School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Date: August 21, 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., all members were present, namely: Mayor Samaras, Mr. Descoteaux, Ms. Doherty, Mr. Hoey, Mr. Lay, Ms. Martin and Mr. Nutter. 3. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS 3.I. Introduction of New Principals: Introduction of newly appointed Principals Michael Domina, McAvinnue School, Jennifer Scarpati, Greenhalge School and Dr. Kimberly Henry, STEM Academy at the Rogers School. Superintendent Boyd introduced the following newly appointed Principals: Michael Domina, McAvinnue School, Jennifer Scarpati, Greenhalge School and Dr. Kimberly Henry, STEM Academy at the Rogers School. All of the newly appointed Principals thanked the Committee and expressed their excitement for the new school year. 4. MINUTES 4.I. Approval of the Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Lowell School Committee of Wednesday, July 17, 2019 Ms. Martin made a motion to accept and place on file the Lowell School Committee minutes from the Special Meeting of July 17, 2019 and the Regularly Scheduled Meeting of July 17, 2019 as well as the Special Meeting of August 14, 2019; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED 4.II. Approval of the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled Lowell School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, July 17, 2019 Ms. Martin made a motion to accept and place on file the Lowell School Committee minutes from the Special Meeting of July 17, 2019 and the Regularly Scheduled Meeting of July 17, 2019 as well as the Special Meeting of August 14, 2019; 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 7) 4.III. Approval of the Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Lowell School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, August 14, 2019. Ms. Martin made a motion to accept and place on file the Lowell School Committee minutes from the Special Meeting of July 17, 2019 and the Regularly Scheduled Meeting of July 17, 2019 as well as the Special Meeting of August 14, 2019; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED 5. PERMISSION TO ENTER 5.I. Permission to Enter: August 21, 2019 Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to approve all contracts listed under the Permission to Enter with the exception of the Community Teamwork, Inc.; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to approve the Community Teamwork, Inc. contract listed under the Permission to Enter; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 6 yeas, 1 absent APPROVED 6. MEMORIALS 6.I. Oscar Rodriguez, Sr., Father Of Magaly Ronan, Greenhalge School Assistant Principal 6.II. Joseph H. Dussault, Grandfather Of Pyne Arts Assistant Principal Lori Lang 7. MOTIONS 7.I. [By Jackie Doherty}: Request the Superintendent provide the Committee with a report that highlights the LPS K-12 environmental sciences curriculum including any programs/grants offered through Project Learn or other outside entities, as well as school-based initiatives such as student recycling groups, etc. Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.II. [By Gerard Nutter]: Request policy subcommittee meet with the administration before the two October School committee meetings to review/revise policy on school committee visits, social media, fundraising. Mr. Nutter made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.III. [By Gerard Nutter]: Request Advisory from City Solicitor's office on process/procedures to allow any School Committee member to participate in Regular/Special School Committee meetings remotely via Telephone/Facetime or Skype. Mr. Nutter made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 7) 8. REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT 8.I. Lowell High School Building Committee Verbal Report Dr. Hall, Chief Operating Officer informed the Committee that the Lowell High School Building Committee will be meeting on a bi-weekly schedule and he will keep the School Committee updated with current information as he receives it. Superintendent Boyd added that it’s an exciting time and reiterated that the Committee will be updated in a timely fashion. Ms. Martin added that updates are provided on the City Website as well after each meeting. Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 8.I through 8.IX as reports of progress; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 8.II. Ensuring a Flawless School Opening Dr. Guillory, Chief Schools Officer provided a report to the Committee that spoke about site-based budgeting. He spoke about the process for allocating funds to the schools with the criteria and the timeline. He concluded speaking about the countdown to the first day of school and all the events that have and will continue to take place until September 3, 2019. Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 8.I through 8.IX as reports of progress; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 8.III. Site-Based Budgeting Update Dr. Guillory, Chief Schools Officer provided the school readiness spreadsheet to the Committee that was color coded by areas of need (red requires additional attention), yellow (ready this week) and green (ready to go). The topics on the spreadsheet are as follows:  Instructional Support  Staffing  Health and Safety  Students  School Buildings & Facilities  Transportation  Parent/Community Relations  Miscellaneous Dr. Guillory was happy to inform the Committee that no school was highlighted in red (red being the color of highest need) and assured them that the schools are ready to be opened. Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 8.I through 8.IX as reports of progress; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 4 of 7) 8.IV. 21st Century Grant Awards Ms. Desmond, Chief Academic Officer informed the Committee that the Lowell Public Schools was recently awarded two (2) Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Grants. The grant awards are as follows:  Massachusetts 21st Century Community Learning Centers – Exemplary Programs Grant. The three year grant award is for $1,208,559 ($402,853 each year for three (3) years) and will provide 21st Century Community Learning Center programs at five (5) schools.  Massachusetts 21st Century Community Learning Centers – Supporting Additional Learning Time. The three (3) year grant award is for $570,000 ($190,000 each year for three (3) years) and will provide a new 21st Century program at the Butler School. Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 8.I through 8.IX as reports of progress; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 8.V. Lowell Early College Program Ms. Desmond, Chief Academic Officer informed the Committee that in collaboration with Project Learn and Middlesex Community College, Lowell High School will be embarking on a new Early College pathway this fall. The Early College Program will expand on Lowell High School’s successful dual enrollment program with Middlesex Community College. The report provided an overview of the program and two (2) job descriptions. Mr. Hoey made a motion to approve and post the Early College Specialist position; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to approve and post the Early College Coach position; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 8.I through 8.IX as reports of progress; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 8.VI. Update on Alternative Structured Learning Days “Blizzard Bags” Ms. Desmond, Chief Academic Officer informed the Committee that on June 27, 2019, Commissioner Riley, from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) released a memorandum regarding Alternative Structure Learning Day Programs. Based on a taskforce review of these programs, the DESE will discontinue the alternative structured learning day pilot programs after the 2019-2020 school year. Previous locally-approved programs may be implemented as needed through 2019-2020 school year. Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 8.I through 8.IX as reports of progress; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 5 of 7) 8.VII. Home Education Superintendent Boyd recommended that the following parents/guardians be allowed to home educate their child: Svetlana Brodskaya 10 Kimball Avenue Sarah Chandoneet 18 Mount Pleasant Street Phillip & Kate Charron 115 West Meadow Road Ashleigh & Cherry Ann Gibson 15 Delmont Avenue Ellen O’Brien and Sean Lambert 1491 Varnum Avenue Mark and Hann Hun Murphy 70 Austin Street, Unit 22 Steve & Kristina Vargas 320 Thorndike Street, Apt. 4 Ms. Martin made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Nutter. 7 yeas APPROVED 8.VIII. Report on Motions Superintendent Boyd provided the Committee an updated report on the status of outstanding motions and asked the Committee if they had any concerns or questions. Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 8.I through 8.IX as reports of progress; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 8.IX. Enrollment Figures The district enrollment report provided to the Committee showed the breakdown by school and grade through August 17, 2019. Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 8.I through 8.IX as reports of progress; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 6 of 7) 9. NEW BUSINESS 9.I. Policy Change Recommendation – JLB Health and Wellness Policy Ms. Desmond, Chief Academic Officer brought forward the recommended policy change based on the discussion that took place at the Student Support Services Subcommittee meeting that was held on July 2, 2019. During that meeting, it was determined that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts allows students to receive reproductive health services and it does not require parent consent. Mr. Nutter made a motion to approve the recommended policy change to the JLB Health and Wellness Policy; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED 10. CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS 10.I. Out of State Travel Request: Lowell High School – Twinsburg, Ohio– February 28, 2020 Through March 1, 2020 Mr. Hoey made a motion to approve the convention/conference request; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 11. COMMUNICATIONS 11.I. A Thank You Card from Retired Superintendent of Schools Jeannine Durkin Mr. Nutter made a motion to take and approve both communications together and to place them on file; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED 11.II. Invitation to Our Inaugural Back to School Event Mr. Nutter made a motion to take and approve both communications together and to place them 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 7 of 7) 12. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Hoey made a motion to adjourn at 7:31 p.m.; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 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