School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Date: May 15, 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: Mr. Lay, Ms. Martin, Mr. Nutter, Mayor Samaras, Mr. Descoteaux, Ms. Doherty and Mr. Hoey. 3. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS 3.I. Public Hearing Inter-District School Choice Program The Public Hearing on Inter-District School Choice Program was held and no spoke in favor or in opposition of the Inter-District School Choice Program at Lowell High School. 3.II. Spotlight on Excellence-Mass Insight Education The Spotlight on Excellence featured Mass Insight Education & Research who recently recognized Lowell High School English teachers, Darrin Berard and Paul Francoeur, with their Partners in Excellence Teacher Awards. The two (2) teachers were honored for their exemplary work in the Advance Placement English Programming. Mr. Berard and Mr. Francoeur were both at the meeting and addressed the Committee informing them how rewarding and enjoying their work is. 3.III. Focus Group Report Glenn Koocher, Executive Director, Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) provided a report to the Committee that gave them a synopsis on the series of focus groups that were held. Mr. Koocher reported that twenty-three (23) focus groups were scheduled and over 250 individuals participated in live discussions. Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the report as a report 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 2 of 9) 3.IV. Superintendent Search Survey The Committee was provided with a copy of the Superintendent Search Survey as well as the results from the survey. Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the report as a report of progress; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 4.MINUTES 4.I. Minutes: Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of the Lowell School Committee of Wednesday, May 1, 2019 Ms. Doherty made a motion to accept and place on file the minutes from May 1, 2019, Lowell School Committee meeting; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED 4.II. Minutes - Budget Hearing: Approval of the Minutes of the FY20 Budget Hearing of Monday, May 6, 2019. Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to accept and place on file the minutes from the FY20 Budget Hearing; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 5. PERMISSION TO ENTER 5.I. Permission to Enter: May 15, 2019 Mr. Nutter made a motion to approve the Permission to Enter; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 6. MOTIONS 6.I. [By Gerard Nutter]: Request Superintendent provide SC with complete list of State mandated program requirements we are currently not adhering to along with an update of any Regular/Special Education programs that may have compliance issues. Mr. Nutter made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 6.II. [By Gerard Nutter]: School Committee to vote to request that the City Council transfer the ERATE reimbursement of the Lowell Public School’s paid telephone expense to the Lowell Public School funds. Mr. Nutter 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 3 of 9) 6.III. [By Mayor William Samaras]: Request the Superintendent of Schools And School Committee Review a Letter Requesting 5th Graders to Design Shirts for Council Members to Wear during Cleanup Day and To Forward Letter to 5th Grade Principals upon Review and Approval Mayor Samaras made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Nutter. 7 yeas APPROVED 6.IV. [By Jacqueline Doherty}: Request the Superintendent provide the committee with a report on the policies and programs to support our Refugee Students along with any recommendations for improvement. The report should include data on the number of Language-Other-Than-English students at each level/program in the district, the enrollment trends over the last five years, as well as upcoming enrollment projections. Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 7. REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT 7.I. School Grounds’ Maintenance Mr. Underwood, Director of Operations & Maintenance informed the Committee that he is putting together a landscaping crew made up of security guards who have the option of becoming custodians during school breaks. Part of the plan is to use some of the FY20 fiscal year equipment account funds to invest in a commercial leaf vacuum that will add to the Lowell Public Schools landscaping equipment inventory. Mr. Lay made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.I through 7.IV as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.II. Response to Robert Hoey's Motion of May 1, 2018 Regarding Measles Transmission Prevention Plan Superintendent Durkin provided a report to the Committee from the School Health Unit that informed them that there are nine (9) students with medical exemptions and forty-eight (48) students with religious exemptions to MMR (measles, mumps rubella) in the Lowell Public Schools. In the event of a confirmed case of measles, unimmunized students would be excluded from school for a period of twenty-one (21) days after exposure. The report also included a Parent Guide to School Health. Mr. Lay made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.I through 7.IV as reports 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 4 of 9) 7.III. 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. Mr. Nutter gave the Committee an update on the Maintenance of Effort. Ms. Doherty made a motion for the Lowell High School Student Advisory to meet four (4) times a year moving forward and to invite the new advisors to meet with the School Committee on June 19, 2019 at 5:45 p.m. in the City Council Chambers; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED Ms. Doherty requested that the Lowell High School Student Advisory meetings be included in the quarterly report on motions. Mr. Lay made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.I through 7.IV as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.IV. Enrollment Figures The district enrollment report provided to the Committee showed the breakdown by school and grade through May 10, 2019. Mr. Lay made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.I through 7.IV as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 8. NEW BUSINESS 8.I. Vote of Inter-District School Choice Assistant Superintendent Turner provided a report to the Committee that recommends that the Lowell Public Schools reconsider participation in the inter-district school choice program for grades 9 – 12 for the 2019-2020 school year. The recommendation is based on discussions with Lowell Public School Attorneys, as well as updated guidance from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) in regards to School Choice. Ms. Doherty made a motion to not participate in the Inter-District School Choice Program for the 2019 - 2020 school year; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED 8.II. Revision for Posting of HR Position The revision was withdrawn. Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 5 of 9) 8.III. Expenditure Transfer Department: SCHOOLS TRANSFER TO: Account # Description Amount Org. Object Project DESE Function 12010025 511000 M & L Revolving $ 243,445.67 TOTAL $ 243,445.67 TRANSFER FROM: Account # Description Amount Org. Object Project DESE Function 90210103 512958 Bailey Paraprofessional $ 4,504.55 Bailey SPED 90210106 512958 Paraprofessional $ 3,462.26 McAvinnue 91210103 512958 Paraprofessional $ 12,670.91 McAvinnue SPED 91210106 512958 Paraprofessional $ 3,259.13 Greenhalge 91510103 512958 Paraprofessional $ 8,230.68 Greenhalge SPED 91510106 512958 Paraprofessional $ 2,199.18 Pyne Arts 91810103 512958 Paraprofessional $ 4,870.51 Pyne Arts SPED 91810106 512958 Paraprofessional $ 7,573.52 Laura Lee SPED 91920106 512958 Paraprofessional $ 3,177.94 92010103 512958 Lincoln Paraprofessional $ 5,152.86 Lincoln SPED 92010106 512958 Paraprofessional $ 1,441.79 92710103 512958 Moody Paraprofessional $ 4,485.96 93010103 512958 Morey Paraprofessional $ 6,912.91 Morey SPED 93010106 512958 Paraprofessional $ 5,191.66 Pawtucket 93610103 512958 Paraprofessional $ 2,953.64 Pawtucket SPED 93610106 512958 Paraprofessional $ 6,595.45 94010103 512958 Reilly Paraprofessional $ 6,572.19 Reilly SPED 94010106 512958 Paraprofessional $ 3,162.24 LDS SPED 95410106 512958 Paraprofessional $ 14,166.15 Shaughnessy 95010103 512958 Paraprofessional $ 4,302.26 Shaughnessy SPED 95010106 512958 Paraprofessional $ 8,507.00 Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 6 of 9) Washington 95510103 512958 Paraprofessional $ 1,266.10 Washington SPED 95510106 512958 Paraprofessional $ 4,084.68 Stoklosa 96010104 512958 Paraprofessional $ 1,842.20 Stoklosa SPED 96010606 512958 Paraprofessional $ 2,828.45 McAuliffe 97510103 512958 Paraprofessional $ 6,380.22 McAuliffe SPED 97510106 512958 Paraprofessional $ 2,629.03 Murkland 98010103 512958 Paraprofessional $ 10,592.04 Murkland SPED 98010106 512958 Paraprofessional $ 4,350.83 98310603 512958 Bartlett Paraprofessional $ 4,267.97 Bartlett SPED 98310606 512958 Paraprofessional $ 3,303.69 98410603 512958 Butler Paraprofessional $ 4,201.73 Butler SPED 98410606 512958 Paraprofessional $ 890.08 98510603 512958 Daley Paraprofessional $ 3,378.28 Daley SPED 98510606 512958 Paraprofessional $ 9,507.70 98710603 512958 Rogers Paraprofessional $ 3,185.85 Rogers SPED 98710606 512958 Paraprofessional $ 1,071.73 98810603 512958 Sullivan Paraprofessional $ 2,915.42 Sullivan SPED 98810606 512958 Paraprofessional $ 2,790.04 98910603 512958 Wang Paraprofessional $ 3,680.00 Wang SPED 98910606 512958 Paraprofessional $ 2,523.89 LHS SPED 99010712 512958 Paraprofessional $ 29,153.14 99210606 512958 Bridge Paraprofessional $ 1,217.11 Leblanc SPED 93510106 512958 Paraprofessional $ 1,246.61 Cardinal 90110103 512958 Paraprofessional $ 2,973.96 Cardinal SPED 90110106 512958 Paraprofessional $ 13,772.13 TOTAL $ 243,445.67 REASON FOR THE TRANSFER: Shifting a portion of Paraprofessional staff salaries to the Milk and Lunch Revolving fund per the approved budget offset - direct costs associated with running food service in schools, not indirect. Mr. Nutter made a motion to approve the budget transfer of $243,445.67; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 7 of 9) 9. CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS 9.I. Trip - LHS- Kansas City Permission for Lowell High School Latin Lyceum teacher Krista Earley to attend the AP Reader conference held from Monday, June 10, 2019 through Friday, June 14, 2019 in Kansas City, MO. There will be no cost to the district. All expenses are being covered by the College Board. No substitute teacher is needed. Ms. Doherty made a motion to take and approve all four (4) convention/conference requests together; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED 9.II. Trip - Washington DC Carolyn Rocheleau, Coordinator of Special Programs, to attend the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC)Summer Institute to be held in Washington, DC on July 16, 2019 through July 18, 2019. The conference is funded by the 21st Century Grant. The total cost associated with the conference not exceeds $1,200.00. Ms. Doherty made a motion to take and approve all four (4) convention/conference requests together; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED 9.III. Trip- LHS To Washington And Philadelphia Head of School Marianne Busteed, requests permission for LHS staff member; Amanda Ernst and two chaperones (to be determined) along with a group of 20 LHS students to travel to Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia during April school vacation week of 2020. They will travel on Monday, April 20th through Friday, April 24, 2020. There are no costs to the Lowell High School or the School Department Budget. Ms. Doherty made a motion to take and approve all four (4) convention/conference requests together; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED 9.IV. Trip- Groton, Connecticut Permission for Rocio Camargo-Ruiz, District Support Specialist, to attend the MRA to attend the Northeast PBIS Network Leadership Forum in Groton, Connecticut on May 16th and 17th, 2019. The cost of the conference (including conference fees, meals and lodging) will be no cost to the Lowell Public School Department, as a PBIS scholarship will pay for all expenses. No substitute is needed. Ms. Doherty made a motion to take and approve all four (4) convention/conference requests together; 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) 10. COMMUNICATIONS 10.I. Invitation to Playworks Mr. Nutter 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 9 of 9) 11. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Nutter made a motion to adjourn at 7:43 p.m.; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 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