School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Date: December 16, 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, a phone number and email address so we can provide a zoom link to access the meeting. Email address is mpalazzo@Lowell.k12.Ma.us if no access to email you may contact us at 978-674-4324. All Requests must be submitted before 3:00 PM on The Day of Meeting. 4. MINUTES 4.1. Approval of the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, December 9. 2020 Mr. Dillon made a motion to accept and place on file the minutes from the Regularly Scheduled Meeting of December 9, 2020; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED 5. MOTIONS 5.1. [By Bob Hoey]: Request the Mayor Provide the School Committee and Superintendent With a Detailed Report Outlining The City’s Planned Budget For Maintenance And Improvement Of School Facilities in FY22, Including Plans For Repair Of All Heating Systems, Plumbing, Broken Windows And Damaged Interior Walls Ahead of The Start Of Next School Year, As Well As The Resources Which Will Be Committed To Increasing The Daily Maintenance Work Order Completion Rate, To Ensure Every Student Attends A School Where The Physical Building Truly Reflects The Care and Love Lowell Has For Its Children and Families. Mr. Hoey made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 7) Mr. Dillon made a substitute motion requesting the City Council through the Mayor’s office provide the School Committee and Superintendent with a detailed report outlining the city’s planned budget for maintenance and improvement of school facilities in FY22, including plans for repair of all heating systems, plumbing, broken windows and damaged interior walls ahead of the start of next school year, as well as the resources which will be committed to increasing the daily maintenance work order completion rate, to ensure every student attends a school where the physical building truly reflects the care and love Lowell has for its children and families; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 5.2. [By Andy Descoteaux]: Ask the Superintendent to look into ways of streamlining high school electives in order to offer various pandemic related prep courses for seniors, who would otherwise have a need of remedial college courses, along with the cost. Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Dillon. 7 yeas APPROVED 6.REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT 6.1. COVID-19 Update Paul Georges registered and spoke on the above Report of the Superintendent (#6.1). Dr. Hall, Chief Operating Officer gave the Committee a COVID-19 Data monitoring update that included the Average Daily Incidence Rate per 100,000 and Percent Positivity Rate. It also reported the number of total staff and students as reported to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) of positive COVID cases, total number of quarantined due to in-person instruction, total number of quarantined due to outside school factors, and the approximate number of quarantined from September 1, 2020 through December 11, 2020 as well as COVID-19 positive cases per school from September 1, 2020 through December 11, 2020. The report also included an email from the Board of Health informing the Committee that they’re willing to meet with the Facilities & Transportation Subcommittee if the Committee so elects. Members requested that the next report include the total number of staff and how many staff members are in the building. Ms. Doherty made a motion to hold a Special Meeting of the Lowell School Committee and the Board of Health on Monday, December 21, 2020; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED Mr. Hoey made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 6.1, 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5 as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Dillon. 7 yeas APPROVED Ms. Doherty made a motion to suspend the rules to take some agenda items out of order; seconded by Mr. Dillon. 7 yeas APPROVED 6.2. Diversifying Teacher Leaders Mr. Dillon made a motion to table 6.2. Diversifying Teacher Leaders; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 7) 6.3. 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. Committee members had questions about old motions that appeared to have been responded to, but still appear on the report. Superintendent Boyd stated that he will clean up the report and all motions responded to will no longer appear on the report. Mr. Hoey made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 6.1, 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5 as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Dillon. 7 yeas APPROVED 6.3.1. Response to Motion 6.CAO of 09/02/20 by Jackie Doherty: Ms. Desmond, Chief Academic Officer provided a report to the Committee that informed them that on July 24, 2020, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) provided districts guidance on the various options for returning to school. DESE required districts and schools to prepare a reopening plan that included the three learning models: in-person learning with safety requirements, a hybrid of in-person and remote learning, and a comprehensive fully-remote learning program. The report included a list of school districts, local and/or similar in size and/or needs to Lowell Public Schools, and the learning models currently utilized in those Districts for the 2020/2021 school year. For many larger districts, full remote has been the learning model in place since the start of the school year. Ms. Doherty requested that the administration continue to reach out to our School Site Councils and Citywide Parent Councils. Mr. Hoey made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 6.1, 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5 as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Dillon. 