School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Date: May 1, 2019 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 6:32 p.m., all members were present, namely: Ms. Doherty, Mr. Hoey, Mr. Lay, Ms. Martin, Mr. Nutter, Mayor Samaras and Mr. Descoteaux. 3. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS 3.I. Presentation of the Superintendent Finalists Recommended by the Blue Ribbon Committee Ms. Martin, Chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee (BRC) informed the Committee that the BRC met on six (6) evenings to conduct an orientation workshop, develop questions and selected candidates from the pool of twenty-three (23) applicants and subsequently interviewed ten (10) applicants. At the conclusion of the interviews that took place the following candidates, listed aphetically were submitted: 1. Dr. Joel Boyd, Instructional Superintendent, Boston Public Schools and former Superintendent, Sante Fe, NM Public Schools. 2. Candidate Name Redacted – Candidate Withdrew for Personal Reasons. 3. Dr. Sergio Paez, Former Superintendent, Holyoke Public Schools and Current Administrator, Central Falls, RI Public Schools. 4. Dr. Stacy Scott, Former Superintendent in Dracut and Framingham Public Schools. The Committee will conduct site visits the week of May 13th and the candidates will be interviewed on Saturday, May 18, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, City Hall. The Committee requested that Superintendent Durkin send a letter of thanks to all members of the Blue Ribbon Committee for their participation. Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to accept the report as a report of progress; 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 9) 3.II. Superintendent’s Recommended FY2020 Budget Superintendent Durkin, Assistant Superintendent Desmond and Assistant Superintendent Turner provided the Committee with the FY20 Proposed Budget Overview. The Lowell Public Schools can anticipate an increase of $9,134,184 from Chapter 70 funds pending further state budget deliberations. It is also expected that a 3.96% increase to direct cash contribution from the City equaling $623,148 based on a letter from the City Manager. The sum of these increases is $9,757,332 which will help offset the additional costs to maintain a level service budget. The following areas were discussed during the overview:  Pillars of Excellence  Data Driven Turnaround Plans for All Schools  Safety and Social Emotional Learning  Programs that Attend to the Whole Child  Highly Qualified, Expert and Diverse Workforce  Adequate, Equitable, and Safe Facilities and Resources  FY20 Chapter 70 Summary  FY20 Chapter 70 Foundation Budget  Proposed FY20 Budget Spending  Position Control  Programmatic Changes and Budget Impact  STEM Academy @ Rogers School  Sullivan, Moody and Reilly School Changes  B.R.I.D.G.E. Program  CSA Day School  Program Restructuring  Other Personnel Reductions  Non-Personnel Reductions and Additions Mr. Nutter made a motion to accept the report as a report of progress; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 4. MINUTES 4.I. Minutes: Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of the Lowell School Committee of Wednesday, April 10, 2019 Ms. Martin made a motion to accept and place on file the minutes from the April 10, 2019, Lowell School Committee meeting; seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 9) 5. PERMISSION TO ENTER 5.I. Permission to Enter: May 1, 2019 Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve the Permission to Enter; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED 6. MOTIONS 6.I. [By Mayor William Samaras]: Motion to cancel the regularly scheduled Lowell School Committee meeting of Wednesday, June 5, 2019 due to the Lowell High School Graduation Exercises. Mayor Samaras made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 6.II. [By Robert Hoey]: Superintendent to provide the Committee a report in collaboration with public health authorities on how the district is following the Center for Disease Control's recommendations on how to reduce the potential risk of measles transmission in schools and determine what actions to take to further reduce the potential risk of measles transmission in schools. Mr. Hoey made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 7. REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT 7.I. 2019 Summer School Programming Carolyn Rocheleau, Coordinator of Special Programs provided a report to the Committee that informed them of the 2019 Summer School programming to be offered in the Lowell Public Schools. Programs include:  The grant funded 21st Century Community Learning Centers summer programming at twelve (12) schools that will serve nearly 1300 students.  A new partnership with UMass Lowell that will allow the Lowell Public Schools and Project Learn to offer IDEA Camp to our students. This STEM Camp will run three (3) weeks during the month of July.  Special Education Summer Programming at the Pyne Arts, Lowell High School and the Adie Day School for students with special needs.  A new grant funded program for Pre-K students with and without disabilities at the Lincoln School for six (6) weeks this summer. Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.I through 7.VIII and 7.X as reports of progress; 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.II. 21st Century Summer Enhancement Grant Update and Award Carolyn Rocheleau, Coordinator of Special Programs provided a report to the Committee that informed them that the Lowell Public Schools was awarded a Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education grant entitled (FY19) Massachusetts 21st Century Community Learning Centers – Summer Enhancement Grant in the amount of $80,000. Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.I through 7.VIII and 7.X as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.III. FY19 Teacher Diversification Pilot Program Grant Pina Maggio, LTA Facilitator/Director provided a report that informed the Committee that an FY19 Teacher Diversification Pilot Program Grant in the amount of $174,552.00 was awarded to the Lowell Public Schools. Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.I through 7.VIII and 7.X as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.IV. Summer Learning Program Grant Update and Award Carolyn Rocheleau, Coordinator of Special Programs provided a report to the Committee that informed them that the Lowell Public Schools was recently awarded a Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education grant entitled (FY19) Development and Expansion of High Quality Summer Learning. The $43,620.00 grant will provide six (6) weeks of summer learning for early childhood students. The program is designed to address the urgent need for transition services for our early childhood population (ages 3 – 5). Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.I through 7.VIII and 7.X as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.V. Food and Nutrition Summer Programs Grant Alysia Spooner-Gomez, Food Service Director provided a report that informed the Committee that the Lowell Public Schools Food and Nutrition Department has been awarded a grant in the amount of $10,755.00 to assist in planning and pre-operational activities for the 2019 Summer Food Service Program. The funding will be used to support the Summer Kick Off Event with Project Learn at the Kids Summer BookFest on June 11, 2019. Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.I through 7.VIII and 7.X as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 5 of 9) 7.VI. FY19 and FY20 Budget Priority List Superintendent Durkin provided the Committee with an updated School Committee’s Priority List of Positions for the FY19 school year. Mr. Lay brought forward an additional item for the FY20 school year and requested it be added to the list should funding be available. Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.I through 7.VIII and 7.X as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.VII. MSBA Update Superintendent Durkin provided a report to the Committee that informed them that as part of MSBA’s Accelerated Repair Program applications that were submitted this past February 2019, the MSBA conducted six (6) site visits on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 for the purpose of touring the buildings and learning about the major issues in each building. During the visits, MSBA staff were appraised of past mitigation efforts/repairs as well as programmatic challenges the building issues have created in each of the schools. Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.I through 7.VIII and 7.X as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.VIII. Report on Motions Superintendent Durkin provided the monthly report on the status of outstanding motions and asked the Committee if they had any concerns or questions. Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.I through 7.VIII and 7.X as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.IX. Home Education Superintendent Durkin recommended that the following parent/guardian be allowed to home educate their child: Samantha Miller 59 Whitney Avenue Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.X. Enrollment Figures The district enrollment report provided to the Committee showed the breakdown by school and grade through April 26, 2019. Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.I through 7.VIII and 7.X as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 6 of 9) 8. NEW BUSINESS 8.I. Approval of Fitchburg State University Research Proposal Dr. Joann B. Nichols is an Associate Professor of Education at Fitchburg State University. She is interested in conducting research by bringing her reading partner therapy dog to the Pawtucketville Memorial School for the purpose of understanding how reading to the dog can influence a child’s improvement in reading. Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve the Fitchburg State University Research Proposal; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED 8.II. Approval of Walden University Research Proposal Patricia Adams is a ninth grade science teacher at Lowell High School and is currently enrolled in the doctorate program at Walden University. She is proposing to conduct research on the implementation of the FOSS science curriculum at the middle school level. Mr. Hoey made a motion to approve the Walden University Research Proposal; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED 8.III. Budget Transfer Department: SCHOOLS TRANSFER TO: Account # Description Amount Org. Object Project DESE Function 98937034 530002 2350 Wang SA - Prof Dev $ 1,255.65 99010718 524006 2300 LHS SA - Rental of Buildings $ 18,000.00 99347109 544400 4000 Maintenance - Supplies $ 11,570.00 TOTAL $ 30,825.65 TRANSFER FROM: Account # Description Amount Org. Object Project DESE Function 98910612 544400 2300 Wang SA - General Supplies $ 1,255.65 99041104 530002 2200 LHS Schl Alloc - Other (Equity) $ 18,000.00 99030502 524006 3520 LHS Athletics - Rental $ 11,570.00 Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 7 of 9) TOTAL $ 30,825.65 Reason for the transfer: Adjustments to expend the budget. Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve the budget transfer of $30,825.65; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux 7 yeas APPROVED 9. CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS 9.I. LHS- Track Team Trip to New York Request permission for LHS Track team along with two [2] Lowell High School Coaches, David Casey and Nate Kraft to attend the 52nd Annual Glen D. Loucks Games in White Plains, New York on Friday, May 10th and Saturday, May 11, 2019. All travel expenses will be paid by the students and Coaches expenses will be paid by the students and Coaches. All travel related expenses will be paid through the Friends of Lowell High School Track Parent Boosters. There is no other cost to Lowell High or the School Department. Ms. Doherty made a motion to take and approve both convention/conference requests together; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED 9.II. McAvinnue Trip- Museum of Science in Boston Request permission for fourth grade McAvinnue students, along with Principal Michael Ducharme, Assistant Principal Michael Domina, Teachers; Julie Gillis, Kate Burgess-MacIntosh, Judith Middleton, Kim Vespo, Antonia Pastor, Cortney Patterson, Jessica Cabrera, Eileen Grenham, and Kathryn Larry to participate in an overnight field trip to the Museum of Science in Boston on Friday, May 31st through Saturday, June 1, 2019. The trip will be paid by students, staff, donations and school fundraising. The McAvinnue School Student Activity Account will pay the $ 1,072.00 transportation cost. There are no costs to the School Department budget. No substitute teacher is needed. Ms. Doherty made a motion to take and approve both convention/conference requests together; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED 10. COMMUNICATIONS 10.I. A Thank You Card from the Family of Donald J. McQueen for the Moment of Silence. Mr. Descoteaux made motion to accept the communication and to place it on file; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 8 of 9) 11. PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL 11.I. The Members of the United Teachers of Lowell Hereby Donate Eleven [11] Sick Leave Days to Donna Fahey, Janice Adie Day School Paraprofessional. Ms. Doherty made a motion to take and approve all seven (7) professional personnel requests together; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 11.II. The Members of the United Teachers of Lowell Hereby Donate Fifteen [15] Sick Leave Days to Gina Steward, LHS School Paraprofessional Ms. Doherty made a motion to take and approve all seven (7) professional personnel requests together; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 11.III. The Members of the United Teachers of Lowell Hereby Donate Sixteen [16] Sick Leave Days to Kristin Reyes, Daley School Teacher. Ms. Doherty made a motion to take and approve all seven (7) professional personnel requests together; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 11.IV. The Members of the United Teachers of Lowell Hereby Donate Sixteen [16] Sick Leave Days to Patricia Teague, Daley School Paraprofessional. Ms. Doherty made a motion to take and approve all seven (7) professional personnel requests together; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 11.V. The Members of the United Teachers of Lowell Hereby Donate Ten [10] Sick Leave Days to Patricia Williams, Lowell High School Teacher. Ms. Doherty made a motion to take and approve all seven (7) professional personnel requests together; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 11.VI. The Members of the United Teachers of Lowell Hereby Donate Thirteen [13] Sick Leave Days to Rebecca Rager, Murkland School Teacher. Ms. Doherty made a motion to take and approve all seven (7) professional personnel requests together; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 11.VII. The Members of the United Teachers of Lowell Hereby Donate Twenty Eight [28] Sick Leave Days to Aaron King, Butler School Teacher. Ms. Doherty made a motion to take and approve all seven (7) professional personnel 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 9 of 9) 12. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Hoey made a motion to adjourn at 8:22 p.m.; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED Respectfully submitted, Jeannine M. Durkin, Superintendent and Secretary to the Lowell School Committee JMD/mes Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us