School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Date: September 4, 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. Descoteaux, Ms. Doherty, Mr. Hoey, Mr. Lay, Ms. Martin, Mr. Nutter and Mayor Samaras. 3. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS 3.I. Appointment of Director of Special Education Michael Lovato Mr. Hoey asked Mr. Lovato a few questions relative to the role of Director of Special Education and how he would handle certain situations. Mr. Lay spoke and expressed the reasons why he wasn’t comfortable supporting the appointment of Mr. Lovato. Mr. Lovato thanked the Committee and informed them that he was happy to be here and is looking forward to working with the Committee and meeting members of the community. Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to approve the appointment of Michael Lovato, Director of Special Education; seconded by Mr. Nutter. 6 yeas, 1 nay APPROVED 4. MINUTES 4.I. Approval of the Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Lowell School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, August 21, 2019. Mr. Nutter made a motion to accept and place on file the Lowell School Committee minutes from the Special Meeting of August 21, 2019 and the Regularly Scheduled Meeting of August 21, 2019; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 6 yeas, 1 absent APPROVED 4.II. Approval of the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled Lowell School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, August 21, 2019 Mr. Nutter made a motion to accept and place on file the Lowell School Committee minutes from the Special Meeting of August 21, 2019 and the Regularly Scheduled Meeting of August 21, 2019; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 6 yeas, 1 absent APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 6) 5. PERMISSION TO ENTER 5.I. Permission to Enter: September 4, 2019 Mayor Samaras informed the public that an item was removed from the Permission to Enter. Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to approve the Permission to Enter; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 5.II. Contract Approval for Director of Special Education Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to approve the contract for Michael Lovato, Director of Special Education; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 6. MOTIONS 6.I. [By Andy Descoteaux}: In light of recent events at Lowell High, ask the Superintendent to review ALL safety procedures at ALL of our schools. Principals should be asked if all of their outside doors are locked and/or lockable. Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED 6.II. [By Mayor William Samaras and Gerard Nutter]: Administration to review the JCA – School Assignment Policy and provide recommendations especially with regard to siblings and the importance of family along with the student living within the school neighborhood street directory criteria. Mayor Samaras made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Nutter. 7 yeas APPROVED 6.III. [By Gerard Nutter and Andy Descoteaux ]: Administration to explain the change in philosophy regarding class location for the Latin Lyceum and Freshman Academy. Mr. Nutter made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED Mr. Nutter made a motion to refer motion # 6.III “Administration to explain the change in philosophy regarding class location for the Latin Lyceum and Freshman Academy “ to a Lowell High School Subcommittee for further discussion; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 6) 7. REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT 7.I. Site-Based Budgeting Update Connie Diamantopoulos registered and spoke on this report. Dr. Guillory, Chief Schools Officer provided an update to the Committee that showed the process and the timeline of site-based budgeting. Dr. Guillory stated that the criterion used identifies service needs and high priority issues not covered by grant funds. The timeline is as follows:  Week of 9/2: Submit requests to Central Office  Week of 9/9, 9/16 and 9/23: Rolling dispersal of resources  Week of 9/30: Resources delivered to students Ms. Doherty made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.I through 7.IV as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.II. Strategic Planning Update Ms. Phillips, Chief Equity & Engagement Office spoke to the Committee about the strategic planning process and setting the stage for long term improvement and stated that the Lowell Public Schools requires an actionable strategic plan to guide its future direction. Ms. Phillips stated that under the guidance of the new Superintendent, the district will seek to embark on a district-wide, community-led process. The district seeks to assess its strengths and assets, and prioritize opportunities for improvement. The process is expected to take six (6) months starting in September 2019. Ms. Doherty made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.I through 7.IV as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.III. Report on Motions Superintendent Boyd provided the Committee with an updated report on the status of outstanding motions and asked the Committee if they had any concerns or questions. Mr. Nutter stated that we have no policy for our staff with regards to staff conduct and that we need to work with the UTL and the Law Department to create a staff conduct handbook. Ms. Doherty made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.I through 7.IV as reports 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 4 of 6) 7.IV. Enrollment Figures The district enrollment report provided to the Committee showed the breakdown by school and grade through August 29, 2019. Ms. Doherty made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.I through 7.IV as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.V. Home Education Superintendent Boyd recommended that the following parents/guardians be allowed to home educate their child: Taliah Betancourt 50 Linden Street, Apt. #2 Kim & Jason Delinsky 107 Clarendon Street Kimberly Elliot -Gauger 231 Cross Street #1 Rebecca Martel & Brian Snow 29 Holden Street Gary & Danielle Tatro 109 Van Greenby Road Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 8. NEW BUSINESS 8.I. Approval of Revised 2019-2020 School Calendar The 2019-2020 School Calendar was revised due to cancelling school for the Preliminary and Primary Elections. Mr. Nutter made a motion to approve the revised 2019-2020 School Calendar; 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 6) 8.II. Approval of UMASS Lowell Research Proposal Dr. Guillory, Chief Schools Officer recommended approval of the UMASS Lowell Research Proposal. Mr. Greg Passeri, Shaughnessy School Principal proposes the use of a student perception survey, and will provide written notification and the opportunity for parents to exercise the right to have their children opt out. Faculty participation is optional. Mr. Nutter made a motion to approve item # 8.II Approval of UMASS Lowell Research Proposal and item # 8.III. Approval of Boston University Research Proposal; seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED 8.III. Approval of Boston University Research Proposal Ms. Phillips, Chief Equity & Engagement Office recommended approval of the Boston University Research Proposal. The request is from five (5) doctoral candidates from Boston College’s Lynch School of Education who are conducting their research titled “How District Leaders Foster Equity Practices”. The team will interview individual leaders, conduct focus group interviews, review district documentation and observe district leadership to better understand how district leaders engage in practices that support and advance equity for students. Mr. Nutter made a motion to approve item # 8.II Approval of UMASS Lowell Research Proposal and item # 8.III. Approval of Boston University Research Proposal; seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED 8.IV. Policy Change Recommendation - Emergency Procedures File EBCD Dr. Hall, Chief Operating Officer brought forward the recommended Emergency Procedures File EBCD policy change. The proposed change states that if a delay is in effect, AM Preschool classes, PM Preschool classes, and AM “before school” programs will be cancelled and breakfast will not be serviced. Cancellation of PM Preschool classes is necessary in this situation due to the challenges that it presents with busing and transportation. Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to approve the recommended policy change to Emergency Procedures File EBCD; seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 6 of 6) 9. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Nutter made a motion to adjourn at 7:34 p.m.; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 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