School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Date: May 4, 2022 Time: 6:30PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA 01852 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 an 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 2:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. 1. SALUTE TO FLAG 2. ROLL CALL On a roll call at 6:42 p.m., members present were, namely: Mayor Chau, Ms. Chhoun, Ms. Delrossi, Ms. Doherty, Mr. Lay, Ms. Martin and Ms. Thompson. 3. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS Spotlight on Excellence: Knowledge Bowl The Spotlight on Excellence featured the Knowledge Bowl Champions. Ms. Rocheleau, Coordinator for the 2022 competition, provided a brief overview of this year’s competition and introduced Mr. Doyle, Principal of the Daley Middle School. Mr. Doyle introduced Knowledge Bowl coach, Ms. Miranda who then introduced the students and coaches who shared their memories and highlights from the competition. The members of the Daley School championship team are:  Nikolas Antonelli  Kay Bui  Kaia Clark  Dashiell Hanson  Molly Kenneway  Gavin Minott  Sylvia Muchiri  Mason Ong  Ariston Osorno  Lilly Ros  Lucas Scollin  Jingsan Soth  Liam White Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 14) 3.1. Public Hearing Inter-District School Choice Program No one spoke in favor or in opposition. 4. MINUTES 4.1. Approval of the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, April 6, 2022 Ms. Martin made a motion to accept and place on file the minutes of the Special Meetings of the School Committee and Regularly Scheduled School Committee Meeting that were held on Wednesday, April 6, 2022; seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED 4.2. Approval of the Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Lowell School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, April 6, 2022 Ms. Martin made a motion to accept and place on file the minutes of the Special Meetings of the School Committee and Regularly Scheduled School Committee Meeting that were held on Wednesday, April 6, 2022; seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED 4.3. Approval of the Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Lowell School Committee Meeting of Wednesday, April 6, 2022 Ms. Martin made a motion to accept and place on file the minutes of the Special Meetings of the School Committee and Regularly Scheduled School Committee Meeting that were held on Wednesday, April 6, 2022; seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED 5. PERMISSION TO ENTER 5.1. Permission to Enter: April 28, 2022 Ms. Doherty asked about the RFP/contract for the mental health audit. Ms. Desmond stated that it’s been sent and we are waiting to get it back from the city. Ms. Martin asked about Gaggle.net and ask how long the therapy services would be provided. Ms. Desmond stated that the contract ends at the end of the school year. Ms. Chhoun made a motion to approve the Permission to Enter; seconded by Ms. Delrossi. 7 yeas APPROVED Ms. Doherty made a motion to move item 11.2 (Memorandum of Agreement with Project Learn) up on the agenda for discussion; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 14) 6. MEMORIALS 6.1. Mary Langill, Butler & Shaughnessy School Food Service Worker. 6.2. Robert Hatem, Beloved Husband of Retired Bartlett Teacher Joan Hatem and Jennifer Carey, Lowell High School Teacher Ms. Doherty made a motion to bundle and move up on the agenda items 8.4 and 8.5 (Motions by Ms. Delrossi); seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED 7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 7.1. 2022 -2023 School Calendar Ms. Doherty asked why the School Committee meeting that was going to be held during April vacation was changed and that moving forward the change should be discussed on the floor. Mr. Lay made a motion to approve the 2022 -2023 School Calendar; seconded by Ms. Delrossi. 7 yeas APPROVED 8. MOTIONS 8.1. [By Jackie Doherty]: Request the Superintendent provide an update on programs to support youngest students with behavior issues. Ms. Doherty stated that she wants to know what supports are being put into schools. Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Thompson. 7 yeas APPROVED 8.2. [By Eileen DelRossi]: Request the Superintendent report on the status of copy machines throughout the district and develop a contingency plan to assure our staff and students have access to teach and learn with appropriate printed/copied resources. Ms. Turner stated that we are exploring cancelling the contract with the current vendor, but we have to follow a legal process. Ms. Delrossi made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED 8.3. [By Eileen DelRossi]: Request the Superintendent to report on the transportation protocols when a bus driver is not able to work/calls out sick. Are parents along their bus route notified, if so how? Is there a substitute bus driver selection pool? Ms. Delrossi 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 4 of 14) 8.4. [By Eileen DelRossi]: Request superintendent to report on where ELL, Special Education, Academic Intervention Classes, and allied arts are being held at the Stem Academy. Ms. Turnbull registered and spoke on this motion. Ms. Delrossi stated that she has concerns about overcrowding. Ms. Martin stated that this is not tenable and that this should be part of our budget process. Ms. Doherty asked what the timelines is for the portable units. Superintendent Boyd stated that it’s part of the budget process and the amount budgeted is $5,434,560. Dr. Hall stated that the quicker this gets voted on the quicker we can move on this. He stated that this needs to go out to bid and that we need a Project Manager assigned. He stated that there is no guarantee we can have the portables by September. Ms. Doherty made a motion to move forward and take the necessary steps to get the modular units in place as soon as possible at the STEM Academy and to have it not exceed $5,434,560; seconded by Ms. Delrossi. 