School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Date: May 15, 2024 (Continued from May 4, 2024) Time: 5:30PM 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 5:47 p.m., members returned from recess and present were, namely: Mr. Bahou, Mr. Conway, Ms. Delrossi Ms. Doherty, Mr. Lay, Ms. Martin. Mayor Rourke arrived at 5:50 p.m. 3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 3.1. Public Budget Hearing The following speakers registered and spoke: Ms. Mcelhinney Ms. Jonas Mr. Gomez Ms. Vejar Ms. Bonilla Superintendent Skinner stated that during the first Public Budget Hearing on May 4th, 2024, Ms. Martin requested that we review the possibility of using ESSER funds to pay for Summer School (instead of charging to FY 2025 budget). He stated that the district had planned on using available ESSER funds for a series of pre-purchases (texts, computers, etc); however, in consideration of flexibilities that have been apparent elsewhere (in remaining FY 2024 local and grant funds), he recommends that you do in fact allocate $1 million in ESSER funds toward Summer School. He stated that by doing that it will preserve $1 million of local FY 2025 funds and allow restoring previously contemplated position cuts. He recommended the following positions be restored: ➢ District Webmaster ➢ Director of Research & Accountability Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 2) ➢ District Support Specialist (Student Support) ➢ District Curriculum Support Specialist (Math) ➢ District Curriculum Support Specialist (Science/Social Studies) ➢ Parent Academy Director He stated that restoring these positions would cost approximately $650,000. He stated that various other cuts - vacant positions, cuts to supplies and contracts lines - would be maintained and the remaining $350,000, approximately, of the $1 million could be given to schools in the form of a fall reconciliation. Ms. Martin made a motion to reduce the currently budgeted six (6) Assistant Superintendent positions to five (5) Assistant Superintendent positions and for the Superintendent to reallocate the responsibilities to balance the workload for each Assistant Superintendent; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 6 yeas, 1 nay (Mayor Rourke) APPROVED Ms. Martin also requested that new job descriptions for the Assistant Superintendent positions should be included. Ms. Doherty stated that she agreed and that this is an opportunity to make these positions right. Ms. Martin made a motion to recess at 6:27 p.m. and to return after the regularly scheduled School Committee meeting; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED On a roll call at 8:29 p.m., members returned from recess and present were, namely: Mr. Bahou, Mr. Conway, Ms. Doherty, Mr. Lay, Ms. Martin. Ms. Delrossi and Mayor Rourke were absent. Ms. Martin made a motion to restore the District Webmaster position and to remove it from the Suspense account and to put it in the General Fund; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 5 yeas, 2 absent (Ms. Delrossi, Mayor Rourke) APPROVED Ms. Martin requested that before the next meeting that the Committee receive an updated Suspense Account spreadsheet with what jobs have been returned and what is still in play so it can all be in one document. Ms. Doherty made a motion to recess at 8:38 p.m.; seconded by Ms. Martin. 5 yeas, 2 absent (Ms. Delrossi, Mayor Rourke) APPROVED 4. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Doherty made a motion to recess at 8:38 p.m.; seconded by Ms. Martin. 5 yeas, 2 absent (Ms. Delrossi, Mayor Rourke) 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