School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Date: August 19, 2020 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 7:01 p.m., members present were, namely: Ms. Clark, Mr. Descoteaux, Mr. Dillon, Ms. Doherty, Mr. Hoey, Mayor Leahy and Ms. Martin. 3. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS 3.1. Communication Remote Participation: Members Of The Public May View The Meeting Via LTC And Those Wishing To Speak Regarding A Specific Agenda Item Shall Register To Speak In Advance Of The Meeting By Sending Email To The Superintendent Indicating The Agenda Item And A Phone Number To Call So That You May Be Tele-Conferenced In To The Meeting. Email Address Is Mpalazzo@Lowell.k12.Ma.us If No Access To Email You May Contact At 978-674-4324. 3.2. Spotlight on Excellence – Summer School Program Carolyn Rocheleau, Coordinator of Special Programs and Christine Adams, Special Education Summer Program administrator gave the Committee a brief overview of this year’s summer’s offerings and programs as well as shared some highlights of the programs. 4. MINUTES 4.1. Approval of the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled Lowell School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, July 15, 2020 Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve and place on file the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled Meeting of the Lowell School Committee of July 15, 2020, and the Special Meeting Minutes of the Lowell School Committee of July 16, 2020, July 23, 2020, July 29, 2020, July 30, 2020, August 5, 2020 and two (2) Special Meeting Minutes of August 12, 2020; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 6) 4.2. Approval of the Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Lowell School Committee of Thursday, July 16, 2020 Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve and place on file the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled Meeting of the Lowell School Committee of July 15, 2020, and the Special Meeting Minutes of the Lowell School Committee of July 16, 2020, July 23, 2020, July 29, 2020, July 30, 2020, August 5, 2020 and two (2) Special Meeting Minutes of August 12, 2020; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED 4.3. Approval of the Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Lowell School Committee of Thursday, July 23, 2020 Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve and place on file the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled Meeting of the Lowell School Committee of July 15, 2020, and the Special Meeting Minutes of the Lowell School Committee of July 16, 2020, July 23, 2020, July 29, 2020, July 30, 2020, August 5, 2020 and two (2) Special Meeting Minutes of August 12, 2020; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED 4.4. Approval of the Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Lowell School Committee of Wednesday, July 29, 2020 Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve and place on file the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled Meeting of the Lowell School Committee of July 15, 2020, and the Special Meeting Minutes of the Lowell School Committee of July 16, 2020, July 23, 2020, July 29, 2020, July 30, 2020, August 5, 2020 and two (2) Special Meeting Minutes of August 12, 2020; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED 4.5. Approval of the Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Lowell School Committee of Thursday, July 30, 2020 Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve and place on file the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled Meeting of the Lowell School Committee of July 15, 2020, and the Special Meeting Minutes of the Lowell School Committee of July 16, 2020, July 23, 2020, July 29, 2020, July 30, 2020, August 5, 2020 and two (2) Special Meeting Minutes of August 12, 2020; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED 4.6. Approval of the Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Lowell School Committee of Wednesday, August 5, 2020 Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve and place on file the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled Meeting of the Lowell School Committee of July 15, 2020, and the Special Meeting Minutes of the Lowell School Committee of July 16, 2020, July 23, 2020, July 29, 2020, July 30, 2020, August 5, 2020 and two (2) Special Meeting Minutes of August 12, 2020; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED 4.7. Approval of the Minutes of the Special Meeting/Executive Session of the Lowell School Committee of Wednesday, August 12, 2020 Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve and place on file the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled Meeting of the Lowell School Committee of July 15, 2020, and the Special Meeting Minutes of the Lowell School Committee of July 16, 2020, July 23, 2020, July 29, 2020, July 30, 2020, August 5, 2020 and two (2) Special Meeting Minutes of August 12, 2020; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 6) 4.8. Approval of the Special Meeting of the Lowell School Committee of Wednesday, August 12, 2020 Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve and place on file the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled Meeting of the Lowell School Committee of July 15, 2020, and the Special Meeting Minutes of the Lowell School Committee of July 16, 2020, July 23, 2020, July 29, 2020, July 30, 2020, August 5, 2020 and two (2) Special Meeting Minutes of August 12, 2020; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED 5. PERMISSION TO ENTER 5.1. Permission to Enter: August 19, 2020 Ms. Clark made a motion to approve the Permission to Enter; seconded by Mr. Dillon. 