School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Date: September 1, 2021 Time: 6:30PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA 018 1.SALUTE TO FLAG 2.ROLL CALL On a roll call at 6:37 p.m., members present were, namely: Mr. Lay, Mayor Leahy, Ms. Martin, Ms. Clark, Mr. Descoteaux, Mr. Dillon and Ms. Doherty. 3.PERMISSION TO ENTER 3.1. Permission To Enter: September 1, 2020 Mr. Lay made a motion to approve the Permission to Enter; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED 4.MEMORIALS 4.1. Jolane Frances Roy, Retired Wang School Teacher 5.MOTIONS 5.1.[By Dominik Hok Lay]: Request the Superintendent convene an ad hoc exploratory committee of diverse internal and external stakeholders to research the feasibility of and funding for an educational tour of Cambodia for LPS teachers, administrators and support staff to experience first-hand the culture and traditions of Cambodia when Covid-19 safety protocols allow. Ms. McLaughlin, Murkland School teacher registered and spoke on this motion. Mr. Lay presented letters from Ms. Koza and Ms. Carpenter, Stoklosa School teachers and Ms. Miller, Pyne/Arts Teacher who were in support of this motion. Mr. Lay 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 2 of 4) 5.2.[By Mayor John Leahy]: Request the Superintendent to look into the feasibility of installing new water bubblers in every school. Mayor Leahy asked that the motion read “Request the Superintendent to look into the feasibility of installing new water refillable station bubblers in every school. Mayor Leahy made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 5.3. [By Mayor John Leahy]: Request the Superintendent to provide the Committee clarification regarding the purchase of computer insurance by staff members. This motion was answered on the floor. Ms. Desmond informed the Committee that the district is providing all administrators, teachers and paraprofessionals new laptops and that staff has been made aware that optional insurance for the laptop may be purchased. She stated that staff are not obligated to purchase this, however, it staff do purchase the insurance, the laptop will be replaced with a new laptop in the case of accidental damage, theft, fire, etc. If staff do not choose to purchase the optional insurance, in the case of a damaged laptop, a replacement will be provided using refurbished devices from existing Lowell Public Schools inventory. Mayor Leahy made a motion to approve; seconded Mr. Dillon. 7 yeas APPROVED 6.REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT 6.1. Update On Efforts To Advance Diversity, Equity And Inclusion Ms. Clark made a motion to refer the update on Efforts to Advance Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to a Equity & Access Subcommittee for further discussion; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED 6.2. Final Report On 2021 Summer Program Andrew Chabak registered and spoke on agenda item #6.2. Ms. Desmond, Chief Academic Officer provided an update to the Committee. The report included the following: ➢ Overview and Enrollment ➢ Curriculum and Professional Development ➢ Student Interns ➢ Transportation ➢ COVID-19 Protocols ➢ Community Partners – Highlighted Programs ➢ Plans for Extended Learning Programs for School Year 21/22 and Summer 2022 Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 4) Mr. Dillon requested information on Resource Officers in our schools. Ms. Martin asked how much the program cost and what were the student outcomes. Ms. Doherty asked about the climate conditions. Ms. Desmond stated that she would provide that information to them at the next meeting. Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to accept the Reports of the Superintendent 6.1 through 6.3 as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED 6.3. Status Report On Windows, Shades And Screens Mr. Underwood, Director of Operations and Maintenance provided a report to the Committee that informed them that CMC Shades and Specialists is scheduled to visit every school to obtain individual measurements and hardware requirements for shades over the coming weeks. School Shades must meet the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards. A list of 677 missing or broken screens were gathered from schools across the district and measurements have been taken and the screens will be manufactured, delivered and put back in place over the next several weeks. Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to accept the Reports of the Superintendent 6.1 through 6.3 as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED 7. NEW BUSINESS 7.1. Budget Transfer Mr. Lay made a motion to approve the budget transfer of $112,353 and to receive a breakdown of this transfer at the next School Committee meeting on September 15, 2021; seconded by Mr. Dillon. 6 yeas, 1 nay (Mayor Leahy) APPROVED 7.2. Consideration Of Revision To The 2021-2022 School Calendar Due To The Preliminary Election Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to approve the revised 2021-2022 School Calendar; seconded by Mr. Dillon. 7 yeas APPROVED Ms. Doherty made a motion to suspend the rules to discuss a motion that isn’t on tonight’s agenda; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED Ms. Doherty requested that the organizational chart be on the agenda at the next School Committee meeting for discussion. Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 4 of 4) 8. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Dillon made a motion to adjourn at 7:43 p.m.; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED Respectfully submitted, Joel D. Boyd, ED.d. Superintendent and Secretary to the School Committee JDB/mes Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us