School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES Date: Saturday, May 18, 2019 Time: 1:00 PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA 01852 1. SALUTE TO FLAG 2. ROLL CALL On a roll call at 1:07 p.m., all members were present, namely: Mr. Nutter, Mayor Samaras, Mr. Descoteaux, Ms. Doherty, Mr. Hoey, Mr. Lay and Ms. Martin. 3. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS 3.I. Item: In accordance with the Lowell School Committee Rules, Section 2, based on the request of the members of the School Committee, Mayor William Samaras has called a Special Meeting for the purpose of interviewing the finalists for the Superintendent of Schools position and to vote to select the Superintendent for the Lowell Public Schools. The special meeting will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2019 at 1:00 PM in the City Council Chamber. The interviews are open to the public and there are three candidates. Mayor Samaras stated that this Special Meeting of the Lowell School Committee was called for the purpose of selecting a new Superintendent. On behalf of his colleagues, he thanked everyone involved in the process. The three (3) finalists were: 1. Dr. Joel D. Boyd 2. Dr. Sergio Paez 3. Dr. Stacy L. Scott Mayor Samaras opened the meeting and read the posted notice. Mayor Samaras then informed the public that each candidate would be interviewed by the Committee in a two (2) round fashion. If time permitted a third (3) round would be allowed for further follow up. Mayor Samaras then welcomed the first candidate. Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 4) Dr. Stacy Scott was the first candidate interviewed. Dr. Scott started with an opening statement. He informed the Committee that he is very excited to share his background and answer questions. He stated that Education, Psychology and the Arts are his priorities. He spoke about his family’s history and how his family focused on education and that multiple members were educators and that it’s an important part of his life. He stated that he helps build organizations and make them become proficient. Each School Committee Member questioned Dr. Scott twice starting with Mr. Nutter. Dr. Scott made a closing statement stating that he wants to create an inspiring leadership academy and wants to develop the districts next leaders and to build the talent from within. He stated that his focus is something he uniquely brings and it makes him an ideal candidate. He stated again that his passions are Education, Psychology and the Arts and the notion of people being well rounded. He is honored to be here and with the possibility of serving here. Dr. Boyd was the second candidate to be interviewed. Dr. Boyd started with an opening statement. Dr. Boyd thanked the Committee for the opportunity and stated it’s been an honor and he is thankful to be considered. He then introduced his wife who was in the audience and thanked her. He stated that the public has seen where he’s been and his age and make assumptions and he stated that the assumptions are wrong. He is excited to come to Lowell. He stated that he was raised by a single mother and he struggled in school and his family didn’t have a lot of money. He met a wrestling coach who changed his life. He chose to become a middle school teacher and wanted to service children who are disconnected from school. He concluded his opening statement stating that he and his wife want to be here over the long term and he wants to make sure that Lowell can have a model school system. Each School Committee Member questioned Dr. Boyd twice starting with Mr. Nutter. Dr. Boyd made a closing statement. He concluded by stating that he was sad for the process to come to end and that he’s been looking at this opportunity for a long time and exploring the district and seeing if this was a right fit for he and his wife. He thanked the Committee for the opportunity and he would like to work in this community and would be humbled to be the next Superintendent. Dr. Paez was the third and last candidate to be interviewed. Dr. Paez started with an opening statement. Dr. Paez stated that he was honored to be here and wanted to share his story with the Committee. He stated that he came here from Columbia in the 80’s to go to college and he has been here for thirty (30) years and it’s been a great journey for him. Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 4) He thinks it’s a great story – an immigrant coming to an immigrant city. He stated that he’s devoted his life to being an urban educator. Dr. Paez reiterated that he wants to work here and collaborate and he can’t wait to make this the best district in the state and in the whole country. Each School Committee Member questioned Dr. Paez twice starting with Mr. Nutter. Dr. Paez made a closing statement. He concluded by stating that he hopes to end up here and that he has a sense of purpose and wants to help the Lowell Schools because he’s an immigrant and he has a need to pay it forward. He doesn’t want to be the exception and he wants all of Lowell’s kids to be able to have their hopes and dreams. He would love to serve here and he knows it’s a tough choice and it’s been an honor for him to be here. 4. NEW BUSINESS 4.I. Vote To Select The Superintendent For The Lowell Public Schools. Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to vote to select a Superintendent for the Lowell Public Schools; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED Ms. Martin made a motion that each member of the Lowell School Committee vote for their selected candidate by name on a roll call vote; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED Mr. Nutter, Dr. Boyd; Mayor Samaras, Dr. Boyd; Mr. Descoteaux, Dr. Boyd; Ms. Doherty, Dr. Boyd; Mr. Hoey, Dr. Boyd; Mr. Lay, Dr. Boyd; Ms. Martin, Dr. Boyd. Seven votes, Dr. Boyd; therefore, Dr. Boyd is unanimously voted to be the new Superintendent of the Lowell Public Schools. Ms. Doherty made a motion that the Lowell School Committee appoints Dr. Joel Boyd, subject to the successful negotiations of a mutually agreeable contract of employment between the Lowell School Committee and Dr. Boyd; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED Ms. Martin made a motion to recess at 6:40 p.m.; seconded by Mr. Nutter. 7 yeas APPROVED During the recess, Mr. Koocher from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) contacted Dr. Boyd to inform him of his selection to the position of Superintendent of Schools and to see if he would accept said position. On a roll call at 6:47 p.m., members present were, namely: Mr. Nutter, Mayor Samaras, Mr. Descoteaux, Ms. Doherty, Mr. Hoey, Mr. Lay and Ms. Martin. After the recess, Mayor Samaras informed the Committee that Dr. Boyd has accepted the position of Superintendent of the Lowell Public Schools. Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 4 of 4) 5. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Martin made a motion to adjourn at 6:53 p.m.; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED Respectfully submitted, William J. Samaras, Chairman of the Lowell School Committee WJS/mes Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us