School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Date: November 20, 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., members present were, namely: Mr. Descoteaux, Mr. Hoey, Ms. Martin, Mr. Nutter and Mayor Samaras. Ms. Doherty and Mr. Lay were absent. 3. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS 3.I. Introduction of Newly Elected LSAA President Shelby Boisvert Superintendent Boyd introduced newly elected LSAA President Shelby Boisvert to the Committee. Ms. Boisvert stated that as President she’s looking forward to working with the members of the School Committee and all members of the district and thanked the Committee for the opportunity to speak to them. Superintendent Boyd then thanked Ms. Killilea, former LSAA President and stated that she was an ardent advocate for children during her time as President and thanked her for all her hard work. Superintendent Boyd also informed the Committee that due to the Thanksgiving holiday and the office being closed on Friday, the packet will not be able to be posted and put online until Monday, November 25, 2019, which will still be within the 48 hours of the open meeting law. He asked the Committee if they had any issues or objections and the Committee said they were fine with it being posted on Monday. 4. MINUTES 4.I. Approval of the of the Special Joint City Council/School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, November 6, 2019 Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to accept and place on file the minutes from the Special Joint City Council/School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, November 6, 2019 and the minutes from the Regularly Scheduled Lowell School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, November 6, 2019; seconded by Ms. Martin. 5 yeas, 2 absent APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 7) 4.II. Approval of the of the Regularly Scheduled Lowell School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, November 6, 2019 Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to accept and place on file the minutes from the Special Joint City Council/School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, November 6, 2019 and the minutes from the Regularly Scheduled Lowell School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, November 6, 2019; seconded by Ms. Martin. 5 yeas, 2 absent APPROVED 5. PERMISSION TO ENTER 5.I. Permission To Enter: November 20, 2019 Mr. Nutter made a motion to approve the Permission to Enter; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 5 yeas, 2 absent APPROVED 6. MOTIONS 6.I. [By Bob Hoey]: Motion to review the school sign-in policy to reinforce that all visitors whether City employee or not to sign in and out of schools due to safety concerns. Mr. Hoey made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Nutter. 5 yeas, 2 absent APPROVED 6.II. [By Gerard Nutter]: Request Superintendent provides a report on how many Lowell Parents / Adults were enrolled in Adult Education for the last 3 years, how many out of City adults are we educating? Graduation rate of both. Mr. Nutter made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 5 yeas, 2 absent APPROVED 6.III. [By Gerard Nutter]: Request Superintendent meet with City Manager and walk through Pine St (Brady) School to decide if School Department could use building if the Health Department relocates downtown. Mr. Nutter withdrew this motion. 7. REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT 7.I. Strategic Planning Update Ms. Phillips, Chief Equity and Engagement Officer informed the Committee that over the last two (2) weeks she and the strategic advisor have met with Central Office Leadership and staff to determine the next steps in development of the strategic planning initiative that will produce the articulation of the district’s 3-5 year long-term goals. She stated that they have identified the framework within the strategic plan and it will include the high-level thematic areas that have previously Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 7) been identified through the key findings from the Superintendent’s entry listening tour (July through September 2019) and recent community forums. She stated that they will be assembling a steering committee that is comprised of a myriad of stakeholders reflective of the diversity the district intends to leverage and maximize in order to move the district forward. The proposed steering committee representative designations are:  LPS Teachers  LPS Support Staff  LPS Principals/LPS Central Office Administrators  LPS Parent/Family Community  LHS Student Leadership  Lowell Neighborhood Associations and Organizations  Lowell Area Early Learning and High Education Institutions  Lowell Faith Based Community  Lowell Business Community  LPS Non-Profit Community  Lowell Civic/Political Leadership She concluded stating that there will be public forums and work sessions in December and April, which will focus either on specific topic areas or will be focused on eliciting feedback from specific constituencies. Mr. Nutter made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.I through 7.III as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 5 yeas, 2 absent APPROVED 7.II. Social Emotional Learning: Creating Safe and Respectful Climate in Our Schools Ms. Desmond, Chief Academic Officer provided a report to the Committee on Social Emotional Learning: Creating Safe and Respectful Climate in Our Schools. The report spoke about Social Emotional Learning Curriculum, Restorative Justice, Positive Behavioral Incentives and Supports (PBIS), and Bullying Prevention and Programming. Superintendent Boyd added that Mayor Samaras has been a real champion