School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Date: June 27, 2022 Time: 6:00PM Location: Mayor's Reception Room, 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 6:10 p.m., members present were, namely: Ms. Thompson, Mayor Chau, Ms. Chhoun, Ms. Delrossi, Ms. Doherty, Mr. Lay and Ms. Martin. 3. PERMISSION TO ENTER 3.1. Permission to Enter: June 27, 2022 Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve the Permission to Enter; seconded by Mr. Lay. 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Martin) APPROVED 4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 4.1. Approval of Job Descriptions and Permission to Post of New Positions Previously Approved in the FY23 Budget Adoption Ms. Martin asked if the administration had information she has requested regarding the impact on any future unemployment costs and asked if they could receive it as soon as possible. She also asked if any benefits go with the job. Ms. Delrossi asked about parent liaisons being laid off and then parent liaisons being added. Dr. Hall stated no benefits are offered with the Lunch Monitor position. Ms. Martin stated she believes the state requires some sick time. Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 4) Mr. Lay made a motion to approve and post the position of Lunch Monitor; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED Ms. Doherty stated that she’s interested in improving the Family Resource Center and asked why this person doesn’t report to the Director and also stated that the Committee hasn’t moved forward with the Family Leadership Institute at this time. Ms. Phillips stated that this will be a critical role and that questions come from testing and translation as well. Ms. Doherty stated that she supports and it believes it needs improvements and believes that there needs to be training and cross training. She stated that the Family Leadership Institute hasn’t been created and we need to focus on the Family Resource Center. She stated that the Family Resource Center is the first point of engagement for our families. Ms. Martin agreed with Ms. Doherty’s thoughts and stated that she perceives a different role for the Director of the Leadership Institute than the one being discussed. She also asked that translation be added as a preferred qualification. Ms. Thompson stated that it doesn’t speak to working with diverse groups. Superintendent Boyd stated that it can be added. Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve and post the position of Parent/Family Advocate with the additional language of working with diverse groups, translation as a preferred skill and it be a twelve (12) month position; seconded by Ms. Thompson. 7 yeas APPROVED Ms. Chounn asked how many parent liaisons we have that speak Khmer. Ms. Phillips stated that we have two (2) and that the current trend is Portuguese and Spanish. Ms. Doherty asked why the current Parent Liaisons are spread out and why they’re not staying at the Family Resource Center. Ms. Phillips stated that there is a tremendous need in our schools and that they often get called into meetings. Ms. Doherty stated that she believes the liaisons should be reporting to the Family Resource Director and that the Family Resource Center needs to have published hours and asked Ms. Phillips if she could commit to that. Ms. Phillips responded yes. Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 4) Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve and post the position of Bilingual Parent Liaison (4) – PT with the additional language that it be a twelve (12) month position; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED Superintendent Boyd stated that the Community Schools Manager is UTL affiliated and that they will be at our Renaissance Schools. Ms. Martin asked how many positions. Superintendent Boyd responded seven (7). Ms. Doherty stated that we have this position and it’s non-affiliated. Superintendent Boyd stated that these are school based and that is district wide. Ms. Chhoun made a motion to approve and post the position of Community Schools Program Manager; seconded by Ms. Delrossi. 7 yeas APPROVED Committee members requested Physical Education and multi-cultural & diverse be added to the job description. Ms. Delrossi made a motion to approve and post the position of Academic Chair (Health & Wellness) with the addition of multicultural and diverse candidates added; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve and post the position of ELA & Literacy Specialist; seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED Mr. Lay made a motion to approve and post the position of Math Specialist; seconded Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED Ms. Martin made a motion to approve and post the position of Science & Social Studies Specialist; seconded by Ms. Thompson. 7 yeas APPROVED Ms. Delrossi asked how many? Superintendent Boyd stated the Deans will now be High School Assistant Principals. Ms. Thompson made a motion to approve and post the position of High School Assistant Principal; seconded by Ms. Chhoun. 7 yeas APPROVED Ms. Doherty asked how many and stated that she has concerns because she doesn’t want to over extend and live through layoffs again. Ms. Desmond stated that it will be fifteen at (15) elementary or middle and two (2) small schools. Mayor Chau stated that these are much needed positions. Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 4 of 4) Ms. Chhoun made a motion to approve and post the position of Library & Instructional Technology Teacher; seconded Ms. Delrossi. 7 yeas APPROVED Ms. Delrossi made a motion to approve and post the position of Building Based Substitute Teacher; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED Ms. Thompson stated that the Part Time Health Liaison/Nurse should work with the Homeless population. Ms. Phillips stated that it’s really an operations position to help the student get through the registration period. Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve and post the position of Part Time Health Liaison/Nurse (2); seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED 5. NEW BUSINESS 5.1. Consideration of an Update to the School Committee Rules/Policy BEDB-E to include Mayor's Business on Regular Meeting Agendas Mayor Chau stated that this will allow him to give out citations and highlight special events if needed. Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve the revision to the School Committee Rules/Policy BEDB-E; seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED 6. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Delrossi made a motion to recess at 7:48 p.m.; seconded by Ms. Martin. 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