School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Date: December 21, 2020 Time: 5:30PM Location: Virtual: Pursuant To Governor Baker's Emergency Order Modifying The State's Open Meeting Law Issued March 12, 2020, Meetings Will Be Held Using Remote Participation As Follows: Members Of The Public May Not Participate In-Person And May View The Meeting Via LTC.ORG (On-Line; Live Streaming Or Local Cable Channel 99) And Zoom. 1. SALUTE TO FLAG 2. ROLL CALL On a roll call at 5:56 p.m., members present were, namely: Mr. Dillon, Ms. Doherty, Mr. Hoey, Mayor Leahy, Ms. Martin, Ms. Clark and Mr. Descoteaux. 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. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Georges, registered and spoke. Members of the City of Lowell Board of Health that attended the meeting are as follows:  Ms. Keegan RN, MSN  Ms. Golden RN, MSN  Ms. Cullen-Lutter, RN, CNM  Ms. Gendron, LSW Ms. Boulanger, City of Lowell Health Director was also present. Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 3) 4.1. Items:  Discussion and consideration of establishing health metrics, thresholds, or other benchmarks for when schools can be returned back to in-person learning.  Update on Lowell’s COVID Cases. Dr. Hall provided 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 18, 2020 as well as COVID-19 positive cases per school from September 1, 2020 through December 18, 2020. Dr. Hall stated that as the report demonstrates the numbers continue to rise. Superintendent Boyd stated that presently we are at 100% remote. He stated that he will provide an update on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 to the community about a return date. Ms. Keegan addressed the Committee and stated that the Board of Health has received multiple letters from staff who are still in the buildings teaching the 3% that remains. She stated that the teachers have expressed concerns about students not being able to keep their masks on, which the teachers understand is no fault of the student. She stated that the average number of daily cases per 100,000 residents increased to 134.4 and the “percent positivity rate” increased to 12.33% (we are the 2nd highest in the state, 2nd to Lawrence). She stated that based on those numbers, the Board of Health had requested another conversation with the School Committee, but now that Lowell is fully remote that is a moot point. She stated that there has been a sizable jump with students and staff testing positive for COVID-19. She said that the city is overloaded and people diagnosed are not being contacted the same day as being diagnosed. Ms. Keegan stated that she believes the continue rise in numbers that is happening in our community is what will happen in our schools if we return too soon. Mayor Leahy spoke directly to Mr. Georges and stated that he hopes the union and the administration/School Committee can work collaboratively to come back strong next school year. Ms. Martin made a motion to make the following dates below the district’s goal for return with continued collaboration with the Board of Health starting in January, as long as the numbers dictate the ability to return and that during that time there is an increased progression with the PPE’s, facilities, testing and contract tracing; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED  February 1, 2021 Sub-Separates Return  March 1, 2021 25% Return  April 1, 2021 50% Return Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 3) 5. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Martin made a motion to adjourn at 7:10 p.m.; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 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