School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Date: April 12, 2023 Time: 5:00PM Location: Mayor's Conference 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 5:15 p.m., members present were, namely: Ms. Thompson, Mayor Chau, Ms. Chhoun, Ms. Delrossi, Ms. Doherty, Mr. Lay and Ms. Martin. 3. NEW BUSINESS 3.1. Discussion of Previously Approved Internal Complaints Investigation Superintendent Boyd informed the Committee that he consulted with the Interim Solicitor and stated that he is bringing forward Dr. Hall, Labor Counsel, the City’s Interim Solicitor or himself to be the contact with BHPK law firm. Interim Solicitor Williams stated that the options given as a direct report is really limited to Dr. Hall and himself and stated that he is willing to be the point of contact moving forward. Ms. Thompson stated that she is concerned and that the initial reason to not have Dr. Hall involved is to keep the slate clean. She stated by going with someone externally, it protects the city, Committee and the people who have come forward. Interim Solicitor Williams asked if there was someone else. Ms. Doherty responded yes and stated that Attorney Mosher-Canty was put forward to do this under special assignment as the point person. She stated that Attorney Mosher-Canty is a long term employee and she stated that it should be separate from the administration. She stated that it was never the intention to have the law department or the Superintendent involved. Superintendent Boyd stated that Attorney Mosher-Canty reports to Dr. Hall. Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 4) Ms. Doherty asked the Superintendent if he reached out to BHPK for their suggestion or recommendation. Superintendent Boyd stated no and that his responsibility is to refer this to the Interim Solicitor. Ms. Martin asked if Dr. Hall’s contract precludes the Committee from using outside counsel. Superintendent Boyd responded yes, he believes so. Ms. Martin stated that Dr. Hall contract’s needs to be reviewed so we can separate the Attorney piece out and then we can go outside. She stated that it is not her choice, but it appears to be the only option. She asked for a copy of Dr. Hall’s contract be provided to the Committee for review. She stated that it is her understanding that nothing has been sent to BHPK. Interim Solicitor Williams stated that he sent materials about two (2) weeks ago. Ms. Martin stated that BHPK has not received anything and asked if he had shared contact information. Interim Solicitor Williams responded no and stated that several people did not provide contact information. Ms. Martin responded for clarification that no contact information was given. Interim Solicitor Williams responded no. Ms. Martin asked how many people there are. Interim Solicitor Williams stated he didn’t know. Mayor Chau stated that he understands the frustration and asked for the roles be clarified between the Interim Solicitor and outside counsel and asked if the law department would be involved. Interim Solicitor Williams responded yes and that it would be in a supplementary role. Mayor Chau asked if there is any conflict between the two (2) entities. Interim Solicitor Williams responded no. Ms. Delrossi asked if Dr. Hall’s contract is the same. Superintendent Boyd responded yes. Ms. Delrossi stated that outside counsel asked us if they should speak to the Interim Solicitor or Dr. Hall. She stated that she doesn’t know why it’s an issue and doesn’t believe it’s their job. Ms. Chhoun stated that Attorney Mosher-Canty is still internal and more weight would be being put on her service. Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 4) Mr. Lay stated that they’re only selecting a contact person and that everything has to go through the labor attorney. He stated that he believes that having Interim Solicitor Williams is perfect. Mr. Lay made a motion to have Interim Solicitor Williams be the contact person; seconded by Ms. Delrossi. Mr. Lay withdrew the motion after Ms. Martin asked if we could receive more information. Ms. Thompson asked Superintendent Boyd if he has reached out to Mr. Koocher from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC). Superintendent Boyd responded no, he has not reached out to him. Ms. Thompson stated that she doesn’t have a problem with Dr. Hall. She stated that him being a part of this where he oversees the department is problematic for him. She asked Interim Solicitor Williams what his background is in this area. She asked if it was due to it being a municipality. Interim Solicitor Williams stated that he believes it doesn’t matter and that it would still be his decision. Mayor Chau stated that he doesn’t disagree about not having Dr. Hall. He stated that the law department is just passing information. Ms. Doherty stated that on two (2) occasions the majority of the Committee wanted an outside investigation. She stated that BHPK will be looking for policies and job descriptions. She stated that it has taken the Committee months to get information and that she feels like this is another obstacle. She believes that people are not comfortable going to the Solicitor’s office and stated she believes they should have Ms. Martin reach out to BHPK for an opinion. She stated that she can reach out to MASC to see if Attorney Finnegan can help. She then asked why the link to reach BHPK wasn’t put on the Lowell Public School website. Superintendent Boyd stated that he defers to the Interim Solicitor opinion and that he is looking to support the Committee as their Superintendent. Interim Solicitor Williams stated that he strongly recommended against putting that link on the website. Ms. Doherty stated that BHPK provided the Committee with that address and that they’ve been doing this for twenty-five (25) years and asked why they didn’t have a problem with it. She stated that the problem is that people don’t want the truth and if there was a problem with putting that link on the website it would have been nice for the Committee to be notified. Ms. Thompson stated that we need to be very mindful around this due to the employees. She stated that our biggest responsibility is to make our district strong. She stated that not putting the link on the website is a problem and that she never received an email telling her that it wasn’t on the website and she has told people that’s where they can go to get the information. Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 4 of 4) 4. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Lay made a motion to adjourn at 6:09 p.m.; seconded by Ms. Thompson. 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