School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Date: May 16, 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 6:34 p.m., all members were present, namely: Ms. Martin, Mr. Nutter, Mayor Samaras, Mr. Descoteaux, Ms. Doherty, Mr. Hoey and Mr. Lay. 3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 3.I. FY20 Budget Session Mayor Samaras asked Superintendent Durkin to apprise the Committee with the updates that were provided in the packet. Superintendent Durkin updated them on the Middle School Instrumental Music Programming, informing them that with the assistance of Carolyn Rocheleau, Coordinator of Special Programs, and the newly hired Coordinator of Fine Arts an Instrumental Music Program in the 21st Century Program located at the middle school sites can be developed. She also gave an update on the Social Worker Reduction and the pros and cons regarding Special Education personnel being building based or based at central. Superintendent Durkin concluded with an Adult Education Update. Ms. Martin made a motion to vote for the Action of Necessity, because the School Committee will be voting for their own-bottom line figure; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to have the administration look into restructuring the band program; seconded by Mr. Nutter. 7 yeas APPROVED Mr. Nutter asked that the actual savings with bumping rights be included in the report. Mr. Nutter made a motion to reinstate three (3) Music Teachers, one (1) ETC, one (1) Psychologist and one (1) BCBA equaling $570,000 in the FY20 Budget and to reduce the transportation budget by $570,000 to offset this until we get the additional funds anticipated from the State; 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 3) Mr. Nutter made a motion to approve the Lowell Public Schools FY2020 final bottom-line figure at $188,908,028 and to submit the FY2020 Budget to the City Manager; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED Ms. Doherty made a motion to add the position of Director of Curriculum at Lowell High School to the FY20 priority list; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED The Committee stated that any positions that could possibly be reinstated can be revisited by the administration at a future meeting. 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 7:54 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