School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Date: October 21, 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 6:40 p.m., members present were, namely: Mr. Descoteaux, Mr. Dillon, Ms. Doherty, Mr. Hoey, Mayor Leahy, Ms. Martin and Ms. Clark. 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. FY21 Budget Public Hearing The Public Hearing on the FY21 Budget was held and no one spoke in favor or in opposition. 4. MINUTES 4.1. Approval of the Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Lowell School Committee of Wednesday, October 7, 2020 Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve and place on file the Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Lowell School Committee of October 7, 2020 and the Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes of the Lowell School Committee of October 7, 2020 seconded by Mr. Dillon. 7 yeas APPROVED 4.2. Approval of the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, October 7, 2020 Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve and place on file the Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Lowell School Committee of October 7, 2020 and the Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes of the Lowell School Committee of October 7, 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 9) 5. PERMISSION TO ENTER 5.1. Permission to Enter: October 21, 2020 Mr. Dillon made a motion to approve the Permission to Enter; seconded by Ms. Clark. 7 yeas APPROVED 6. MEMORIALS 6.1. Richetta Woods, Aunt of Shonica Davis, Shaughnessy School Paraprofessional. 6.2. Marge Driscoll, Daley School Paraprofessional. 6.3. Anne C. (Flood) White, Retired Adult Education Teacher. 7. MOTIONS 7.1. [By Michael Dillon Jr.]: Request the Board of Health update the School Committee on what recommendations, other than closing schools, are being suggested for Lowell related to the current dashboard classification of being in the “Red”. Mr. Dillon made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Hoey. Mr. Dillon made a motion to send item #“7.1. [By Michael Dillon Jr.]: Request the Board of Health update the School Committee on what recommendations, other than closing schools, are being suggested for Lowell related to the current dashboard classification of being in the “Red” to a Facilities Subcommittee and to invite the Board of Health for further discussion; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.2. [By Michael Dillon Jr.]: Request that the Facilities Department notify the Superintendent and School Committee of any plans to use Lowell School buildings for any purpose other than in-person schooling for LPS students. Mr. Dillon made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Martin) APPROVED Ms. Doherty made a motion to suspend the rules to take item #10.1. Temporary Amendment of Policy File KF out of order; seconded by Mr. Dillon. 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Martin) APPROVED 7.3. [By Michael Dillon Jr.]: Request that the Administration consult with Physical Education staff to examine implementation of effective Physical Education across the district in a remote learning environment. Ms. Martin requested that the Committee receive a baseline understanding of what’s happening during remote learning so we can move forward. Mr. Dillon 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) 7.4. [By Michael Dillon Jr.]: Recommend that the Superintendent continue to support LPS students, coaches, and advisors to maintain in-person extracurricular activities offered within the school district. Mr. Dillon made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.5. [By Michael Dillon Jr.]: Request that the Committee make the appropriate accommodations to host in person speakers from the general public beginning with the next regularly scheduled meeting. Committee members asked if the speakers could have the option of zoom or in person. Mr. Dillon stated that he was fine with that. Mr. Dillon made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.6. [By Michael Dillon Jr.]: Request the Superintendent provide a report on how the administration plans to use and administer exit interviews district-wide moving forward. Mr. Dillon made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.7. [By Andy Descoteaux]: Ask the Superintendent to form an ad hoc committee with representation of a cross section of educators from LPS, including UTL, and higher education with the principal aim of identifying the deficits and methods to address any missing skills and knowledge resulting from the changes to the instructional day and learning environment since March 2020 and continuing into the 2020-2021 academic year. The goal should be; how can we minimize any learning loss that has occurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic and what can be done to narrow or eliminate those academic gaps for students. Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 8. SUBCOMMITTEES 8.1. College & Career Readiness Subcommittee: Report and Approval of the Meeting of Thursday, July 9, 2020 [Andy Descoteaux, Chairperson] Chairperson Descoteaux spoke to the Committee about the College & Career Readiness Subcommittee meeting and informed them that Mr. Fiato, Head of School presented his initial findings to the Subcommittee and that Mr. Fiato did an analysis for a reentry and a reorganization plan. Mr. Fiato believed he was being responsible and transparent and the plan presented that. He also stated that he hadn’t been able to meet the parents or many of the staff. Subcommittee members expressed concern about the length of time Mr. Fiato was there and him not being able to know his staff, students or families. Chairman Descoteaux stated that the administration will follow up and give the Committee more information regarding the high school plan. Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 4 of 9) Superintendent Boyd stated that any changes moving forward to the high school will be included in the FY22 Budget. Ms. Doherty made a motion to accept the report as a report of progress; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED 8.2. Curriculum & Instruction Subcommittee Meeting: Report and Approval of the Meeting of Wednesday, October 14, 2020 [Connie Martin, Chairperson] Chairperson Martin spoke to the Committee about the Curriculum & Instruction Subcommittee meeting and stated that the Evaluation Team Chairs (ETC) and School Psychologists have developed a Google sheet tracking system about compliance data to monitor initial evaluations, re-evaluations, annual reviews, and additional meetings. She stated that they have been tracking information since the spring and they are tracking the progress on 287 initial evaluations, 541 re-evaluations and 724 annual reviews. Chairperson Martin stated that the overall population is 2600 -2700 students. She stated that the Special Education Department will provide monthly progress reports to the Committee to show how the district is meeting the metrics, so it can be tracked during these times in case the district needs additional supports or other options. Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the report as a report of progress; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 9. REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT 9.1. COVID-19 Data Monitoring and In-Person Learning Casey Stanton registered and spoke on the item #9.1 COVID-19 Data Monitoring and In-Person Learning report. Dr. Hall gave the Committee a COVID-19 Data monitoring update that included the Average Daily Incidence Rate per 100,000 and Percent Positivity Rate. Dr. Hall also informed the Committee that on October 7, 2020 the Board of Health requested the School Department forward their plan to them and the Health Department regarding the COVID “red status” and the schools population plan. The School Department provided a plan on October 14, 2020 which reduced student population from 25% to 3%. The Board’s understanding was the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE) guidelines recommend that school systems review the three (3) weeks of case data as well as consider the community wide spread to determine when a system should go to 100% remote learning. Dr. Hall added that the City of Lowell will be receiving the weekly updates on Thursday instead of Wednesday moving forward. The Facilities Subcommittee and the Board of Health will be meeting for further discussion on this matter. Mr. Hoey made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 9.1 through 9.2.3 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 9) 9.2. 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. Hoey made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 9.1 through 9.2.3 as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Dillon. 7 yeas APPROVED 9.2.1. Response To Motion 1.CAO of 10/16/19 By Dominik 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. Ms. Desmond, Chief Academic Officer provided an update to the Committee on the Career and Technical Education Partnership Programming. The report stated that in the fall of 2019, staff at the Greater Lowell Technical High School and Lowell Public Schools worked together to obtain a Career and Technical Education Partnership planning grant from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Throughout the 2019-2020 school year, a team from the Greater Lowell Technical High School and Lowell Public Schools met to discuss the development and implementation of an initial Career and Technical Education Partnership program that would be made available to Lowell High School (LHS) students for the 2020-2021 school year. In March 2020, the application was submitted to the DESE for two (2) new secondary-level Chapter 74 Partnership Program designations at Greater Lowell Technical High School. Commissioner Jeffrey Riley granted approval to Greater Lowell Technical High School District for the Chapter 74 Partnership Program with Lowell Public Schools for two (2) programs. LHS staff continues to market these programs to students and families through virtual meetings, fliers and videos. This program allows two (2) cohorts of LHS students to participate in required academic coursework at LHS while participating in a Greater Lowell Technical High School Chapter 74 program. Mr. Hoey made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 9.1 through 9.2.3 as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Dillon. 