School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Date: June 3, 2020 Time: 6:30PM Location: Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/93837964582?pwd=K1NPLzFENjRKT0gwMnkvY1BESWZUdz09 Meeting ID: 938 3796 4582 Password: June 1. SALUTE TO FLAG 2. ROLL CALL On a roll call at 6:41 p.m., all members were present, namely: Mr. Descoteaux, Mr. Dillon, Ms. Doherty, Mr. Hoey, Mayor Leahy, Ms. Martin and Ms. Clark. 3. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS 3.1. Remote Participation: This Meeting Is Being Held Remotely In Accordance With The Governor Of Massachusetts’ March 12, 2020 Order Suspending Certain Provisions Of The Open Meeting Law G.L. C. 30A, Section 20. Mayor Leahy read to the public that this meeting was being held remotely in accordance with the Governor of Massachusetts’ March 12, 2020 order suspending certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law G.L.C. 30A, Section 20. 4. PERMISSION TO ENTER 4.1. Permission to Enter: June 3, 2020 Mr. Hoey made a motion to approve the Permission to Enter; seconded by Mr. Dillon. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 8) 5. MINUTES 5.1. Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of the Lowell School Committee of May 20, 2020 Mr. Hoey made a motion to approve and place on file the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled Lowell School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, May 20, 2020; seconded by Ms. Clark. 7 yeas APPROVED 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 6.1. FY21 Budget Session Gen Parasole registered and spoke to the Committee about the FY21 Budget. Superintendent Boyd addressed the Committee and stated the following: “During our last meeting, the School Committee provided guidance to proceed with a 1/12th budget following the recommendation of the City. Following that guidance, tonight’s budget session, as well as Monday’s hearing, were scheduled to enable the community to hear the Committee’s discussion and provide input on the budget for July 2020. A month to month budget for the school district is truly unprecedented. So much so that state law actually only indicates adoption of an “annual” budget within the requirements for budget hearings. Thus, it’s important to emphasize for our staff and community that the budget being contemplated tonight essentially adds a 13th month to the FY20 budget – it will not establish a resource base for next year and it cannot be multiplied out 12 times to create an annual budget. Tonight, the Committee will hear options for how we can proceed toward Monday’s final meeting on the 1/12th budget for July 2020, but those options are limited. There are two to be precise. And Ms. Turner will take the Committee through them at the end of tonight’s presentation. She will also share several options that are at the Committee’s disposal for balancing an annual budget if further cuts are needed, assuming a scenario of level funding. Those options, when shared, will also specify the level of risk that we’ve assessed. We worked to develop as many cost cutting options for the Committee as possible that minimize the need for layoffs, but none of the options are without risk and none of the options comes with complete certainty. Just Friday, we learned the state’s anticipated revenue shortfall for FY21 has ballooned from a forecasted $4.4 billion deficit to over $6 billion. Absent a federal stimulus package, the Committee may very well have to consider every one of the cost cutting options in tonight’s presentation plus additional options that are perhaps even less desirable. We started this budgeting process prior to COVID-19 with a community-wide strategic planning process and the expectation that we would finally have additional money to invest in the classroom via the Student Opportunity Act. We heard from teachers of the importance of further investment in resources to improve school climate, support students who demonstrate at-risk behaviors and assist teachers with additional professional development. Thank you to UTL for sharing the results of that survey. Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 8) We heard from students of the importance of our equity agenda, ensuring that we further diversify our staff to better reflect the student population and that we engage in system-wide professional learning around Culturally and Linguistically Sustaining Practices. Thank you to the students at Lowell High School who took a leadership role in the central office training that was provided in the fall. We heard from our linguistically diverse communities of the need for greater translation services and more equitable access to district resources, raising the important need for us to provide every family with school information in their home language. We heard from principals and parents on our school-site councils of the need to not confuse autonomy with neglect and to ensure that we had a strategic approach to school-based