School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Date: September 18, 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: Ms. Doherty, Mr. Hoey, Mr. Lay, Ms. Martin, Mayor Samaras and Mr. Descoteaux. Mr. Nutter was absent. 3. MINUTES 3.I. Approval of the Minutes of the regularly scheduled Lowell School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, September 4, 2019 Mr. Hoey made a motion to accept and place on file the minutes from the Regularly Scheduled Meeting of September 4, 2019; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 6 yeas, 1 absent APPROVED 4. PERMISSION TO ENTER 4.I. Permission to Enter: September 18, 2019 Ms. Doherty made a motion to separate the Community Teamwork, Inc. contract listed under the Permission to Enter and to approve the contract for $80,000; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 5 yeas, 2 absent APPROVED Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve the remaining contracts on the Permission to Enter; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 6 yeas, 1 absent APPROVED 5. MOTIONS 5.I. [By Gerard Nutter And Andy Descoteaux ]: Administration compile a report on the implementation of District Wide Recess Policy to see how it is being followed and consider partnering with Lowell Education Justice Alliance to form a task force for further review and recommendations on recess. Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 7) The following people registered and spoke on this motion: Darcy Boyer Elizabeth Tripathi Mr. Nutter made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 6 yeas, 1 absent APPROVED 5.II. [By Gerard Nutter]: Administration schedule a policy subcommittee meeting first or second week in October to review policies on screening committees and immunization policy. It was requested that the District Wide Recess Policy be added to the agenda at an upcoming Policy Subcommittee. Mr. Hoey requested that the Committee be provided with the report that provides a response to his motion from May 1, 2019 that read: 6.II. [By Robert Hoey]: Superintendent to provide the Committee a report in collaboration with public health authorities on how the district is following the Center for Disease Control's recommendations on how to reduce the potential risk of measles transmission in schools and determine what actions to take to further reduce the potential risk of measles transmission in schools. Mr. Hoey stated that on the Report on Motions report it’s reads that it’s completed and he would like to see the report. Mr. Lay made a motion that Absenteeism Notes for Excused Absences from Parents be added to the agenda at an upcoming Policy Subcommittee; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 6 yeas, 1 absent Ms. Martin made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 6 yeas, 1 absent APPROVED 5.III. [By Gerard Nutter And Andy Descoteaux ]: Administration compile a report on the implementation of District Wide Recess Policy to see how it is being followed and consider partnering with Lowell Education Justice Alliance to form a task force for further review and recommendations on recess being taken away as punishment. Mr. Nutter made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 6 yeas, 1 absent APPROVED 5.IV. [By Jackie Doherty}: Request the Superintendent provide the committee with a report on the status of social workers in the district, taking into account the reduction in staff and detailing how the team is working and being supported to meet the many ongoing needs of our students. Ms. Martin requested that the administration project the red flags to show the challenges and to develop four (4) or five (5) metrics so when we come to budget time it will help the Committee be better informed. Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 6 yeas, 1 absent APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 7) 6. SUBCOMMITTEES 6.I. Community Partnership Subcommittee Meeting: Report and Approval of the Meeting of Wednesday, September 4, 2019 [Andy Descoteaux, Chairperson] Mr. Descoteaux, Chairperson of the Community Partnership Subcommittee spoke to the Committee about the Community Outreach Strategist role. Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the report as a report of progress; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 6 yeas, 1 absent APPROVED 7. REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT 7.I. 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. Hoey made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.I and 7.II as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 6 yeas, 1 absent APPROVED 7.II. Enrollment Figures The district enrollment report provided to the Committee showed the breakdown by school and grade through September 13, 2019. Mr. Hoey made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.I and 7.II as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 6 yeas, 1 absent APPROVED 7.III. Home Education Superintendent Boyd recommended that the following parents/guardians be allowed to home educate their child: Crystal Franklin 51 18th Street Geovanie Huertas & Scott Scuturio 188 Cross Street Sonia Souza & Matthew Wright 60 Keene Street, Floor 2 Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 6 yeas, 1 absent APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 4 of 7) 8. NEW BUSINESS 8.I. Budget Transfer Department: SCHOOLS TRANSFER TO: Account # Description Amount Org. Object Project DESE Function 91241106 530002 2200 McAvinnue Other Services $ 4,000.00 92041106 530002 2200 Lincoln Other Expenditures $ 7,000.00 92741106 530002 2200 Moody Other Expenditures $ 2,500.00 93510112 544400 2300 Leblanc SA - General Supplies $ 5,904.50 93541106 530002 2200 LeBlanc OTher Expenditures $ 1,000.00 94041106 530002 2200 Reilly Other Expenditures $ 2,000.00 95041106 530002 2200 Shaughnessy SA - Other Exp. $ 1,400.00 96041104 530002 2200 CONTRACTED SERVICES $ 6,075.00 97541106 530002 2200 McAuliffe Other Expenditures $ 3,000.00 98041106 530002 2200 Murkland Other Expenditures $ 4,000.00 98341106 530002 2200 Bartlett Other Expenditures $ 3,000.00 98441106 530002 2200 Butler Other Expenditures $ 5,000.00 98541106 530002 