School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Date: November 17, 2021 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 6:37 p.m., members present were, namely: Ms. Martin, Ms. Clark, Mr. Descoteaux, Mr. Dillon, Ms. Doherty, Mr. Lay and Mayor Leahy. 3. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS 3.1. Spotlight On Excellence: Lowell High School - Boys Cross Country The Spotlight on Excellence features the Lowell High School Boys Cross Country program. The Lowell High School Boys Cross Country program was recognized for their outstanding achievements during the 2021 Fall Season. The XC team recently completed the regular season MVC schedule with a 10-0 record. This undefeated season was the 12th consecutive year of a perfect record. The team has now accumulated a record of 117-0 since the end of the 2009 season and has the following sixteen (16) dedicated student/athletes:  Six (6) Seniors (All applied to four (4) year colleges)  Five (5) Juniors  Three (3) Sophomores  Two (2) Freshman Mayor Leahy thanked all of the coaches and students involved with the team. 4. MINUTES 4.1. Report and Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of Wednesday, November 3, 2021 Ms. Martin made a motion to accept and place on file the minutes from the Regularly Scheduled School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, November 3, 2021; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 7) 5. PERMISSION TO ENTER 5.1. Permission to Enter: November 17, 2021 Mr. Dillon made a motion to approve the Permission to Enter; seconded by Ms. Clark. 7 yeas APPROVED 6. MEMORIALS 6.1. Ann Obara, Sister of Retired Lowell Public Schools Science & Social Studies Coordinator Martha Cohn 6.2. Charles E. Gallagher, Father of Former Lowell School Committee Member And Attorney Michael Gallagher 6.3. Hem Hok, Mother of Sokhary Chau, City Councilor 6.4. Arlene Nartonis, Mother of John Descoteaux, Transportation Director 7. MOTIONS 7.1. [By Andy Descoteaux and Dominik Hok Lay]: Ask the Superintendent and the Mayor to pursue a response from the City, as to what their plans for school facilities repairs and upgrades are planned going forward. The School Department needs this information in a timely fashion, in order to make cogent fiscal decisions. Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.2. [By Mayor John Leahy]: Motion to accept donation from the Geary family to renovate a memorial stone for Joseph Geary located at the Reilly School. Mayor Leahy made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.3. [By Jackie Doherty]: Request the Superintendent provide an updated report on SEL Competency Ratings with particular focus on what is being done to support at-risk students. Using the DESSA assessments, the report should include the number of students identified as at-risk; comparative analysis of data from prior years, and explanation of supports and interventions being implemented across the district. In addition, the report should include information about how many students are being removed from school by ambulance due to mental health concerns and how that compares to years prior to March 2019. Ms. Doherty made a friendly amendment to the motion. The motion now reads: Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 7) Request the Superintendent provide a report on students at-risk for trauma and social-emotional concerns. Using the DESSA assessments, the report should include the percentage and number of students by grade identified as at-risk; comparative analysis of data from prior years, and explanation of supports and interventions being implemented. In addition, the report should include data on the number of students being removed from school by ambulance due to mental health concerns and the number of 51As, FTCs, and CRAs being filed along with how that data compares to years prior to March 2019. Superintendent Boyd stated that he hoped to provide information to the Committee at the next School Committee meeting. Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED 8. REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT 8.1. COVID-19 Update Dr. Hall, Chief Operating Officer provided the Committee with a report that gave them a COVID-19 Data monitoring update that included Lowell Public Schools COVID positive cases, Pool Testing Participation and Testing Services (symptomatic testing, “test and stay” and routine COVID Pooled testing). The report also included information on impacts COVID-19 is having on operations with regard to: transportation, attendance, substitutes teachers, duration of absences and personnel and supply chain. Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 8.1 through 8.3 as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED 8.2. Safe and Welcoming Schools Update Ms. Desmond, Chief Academic Officer provided a PowerPoint presentation that gave the Committee an update on Safe and Welcoming Schools. The presentation included the following:  What makes a safe and welcoming environment.  What does the current data tell us.  What additional resources can be provided to further support security and supervision on every campus.  What additional resources can be provided to further support teaching and learning in the classroom.  What are the immediate next steps. The report also stated that the district is looking into hiring retired SRO’s and Security Guards to help with security at our schools. The district is also hiring twenty-nine (29) Positive Behavioral Resource Teachers as well as mentors and interns. Mayor Leahy asked about having a floating security guard for all schools. Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 8.1 through 8.3 as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 4 of 7) 8.3. Response to Motion 1. CSO of 10/20/21 By Andy Descoteaux Regarding Recess Not Being Use as Punishment Mr. Skinner, Chief Schools Officer provided a report to the Committee that informed them that a meeting of all elementary and middle school principals was held on Monday, November 1st, to review how recess is used in schools. All principals voiced strong support for the School Committee’s advice on recess and asserted the value of recess for socialization and physical activity that supports both learning and general well-being. Principals claimed that recess for all students is prioritized on a daily basis and stated that there are limited exceptions when recess is modified or denied. The exceptions occur primarily when a student endangers themselves or others during recess. The following examples of such exceptions were given:  A student repeatedly running wildly during recess had recess modified so that it was held in a smaller space with less students.  Recess being paused to teach students about safe behaviors.  Recess being withheld at the request of a parent, including parent requests for recess detention in place of after school detention.  