School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Date: March 20, 2024 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 lbedoya@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 6:32 p.m., all members present were, namely: Mr. Conway, Ms. Doherty, Mr. Lay, Ms. Martin, Mayor Rourke and Mr. Bahou. Ms. Delrossi arrived at 7:18 p.m. 3. MINUTES 3.1. Approval of the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled Lowell School Committee Meeting of March 6, 2024 Mr. Bahou made a motion to accept and place on file the minutes of the Regularly Scheduled and Special School Committee Meeting that was held on March 6, 2024; seconded by Mr. Conway. 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Delrossi) APPROVED 4. PERMISSION TO ENTER 4.1. Permission to Enter: March 20, 2024 Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve the Permission to Enter; seconded by Mr. Lay. 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Delrossi) APPROVED Mr. Bahou made a motion to take item # 6.5. Update on Homeless Transportation out of order; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Delrossi) APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 8) 5. MOTIONS 5.1. [By David Conway]: Request the superintendent work with staff at Lowell High School to explore the feasibility of creating a pilot partnership with the Lowell Sun to publish student-generated content (stories and photos) highlighting programs, events, sports, etc. at the high school. Mr. Conway made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Bahou. 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Delrossi) APPROVED 5.2. [By Eileen DelRossi]: Request the superintendent to share the upcoming DESE Special Education Audit report when it is received and send it to the Special Education subcommittee to meet on. Ms. Delrossi made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Delrossi) APPROVED 5.3. [By Jackie Doherty]: Request the Mayor update membership on the Special Education Subcommittee, so the Superintendent may poll for a Special Education subcommittee meeting to discuss: Status, Supports and Roles of the SpedPac Early Identification for Special Ed Services; and other priority issues. Ms. Doherty asked that the Special Education Subcommittee be populated and a meeting be planned. Mayor Rourke stated that Ms. Delrossi with be the Chair of the Subcommittee and Ms. Doherty and Ms. Martin will be members. Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Martin. 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Delrossi) APPROVED 5.4. [By Jackie Doherty]: Request Portrait of Graduate conference attendees present lessons learned/next steps to the School Committee after their visit to Manchester High School in Connecticut as part of the Barr Foundation Grant. Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Conway. 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Delrossi) APPROVED 5.5. [By Dominik Lay]: Ask the superintendent to report on and discuss summer programs or jobs available for students in the summer. Mr. Lay suggested reaching out to UMass Lowell, Middlesex Community College and Project Learn. Mr. Lay made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Delrossi) APPROVED 5.6. [By Fred Bahou]: Have the proper department develop a plan for our student body on the care and maintenance of the Chromebooks that are assigned to them at the beginning of the school year. Mr. Conway asked how much money has been spent on Chromebooks. Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 8) Ms. Desmond stated that she can provide that the amount to the Committee. She stated that she has written several grants that secured money for the Chromebooks. She stated that students retain the Chromebooks for three (3) years and they receive replacements in 2nd, 5th and 9th grades. Ms. Doherty asked if we have looked into contracting out the repair of the Chromebooks. Ms. Desmond stated that in 2020, the Lowell Public Schools had a service contract. She stated that the MIS Director suggested at that time that it would be better to service them in house and to hire part- time staff which he believed to be less costly. She stated she will also include a monthly breakage breakdown in the report. Mr. Lay asked if we have enough manpower in MIS. Superintendent Skinner informed Mr. Lay that he will also have that be included in the report. Mr. Bahou made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Delrossi) APPROVED 6. REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT 6.1. Strategic Goal: Differentiated Autonomy and Support and Inclusive Practices Ms. Desmond, Chief Academic Officer and Ms. Crocker-Roberge, Chief Schools Officer, provided a report to the Committee on improving our schools and practices to support school improvement and long-term planning. The report stated that the key initiatives and goals are as follows  New Model for Tiered Autonomy & Support  Data-driven decision making with new KPIs and Open Architect options  New School Quality Improvement Planning (QIP) process  Enhanced Instructional Rounds with focus areas for curriculum implementation and instructional quality Enhanced support to school Principals through formative feedback, targeted coaching, and ongoing consultation.  New District Instructional Leadership Team  MTSS and Inclusive Classroom Practices PD and Support Superintendent Skinner stated that over the course of the year there will be several more reports provided to the Committee containing this information. Ms. Martin suggested that these reports should be sent to Subcommittee to be discussed and then brought forward on the agenda. Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 6.1 through 6.10 as reports of progress; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 6.2. Response to Motion (By David Conway, 01/03/24) Regarding Pest Control Mr. Underwood, Facilities Director, provided a report to the Committee that informed them that the Lowell Public School Department, with the help of the City of Lowell’s Procurement office advertised, Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 4 of 8) received bids, and awarded a contract to Banner Pest Control Banner for Pest Management in our schools. Banner Pest Control has been providing services to the Lowell Public Schools since 2016. The current contract is from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2024. The current contract amount per year is $87,300. The report stated that to date, Banner has submitted invoices totaling $177,000 under this contract. The report stated that when Banner was first hired in 2016, the School Department was inundated with complaints with mice in our schools and an investigation into the cause was started. The report stated that one of the issues the schools faced was the new Grab-n-Go breakfast program that added food to every classroom in the schools. This program not only added food to the classroom, but it also added new revenue due to the increased number of students taking part in the program. With the added funds, Mr. Underwood requested a restructuring of the pest control contract and to double the number of visits from once a month to twice a month, explaining this would likely double the cost, but the Business Office supported the recommendation, and a new RFP was ultimately advertised. Mr. Underwood stated that he believes it is unrealistic to ask that no food be brought into a classroom, but in his opinion, this is the biggest reason for mice infestation in our schools. He stated that he has seen candy, popcorn and crackers left in the open or in a desk drawer as well as toaster ovens and microwaves in some classrooms. He stated that getting the Principals involved to continue to inform their staff to not have food left out will help this as well. Mr. Conway asked for an update in a few months and to let the Committee know if there is an improvement. Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 6.1 through 6.10 as reports of progress; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 6.3. Response to Motion (By Jackie Doherty, 01/17/24) Regarding Facilities Mr. Underwood, Facilities Director, provided a report to the Committee that informed them that the Bartlett Community Partnership School will be having lockers installed and ready for use at the start of the 24/25 school year. He stated that it currently appears that window shades will also be addressed this summer. He stated that bathroom fixes, for the Stoklosa Middle School will start on Monday and the Career Academy will have the culinary classroom be operational by the end of April vacation. He stated that basketball hoops are also projected to be installed by contractors at the Career Academy, Sullivan, and BRIDGE Academy by the end of April vacation. Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 6.1 through 6.10 as reports of progress; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 6.4. Response to Motion (By Jackie Doherty, 02/07/24) Regarding Executive Assistant to the School Committee Superintendent Skinner stated that following discussions with Mayor Rourke, and consideration of a draft job description, it is believed that the contemplated position is not warranted. He stated that the recommendation to the School Committee is that the position not be pursued any further. Ms. Doherty asked how the Superintendent is going to address her concerns. Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 5 of 8) Superintendent Skinner stated that he has not lost any motions since January and that he has provided an unprecedented amount of responses to the Committee and that he that he wants to be held accountable for this. Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 6.1 through 6.10 as reports of progress; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 6.5. Update on Homeless Transportation Mr. Descoteaux, Transportation Director, provided a report to the Committee that informed them that due to conflicts with federal laws and local rules, Lowell Public Schools has numerous "delayed" bills which requires the school department to go before the City Council for approval to pay. He stated that as the homeless numbers have tripled over the last couple of years, it was and is imperative that we work with the City to identify solutions to the conflicts between laws so that we don't continue to lose vendors due to non-payment. He stated that there has been a compromise with the Law Department that allows the transportation department to have a contract for $19,900 and if more money is needed three (3) quotes just need to be presented and additional monies can be added to the purchase order. He stated that there is a molestation clause that Lowell follows that other districts don’t (Boston being one of them). He stated that presently they’re trying to work out a compromise on that. Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 6.1 through 6.10 as reports of progress; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 6.6. Update on Delayed Bills Ms. Turner, Chief Academic Officer provided a report to the Committee that stated that due to the provisions of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 44, Section 64, the school department needs a two thirds vote by the City Council to pay for the list of "bills from previous years." A motion was made by Ms. Martin to bring "bills from previous years" to the School Committee for review prior to forwarding to City Council for review. The report also included a comparison of bills from previous years. The report stated that the School Committee approved $200,000 in the budget for delayed bills. Ms. Martin made a motion to forward the “delayed bills” on the December 28, 2023 memo to the City Council for payment; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 6.1 through 6.10 as reports of progress; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 6.7. End of Year Audit Update Ms. Turner, Chief Academic Officer provided, per the request of the Finance Subcommittee, five (5) years of the end of year financial report audit reports. The update stated that the first two (2) years included several findings and the most recent years are "without findings", which means they were clean audits. Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 6.1 through 6.10 as reports of progress; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 6 of 8) 6.8. Enrollment Report Ms. Phillips, Chief Equity & Engagement Officer provided a report that stated that as of February 29, 2024, there were 14,590 students enrolled with the Lowell Public Schools. During the month of February, the Family Resource Center processed 686 student applications and eighty-six percent (86%) of parents submitted their registration to the portal in one (1) day or less. Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 6.1 through 6.10 as reports of progress; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 6.9. Fair Student Funding Ms. Turner, Chief Academic Officer provided a report to the Committee that stated that the Student Opportunity Act (SOA) increase from FY22/23 to FY 23/24 was over $30 million. The report stated that since the SOA increases were to be implemented on a 1/6 basis each year, the $30 million was used as an estimate for the FY24/25 SOA increase. The report stated that unfortunately, the actual SOA increase released with the Governor's budget in January was only $14 million despite enrollment and per category rate increases. The report stated that when the district moves the $28 million in current year ESSER costs to the General Fund and add the estimated $11,600,000 in contractual increases, we would have a $26 million shortfall. After the initial exercise of removing non-recurring costs ($10 million facilities cost), the district will still face an approximate $10 million deficit. The report stated that a reduction to schools was made as equitably as possible by spreading through schools using the base weights and then spreading the remaining supplements systematically. Ms. Doherty asked when the Committee will be receiving the reorganization report. Superintendent Skinner stated that the Committee will receive it in the next couple of weeks. Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 6.1 through 6.10 as reports of progress; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 6.10. Personnel Report The Personnel Report officially informs the Committee of all retirements, resignations, promotions and new hires. Ms. Doherty asked when the Committee will see an updated job description for the attendance monitor. She stated that increasing the compensation was the will of the body. Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 6.1 through 6.10 as reports of progress; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 6.11. Home Education Superintendent Skinner recommended that the following parents/guardians be allowed to home educate their child: Sarah Mutch Mr. Lay made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Delrossi. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 7 of 8) 7. NEW BUSINESS 7.1. Approval to Accept and Expend Donation Mr. Conway made a motion to accept and expend the donation from the Greater Lowell Community Foundation; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.2. Budget Transfer Ms. Martin made a motion to approve the budget transfer of $1,590,582.68; seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED 8. CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS 8.1. Overnight Request: 21st Century CCLC in San Francisco, CA Ms. Martin made a motion to bundle and approve the Convention/Conference requests; seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED 8.2. Overnight Request: LHS Track and Field Team to Philadelphia, PA Ms. Martin made a motion to bundle and approve the Convention/Conference requests; seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED 8.3. Overnight Request: Sullivan Middle School to Washington D.C., Capital Tours, Inc. Ms. Martin made a motion to bundle and approve the Convention/Conference requests; seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED 8.4. Overnight Request: Robinson Middle School - Yellowstone National Park Ms. Martin made a motion to bundle and approve the Convention/Conference requests; seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED 8.5. Overnight Request: National Leadership Conference in Chicago, IL Ms. Martin made a motion to bundle and approve the Convention/Conference requests; seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED 8.6. Overnight Request: LHS Track and Field to White Plains, NY Ms. Martin made a motion to bundle and approve the Convention/Conference requests; seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 8 of 8) 9. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Delrossi made a motion to adjourn at 8:20 p.m.; seconded by Mr. Conway. 7 yeas APPROVED Respectfully submitted, Liam Skinner, Superintendent and Secretary to the Lowell School Committee LS/mes Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us