7 yeas APPROVED 9.2.2. Response to Motion 1.CSO of 09/23/20 By Andy Descoteaux: Have the Superintendent to provide the School Committee sample copies of elementary, middle school, and high school schedule. Karen Walton registered and spoke on item #9.2.2. Response to Motion 1.CSO of 09/23/20 By Andy Descoteaux: Have the Superintendent to provide the School Committee sample copies of elementary, middle school, and high school schedule. Dr. Guillory, Chief Schools Officer informed the School Committee that each school leader provided their schedules both in-person and remote learning. The master schedule defines which teachers meet with which students, for how long, and about what topics. The master schedule states the learning priorities, whether explicit or implicit, and reflects how learning takes place in the school. In preparation for the 2020 – 2021 school year, school leaders were asked to build in-person and remote schedules that mirrored one another in anticipation of the movement that may occur between remote and in-person Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 6 of 9) over the course of the school year. Schedules must be in compliance with the required instructional times. The report provided samples of various schedules, reflecting the manner in which the school has arranged learning for the year. Mr. Hoey made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 9.1 through 9.2.3 as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Dillon. 7 yeas APPROVED 9.2.3. Response to Motion 15. CEEO of 09/02/20 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. Ms. Phillips, Chief Equity & Engagement Officer provided a report to the Committee that stated that each school conducted family orientations which were differentiated for in-person learning and remote learning. A presentation template was created by a few principals and central staff to ensure consistency in topics covered at the sessions. The template was included in the report. The schedule of Zoom sessions that took place are included as well as the webinars and resources that were provided from Central Office to support outgoing information for families. Mr. Hoey made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 9.1 through 9.2.3 as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Dillon. 7 yeas APPROVED 9.3. Home Education Superintendent Boyd recommended that the following parents/guardians be allowed to home educate their child: Sarah Carlton 52 Lawrence Dr., # 508 Donald Buchikos 811 Princeton Blvd. Jacqueline Kabiru 67 19th Street Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 10. NEW BUSINESS 10.1. Temporary Amendment of Policy File KF The follow people registered and spoke on item #10.1. Temporary Amendment of Policy File KF: Natalie Casablanca Gretchen Sanchez Tanya Mead Karen Frederick Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 7 of 9) Dr. Hall, Chief Operating Officer provided a report with a temporary amendment of Policy File KF. The policy states that the “Superintendent will develop, and the Committee shall approve, detailed regulations pertaining to the use of school facilities in keeping with the above requirements.” It is recommended that “Section F. Scheduling Priority” be amended, for the pandemic, to allow for and planning for facility uses benefiting the school community, particularly when buildings are not in full use. Dr. Hall recommended that “Paragraph 3” be added to “Regulations Governing the Use of School Facilities” establish how and when the use of school facilities can be approved. Mr. Hoey made a motion to approve the Temporary Amendment of Policy File KF; seconded by Mr. Dillon. 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Martin) APPROVED 10.2. FY21 Budget Session The FY21 Budget was presented to the Committee. Ms. Doherty and Ms. Martin shared their concerns with the Superintendent about the budget and possibly leaving some money in abeyance and not filling some of his recommended positions. They spoke about the backlog with IEP’s in the Special Education Department and perhaps needing additional ETC’s or help in that department. 10.3. FY21 Budget Adoption Mr. Dillon made a motion to approve the Lowell Public Schools FY2021 final bottom-line figure at $182,690,536 and to submit the FY2021 Budget to the City Manager; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 4 yeas, 3 nays (Mayor Leahy, Ms. Martin, Ms. Doherty) APPROVED 10.4. Approval of Contract Amendment for Pridestar, Inc. Mr. Hoey made a motion to approve the Contract Amendment for PrideStar, Inc.; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED 10.5. Approval of a Research Proposal Mr. Silva, English Language Arts Teacher at the Dr. An Wang School has entered the final stages of his degree work which consists of collecting data for his research project. Mr. Silva’s research project seeks to examine the process by which English teachers have learned how to navigate virtual teaching in relation to student writing. He will be meeting with the 7th and 8th grade ELA team to examine the current practices of the teaching of writing as well as the process by which teachers provide feedback to students. Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve the Research Proposal from Mr. Silva, 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) 10.6. Selection of Delegate to Attend the MASC Annual Business Meeting on Behalf of the Lowell School Committee. The Lowell School Committee needs to elect a delegate to represent them at the MASC 75th Annual Delegate Assembly, which is being held as a virtual meeting on Saturday, November 7, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Mr. Dillon made a motion to elect School Committee member Jackie Doherty to be the Delegate to attend the MASC Annual Business Meeting on behalf of the Lowell School Committee; seconded by Ms. Clark. 7 yeas APPROVED 11. PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL 11.1. The Members of the United Teachers of Lowell Hereby Donate Thirty Three [33] Sick Leave Days to Kristen (Colon) Coburn LHS School Teacher. Mr. Hoey made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Dillon. 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. Dillon made a motion to adjourn at 9:03 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