Students having difficulty at recess being provided alternative recess options or ‘selected choice’. For example, if a child is having difficulty returning from the recess field, they may be provided selected choices such as the basketball court or the playground. Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 8.1 through 8.3 as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED 8.4. Home Education Superintendent Boyd recommended that the following parents/guardians be allowed to home educate their child: Shylah Hayward Angelica Ren Ms. Desmond stated that moving forward the addresses will not be shared. Mr. Dillon made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 9. NEW BUSINESS 9.1. Budget Transfer Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve the budget transfer of $120,000; 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 7) 9.2. Substitute Pay Rate Adjustment Ms. Turner, Chief Financial Officer informed the Committee that there is a nationwide shortage of substitutes that districts across the country are battling with. She stated that recently, the district obtained permission from the School Committee to increase the rate of substitutes by $15/day as well as got approval to add ten (10) para subs at the Renaissance Schools. She stated a new initiative the district has been exploring is to attract local college adjunct faculty to increase the substitute pool. The current rates of pay for these individuals would be $105/day which is what degreed individuals receive. She stated that she is seeking approval from the School Committee to increase the rate of pay for adjunct faculty to $120/day which is the rate that we pay retired teachers. She stated that after approval, the district would work on holding information sessions to recruit such individuals. Ms. Clark made a motion to approve increasing the rate of pay for adjunct faculty to $120/day; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED 9.3. Approval of Job Description and Permission to Post: Positive Behavioral Resource Teacher Paul Georges registered and spoked on Item. # 9.3. The Positive Behavioral Resource (PBR) Teacher plays an important role in the school-wide implementation of interventions and supports at an assigned elementary, K-8 middle or high school within Lowell Public Schools. The PBR Teacher meets regularly with teachers, support staff and school- based leaders to ensure a unified vision for supporting students and staff in the implementation of the school’s behavioral support system and the district-wide student handbook. The PBR Teacher provides both in-classroom and pull-out support for students and staff, supports the facilitation of regular meetings of school-based teams, and leads professional learning sessions for teachers and support staff to roll out and monitor consistent implementation of an effective behavioral support system throughout the school community. Ms. Doherty asked to wait until the next meeting to vote on this, because the Committee will receive information around Social and Emotional Learning from the Superintendent. Ms. Martin and Mayor Leahy shared Ms. Doherty’s concern. Superintendent Boyd stated that the issues that the report cites can be addressed and other sources of money can be used if needed. Mr. Dillon made a motion to approve and post the Positive Behavioral Resource Teachers; seconded by Ms. Clark. 6 yeas, 1 nay (Ms. Doherty) APPROVED 9.4. Approval of Job Description & Permission to Post: School Innovation Fellow / Project Manager for The Portrait of a Graduate Initiative Lowell Public Schools, through the Portrait of a Graduate grant was allocated funding for a seven (7) month, full-time position dedicated to managing the operations of the grant and coordinating the implementation activing that will lead to the development of a multi-year plan. During the 2020-2021 Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 6 of 7) planning grant period, the project management and coordination tasks were largely conducted in partnership with Project LEARN. As the district transitions to the implementation phase of Portrait of a Graduate, a full-time project manager will be able to be fully immersed with the secondary programs and facilitate coordination of the Portrait of a Graduate grant across Lowell High School, the Career Academy and Central Office. Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to approve and the School Innovation Fellow / Project Manager for The Portrait of a Graduate Initiative; seconded by Ms. Clark. 7 yeas APPROVED 9.5. Final Review & Approval of the SY2021-2022 Strategic Goals, Actions and Deliverables Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to approve the SY2021-2022 Strategic Goals, Actions and Deliverables; seconded by Ms. Clark. 7 yeas APPROVED 9.6. Innovation Plan Reauthorization Proposal Career Academy and Engagement Center Mr. Skinner, Chief School Officer informed the Committee that The Career Academy alternative high school and its Engagement Center credit recovery tutoring program supported seventy-seven (77) graduates in School Year 2020-2021 which is nearly 10% of the district’s graduating class. The school’s innovative model allows for a flexible and supportive environment with competency-based credit earning for students who have struggled to find success in the traditional school environment. The Career Academy seeks a School Committee vote for renewal of its approved five-year Innovation Plan pursuant to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) 603 CMR 48.00. The Innovation Plan is a budget-neutral guiding document that operationalizes the Career Academy’s nontraditional educational model, which supports 150 of the districts’ highest need high school students annually using a student-centered approach. Reauthorization does not entail any changes to the collective bargaining agreement or existing operations of the current school model. Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) requires this as a local process to reauthorize the Innovation designation every five (5) years following the original unanimous approval by the 2016 Lowell School Committee. Mr. Dillon made a motion to approve the Innovation Plan/Reauthorization Proposal Career Academy and Engagement Center; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 10. CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS 10.1. Out of State & Overnight Travel Request: Permission for three members of the Portrait of a Graduate grant implementation team to attend an overnight out of state site visit on Thursday, November 18 through Friday, November 19, 2021: 1) Latifah Phillips, Chief Equity and Engagement Officer; 2) Jill Rothschild, Associate Head of School at LHS; 3) Ralph Saint Louis, teacher at LHS. All costs associated with the travel will be covered by the Barr Foundation. Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 7 of 7) 11. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Martin made a motion to adjourn at 8:11 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