2200 Daley Other Expenditures $ 7,000.00 98641106 530002 2200 Robinson Other Expenditures $ 4,920.00 98741106 530002 2200 Rogers Other Expenditures $ 7,000.00 98841106 530002 2200 Sullivan Other Expenditures $ 2,460.00 98941106 530002 2200 Wang Other Expenditures $ 1,920.00 99228104 530002 2350 Riverside Contracted Services $ 500.00 99010718 544400 2300 LHS SA - General Supplies $ 16,097.00 91937019 530002 2350 Laura Lee SA - Prof. Dev. $ 1,000.00 TOTAL $ 85,776.50 TRANSFER FROM: Account # Description Amount Org. Object Project DESE Function 91237012 530002 2350 McAvinnue SA - Prof. Dev. $ 4,000.00 92037020 530002 2350 Lincoln SA - Prof. Dev. $ 7,000.00 92737027 530002 2350 Moody SA - Prof. Dev. $ 2,500.00 93510104 530002 2350 LeBlanc SA - Prof. Dev. $ 5,904.50 94037040 530002 2350 Reilly SA - Prof. Dev. $ 2,000.00 95037050 530002 2350 Shaughnessy SA - Prof. Dev. $ 1,400.00 Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 5 of 7) 96037070 530002 2350 Stoklosa SA - Prof. Dev. $ 6,075.00 97537075 530002 2350 McAuliffe SA - Prof. Dev. $ 3,000.00 98037080 530002 2350 Murkland SA - Prof. Dev. $ 4,000.00 98310612 544400 2300 Bartlett SA - General Supplies $ 3,000.00 98437031 530002 2350 Butler SA - Prof. Dev. $ 5,000.00 98537031 530002 2350 Daley SA - Prof. Dev. $ 7,000.00 98637033 530002 2350 Robinson SA - Prof. Dev. $ 4,920.00 98737033 530002 2350 Rogers SA - Prof. Dev. $ 7,000.00 98837034 530002 2350 Sullivan SA - Prof. Dev. $ 2,460.00 98937034 530002 2350 Wang SA - Prof. Dev. $ 1,920.00 99237070 530064 2350 Brady - Prof Development $ 500.00 99030510 541000 2450 LHS SA - Technology Exp $ 16,097.00 99345006 563600 Employee Health Insurance $ 2,000.00 TOTAL $ 85,776.50 Mr. Hoey made a motion to approve the budget transfer of $85,776.50; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 6 yeas, 1 absent APPROVED 8.II. Approval of CAGS Research Proposal Mr. Schlichtman, Coordinator of Research, Testing and Assessment recommended approval of the CAGS Research Proposal. Susan L. Brassard, Lowell High School Culinary Arts Teacher is asking to conduct a survey of students in B-House at Lowell High School during an advisory period. Her study pertains to the modernization of Home Economics curricula to meet the current needs of high school students. Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve the CAGS Research Proposal; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 6 yeas, 1 absent APPROVED 9. CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS 9.I. In State Overnight Travel Request: Brenda King, Union Representative Of The United Teachers Of Lowell, To Attend The AFT-CIO Biennial Convention In Springfield, MA From September 25th Through September 27, 2019. There Is No Cost To The District. Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to take and approve four (4) convention/conference requests together; seconded by Ms. Martin. 6 yeas, 1 absent APPROVED 9.II. In State Overnight Travel Request: LHS AFJROTC Team To MASS Maritime Academy In Buzzards Bay, MA From November 22, 2019 Through November 23, 2019. There Is No Cost To The District. Ms. Doherty made a motion to withdraw item 9.II. In State Overnight Travel Request: LHS AFJROTC Team To MASS Maritime Academy In Buzzards Bay, MA From November 22, 2019 Through November 23, 2019. There Is No Cost to the district from the Convention/Conference Requests; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 6 yeas, 1 absent APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 6 of 7) 9.III. In State Overnight Travel Request: LHS Outdoor Adventures Club To Harold Parker State Forest, North Andover MA On The Weekend Of October 25, 2019. There Is No Cost To The District. Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to take and approve four (4) convention/conference requests together; seconded by Ms. Martin. 6 yeas, 1 absent APPROVED 9.IV. In State Overnight Travel Request: Michael Sheehan, Union Representative Of The United Teachers Of Lowell, To Attend The AFT-CIO Biennial Convention In Springfield, MA From September 25th Through September 27, 2019. There Is No Cost To The District. Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to take and approve four (4) convention/conference requests together; seconded by Ms. Martin. 6 yeas, 1 absent APPROVED 9.V. Out Of State And Overnight Travel Request: LHS Athletic Director David Lezenski To Attend The 50th National Athletic Directors Conference On December 13th Through December 17, 2019 At The National Harbor, Maryland. There Is No Cost To The District. Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to take and approve four (4) convention/conference requests together; seconded by Ms. Martin. 6 yeas, 1 absent APPROVED 9.VI. Out Of State And Overnight Travel Request: Permission For Jill Taylor, NFTE Entrepreneurial Educator And Student Caitlin McNamara To Attend The 2019 National NFTE Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge In New York City From October 15 Through October 17, 2019. The Cost Of Three Substitutes In The Amount Of $315 Will Be Paid By LHS Individual School Budget. Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to defer item 9.VI. Out Of State And Overnight Travel Request: Permission For Jill Taylor, NFTE Entrepreneurial Educator And Student Caitlin McNamara To Attend The 2019 National NFTE Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge In New York City From October 15 Through October 17, 2019. The Cost Of Three Substitutes In The Amount Of $315 Will Be Paid By LHS Individual School Budget to the next Regularly Scheduled School Committee meeting so the Committee can receive additional information; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 6 yeas, 1 absent APPROVED Ms. Phillips, Chief Equity and Engagement Officer informed the Committee about the upcoming CHOP Dinner on September 25, 2019 and also spoke to them about the upcoming Speaker Series that will be taking place in October. Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 7 of 7) 10. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Hoey made a motion to adjourn at 7:10 p.m.; seconded by Ms. Martin. 6 yeas, 1 absent 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