School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Date: October 16, 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 6:31 p.m., all members were present, namely: Ms. Martin, Mr. Nutter, Mayor Samaras, Mr. Descoteaux, Ms. Doherty, Mr. Hoey and Mr. Lay. 3. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS 3.I. Spotlight on Excellence – Summer Mathematics The Spotlight on Excellence presentation featured the twelfth year of the Grades K – 8 Summer Mathematics Program. The following list recognizes the school and invited students who were the lucky drawing winners of a $20.00 gift certificate to the Barnes and Noble Bookstore: Bailey School: Merryn Kay, Nathan Ong, Valentina Villa Bartlett School: Dysan Kim, Miller Pouv, Annabelle Son Butler School: Chloe Dodge, Elaijanae Quinones Ouk, Murilo Silva Daley School: Noah Florence, Sadavy Poeung, Elainah Sim Greenhalge School: Margaret Ngoy, Ivan Yadiel Ramirez, Sopavany Tes Lincoln School: Amyra Hardin-Settles, Kelvin Nhe, Elia San McAuliffe School: Jhosue Chevalier, Nathan Ortega, Peyton Stone McAvinnue School: Demetrius Acevedo, Destin Le, Sophia Mao Moody School: Maddex Chan, Trishna Karki, Bibon Subba Morey School: Charlotte Barrick, Nevaeh Guida, Nathanyel Nanthavong Murkland School: Marly Altidor, Janaye Santiago, Malinda Thok Pawtucketville School: Avery Gomez, Rylee Johnpier, Thepey Rasmey Pyne/Arts School: Anastasia Aponte, Lucas Lopez, Morghan Smith Reilly School: Tyler Durkin, Isaiah Bermudez-Pao, Casey Sullivan Robinson School: Corie Nadeau-King, Princess Nimely, Elizabeth Tamayo Shaughnessy School: Kyle Brodeur, Ayva Kapala, Skyla Sann STEM Academy: Noor Albuhasballah, Timothy Mendes, Jazlynn Silvera Stoklosa School: Kaylie Lopez, Dah Ter Lor, Anh To Sullivan School: Rubilynn Lopez, Aiden Mejia, Aniyah Wilson Wang School: Marc Ferriera, Christine Graham, Lanakai Mahoney Washington School: Reinol Chim, Julianne Fox, Ejiroghene Nsumei Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 9) 4. MINUTES 4.I. Approval of the Regularly Scheduled Lowell School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, October 2, 2019 Ms. Doherty made a motion to accept and place on file the minutes from the Regularly Scheduled Meeting of October 2, 2019 and the Special Meeting of the Lowell School Committee on October 2, 2019; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED 4.II. Approval of the Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Lowell School Committee of Wednesday, October 2, 2019 Ms. Doherty made a motion to accept and place on file the minutes from the Regularly Scheduled Meeting of October 2, 2019 and the Special Meeting of the Lowell School Committee on October 2, 2019; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED 5. PERMISSION TO ENTER 5.I. Permission to Enter: October 16, 2019 Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to approve the Permission to Enter; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 6. MOTIONS 6.I. [By Dominik Hok Lay]: Ask the Superintendent to develop a partnership with the Greater Lowell Technical School to afford students to learn a trade while attending Lowell High School. Mr. Lay made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Doherty. Ms. Desmond, Chief Academic Officer informed the Committee that a planning grant is available to provide a hybrid program along with doing a part-time program at Greater Lowell Technical School. Mr. Nutter made a substitute motion to authorize the Superintendent to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) after the review of the City Solicitor to authorize partnership with the Greater Lowell Technical School; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 6.II. [By Dominik Hok Lay]: Ask the Superintendent to collaborate with the City Recycling department to develop a curriculum that teaches our students how to recycle and the environmental benefits of recycling. Ms. Doherty asked if the report could be included at the November 20, 2019 School Committee meeting with the environmental report that is slated to be provided to the Committee. Mr. Lay made a motion to approve; 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 9) 6.III. [By Bob Hoey]: Request the Mayor ask City Manager to provide the committee with a report on the status of School Crossing Guards, included if positions are fully staffed, and the feasibility of extending their working hours in order to control pedestrians at a designated school crossing while children are going to and from after school programs. Mr. Hoey made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 6.IV. [By Gerard Nutter]: Request a Finance Sub-Committee meeting Wednesday November 6, 2019 to review 1st Fiscal quarter. Mr. Nutter made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 6.V. [By Gerard Nutter And Andy Descoteaux ]: Request LHS Sub-Committee meet to discuss possibility of adding a Community Service Requirement for all grades to count towards Graduation. Mr. Nutter