7 yeas APPROVED Ms. Delrossi made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 8.5. [By Eileen DelRossi]: Request the superintendent to report on student bathroom sink safety in the elementary schools. Ms. Turnbull registered and spoke on this motion. Ms. Delrossi made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Chhoun. 7 yeas APPROVED 8.6. [By Eileen DelRossi]: Request Superintendent to research any and all types of additional funding to enhance student mental health resources across the district. Ms. Delrossi made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 8.7. [By Stacey Thompson]: Motion to acquire a list of all current district trainings being offered to teachers, staff and administration. The compilation in an effort to determine opportunities to support employees, increase awareness of training and assist with diversity, equity, inclusion and social emotional learning efforts. Clarification on which trainings are suggested versus required in the district. Ms. Thompson made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Chhoun. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 5 of 14) 8.8. [By Stacey Thompson]: Motion to acquire a list of contractors, partnerships, organizational relationships in the district to ensure diversity, equity, inclusion of every kind to all spaces in the district. This would be to include district process in increasing transparent diversification of contractors, partnerships and organizational needs to move the district forward. Ms. Thompson made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED 8.9. [By Stacey Thompson]: Motion to the superintendent regarding current crisis measures employed to address the rates of academic gaps/concerns and utilization of community partnerships; identifying those which are currently being utilized and ones to be tapped into to increase community knowledge and landscape. This motion is made in an effort to take that data and numbers that have been supplied and collaborate with the community to move these numbers in the opposite direction by fostering connections. Ms. Thompson made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Delrossi. 7 yeas APPROVED 8.10. [By Stacey Thompson]: Motion to address the need for strong financial wellness curriculum as a core part of curriculum design and instruction, as it is necessary to address and impact generational wealth access. Ms. Thompson made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 9. SUBCOMMITTEES 9.1. Curriculum & Instruction Subcommittee Meeting: Report and Approval of the Meeting of Wednesday, March 30, 2022 [Connie Martin, Chairperson] Ms. Martin, Chairperson of the Curriculum & Instruction Subcommittee meeting stated that Dr. Vincente provided a PowerPoint presentation that gave the Subcommittee an overview of staffing levels, enrollment, and programming at the Leblanc School. The presentation also included his observations and additional BCBA recommendations for improvement and next steps. The Leblanc has the following staffing: one (1) Day School Coordinator, seven (7) Special Education Teachers, six (6) Paraprofessionals, one (1) Social Worker, one (1) School Security Guard, one (1) School Clerk, one (1) Custodian, .5 School Nurse, and a .5 BCBA which totals nineteen (19) total building positions. Chairperson Martin then briefly spoke about the physical education requirements for athletes. The Massachusetts law on physical education, which is contained in MGL Chapter 71, Section 3 states that "physical education shall be taught as a required subject in all grades for all students in the public schools for the purpose of promoting the physical well-being of students." Schools are required to teach physical education as a required subject for all students in all grades, but have the authority to determine the hours of instruction for physical education, as they do for all other subjects of instruction (Driscoll, 2000). In accordance with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), “physical education and health education classes are considered to be part of this structured learning time. Students' Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 6 of 14) practice time in a sport, whether it is school sponsored, intramural, extracurricular, or in private lessons, is not considered "structured learning time" for purposes of the regulations”. Chairperson Martin stated that she would like the Subcommittee to be polled to continue the conversation on mandatory Health and Physical Education because there wasn’t enough time to fully discuss it at this meeting. Ms. Doherty stated that she is very concerned about taking health class away and is looking forward to more information. Mr. Lay made a motion to accept the report as a report of progress; seconded by Ms. Chhoun. 