School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Date: September 2, 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 6:34 p.m., members present were, namely: Mr. Hoey, Mayor Leahy, Ms. Martin, Mr. Descoteaux, Ms. Clark, Mr. Dillon and Ms. Doherty. 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. A moment of silence and darken chambers was held for the following: Lach Malay, Mother of Vesna Noun, City Councilor William Wilson, Father of Laurie Guay, School Nurse Manager 4. MINUTES 4.1. Approval of the Special Meeting of the Lowell School Committee of Tuesday, August 18, 2020 Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve and place on file the Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Lowell School Committee of August 18, 2020, the Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes of the Lowell School Committee of August 19, 2020, and two (2) Special Meeting Minutes of August 26, 2020; seconded by Mr. Dillon. 7 yeas APPROVED 4.2. Approval of the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled Lowell School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, August 19, 2020 Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve and place on file the Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Lowell School Committee of August 18, 2020, the Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes of the Lowell School Committee of August 19, 2020, and two (2) Special Meeting Minutes of August 26, 2020; 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 5) 4.3. Approval of the Special Meeting/Executive Session of the Lowell School Committee of Wednesday, August 26, 2020 Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve and place on file the Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Lowell School Committee of August 18, 2020, the Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes of the Lowell School Committee of August 19, 2020, and two (2) Special Meeting Minutes of August 26, 2020; seconded by Mr. Dillon. 7 yeas APPROVED 4.4. Approval of the Special Meeting of the Lowell School Committee of Wednesday, August 26, 2020 Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve and place on file the Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Lowell School Committee of August 18, 2020, the Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes of the Lowell School Committee of August 19, 2020, and two (2) Special Meeting Minutes of August 26, 2020; seconded by Mr. Dillon. 7 yeas APPROVED 5. PERMISSION TO ENTER 5.1. Permission to Enter: September 2, 2020 Mr. Hoey made a motion to approve the Permission to Enter; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED 6. MOTIONS 6.1. [By Jackie Doherty]: Request the Superintendent prepare a report for the committee that shares what other communities have done to enable in-person learning this fall. Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 6.2. [By Jackie Doherty]: Request the Superintendent prepare a report for the committee that provides information on the timeline, structure and activities re family orientation for the upcoming school year. The report should include specifics re remote learning flexibility and accountability measures to support student learning. The following people registered and spoke on the above motion: Nicole Bernier Monica Lundberg Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 5) 7. REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT 7.1. School Reopening Update The following people registered and spoke on the School Reopening Report: Kristen Doherty Monica Lundberg Kristin Roberts Dr. Guillory, Chief Schools Officer gave the Committee an update on schools reopening. The report included the following:  Timeline  Avoiding the Pitfalls of Reopening Plans that are Being Implemented Around the Country  Preparing for a Safe Reopening  In-Person and Remote Seats for School Opening  How Many Seats are Available to Students for In-Person Learning by Grade  How Many Seats are Available to Students for In-Person Learning by Grade, School and Program – Elementary Schools  How Many Seats are Available to Students for In-Person Learning by Grade, School and Program – Middle Schools  How Many Seats are Available to Students for In-Person Learning by Grade, School and Program – K - 8 Schools  How Many Seats are Available to Students for In-Person Learning by Grade, School and Program – High School & Alternative Schools  Staffing Positions Available – Elementary Schools  Staffing Process – Filling On-Campus Positions  Continuing to Support Students & Families  Next Steps Ms. Doherty made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.1 through 7.3 as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.2. Facilities Update Monica Lundberg registered and spoke regarding this report. Dr. Hall, Chief Operating Officer and Mr. Underwood, Facilities Director spoke to the Committee about the Facilities Analysis report. The report included building capacity for in-person learning regarding facility, safety equipment, building supplies, campus seats and safety messaging (in place). It also showed all the rooms per school that will not be used. Ms. Doherty made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.1 through 7.3 as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 4 of 5) 7.3. 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. Ms. Doherty made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.1 through 7.3 as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 8. NEW BUSINESS 8.1. Consideration of Dr. Janice Aide Day School Facility Options for 2020-2021 to meet COVID-19 Safety Requirements Superintendent Boyd informed the Committee that the Dr. Janice Adie Day School will not move due to some students choosing remote learning. If the situation changes, Superintendent Boyd will return to the Committee to discuss the possibility of using the Freshman Academy. 8.2. Lowell Public Schools Handbook Updates Mr. Dillon made a motion to approve the 2020-2021 Elementary & Middle School Handbooks as well as the 2020-2021 Lowell High School Handbook with the additional updates to both handbooks that were provided to the Committee at the meeting; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 5 of 5) 9. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Dillon made a motion to adjourn at 9:44 p.m.; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 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