7 yeas APPROVED 6.3.2. Response to Motion 7.COO of 10/07/20 by Jackie Doherty: Dr. Hall, Chief Operating Officer provided a report to the Committee that informed them that the district has partnered with CVS to offer influenza vaccines to our students, families, and staff members. The report states that individuals, over the age of three (3) with an insurance card, qualify for the flu shots. The district completed ten (10) various school flu clinics thus far and have five (5) more scheduled through 12/15 and in total 618 people have received the flu vaccine at our school clinics. As of 12/11/20, 3,950 K-12 students in Lowell have received the flu vaccine. The nurses in the school track compliance with the requirement. Parents can send a copy of the flu shot record or text/email it to the school nurse. Even students who are in remote learning have been encouraged to get their flu shot in order to be prepared for an eventual return to school. Mr. Hoey made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 6.1, 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5 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 4 of 7) 6.3.3. Response to Motion 6.COO of 10/07/20 by Jackie Doherty: Dr. Hall, Chief Operating Officer provided a report to the Committee that informed them four (4) compendia were issued in the 2019/2020 school year which gave all teachers the opportunity to transfer to new positions. In total, forty-seven (47) teachers in all schools exercised contractual rights to switch schools through the four (4) Compendia (Compendium I- 15, Compendium II- 13, Compendium III- 10, Compendium IV-9). This contractual language specifies that if two (2) or more Lowell teachers apply for a position, a principal must pick one (1) of those two (2) teachers for an open position. Fourteen (14) STEM teachers exercised their right last school year under the compendia process to transfer to another school. These fourteen (14) teachers were given the opportunity to provide feedback on the reasoning for transferring by their choice of email, in writing, or by telephone interview. Presently, thirty-one (31) students have left the STEM since January 2020 and existing data within the district supported the following reasons for leaving the STEM:  Moved to new area 21  Homeschooled 1  Daycare (K) 1  Parochial school 7  Charter School 1 HR wrote to all of these families on November 18, 2020 to confirm the already recorded reason for their departure from the District. HR did not receive any responses to these mailed letters requesting confirmation or other feedback. Ms. Doherty made a motion to have 6.3.3. Response to Motion 6.COO of 10/07/20 by Jackie Doherty (Response to motion related to STEM Academy departures since January 20, 2020) be sent back to the administration and returned to the Committee when more data and information is gathered; seconded by Ms. Martin. 4 yeas, 3 nays (Mr. Dillon, Mr. Hoey, Ms. Clark) APPROVED Mr. Hoey made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 6.1, 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5 as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Dillon. 7 yeas APPROVED 6.3.4. Response to Motion 8.CAO of 10/21/20 by Mike Dillon Jr.: Ms. Desmond, Chief Academic Officer provided a report to the Committee that informed them that the Lowell Public Schools (LPS) recognizes the benefits of extracurricular activities. The report stated that extracurricular activities provide students with vital opportunities to expand on learning and experiences beyond the classroom and with new skills, support in the development of peer relationships, academic performance supports, time management skills and readiness for college and career opportunities. Lowell Public Schools will continue to provide extracurricular experiences for students for the 2020-2021 school year. The report included a memorandum from Lowell High School (LHS) Athletic Director, David Lezenski, detailing the LHS winter athletics plan, a list of LHS clubs and advisors and the weekly schedule provided by Thomas Thornton, LHS Student Affairs and Activities Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 5 of 7) Coordinator, and the current 21st Century Afterschool Programming for students in grades 1-8 provided by Carolyn Rocheleau, LPS 21st Century Program Coordinator. Ms. Martin requested the number of students who are participating in the activities and the winter sports. Mr. Hoey made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 6.1, 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5 as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Dillon. 7 yeas APPROVED 6.3.5. Response to Motion 11.COO of 12/09/20 by Hillary Clark: A Lowell Public Schools Food and Nutrition update was provided to the Committee. The report stated that the Food and Nutrition team began serving emergency meals on March 16th at eleven (11) sites and five (5) kitchens were opened for production.  March 2020 – June 2020 565,351 meals were provided  March 2020 – December 9, 2020 1,160,439 meals were provided Ms. Clark asked what additional options the district can look at to move up to a more premium level in some other food areas that are listed in the Aramark report. Mr. Hoey made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 6.1, 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5 as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Dillon. 7 yeas APPROVED 6.4. List of Eligible Teachers The List of Eligible Teachers officially informs the Committee of all eligible teachers by subject and grade. Mr. Hoey made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 6.1, 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5 as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Dillon. 7 yeas APPROVED 6.5. 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 6.1, 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5 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 6 of 7) 6.6. Home Education Superintendent Boyd recommended that the following parents/guardians be allowed to home educate their child: Don and Carina Burks 3 Kino Road Robyn Crowe 20 Forest Street Ms. Clark made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 7. NEW BUSINESS 7.1. Consideration of Options for SY20-21 School Calendar Monica Lundberg registered and spoke on item # 7.1. Superintendent Boyd presented the 2020-2021 School Calendars with options for a longer winter break due to COVID-19 for the Committee’s consideration. Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to approve Option A (which makes no changes); seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.2. Permission to Post: Athletic Trainer Mr. Dillon made a motion to approve the Permission to Post: Athletic Trainer; seconded by Ms. Clark. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.3. Budget Transfer Ms. Clark made a motion to approve a budget transfer of $5,000.00; seconded by Mr. Dillon. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.4. Communication from United Teachers of Lowell Lauren C. Smith registered and spoke on item # 7.4. Ms. Martin made a motion to request the Superintendent respond to the communication from the United Teachers of Lowell; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED 8. PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL 8.1. The Members of the United Teachers of Lowell Hereby Donate Thirteen [13] Sick Leave Days to Katie Dillon Lincoln School Teacher. 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 7 of 7) 9. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Clark made a motion to adjourn at 8:30 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