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Martin) APPROVED 6. MOTIONS 6.1. [By Connie Martin And Jackie Doherty]: Requesting that the Lowell School Committee vote to assert that Racism is a National Public Health Crisis affecting the health, safety and educational experience and outcomes of all students, especially the majority of students of color in the district. This will require immediate, on-going, and long term responses and action from the Lowell Public Schools to affirm our steadfast commitment to support efforts both nationally and locally aimed at understanding, addressing and dismantling racism in all its forms, from our public schools. The following people registered and spoke on the above motion: Caitlin Kulberg Curtis Chanthaboun Monica Lundberg Marissa Shea Bobby Tubiyele Mr. Hoey made a substitute motion: “Requesting that the Lowell School Committee vote to assert that Racism is a National Public Health Crisis affecting the health, safety and educational experience and outcomes of all students”; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 2 yeas, 5 nays (Ms. Clark, Mr. Dillon, Ms. Doherty, Mayor Leahy, Ms. Martin) FAILS Ms. Martin made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 4 yeas, 3 nays (Mr. Descoteaux, Mr. Dillon, Mr. Hoey) APPROVED 7. REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT 7.1. School Reopening Update The following people registered and spoke on the School Reopening Report: Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 4 of 6) Caitlin Kulberg Marissa Shea Trish Williams Jess Markey Patricia Pappatian Anna Baturin Paul Georges (went into voicemail) Heather Green Karlene Farley Gail Thursby Katie Urbine Jake Bridge (busy signal) Tina Degree Dr. Guillory, Chief Schools Officer gave the Committee an update on schools reopening. The report included the following:  Timeline  How We Are Preparing for a Safe Reopening  How Will We Ensure School Readiness for Reopening  How Will We Support Principals to Meet the Steps for Reopening  How Do We Translate Building Capacity Into Seats for Families/Students  Next Steps Mr. Hoey made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.1 through 7.3 as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Dillon. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.2. Facilities Analysis Dr. Hall, Chief Operating Officer gave the Committee an update on the evaluations of HVAC systems and informed the Committee that 94% of all school windows are operational. He also spoke about the filter assessment for all schools and that the City has contracted with Garcia, Galuska, and DeSousa Consulting Engineers to review the existing HVAC system filter capabilities within some of the school buildings to see where filters can be upgraded to higher grades, which filter out smaller particles in the air. He also spoke about the cleaning of HVAC components and other ongoing projects that the DPW and School Facilities Department are prioritizing. Mr. Hoey made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.1 through 7.3 as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Dillon. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.3. Personnel Report The Personnel Report officially informs the Committee of all retirements, resignations, promotions and new hires. Mr. Hoey made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.1 through 7.3 as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Dillon. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 5 of 6) Ms. Doherty made a motion to continue the meeting past 10:00 p.m.; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED 8. NEW BUSINESS 8.1. Adoption of 1/12 Budget for September 2020 in the Amount of $14,948.596.00 Superintendent Boyd and Ms. Turner, Chief Financial Officer provided an update to the Committee on the budget as of August 19, 2020. The report states that we need to stabilize and finalize school budgets. That the district is moving from a full hiring freeze to a phased reopening of job postings and that there is no additional information from the state. Also, that it is still unclear as to the level of cash funding from the City despite the State’s commitment for three (3) months. The district can only appropriate the amount approved by the City despite the state changes and unless there are legislative changes, September will be the final month for a 1/12th budget. Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve the adoption of a 1/12th budget for September 2020 in the amount of $14,948,596; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED 8.2. Approval of UMASS Lowell Research Proposal Francisco Vicente, Assistant Principal at the Abraham Lincoln School, in enrolled in a doctoral program at UMass Lowell. Mr. Vincente’s objective of his research is to systematically identify, describe, and consider the practices of the Abraham Lincoln School Adjustment Program and its efficacy in supporting the provisions of Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for students with Emotional Impairment. The focus of his dissertation is to identify practices that staff perceive as effective and ineffective, as well as professional development and resource need. Ms. Clark made a motion to approve the UMASS Lowell Research Proposal; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 8.3. Approval to Accept and Expend Allocated FY21 Awards Ms. Turner, Chief Financial Officer requested that the Committee vote to approve and accept the list of FY21 grant allocations received to date that was provided to them. The list includes funds from the Federal and State entitlement, continuation, competitive and CARES Act awards that have been secured by the Lowell Public Schools through the Department of Secondary and Elementary Education and the Department of Education and Care. Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve and accept the Allocated FY21 Awards; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 6 of 6) 9. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Clark made a motion to adjourn at 10:06 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