School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Date: April 3, 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: Ms. Delrossi, Ms. Doherty, Mr. Lay, Ms. Martin, Mayor Rourke, Mr. Bahou and Mr. Conway. Ms. Jisella Sanquiche, LHS Class Senator was also present. 3. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS 3.1. Spotlight On Excellence: Kathryn P. Stoklosa Knowledge Bowl Competition 2024 The Spotlight on Excellence featured the Kathryn P. Stoklosa Knowledge Bowl Competition. The Knowledge Bowl was established in 1988 for the purpose of engaging middle school students from all Lowell Public Schools in a challenging academic competition. The Daley Middle School has the honor of being this year’s Knowledge Bowl Champion. Members of the championship team are:  Anabel Brown  Nathan Ong  James Bui  Andrew Protopopsecu  Logan Bui  Xavien Vazquez  Emma Ford-Hunt  Valentina Villa  Veesoth HorNathan Kim  Jordan Wangia Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 7)  Ten Kuy  Owen White  Coaches: Karen Miranda & Alejandro Bonilla This year’s second place winner was the Stoklosa Middle School, and third place went to the Pyne Arts School. Mayor Rourke congratulated the members and thanked everyone for coming to the meeting. 4. MINUTES 4.1. Approval of the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled Lowell School Committee Meeting of March 6, 2024 Mr. Conway made a motion to accept and place on file the minutes of the Regularly Scheduled School Committee Meeting that was held on March 20, 2024 (March 6, 2024 was a typo and was previously approved); seconded by Mr. Bahou. 7 yeas APPROVED 5. PERMISSION TO ENTER 5.1. Permission to Enter: April 3, 2024 Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve the Permission to Enter; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED 6. MOTIONS 6.1. [By David Conway]: Request the superintendent reach out and identify an outside security company for the purpose of conducting a total safety and security assessment of the Lowell Public School system. Furthermore, request the superintendent contact the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), to see if they would partner with us for this safety audit. Mr. Conway made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Bahou. Mayor Rourke stated that he believes we should have our police department give can assessment first. Mr. Conway stated that he is aware of the great work that the police department does, but having a company who does this on a regular basis is worthwhile. He stated that this could be done with an outside agency who has the expertise in conjunction with the police department. Ms. Martin stated that an RFP will need to be put forward and that RFP can be in concert with the police department. Ms. Doherty made a friendly amendment to request the superintendent develop an RFP and identify an outside security company for the purpose of conducting a total safety and security assessment of the Lowell Public School system. Furthermore, request the superintendent contact the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), to see if they would partner with us for this safety audit; 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 7) 6.2. [By Mayor Daniel Rourke]: Request both current and possible new drug prevention programs offered in the Lowell Public Schools. Mayor Rourke made a motion to suspend the rules to allow Mr. O’Keefe to address the Committee around drug prevention programs; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED Mr. Bahou made a motion to have Mr. O’Keefe speak to all the middle schools; seconded by Mr. Conway. 7 yeas APPROVED Mayor Rourke made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 6.3. [By Jackie Doherty]: Request the superintendent and Mayor work with appropriate city designee to get handicap ramp installed at Shedd Park Pavilion to make it accessible to all. Superintendent Skinner informed the Committee that he had a meeting with the DPW Commissioner and they will be installing an aluminum ramp and that they’re currently working on pricing. Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED 6.4. [By Eileen DelRossi]: Request the superintendent to provide a cohesive comprehensive training for all district social workers in order to be thoroughly trained on the warning signs of child trafficking lead presentations for students who are concerned about child trafficking. The following registered and spoke on this agenda item: Garbriella Pereira Miranda Hing Noah Miles-Do Xavian Vazquez Ms. Delrossi made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Doherty. Ms. Doherty made a friendly amendment with no objection from the maker of the motion: “Request the superintendent provide training for all district social workers on the warning signs of child trafficking, so they may lead presentations for students & staff. Also, look into a delivery schedule for Social Worker professional development to develop more effective trainings such as two (2) hours versus half day or full day professional development. Ms. Delrossi made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 6.5. [By Eileen DelRossi]: Request the superintendent to provide a cohesive comprehensive training for all district social workers to be trained on family substance abuse effects on middle school through high school students. Ms. Delrossi made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Conway. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 4 of 7) 7. REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT 7.1. Strategic Goal: Full Service Community Schools and Out of Time Programming Ms. Doherty made a motion to send the Strategic Goal: Full Service Community Schools and Out of Time Programming report to an Equity & Access Subcommittee for further discussion; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED Ms. Doherty made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.1 through 7.7 as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.2. Response to Motion (By Eileen DelRossi, 02/07/24) Regarding Financial Wellness Curriculum Ms. Desmond, Chief Academic Officer provided a report to the Committee that informed them that the report contains new information on the work that has been completed this school year as well as information previously reported in response to Ms. Thompson’s motion submitted on February 1, 2023. The report states that in response to Ms. Thompson’s motion a task force was created. The working group met three (3) times in the spring of 2023 prior to the closing of the school year. The group decided the natural grade level to begin building a comprehensive, district K-12 financial literacy curriculum would be with the middle school health teachers since financial literacy is part of the health frameworks. Additionally, in the spring of 2023, a survey was sent to schools to determine what was already being done regarding financial literacy. Most schools were addressing financial literacy in various ways throughout the grade levels K-12 and the district will continue to support the work already being done across all grade levels. The report stated that books on financial literacy were added digitally in SORA for the 2023-2024 school year and hard copies were ordered mid-year for all school libraries allowing teachers access to the materials to integrate into classroom discussions. Fit Money resources were shared with all library teachers as well. On December 22, 2023, Lowell Public Schools applied for and was awarded $15,000 through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Financial Literacy Planning and Implementation Grant). The purpose of this grant is to, “provide funding to support districts in the selection and/or development of materials, curriculum, professional development and in-person or virtual experiential learning related to financial literacy.” As a result, the district has been able to offer paid, after-school, professional development for up to fifty (50) teachers. The grant will also support a Financial Literacy Fair at the Career Academy on May 8, 2024. This is a joint venture between the district’s Community Schools Program and the Office of Teaching and Learning Ms. Doherty made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.1 through 7.7 as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.3. Response to Motion (By Fred Bahou, 02/07/24) Regarding Chapter 74 Voc-Ed Program Ms. Desmond, Chief Academic Officer provided a report to the Committee that informed them that Lowell High School Head of School, Michael Fiato, and Chief Academic Officer, Robin Desmond, met with Roger Bourgeois, former Superintendent of Greater Lowell Vocational Technical School, to discuss the potential of expanding Chapter 74 programming at Lowell High School. Mr. Bourgeois agreed to consult with a Lowell High School Chapter 74 planning team throughout the Spring to develop a multi-year Chapter 74 expansion plan. Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 5 of 7) Ms. Doherty made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.1 through 7.7 as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.4. Response to Motion (By Eileen DelRossi, 03/06/24) Regarding LHS Security Dr. Hall, Chief Schools Officer provided a report to the Committee that informed them that the Safety Coordinator has coordinated with and solicited ideas from the LHS Head of Security and Head of School about enhanced security at the entrances and upon receiving this motion, the Safety Coordinator reviewed the security plan at Lowell High School. While not all details reviewed can be included in this document, there are multiple security officers detailed to monitor the building’s exterior in addition to other personnel who are present to enhance security and safety during other parts of the day. The Safety Coordinator and staff are reviewing ideas in order to enhance safety within the current staffing model. They are also reviewing plans to supplement and sustain security when security staff are sick or on other authorized leave. Additionally, a quote will be requested for the cost of additional cameras to provide additional help for some areas of concern as well as ongoing discussion about hiring more security officers for the remainder of this year, recommending that more personnel be budgeted for next year, and assessing whether we should make recommendations to the