School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Date: August 8, 2018 Time: 7:15PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA 01852 1. SALUTE TO FLAG 2. ROLL CALL On a roll call at 7:17 p.m., all members were present, namely: Mayor Samaras, Mr. Descoteaux, Ms. Doherty, Mr. Hoey, Mr. Lay, Ms. Martin and Mr. Nutter. 3. NEW BUSINESS 3.I. Assistant Business Manager For Transportation - Consideration of a Contract and Appointment of the Acting Superintendent’s Recommendation to Appoint John Descoteaux as Assistant Business Manager for Transportation. Committee members expressed their concern with having a contract in place and them as the hiring authority. They believe by law that the authority lies with the Superintendent. Also, Executive Sessions have taken place regarding a law suit by NRT and Mr. Hoey stated that Acting Superintendent was not involved in the Executive Sessions and may not be aware what has been discussed. He then asked City Solicitor O’Connor if we had received any rulings from the Inspector General’s office. City Solicitor O’Connor said we have not received any rulings. Acting Superintendent Durkin said she has been made aware of the concerns and has been in daily contact with the City Solicitor around this matter. Mr. Nutter made a motion to remove this from the agenda and send it back to the Acting Superintendent and allow the Acting Superintendent to hire who she wants according to the law; seconded by Ms. Martin. 6 yeas, 1 absent APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 3) 3.II. Selection Of Firm And Contract Approval For Financial Audit Acting Superintendent Durkin informed the Committee that four (4) requests were sent out on July 26, 2018 for a bid regarding a financial audit. The district received one (1) bid back and received one (1) response back that they weren’t able to submit a bid, but would like to be kept in mind for other projects. The contract was awarded to CliftonLarsonAllen LLP. Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve the Selection of and the Contract for CliftonLarsonAllen LLP for Approval for the Financial Audit; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 6 yeas, 1 nay APPROVED Ms. Doherty made a motion to recess at 7:41 p.m. and to enter into Executive Session for the purposes outlined in the agenda, which are discussions that concern contracts with non-union personnel, union negotiations, or that could be detrimental to the School Committee’s position with respect to potential litigation, and to adjourn from Executive Session; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 4. EXECUTIVE SESSION 4.I. Minutes: Approval of the Minutes of the Executive Sessions of the Lowell School Committee Meetings. 4.II. Proposed Notice - Discussion regarding proposed Notice of Termination to Superintendent Khelfaoui, which (i) constitutes strategy regarding contract negotiations with nonunion personnel, and (ii) public discussion of which may detrimentally affect the School Committee’s position with respect to potential litigation. 4.III. Discussion Regarding Two Nonunion Contracts 4.IV. Update On Grievances Related To XVI(G) Grievance For FY18 4.V. SEIU Update and Decisions on Mediation in Regard to Clerks’ Contract Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 3) 5. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Doherty made a motion to recess at 7:41 p.m.; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas Approved Respectfully submitted, Jeannine M. Durkin, Acting Superintendent and Acting Secretary to the Lowell School Committee JMD/mes Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us