7 yeas APPORVED 9.2. Human Resources & Labor Relations Subcommittee: Report and Approval of the Meeting of Thursday, April 7, 2022 [Connie Martin, Chairperson] Ms. Martin, Chairperson of the Human Resources & Labor Relations Subcommittee meeting spoke about the following checklist that will be used for the evaluation:  Set Your District Goals (It will be the basis of the Superintendent’s goals)  Set Superintendent Goals  Set Superintendent Student Achievement Goals, District Improvement Goals, and Professional/Personal Goals (Anything the Superintendent believes will make him a better Superintendent) She stated that we will be discussing the Superintendent’s evaluation later on the agenda and will speak further on it then. Ms. Delorssi made a motion to accept the report as a report of progress; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPORVED 9.3. Equity & Access Subcommittee: Report and Approval of the Meeting of Wednesday, April 20, 2022 [Stacey Thompson, Chairperson] Ms. Thompson, Chairperson of the Equity & Access Subcommittee informed the Committee that Superintendent Boyd stated that the district’s fundamental commitment is to equity and to eliminate the racial, ethnic and linguistic achievement and opportunity gaps among all students. The presentation provided stated that the districts goal is to provide equitable funding and resources among the district’s diverse schools and engage all families with courtesy, dignity, respect and cultural understanding. She stated that Superintendent Boyd spoke about opportunity gaps, language access, diversity hiring and culturally and linguistically sustaining practices and stated that these are independent, but also interrelated. She stated that the Subcommittee is recommending the hiring of a Coordinator of Culturally and Linguistically Sustaining Practices. She stated that it is an important role and will provide more support to schools and can bring the adaptive piece as well as the technical piece. She also stated that the recommendation is that the position be taken out of the Suspense Account. Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 7 of 14) Ms. Thompson made a motion to recommend the Coordinator of Culturally and Linguistically Sustaining Practices job positon be brought forward to the Committee of the Whole for approval, to remove the monies in the Suspense Account for said position and to remove the following qualifications from Preferred Qualifications (Experience and demonstrated expertise as a classroom teacher of relevant content and/or subjects, and demonstrated success working with teachers and administrators as a professional development provider, team leader, and/or facilitator) to Qualifications; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED Ms. Chhoun made a motion to accept the report as a report of progress; seconded by Ms. Delrossi. 7 yeas APPORVED 10. REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT 10.1. FY23 Recommended Budget Superintendent Boyd informed the Committee that on January 26, 2022, Governor Baker’s FY23 budget recommendations were released, including additional funding of $485.3 million over the prior year. He stated that Lowell Public Schools’ Chapter 70 allocation is projected to increase from $178,553,488 to $200,970,019. He stated that some contributing factors to this net increase include:  Enrollment increased by fifty (56) students, resulting in an approximate $900,000 revenue increase.  Our per pupil rate increased from $14,499/student to $16,024/student, an extra $1515/student.  A $1270/student increase for special education in district costs.  A $2650/student increase for special education out of district costs.  An increase per student for ELL students (increase by approx. 350 students).  An $839/student increase for low income in addition to a 860 student enrollment increase in this category. He gave the Committee an FY22 to FY23 Budget comparison. He stated that the FY23 budget includes $258,338,040 in total combined revenue from all Lowell Public School funding sources, including both ESSER Year 2 and Student Opportunity Act (SOA). He stated that the current budget will be balanced at the close of FY22 with a total of $216,673,042 in revenue and expenditures, resulting in a net difference for FY23 across all funds of $41,664,998. He stated that contractual, overhead and other prior fiscal obligations are forecasted to increase by $6,444,785 from FY22 to FY23. A total of $35,220,213 in new revenue is available to further accelerate student learning through additional, strategic investments in classrooms in FY23. He stated that over 100 meetings were held in varying formats to engage parents, teachers, students and community members in the budgeting process. He stated that eight-three (83) school-site council meetings were held at schools across the District and eighteen (18) districtwide budget input sessions were held with staff after school. He stated that three (3) evening community- wide budget forums were held for families, including two (2) in-person forums and one (1) remote forum via zoom Ms. Chhoun made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 10.1 through 10.8 as reports of progress; seconded by Ms. Chhoun. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 8 of 14) 10.2. Key Performance Indicators Mr. Skinner, Chief Schools Officer provided a PowerPoint presentation to the Committee regarding Key Performance Indicators: Quarter 3 Review. The report included the following:  Academics and Student Achievement:  Safe and Welcoming Environment:  Operational Efficiency, and Family  Community Engagement The report stated that overall the district saw some improvements on KPI measures between Quarter 2 and Quarter 3. Areas of growth included Academics and Student Achievement, Safe and Welcoming Environment, Operational Efficiency, and Family and Community Engagement. Ms. Chhoun made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 10.1 through 10.8 as reports of progress; seconded by Ms. Chhoun. 7 yeas APPROVED 10.3. Response to Motion 07. CAO of 04/06/21 by Dominik Lay Regarding the Feasibility of After Dark Programs at LHS Ms. Rothchild, Assistant Head of School provided a report to the Committee that informed them that the After Dark program is a collaboration between Lowell High School and the Greater Lowell Technical High School (GLTHS) that provides Lowell High School students with an opportunity to receive technical skills training in addition to their core academics. The program requires a two (2) year commitment and is open to Lowell High School students in their junior and senior years. To be eligible for participation, students must be passing all of their academic courses and have passed algebra 1 and geometry at the end of their sophomore year. Additionally, they must enroll in algebra 2, financial algebra or pre- calculus during their junior year. Students who participate in the After Dark program have a modified class schedule - taking academic classes the school day and technical training at GLTHS from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Transportation is provided to and from GLTHS for all students. At present, Information Technology, Advanced Manufacturing, and Automotive Technology are offered. Course descriptions which identify attainable certifications and credentials are linked below. Currently, thirty-three (33) students are enrolled in the program. We have room to add an additional ten (10) students to each program for the upcoming school year. Recruitment is ongoing and we are working to reinforce attendance requirements and target students who are not already participating in afterschool programming. Additionally, we remain in communication with the Vocational School to examine program offerings and student progress. Ms. Chhoun made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 10.1 through 10.8 as reports of progress; seconded by Ms. Chhoun. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 9 of 14) 10.4. Response to Motion 9 CAO of 04/06/21 by Dominik Lay Regarding the Feasibility of STEM Programming at LHS Ms. Rothchild, Assistant Head of School provided a report to the Committee that informed them that presently, Lowell High School provides ten (10) different pathway programs for students. These include:  Air Force Junior ROTC  Business: Marketing & Finance  Civics, Citizenship & Communities  Communications (STEM)  Culinary Arts  Education  Engineering (STEM)  Environmental  Sustainability (STEM (9) Fine Arts  Health & Bioscience (STEM) Four (4) of Lowell High School’s existing pathways offer courses in the STEM field: Communications, Engineering, Environmental Sustainability, and Health and Bioscience. Currently, Lowell High School Pathway programs provide opportunities for students of all abilities, interests and talents. Students who enroll in, and successfully complete, ten (10) credits within each pathway receive a pathway designation on their transcript and are better positioned for a career/degree in that field post-high school. Within the past year Lowell High School has begun work to reexamine these pathways, their guiding principles and current structure in order to envision more coherent sequencing of academic and pre-career experiences that are accessible, equitable, and supportive. Part of this work has been to inventory current courses within each pathway and department to better identify gaps in instruction, confusion/misunderstanding, and opportunities for growth. Ms. Doherty asked what the status was on the Maker’s Space at Lowell High School. Superintendent Boyd stated he will provide that information to the Committee. He believes there is a previous motion that was already answered regarding that space. Ms. Chhoun made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 10.1 through 10.8 as reports of progress; seconded by Ms. Chhoun. 7 yeas APPROVED 10.5. Response to Motion 10. CAO of 04/02/22 by Eileen DelRossi Regarding IT Staffing Delegations Ms. Desmond, Chief Academic Officer provided a report to the Committee that informed them that the Technology Department consists of the following:  Director of Technology - The Director’s role is to oversee the department budget, staff scheduling, day-to-day department functions, short and long range planning, staff supervision and evaluation.  