made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED 7. REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT 7.I. Budget Update Ms. Turner, Chief Financial Officer provided an update to the Committee that spoke about the contract process and provided an example of a standard timeline for contracting without an issue. She also gave the Committee a budget report as of October 9, 2019. The budget update did not reflect all of the coding changes that the school department has requested from City Hall. She stated that a Request for Proposal for a consultant to assist with the implementation has been prepared for the Fair Student Funding and was advertised on October 14, 2019 and will run for two (2) weeks. She informed the Committee that she has received twenty-five (25) intended retirements and the sick leave buyback projection is $745,031. She also stated that we presently have $51,868 of bad bills that must be paid and they will be presented to the City Council for approval and payment. Ms. Turner concluded informing the Committee that the end of the year financial report has been completed and submitted to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and an unaudited copy will be shared with the Committee in the November 6th budget update. Mr. Lay made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.I and 7.II as reports of progress; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.II. 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. Lay made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.I and 7.II as reports of progress; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 4 of 9) 7.III. Home Education Superintendent Boyd recommended that the following parents/guardians be allowed to home educate their child: Thomas and Caroline Duong 755A Princeton Boulevard Kendall and Shannon Lankford 374 Beacon Street Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 8. NEW BUSINESS 8.I. Budget Transfer One Department: SCHOOLS TRANSFER TO: Account # Description Amount DESE Org. Object Project Function Bailey SA - Technology 90210124 541000 2450 Exp $ 1,039.00 TOTAL $ 1,039.00 TRANSFER FROM: Account # Description Amount DESE Org. Object Project Function Bailey SA - General 90210112 544400 2300 Supplies $ 1,039.00 TOTAL $ 1,039.00 Reason for Transfer: Adjustments per Principal request to expend the budget Mr. Nutter made a motion to approve the budget transfer of $1,039.00; seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 5 of 9) 8.II. Budget Transfer Two Department: SCHOOLS TRANSFER TO: Account # Description Amount DESE Org. Object Project Function 99341206 512147 1400 Chief Operating Officer $ 150,000.00 99341206 512148 1400 Chief of Schools $ 150,000.00 99341206 512149 1400 Chief of Equity $ 150,000.00 99341215 512143 1400 Staff Counsel $ 5,487.00 Contract Services 99341206 530002 1400 (strategic plan) $ 50,000.00 99341215 512150 1400 Deputy CFO $ 90,000.00 Database 99341232 512140 1400 Administrator $ 85,000.00 99341230 512973 1400 Assistant HR Director $ 51,169.00 School Climate 99341230 512151 1400 Specialist $ 80,000.00 99341230 512152 1400 HR Relations Assistant $ 70,000.00 99341224 577600 1400 Admin Tech $ 63,500.00 99341224 577717 1400 Admin Tech $ 66,612.00 99341227 570102 1400 Admin Tech $ 19,000.00 1400 Cont Services - 99341218 530041 1400 Fair Student Funding $ 50,000.00 Director of Research & 99300004 512159 2100 Accountability $ 120,000.00 Director of Secondary 99300004 512153 2100 Ed $ 120,000.00 Assistant Director of 99320103 512154 2100 Sped $ 102,500.00 99310008 512156 2350 Principal Mentors $ 10,800.00 99310008 512155 2350 Academic Coaches $ 270,000.00 Community Outreach 99339004 512157 3100 Strategist $ 80,000.00 Contracted Services - 99328105 530002 3100 Translation $ 50,000.00 99338003 512924 2300 Bilingual Family Liaison $ 240,000.00 99347103 512158 4000 Facility Area Managers $ 150,000.00 99341215 512916 1400 Media Tech $ 197,652.00 99347112 537600 4000 Water Bills $ 250,000.00 Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 6 of 9) 99337007 512923 2300 Tutors - Bailey $ 96,000.00 98310609 512903 2300 EL Teacher - Bartlett $ 80,000.00 98337030 530002 2350 PD - Bartlett $ 10,353.00 98410624 541000 2450 Technology - Butler $ 11,508.00 97510109 512903 2300 EL Teacher - McAuliffe $ 80,000.00 97510103 512958 2300 Para - McAuliffe $ 32,500.00 .6 EL Teacher - 91210109 512903 2300 McAvinnue $ 48,000.00 91210103 512958 2300 Para - McAvinnue $ 32,500.00 99320106 512135 2800 Social Worker - Sullivan $ 93,500.00 99337007 512923 2300 Tutors - Stoklosa $ 13,979.40 98710609 512903 2300 EL Teacher - STEM $ 80,000.00 EL Teacher - 95010109 512903 2300 Shaughnessy $ 80,000.00 Social Worker - 99320106 512135 2800 Pyne/Career $ 93,500.00 90210112 544400 2300 Bailey General Supplies $ 5,064.00 90237002 530064 2350 Bailey PD $ 9,900.00 91537015 530002 2350 Greenhalge PD $ 10,352.00 Bilingual Family Liaison 99338003 512924 2300 - Bailey $ 4,536.00 99010712 512958 2300 SPED Para - LHS $ 32,500.00 99010719 512903 2300 EL