against bullying. Mr. Cardaci, Stoklosa School Principal and Ms. Killilea, Stoklosa School Social Worker spoke to the Committee about the procedures they have put in place on early release days that have brought their attendance numbers up and having the students excited to go to school. Mr. Nutter made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.I through 7.III as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 5 yeas, 2 absent 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 made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.I through 7.III as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 5 yeas, 2 absent APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 4 of 7) 7.IV. Home Education Superintendent Boyd recommended that the following parent/guardian be allowed to home educate their child: Malisa Landrum 44 Dublin Street Mr. Hoey made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Martin. 5 yeas, 2 absent APPROVED 8. NEW BUSINESS 8.I. Budget Transfer Department: SCHOOLS TRANSFER TO: Account # Description Amount DESE Org. Object Project Function 99310451 512135 2800 Social Workers $2,199,123.00 90241103 512902 2200 School Clerk $ 35,000.00 91241103 512902 2200 School Clerk $ 35,000.00 91541103 512902 2200 School Clerk $ 35,000.00 91841103 512902 2200 School Clerk $ 35,000.00 91941103 512902 2200 School Clerk $ 35,000.00 92041103 512902 2200 School Clerk $ 35,000.00 92541105 512902 2200 School Clerk $ 35,000.00 92741103 512902 2200 School Clerk $ 35,000.00 93041103 512902 2200 School Clerk $ 35,000.00 93541103 512902 2200 School Clerk $ 35,000.00 93641103 512902 2200 School Clerk $ 35,000.00 94041103 512902 2200 School Clerk $ 35,000.00 95041103 512902 2200 School Clerk $ 35,000.00 95441103 512902 2200 School Clerk $ 35,000.00 95541103 512902 2200 School Clerk $ 35,000.00 97541103 512902 2200 School Clerk $ 35,000.00 98041103 512902 2200 School Clerk $ 35,000.00 98341103 512902 2200 School Clerk $ 35,000.00 98441103 512902 2200 School Clerk $ 35,000.00 98541103 512902 2200 School Clerk $ 35,000.00 98641103 512902 2200 School Clerk $ 35,000.00 Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 5 of 7) 98741103 512902 2200 School Clerk $ 35,000.00 98841103 512902 2200 School Clerk $ 35,000.00 98910612 544400 2300 Wang SA - General Supplies $ 2,500.00 99310006 575268 5300 Modular Classroom Rental $ 1,000.00 99330203 524008 5300 Central Office Rental $ 400.00 99341230 512162 1400 Strategic Advisor $ 50,000.00 TOTAL $3,058,023.00 TRANSFER FROM: Account # Description Amount DESE Org. Object Project Function 99341230 512902 1400 Clerical Staff Admin $ 450,000.00 99320106 512137 2300 Evaluation Chairpersons $ 110,000.00 99337007 512301 2300 Tutors $ 727,000.00 99337007 512303 2300 Out of School PLC $ 75,000.00 99338003 512923 2300 ELL Tutors $ 450,000.00 99312808 539900 2300 Monday Band Ensemble $ 8,700.00 99310008 512155 2350 Academic Coaches $ 270,000.00 99312804 542000 2400 Instructional Music Program $ 29,300.00 96041109 512902 2200 School Clerk $ 80,000.00 98941103 512902 2200 School Clerk $ 100,000.00 95412603 512903 2300 PhEd Teacher $ 81,500.00 95412803 512903 2300 Music Teacher $ 163,000.00 99310008 512963 2350 Teacher Academy Mentors $ 100,000.00 92741103 512102 2200 Asst Principal $ 120,000.00 95541103 512102 2200 Asst Principal $ 120,000.00 99041103 512902 2200 School Clerk $ 119,623.00 98910624 541000 2450 Wang SA - Technology Exp $ 2,500.00 Maintenance - Building 99347112 575243 4000 Repair $ 1,000.00 99341212 577766 1200 SO - Expenses $ 1,393.00 99341206 530002 1200 SO - Contracted Serv $ 49,007.00 TOTAL $3,058,023.00 REASON FOR TRANSFER: Adjustments to expend the budget Mr. Nutter made a motion to approve the budget transfer of $3,058.023.00; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 5 yeas, 2 absent APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 6 of 7) 9. CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS 9.I. Out of State and Overnight Travel Request: Washington, D.C. The 8th grade Sullivan School students, along with teacher/chaperones Keith Valliere, Daniel Purcell, Ashley Galipeau, and Marysa Mitrano to travel to Washington D.C. from Tuesday, May 26 through Friday, May 29, 2020. Fundraising activities will be held throughout the school year to defray the cost of the trip [$742/per student] for all participating students. No substitute teachers are needed. Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to approve the convention/conference request; seconded Mr. Hoey. 5 yeas, 2 absent APPROVED 10. EXECUTIVE SESSION 10.I. Items:  Non-Affiliated Positions: Contract Negotiations related to 5 Positions  UTL: Consideration of MOA related to Coach/Advisor Position, consideration of MOA related to Long term Substitute Position  LSAA: Consideration of Grievance  SEIU: Consideration of MOA  Labor Litigation Update Mr. Hoey made a motion to recess at 7:14 p.m. and to enter into Executive Session, for the purpose of review, consideration, and discussion pertaining to negotiations related to: Non-Affiliated Positions: Contract Negotiations related to 5 Positions, UTL: Consideration of MOA related to Coach/Advisor Position, consideration of MOA related to Long term Substitute Position, LSAA: Consideration of Grievance, SEIU: Consideration of MOA and Labor Litigation Update, of which public discussion could have a detrimental effect on the City’s position, and to adjourn from Executive Session; seconded by Mr. Nutter 5 yeas, 2 absent APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 7 of 7) 11. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Hoey made a motion to recess at 7:14 p.m.; seconded by Mr. Nutter. 5 yeas, 2 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