Manager of ITCS - Provides network support district-wide. Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 10 of 14)  Network Manager - Provides network hardware and support districtwide  Assistant Network Manager (current posted position) - provides network software and support district-wide.  Help Desk Technician - responds to help desk requests by assigning tickets to various staff as well as is the Central Office support technician.  Four (4) Full Time Technicians who oversee the schools’ technology needs,  Four (4) Instructional Technology Specialists.  Two (2) Part-Time Technicians provides instructional support for Chromebook repairs to include insurance claims and manufacturer warranty. Ms. Delrossi stated that she hears there are a lot of issues in school and would like more information. Ms. Chhoun made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 10.1 through 10.8 as reports of progress; seconded by Ms. Chhoun. 7 yeas APPROVED 10.6. Response to Motion 15. COO of 04/16/21 by Jackie Doherty Regarding Furniture Needs Mr. Underwood, Director of Facilities provided a report to the Committee that informed them that he visited several schools, as well as sent an RFP via email to all twenty-eight (28) senior custodians asking each of them to look through the school and identify any furniture, school desks, chairs, tables, filing cabinets, school cafeteria tables, or any other items that could cause injury to a student, staff or visitor in our schools, such as loose table legs, broken chairs, beat up cafeteria tables, missing seats, etc. Mr. Underwood’s, investigational walkthroughs indicated that many of our teachers’ desks, filing cabinets, and cafeteria tables were in poor shape, especially our cafeteria tables. Cafeteria tables have moving parts and have been lifted and dropped daily over the last thirty (30) plus years of service. The Bartlett Community Partnership School has the greatest need here. This school year $25,000 was spent replacing the Sullivan School cafeteria tables which were in bad shape. Each year we also replace approximately 100 café seats due to wear and tear at a cost of about $2,500 yearly. The report stated that the Operation/ Facilities Department will work with Business Department to start the process of replacing the Bartlett cafeteria table ASAP and will look into creating a multi-year funding plan to address the other furniture needs though out the district. Ms. Doherty asked if there was money in this year’s budget to fix lockers. Superintendent Boyd stated yes. Ms. Chhoun made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 10.1 through 10.8 as reports of progress; seconded by Ms. Chhoun. 7 yeas APPROVED 10.7. Response to Motion 16. COO of 03/16/21 by Connie Martin Regarding Principal Evaluation Completions and Contract Cycle Dr. Hall, Chief Schools Officer provided a report to the Committee that informed them that it is anticipated that there will be Principal vacancies at the Butler Middle School and the BRIDGE Academy and both positions will be posted prior to May 9, 2022. The report stated that ten (10) principal Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 11 of 14) contracts will be up for renewal on June 30, 2022 (typically 1/3 of the contracts) and nine (9) contracts have been executed. In regard to evaluations, mid-year Formative Assessment Reports were due on four (4) principals who are either new or are otherwise on a one-year contract. These four (4) reports were completed, and signed off on, in early February. All principals will receive an evaluation report (either formative or summative, as appropriate) by the end of June this year. Ms. Chhoun made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 10.1 through 10.8 as reports of progress; seconded by Ms. Chhoun. 7 yeas APPROVED 10.8. Enrollment Report Ms. Phillips, Chief Equity & Engagement Officer provided a report to the Committee that informed them that as of April 13, 2022, there are 14,467 students attending Lowell Public Schools. Following our standard format, the April 13th enrollment report includes other categories of enrollment that the district is responsible for monitoring, placing and/or supporting such as home schooled students, out of district student placements, community pre-K student program placements, and students referred for special education program evaluation, as well as students in the Family Resource Center (FRC) category awaiting school assignment. When combining all of these categories together, the total enrollment on the March enrollment report adds up to 15,263. As of Wednesday morning, April 13th, the total number of K-12 students in the FRC category was forty-five (45). Additionally, fifty-five (55) pre-K students are pre-registered for the 2022-2023 school year and two (2) remain in the Early Childhood other category which adds up to a total of 102 in the FRC category. On this date, of the forty-five (45) K- 12 students in the FRC category, twenty-four (24) students have been provided an assignment and are ready to attend school. Of the remaining twenty-one (21) students, four (4) students are awaiting medical clearance, fifteen (15) are registrants needing to submit required documentation, one (1) is an English Learner student who needs to complete their scheduled language testing, and one (1) student is awaiting placement by the Special Education department. Ms. Chhoun made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 10.1 through 10.8 as reports of progress; seconded by Ms. Chhoun. 