School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES Date: August 14, 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 6:33 p.m., all members were present, namely: Ms. Martin, Mr. Nutter, Mayor Samaras, Mr. Descoteaux, Ms. Doherty, Mr. Hoey and Mr. Lay. 3. PERMISSION TO ENTER 3.I. Consideration of and Vote on MOA With SEIU Related To Family Resource Center Ms. Martin asked for an update in November at their scheduled Lowell School Committee meeting regarding the extended hours at the Family Resource Center. Ms. Martin made a motion to approve the MOA with SEIU related to the Family Resource Center; seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED 3.II. Permission to Enter: August 14, 2019 Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to approve the Permission to Enter; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 3.III. Contract Approval for Chief Operating Officer Mr. Nutter made a motion to approve the contract for the Chief Operating Officer; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 4. REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT 4.I. Countdown to the First Day of School Superintendent Boyd and Ms. Phillips, Equity and Engagement Officer spoke to the Committee about the first day of school. Ms. Phillips informed them that teachers will be reporting to school on August 26th and students in grades 1 through 12 will be reporting on August 27th. Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 3) She also informed them about the new school readiness dashboard that has been designed so Principals can get information as needed as well as immediately update their status on areas such as facility readiness, technology, curriculum materials and HR staffing. The information is color coded in red, yellow and green with red being of the highest importance. She also spoke about translation services and concluded inviting the Committee to the Back to School Block Party on Thursday, August 22, 2019 that is being held at the JFK Civic Center from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mr. Nutter made a motion to accept the report as a report of progress; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 5. NEW BUSINESS 5.I. FY20 Budget Adjustment Based on Chapter 70 Additional Funding Superintendent Boyd and the central office team presented a PowerPoint presentation to the Committee regarding the FY20 budget adjustments and how they’re setting the stage for long-term improvement. Dr. Boyd informed the Committee that on July 22, 2019 the legislature approved the final FY20 state budget and as a result, the district’s total operational revenue will increase from the original forecast of $188,908,028 to an actual allocation of $192,528,145. The presentation also included recommended positions with job descriptions. The areas the central office team members discussed were the following:  Overview of Revenue  Review of Major Themes from Listening and Learning  Core Beliefs and Fundamental Commitments  Theory of Action Underlying the Work  Year One Goals and Resource Needs  Key Budget Considerations  Budget Recommendation for Action Mr. Nutter made a motion to take item # 5.II out of order and to take items # 5.I and item # 5.II together for the purpose of the Committee voting on the listed positions included in the FY20 budget adjustment with the exception of the part-time Early Childhood Learning Coordinator which will be voted on separately as per policy GCA as well as the final approval of a bottom line budget figure to be submitted to the City Manager; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 6 yeas, 1 nay APPROVED Mr. Nutter made a motion to approve the Part Time Early Childhood Learning Coordinator; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux 5 yeas, 1 nay, 1 absent APPROVED Mr. Nutter made a motion to approve the Lowell Public Schools FY2020 final bottom-line figure at $192,528,145 and to submit the FY2020 Budget to the City Manager; seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED 5.II. Permission to Post: All Positions Recommended Within Item 5.I. FY20 Budget Adjustment Based on Chapter 70 Additional Funding Action taken under item # 5.I Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 3) 6. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Nutter made a motion to recess at 8:17 p.m.; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED Respectfully submitted, Joel D. Boyd, Ed.D., Superintendent and Secretary to the Lowell School Committee JDB/mes Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us