autonomy that enabled an effective balance between school-based decision- making and centralized support. We’ve heard from you as committee members as well - as you have each conducted your own community listening tours. Mayor Leahy has reminded us that resources must be in place to ensure that every building is clean and safe, Committee Member Doherty has emphasized the importance of mental health supports, Committee member Hoey has emphasized special education, Committee Member Dillon has highlighted the importance of expanding and improving our athletic programs, Committee member Descoteaux has shared the importance of increasing access to the arts, Committee member Clark has articulated the importance of building out our data infrastructure and Committee Member Martin has reminded us to make sure that as we continue the process of improvement, we continue to build on the many things that have worked effectively in the past. Our first budget plan, which we began developing in anticipation of an April 1 deadline for the student opportunity act, operationalized all of that feedback in a way that would have propelled our schools forward into year 1 of a rather ambitious, yet realistic five-year strategic plan. But now we find ourselves in a different, previously unfathomable reality, one that has us planning for multiple scenarios for the fall without complete certainty when school buildings will reopen, and one that requires planning for significant reductions in state aid that could necessitate draconian cuts. While the budget balancing options tonight include some options that are less desirable than any of us would like to even have to contemplate, they are the best options among a series of bad possibilities. And unfortunately, we may need to bring even more cuts to the Committee in the future to balance whatever our budget turns out to be. But no budget option will ever be brought forward that doesn’t prioritize the needs of each and every one of our 14,434 students, and with each analysis, as we did with tonight’s presentation, we will always weigh the feedback that has been shared by the community. At the end of the day, it’s important for us to always remind ourselves that school will happen in the fall, in some form, and our kids don’t care about budget balancing tactics – they simply desire and deserve an optimal schooling experience. Regardless of the final revenue forecast, I am confident that we will be able to provide them with that so long as we continue to move forward together, as we always do, as one district, one community, one Lowell.” Ms. Turner, Chief Financial Officer then proceeded to discuss the budget with the Committee page by page. Mr. Hoey made a motion to approve providing a 1/12th budget for the month of July 2020 for fiscal year 2021; 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 8) 7. REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT 7.1. COVID-19 Update Ms. Phillips, Equity and Engagement Officer provided a report to the Committee that spoke about the following:  Close of School Year  Central Office Re-Opening  Graduation  Summer Programs  Meal Service  New School Year Planning  Online Registration  Contact Information Ms. Clark made a motion to accept the following Report of the Superintendent 7.1 as a report of progress; seconded by Mr. Dillon. 7 yeas APPROVED 8. NEW BUSINESS 8.1. Budget Transfer Organizational Amount Fund ID Object DESE Requested Source of Additional Funding*** DESE Amount (transfers only) 0010 96047103 512960 4110 0.01 0010 99320116 577615 3300 (1,575,547.53) 0010 91547103 512960 4110 0.01 0010 99348012 577615 3300 (1,600,000.00) 0010 94047103 512960 4110 0.02 0010 99341233 520703 1400 (2,721.07) 0010 98941103 512102 2200 0.03 0010 99320106 512925 2300 (5,221.45) 0010 92547103 512960 4110 0.04 0010 91510106 512958 2300 (8,691.75) 0010 99032003 512903 2600 0.24 0010 98010106 512958 2300 (5,341.00) 0010 99312606 577615 2300 0.29 0010 98810606 512958 2300 (3,524.00) 0010 95041103 512101 2200 13.10 0010 95410106 512958 2300 (983.24) 0010 99030502 512122 3520 15.92 0010 93010106 512958 2300 (319.84) 0010 99010708 512112 2100 130.84 0010 92047103 512960 4110 (8,953.56) 0010 99347103 513101 4000 135.00 0010 95047103 512960 4110 (5,239.29) 0010 92710103 512958 2300 165.00 0010 99041403 512915 4000 (19,700.51) 0010 99028004 512903 2300 375.00 0010 98310606 512903 2300 (39,804.69) Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 5 of 8) 0010 98710609 512903 2300 406.12 0010 93610106 512903 2300 (28,396.72) 0010 98710603 512903 2300 406.90 0010 99010719 512903 2300 (18,303.70) 0010 99339004 512142 3100 569.82 0010 99010709 512903 2300 (14,831.37) 0010 99340303 563601 5200 604.00 0010 91210103 512903 2300 (13,626.90) 0010 98710619 512903 2300 668.10 0010 98311503 512903 2300 (9,860.25) 0010 99341206 512149 1200 702.71 0010 98510603 512903 2300 (9,273.40) 0010 99341206 512147 1200 741.35 0010 91813003 512903 2300 (7,810.15) 0010 99341206 512148 1200 