7 yeas APPROVED 10.9. Home Education Superintendent Boyd recommended that the following parents/guardians be allowed to home educate their child: Halah Alsaeedi Sonia Souza Isata Bakarr Kathleen Shea Oshana Lambert-Fells RyiSHisa Morris 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 12 of 14) 11. NEW BUSINESS 11.1. Memorandum of Agreement with UTL The Memorandum of Agreement with UTL was withdrawn. 11.2. Memorandum of Agreement with Project LEARN Ms. Desmond, Chief Academic Officer shared a memorandum from LZ Nunn, Executive Director of Project LEARN, outlining a proposed partnership and costs associated with the proposed programming. Project LEARN is requesting Lowell Public Schools contribute $50,000 towards the costs of providing this programming. Project LEARN will be contributing $75,000 of grant funding towards the cost of the providing this programming. The Project LEARN Youth Space will house innovative programs and services to inspire Lowell Public School students and equip them with the skills, knowledge and mindset needed for college, career and life. Project LEARN will collaborate with Lowell Public Schools on a variety of evidence-based programs that support college and career readiness and educational enrichment, as well as promote targeted district programming through effective communication and outreach. Mr. Lay made a motion to approve the Memorandum of Agreement with Project LEARN; seconded by Ms. Chhoun. 6 yeas, 1 present (Ms. Martin). APPROVED 11.3. Budget Transfer Ms. Doherty asked for an explanation regarding the shortage in the salary line. Ms. Turner responded that it’s from averaging teacher salaries and teacher turnovers. Ms. Martin made a motion to approve the budget transfer of $3,854,266.82; seconded by Ms. Chhoun. 7 yeas APPROVED 11.4. Permission to Post: Coordinator of Culturally and Linguistically Sustaining Practices Ms. Doherty asked why this was posted as a non-affiliated position. Superintendent Boyd stated that it’s standard protocol and that the union needs to reach out. Ms. Delorssi made a motion to approve posting the Coordinator of Culturally and Linguistically Sustaining Practices; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 11.5. Vote of Inter-District School Choice Ms. Phillips, Chief Equity and Engagement Officer provided a report to the Committee that recommends that the Lowell Public Schools do not consider participation in the inter-district school choice program Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 13 of 14) for grades 9 – 12 for the 2022-2023 school year. The recommendation is based on discussions with Lowell Public School Attorneys as well a review guidance from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) in regards to School Choice; seconded by. 7 yeas APPROVED Ms. Doherty made a motion to not participate in the Inter-District School Choice Program for the 2022 – 2023 school year; seconded by Ms. Delrossi. 7 yeas, APPROVED 11.6. Authorization for the Mayor to Collaborate with the Superintendent to Formally Adjust the Timeline of the Superintendent’s Annual Evaluation as Recommended by MASC Mr. Lay made a motion to authorize the Mayor to collaborate with the Superintendent to formally adjust the timeline of the Superintendent’s annual evaluation as recommended by MASC; seconded by Ms. Martin. 3 yeas, 1 nay (Ms. Doherty), 3 present (Mayor Chau, Ms. Chhoun, Ms. Delrossi). FAILS Ms. Doherty made a motion to have Ms. Martin collaborate with the Superintendent to set up a timeline for the Superintendent’s annual evaluation; seconded by Ms. Martin. 6 yeas, 1 present (Mayor Chau) APPROVED 12. CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS 12.1. Robinson School Out of State Field Trip Request: Canobie Lake Park Salem, New Hampshire Ms. Chhoun made a motion to bundle and approve convention/conference requests 12.1 and 12.2; seconded by Ms. Delrossi. 7 yeas APPROVED 12.2. Lowell High School Out of Country and Overnight Travel Request: Ireland, England and France Ms. Chhoun made a motion to bundle and approve convention/conference requests 12.1 and 12.2; seconded by Ms. Delrossi. 7 yeas APPROVED 13. COMMUNICATIONS 13.1. Communication from Chief Schools Officer Requesting a Meeting of the College and Career Readiness Subcommittee Ms. Doherty made a motion to bundle and accept the communications and to place them on file; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED 13.2. 2022 Lowell High School & Adult Education Graduation Dates Ms. Doherty made a motion to bundle and accept the communications and to place them on file; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 14 of 14) 14. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Delrossi made a motion to adjourn at 9:59 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