Committee to change duties within the security job descriptions, or otherwise re-deploy security personnel in a different configuration to enhance security. Ms. Doherty stated that she would like a follow-up report on what’s happening with priority needs. Ms. Doherty made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.1 through 7.7 as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.5. Response to Motion (By Eileen DelRossi, 03/06/24) Regarding Air Quality Testing Ms. Phillips, Chief Equity & Engagement Officer provided a report to the Committee that informed them that since November 2023, air quality test results have been shared twice a month with Pawtucketville Memorial Elementary School staff and families via the school’s email listserv for staff and the Connect- Ed email system for families. Additionally, beginning in April, the District Webmaster will collaborate with the Director of Facilities to ensure all prior air quality test results are posted on the Pawtucketville website under the “Our School” tab and all future air quality tests will be posted on a monthly basis. Ms. Doherty made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.1 through 7.7 as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.6. Response to Motion (By David Conway, 03/06/24) Regarding Athletic Programs Mr. Conway made a motion to send the Response to Motion (By David Conway, 03/06/24) Regarding Athletic Programs update to the Athletics Subcommittee for further discussion; seconded by Mr. Bahou. 7 yeas APPROVED Ms. Doherty made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.1 through 7.7 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 6 of 7) 7.7. Response to Motion (By Jackie Doherty, 03/06/24) Regarding Social Media Website Posting Ms. Phillips, Chief Equity & Engagement Officer provided a report to the Committee that informed them that several district staff are charged with posting School Committee meeting notices for the public. The district webmaster posts each School Committee and Subcommittee meeting on the district’s web calendar. The webmaster has also made recent updates to the district’s web calendar to make it quicker and easier to find. Additionally, the Superintendent’s Executive Secretary posts upcoming School Committee and Subcommittee meeting dates on a separate School Committee webpage, as each department is responsible for posting on departmental web pages. Finally, the district’s Community Outreach Strategist posts meeting dates and agendas on the district’s social media account as well as posts information on how to watch the meeting on Facebook. Ms. Doherty made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.1 through 7.7 as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED 7.8. Home Education Superintendent Skinner recommended that the following parents/guardians be allowed to home educate their child: Beteline Nherisson Keri Mascagni Ms. Delrossi made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED Ms. Delrossi made a motion to suspend the rules to discuss the upcoming Solar Eclipse; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED Superintendent Skinner stated that staff has been told to inform students during dismissal time about the dangers of looking at the sun during the solar eclipse. 8. NEW BUSINESS 8.1. Request Approval of Doctoral Research Study Proposal Mr. Bahou made a motion to approve the Doctoral Research Study Proposal for Julia Sayles; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 8.2. Approval to Accept and Expend Allocated FY24 Awards These funds include Federal and State awards that have been secured by the Lowell Public Schools through the Department of Secondary and Elementary Education, as well as funding from the Mass Cultural Council. Mr. Lay made a motion to accept and expend the allocated FY24 awards; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 7 of 7) 8.3. Budget Transfer Mr. Conway made a motion to approve the budget transfer of $269,704.58; seconded by Mr. Bahou. 7 yeas APPROVED 9. CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS 9.1. Overnight Request: LHS - Washington, DC Ms. Doherty made a motion to bundle and approve the Convention/Conference requests; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED 9.2. Overnight Request: Portrait of Graduation - Burlington, VT Ms. Doherty made a motion to bundle and approve the Convention/Conference requests; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED 10. PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL 10.1. The Members of the United Teachers of Lowell Hereby Donate: 1. Thirteen [13] Sick Leave Days to Iris Candelaria, Sullivan Middle School Paraprofessional 2. Twenty-Three [23] Sick Leave Days to Kristen Colon, Lowell High School Teacher Mr. Lay made a motion to approve the Professional Personnel; seconded by Ms. Delrossi. 7 yeas APPROVED Mr. Lay made a motion to take a personal point of privilege to speak about Cambodian New Year; seconded by Mr. Bahou. 7 yeas APPROVED 11. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Martin made a motion to adjourn at 7:51 p.m.; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 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