741.35 0010 94010803 512903 2300 (6,248.12) 0010 99341212 570701 1200 782.97 0010 92010103 512903 2300 (4,522.42) 0010 98010903 512903 2300 796.47 0010 99011506 512903 2300 (3,654.00) 0010 91941103 512902 2200 845.34 0010 92712903 512903 2300 (2,938.49) 0010 93041103 512902 2200 845.34 0010 99011606 512903 2300 (2,535.33) 0010 91241103 512902 2200 854.39 0010 91510803 512903 2300 (2,414.48) 0010 95541103 512902 2200 854.39 0010 95010103 512903 2300 (1,732.00) 0010 98941103 512101 2200 956.40 0010 98810603 512903 2300 (1,731.40) 0010 91210106 512903 2300 999.84 0010 98813003 512903 2300 (1,597.32) 0010 99031003 512115 3500 1,064.32 0010 99013403 512903 2300 (992.88) 0010 98941103 512902 2200 1,176.96 0010 98412603 512903 2300 (866.30) 0010 99328105 530002 3300 1,250.00 0010 98410606 512903 2300 (866.05) 0010 99036003 512103 2500 1,402.04 0010 94010106 512903 2300 (865.70) 0010 94041103 512902 2200 1,690.68 0010 98912003 512903 2300 (865.70) 0010 93641103 512902 2200 1,708.80 0010 98612003 512903 2300 (865.70) 0010 95041103 512902 2200 1,708.80 0010 97510103 512903 2300 (865.70) 0010 99010712 512958 2300 1,783.56 0010 99012006 512903 2300 (865.70) 0010 98910603 512903 2300 1,842.96 0010 90110106 512903 2300 (821.08) 0010 93510106 512903 2300 1,842.96 0010 99212003 512903 2300 (821.08) Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 6 of 8) 0010 99325003 512134 2300 1,842.96 0010 98610603 512903 2300 (820.92) 0010 93547103 512960 4110 2,242.23 0010 99013106 512903 2300 (662.56) 0010 93012903 512903 2300 2,550.00 0010 98410603 512903 2300 (662.28) 0010 92541105 512902 2200 2,563.21 0010 98711003 512903 2300 (661.92) 0010 92741103 512902 2200 2,590.44 0010 93612803 512903 2300 (661.92) 0010 95441103 512902 2200 2,590.47 0010 98312003 512903 2300 (661.92) 0010 97541103 512902 2200 2,590.47 0010 98510606 512903 2300 (553.85) 0010 90241103 512902 2200 2,634.84 0010 98310103 512903 2300 (501.37) 0010 92041103 512102 2200 2,768.48 0010 90212803 512903 2300 (100.00) 0010 91541103 512902 2200 2,863.55 0010 99347103 512906 4000 (1,430.77) 0010 91810103 512903 2300 3,000.00 0010 99310301 512907 5100 (28,151.00) 0010 99247103 512960 4110 3,323.56 0010 99341403 512910 3100 (10,019.67) 0010 99341215 512920 1400 5,272.10 0010 99010707 512914 2100 (4,911.04) 0010 93047103 512960 4110 5,302.53 0010 99320106 512137 2300 (2,208.40) 0010 95547103 512960 4110 6,113.96 0010 99341232 512140 1400 (2,106.94) 0010 98647103 512960 4110 6,239.92 0010 99341215 512143 1400 (1,708.51) 0010 99041103 512902 2200 6,880.65 0010 99341215 512150 1400 (1,446.15) 0010 98310606 512958 2300 7,076.70 0010 99341230 512151 1400 (1,858.47) 0010 98547103 512960 4110 7,331.14 0010 99341230 512152 1400 (980.77) 0010 97547103 512960 4110 7,560.81 0010 99310008 512155 2350 (3,269.24) 0010 93610103 512958 2300 8,112.30 0010 99339004 512157 3100 (1,076.92) 0010 99324103 512131 2300 8,649.55 0010 99347103 512158 4000 (1,269.23) 0010 91510107 512301 2300 8,880.00 0010 99300004 512159 2100 (2,024.15) 0010 93610103 512903 2300 9,509.06 0010 99311203 512120 2450 (1,633.52) 0010 99035006 512902 2700 9,539.31 0010 99310451 512135 2800 (16,320.74) 0010 99310103 512401 2300 9,675.00 0010 99228103 512135 2800 (7,294.48) Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 7 of 8) 0010 93647103 512960 4110 9,976.92 0010 98841103 512101 2200 (1,321.80) 0010 93610106 512958 2300 10,011.20 0010 93041103 512101 2200 (724.42) 0010 92747103 512960 4110 11,438.92 0010 93641103 512101 2200 (707.31) 0010 98447103 512960 4110 11,790.38 0010 98441103 512101 2200 (689.91) 0010 99320106 512104 2300 12,502.87 0010 96041109 512101 2200 (676.28) 0010 91247103 512960 4110 12,585.34 0010 97541103 512101 2200 (642.06) 0010 90247103 512960 4110 12,679.79 0010 98041103 512101 2200 (640.32) 0010 98347103 512960 4110 12,830.61 0010 98341103 512101 2200 (535.34) 0010 98847103 512960 4110 13,145.54 0010 94041103 512101 2200 (522.87) 0010 98947103 512960 4110 13,441.66 0010 98641103 512101 2200 (511.85) 0010 98747103 512960 4110 13,740.06 0010 98841103 512102 2200 (0.03) 0010 99310450 512135 2800 14,498.89 0010 99335551 512104 2800 (533.95) 0010 91510103 512903 2300 14,500.55 0010 99035003 512105 2700 (12,362.45) 0010 99047103 512960 4000 14,595.05 0010 99300004 512110 2100 (36,935.59) 0010 90147103 512960 4110 14,673.60 0010 99012806 512110 2300 (450.00) 0010 98310903 512903 2300 26,900.77 0010 99210609 512110 2100 (329.15) 0010 99010712 512903 2300 36,367.35 0010 92510603 512110 2000 (319.29) 0010 99311204 541000 2450 288,372.75 0010 99320115 575333 2300 2,855,281.69 Budget Adjustment - Shifting funds to expend the budget 3,565,119.24 (3,565,119.24) Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve the budget transfer of $3,565,119.24; seconded by Ms. Martin 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 8 of 8) 9. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Clark made a motion to adjourn at 8:00 p.m.; seconded by Mr. Dillon. 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