Teachers - LHS $ 160,000.00 99010718 544400 2300 General Supplies - LHS $ 52,000.00 99030202 512302 2300 Stipends - LHS (various) $ 38,840.00 99031003 512902 3500 Student Support Clerk $ 48,000.00 99037006 512903 2300 Lead Teacher $ 4,000.00 99037050 530002 2350 PD - LHS $ 18,827.00 99338003 512924 2300 LHS- Family Liaison $ 45,360.00 99345006 563600 5200 Fringe $ 165,600.00 TOTAL $ 4,018,539.40 TRANSFER FROM: Account # Description Amount DESE Org. Object Project Function 99341203 512971 1400 Director of HR $ 125,000.00 Asst Supt of Student 99341203 512205 1200 Support $ 160,609.00 99341215 512919 1400 Counsel - CBA $ 94,582.00 99341230 512902 1400 Clerical Staff $ 186,587.00 Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 7 of 9) Internet Service 99341224 570402 1400 Provider $ 85,000.00 99341201 512917 1400 Media Tech $ 197,652.00 99300003 577771 2400 Suspense $ 2,954,280.00 Robinson Teacher 98610603 512903 2300 (retirement savings) $ 107,414.70 Stoklosa (retirement 96010603 512903 2300 savings) $ 107,414.70 TOTAL $ 4,018,539.40 Reason for Transfer: Adjustments to expend the budget Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to approve the budget transfer of $4,018.539.40; seconded by Mr. Nutter. 7 yeas APPROVED 8.III. Disposal of Surplus Equipment Ms. Turner, Chief Financial Officer provided the Committee with a list of facilities equipment that was provided by the Facilities Director as surplus and was approved to be advertised by the City of Lowell Procurement Officer for sale to the highest bidder. This action is taken in accordance with the School Committee policy regarding the disposal of surplus supplies. The equipment has been determined to be obsolete for our current facilities operation and/or in poor working condition. Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve the Disposal of Surplus Items; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 9. CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS 9.I. Out of State Travel Request: Bedford, NH Christine Adams, to attend the CPI instructor renewal training to be held in Bedford, NH on October 23, 2019. The cost of the training is $989.00 and will be paid by our Professional Development funds. Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to take and approve all three (3) convention/conference requests together; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 9.II. Overnight Travel Request: Pittsfield, MA Carolyn Rocheleau, Coordinator of Special Programs, to attend the Mass Farm to School Institute to be held in Pittsfield, MA on October 18, 2019 through October 19, 2019. The conference is funded by Mass Farm to School Institute and there will be no cost to the district. Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to take and approve all three (3) convention/conference requests together; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 8 of 9) 9.III. Out of State and Overnight Travel Request: Hartford, CT Latifah Phillips, Chief Equity & Engagement Officer, to attend the C4 Bragfest & Sustainability Workshop in Hartford, CT from October 21, 2019 through October 22, 2019. There is no cost to the district other than meals and travel reimbursement not to exceed $400.00. Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to take and approve all three (3) convention/conference requests together; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 10 COMMUNICATIONS 10.I. Upcoming Community Forums Superintendent Boyd’s Community Forums schedule below: Upcoming Community Forums Mayor Samaras also informed the Committee that candidates interested in the upcoming vacancy on the Greater Lowell Vocational School board need to submit their application of interest to the City Council by Friday, October 18, 2019. The Committee stated that October 29th or October 30th would be the best dates for them to meet with the Council to take the vote to appoint a new Greater Lowell Vocational School board member. Mr. Nutter made a motion to accept the communication and to place it on file; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 11. EXECUTIVE SESSION 11.I. Items: LSAA: Collective Bargaining: Update on Negotiations and Consideration of Memoranda of Agreement - UTL: Collective Bargaining: Update on Negotiations and Consideration of Memorandum of Agreement Mr. Nutter made a motion to recess at 7:49 p.m. and to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of: LSAA: Collective Bargaining: Update on Negotiations and Consideration of Memoranda of Agreement - UTL: Collective Bargaining: Update on Negotiations and Consideration of Memorandum of Agreement, of which public discussion could have a detrimental effect on the City’s position, and to adjourn from Executive Session; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 9 of 9) 12. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Nutter made a motion to recess at 7:49 p.m.; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 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