the Permission to Enter; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 10) 6. MEMORIALS 6.I. Memorial – Silva Frances M. 'Franny' (Clohesy) Silva retired Business Office clerk. 7. MOTIONS 7.I. [By Andre Descoteaux]: Ask the Superintendent to have the TV Studio produce several (more than four) short thirty second video clips that feature what the students and staff of the Lowell Public Schools are doing on a daily basis; both in school and after school. Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED Ms. Doherty made a motion for the Mayor to please ask the City Council about the School Department receiving the Comcast Funds and how much the School Department will be receiving; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.II. [By Mayor Samaras]: Address a motion by Mayor Samaras to vote to select Downtown Option 3A as the preferred site for the submission to the MSBA Revised Preferred Schematic Report. This motion was withdrawn. 7.III. [By Mayor Samaras]: Request the City Manager have Law Dept. Draft City Council Resolution in Support Of Senate Bill 2506 (an Act Modernizing the Foundation Budget for the 21st Century) 13.4. C. Kennedy - Req. Mayor Invite The Following Merrimack Valley Cities Of Lawrence, Haverhill, Newburyport and Methuen to Join With the City of Lowell in Support Of Senate Bill 2506. 13.5. C. Kennedy - Req. Mayor Invite Surrounding Communities in the Greater Lowell Area to Join with the City of Lowell in Support of Senate Bill 2506.13.6. C. Kennedy - Req. City Of Lowell Join With Brockton And Worcester pursuant to their Lawsuit against the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Re: Foundation Budget (CH. 70). Mayor Samaras made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.IV. [By Gerard Nutter & Jackie Doherty]: Request School Committee send a letter to our State Delegation and Sen. L’Italian in support of Massachusetts House: H.4394 & Massachusetts Senate: S.2443 supporting Dyslexia Screening Legislation. Mr. Nutter made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 4 of 10) 7.V. [By Gerard Nutter]: Request Administration to present by the first School Committee in January 2019 a plan to rezone the district to “neighborhood” schools – presentation should include est. transportation cost saving along with number of students and schools affected and what the new start and dismissal times will look like. The report should also include staying within the parameters of the voluntary desegregation decree. Mr. Nutter made a motion to approve the amended motion; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 4 yeas, 3 nays APPROVED 7.VI. [By Gerard Nutter]: Request the Superintendent send the City Manager a letter (email) by June 29th Requesting on behalf of the School Committee, that the City conduct a complete Code Inspections (Building, Electrical, Plumbing- including heating/cooling systems, Water, Fire, Safety and Sanitary) of EVERY City School building and present the finding to the City Council and School Committee before the beginning of the 2018/2019 School Year. This motion was withdrawn. 7.VII. [By Gerard Nutter]: Request Update on Student Activities Fund Audit - Food Service Audit and request a joint Finance / Personal subcommittee meeting to review findings and review / update policies on these accounts. This motion was withdrawn. 7.VIII. [By Gerard Nutter]: Request the Superintendent supply School Committee with a copy of Budget submitted to Auditor on day it is submitted and schedule a Finance Subcommittee meeting to review how information regarding the budget will be reported to the School Committee going forward. Mr. Nutter made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.IX. [By Gerard Nutter]: Request an Executive Session regarding the DAY School Lease be held in the next 7 days and request a joint Finance / Personal subcommittee meeting with the City’s Purchasing and Law dept’s to review/ ensure that proper policies and procedures are being followed in the RFP/Purchasing process by the School Administration. This motion was withdrawn. 7.X. [By Gerard Nutter]: Motion at Request of former LHS Senator Sophia Marsden – Superintendent update School Committee and public on status of posting, screening committee appointments and interview process for new HR Director. Mr. Nutter made a motion to initiate an RFP process for the purpose of hiring a firm to hire a Human Resources Director; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED Mr. Nutter made a motion to approve; 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 10) 7.XI. [By Connie Martin]: Request that the Administration provide the Lowell School Committee with written recommendations at the April 4th, 2018 meeting, to engage an outside firm to conduct a Human Resources Compliance Audit with a deadline of June 30, 2018 for completion of said audit. Ms. Martin made a motion to move forward with hiring Human Resources Service, Inc. at $9,800 and to have them come to a Personnel Subcommittee so they can present their plan; seconded by Mr. Nutter. 7 yeas APPROVED Ms. Martin made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.XII. [By Dominik Lay]: For Jennifer McCrystal Director of Special Education to provide to Committee as a whole through the Special Education Subcommittee information on the impact of the ESSA, Homeless, Group Home, placements and the advisory on the out of district budget. Mr. Lay made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED Mr. Nutter made a motion to continue the School Committee meeting past 10:00 p.m.; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.XIII. [By Connie Martin]: Request that the administration provide an update of the completion of all required annual evaluations of teaching and administrative leadership staff in accordance with DESE requirements. Ms. Martin made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 8. SUBCOMMITTEES 8.I. Finance Subcommittee: Report and Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of Monday, June 4, 2018 [Gerry Nutter, Chairperson] This will appear on the agenda at the Lowell School Committee Special Meeting on Monday, June 25, 2018. 9. REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT 9.I. Response To Connie Martin’s Motion Of 03/21/18 Regarding Human Resources Compliance Audit With This report was discussed with agenda item # 7.XI and a motion was made to move forward with hiring Human Resources Service, Inc. at $9,800 and to have them come to a Personnel Subcommittee so they can present their plan. 9.II. Lowell Public Schools Handbook Updates Dr. Roxane Howe, Discipline & Operations Specialist went over the changes that are being made to the Lowell High School Parent and Student Handbook for 2018-2019 school year. Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 6 of 10) Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve the proposed revisions in the Lowell High School Parent and Student Handbook for the 2018 – 2019 school year; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED Deputy Superintendent Jeannine Durkin went over the changes that are being made to the Elementary and Middle Schools Parent and Student Handbook for 2018-2019 school year. Deputy Durkin also informed the Committee that the handbooks will include the revised 2018-2019 School Calendar that was approved at tonight’s meeting. Ms. Martin made a motion to approve the proposed revisions in the Elementary and Middle Schools Parent and Student Handbook for the 2018-2019 school year; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED 9.III. 2018-2019 School Calendar Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to approve the 2018-2019 School Calendar; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 9.IV. Food Service Audit Update This will appear on the agenda at the Lowell School Committee Special Meeting on Monday, June 25, 2018. 9.V. International Baccalaureate Program This will appear on the agenda at the Lowell School Committee Special Meeting on Monday, June 25, 2018. 9.VI. Enrollment Figures This will appear on the agenda at the Lowell School Committee Special Meeting on Monday, June 25, 2018. 9.VII. Report On Motions This will appear on the agenda at the Lowell School Committee Special Meeting on Monday, June 25, 2018. 9.VIII. Personnel Report This will appear on the agenda at the Lowell School Committee Special Meeting on Monday, June 25, 2018. Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 7 of 10) 10.NEW BUSINESS 10.I. Circuit Breaker Transfer Request This will appear on the agenda at the Lowell School Committee Special Meeting on Monday, June 25, 2018. 10.II. Day School Hours Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to approve the Day School Hours; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 10.III. Approval Of Final Budget 2017-2018 This will appear on the agenda at the Lowell School Committee Special Meeting on Monday, June 25, 2018. 10.IV. School Hours For The Cardinal O’Connell Early Childhood Center Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to approve the School Hours for the Cardinal O’Connell Early Childhood Center; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 10.V. Student Activity Audit Update This will appear on the agenda at the Lowell School Committee Special Meeting on Monday, June 25, 2018. 10.VI. Budget Transfer Year End This will appear on the agenda at the Lowell School Committee Special Meeting on Monday, June 25, 2018. 10.VII. Approval Of An Educational Research Request The Harvard Graduate School of Education is conducting a longitudinal study, of approximately 5,000 3 and 4 year olds, from across Massachusetts. The study is looking to explore the benefits of various early learning environments, including pre-school classrooms. The researchers would like to work in pre- Kindergarten classes in eight (8) Lowell schools as part of their study. Mr. Nutter made a motion to approve the Educational Research Request; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 8 of 10) 11. CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS 11.I. Trip- McKiernan To San Diego, CA Request permission for Elizabeth McKiernan, Director of the Abisi Adult Education Center, to attend the annual GED Testing Service Conference in San Diego, CA from July 24th through the 27th. The total cost associated with the conference: registration, travel, food and lodging will not exceed $1,800 and will be paid for through the GED State Grant. No substitute teacher is needed. This will appear on the agenda at the Lowell School Committee Special Meeting on Monday, June 25, 2018. 12. PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL 12.I. UTL- Sick Leave - Chan The Members of the United Teachers of Lowell hereby donate ten [10] sick leave days to Stacy Chan, Washington School Paraprofessional. This will appear on the agenda at the Lowell School Committee Special Meeting on Monday, June 25, 2018. 12.II. UTL- Sick Leave - Murphy The Members of the United Teachers of Lowell hereby donate three [3] sick leave days to Daniel Murphy, Lowell High School teacher. This will appear on the agenda at the Lowell School Committee Special Meeting on Monday, June 25, 2018. 12.III. UTL- Sick Leave - Snetsinger The Members of the United Teachers of Lowell hereby donate seven [7] sick leave days to Michelle Snetsinger, Lowell High School teacher. This will appear on the agenda at the Lowell School Committee Special Meeting on Monday, June 25, 2018. Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 9 of 10) 12.IV. UTL- Sick Leave - LeBoeue The Members of the United Teachers of Lowell hereby donate eight [8] sick leave days to Stamatia LeBoeue, Shaughnessy School Paraprofessional. This will appear on the agenda at the Lowell School Committee Special Meeting on Monday, June 25, 2018. 12.V. UTL- Sick Leave – Vicente The Members of the United Teachers of Lowell hereby donate four [4] sick leave days to Kimberly Vicente, Bartlett School Paraprofessional. This will appear on the agenda at the Lowell School Committee Special Meeting on Monday, June 25, 2018. 12.VI. LSAA-Sick Days The members of the Lowell School Administrator Association hereby request to donate thirty three [33] sick days to Shelby Boisvert, Lowell High School Guidance Counselor. This will appear on the agenda at the Lowell School Committee Special Meeting on Monday, June 25, 2018. Mr. Nutter made a motion to recess at 10:15 p.m. and to hold a Special Meeting of the Lowell School Committee on Monday, June 25, 2018; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux 7 yeas Approved Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 10 of 10) 13. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Nutter made a motion to recess at 10:15 p.m.; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 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