School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Date: May 6, 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 6:35 p.m., members present were, namely: Mr. Hoey, Ms. Martin, Mr. Nutter, Mayor Samaras, Mr. Descoteaux and Ms. Doherty. Mr. Lay arrived at 6:41 p.m. 3. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS 3.I. FY20 Budget Session Mayor Samaras opened the public participation portion of the meeting and asked the public to address the Committee with their concerns regarding the 2020 Budget. The following people spoke about the FY 2020 Budget and their concerns around the budget cuts to the band program, social workers and psychologists:  Effie Kurazittis  Beth Nolan-Stack  Dina Melli  Kim Scott  William Maliaoux  Madison Scott  Dontae Lee  Aidan (no last name given)  David Grenier  Krystal Mello  Amanda Perrin  Cynthia Dom  Melissa Ciesla  Lyndsey Killnea  Luis Raudales  Erica Patten  Sophia Gikas  Natasha Watts  Nan Kanoway Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 3)  Rico Kattari  Eric Buckley  Nancy Rozzoni  Arthur Lamieux  James Foyer Mr. Nutter asked what the cost would be to bring back the three (3) band members, two (2) social workers and the school psychologist that were elimated. He also inquired about centrally locating ETC’s, social workers and psychologists. Assistant Superintendent Turner stated $760,000.00. Superintendent Durkin stated that discussions are still ongoing regarding centrally locating the ETC’s, social workers and psychologists. Superintendent Durkin also addressed eliminating the two (2) social workers and stated that even if funds were available she would not recommend reinstating the social workers to the budget, but would recommend a Coordinator of Social/Emotional Learning and Mental Health. Mr. Nutter made a motion to reinstate the three (3) band teachers, two (2) social workers and a school psychologist and to eliminate the Adult Education Program to fund them being reinstated. Motion fails due to lack of a second. Committee members thanked the many people that attended and spoke at the budget hearing. The Committee also expressed their concerns about the recommended cuts and asked the Superintendent and her administration to address the reasoning behind the recommended cuts as well as their plan moving forward on how the district would still offer said programs/services. The Committee concluded by asking for the recommended cuts to be presented to them at the next budget hearing in a tiered method for further discussion. Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 3) 4. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Nutter made a motion to adjourn at 8:16 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