School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Date: May 22, 2024 Time: 6:30PM Location: Mayor's Reception, 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 6:39 p.m., all members present were, namely: Mr. Bahou, Mr. Conway, Ms. Delrossi, Ms. Doherty, Mr. Lay, Ms. Martin and Mayor Rourke. 3. NEW BUSINESS 3.1. Budget Transfer Mr. Lay made a motion to approve the budget transfer of $1,592,000; seconded by Mr. Bahou. 7 yeas APPROVED 4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 4.1. Public Budget Hearing 1. Response to Motion (By Connie Martin) Regarding 5 Assistant Superintendent Positions 2. Original Recommended Central Organizational Chart Ms. Martin stated that the response is not the solution that she wanted and that we need a conversation to discuss what we want. Superintendent Skinner stated that the Public Works report is expert advice and asked if we shouldn’t listen to the expert advice. He stated that he was told to put five (5) options together and the options put forward are sensible and reasonable for the district and best for the community. Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 4) Ms. Doherty stated that she read the report and that the report didn’t include at the office of Finance & Operations. She also stated that there have been many concerns with HR and that HR needs to be pulled out of Operations. She stated that the district went from three (3) Assistant Superintendent’s to five (5) and then the pervious administration blew up Student Support Services. She stated that she agrees with Ms. Martin that the response isn’t in the spirit of what was asked for and that she is not supporting the proposal presented. Superintendent Skinner stated that Public Works looked at three (3) areas for $68,000. The other areas were already under audits and if we had them look at those areas it would have cost over $100,000. Ms. Delrossi stated that she did not see one (1) organizational chart that suggested taking Equity out and asked the Superintendent how he sees this and what he is working towards. Superintendent Skinner stated that Equity will never be diminished. Mr. Lay stated that we shouldn’t be looking at bringing the Student Support Services Office back right now. He stated that we don’t have time and should look at it next year. Ms. Doherty stated that the district emphatically needs Student Support Services. Mr. Conway stated that he doesn’t agree with Mr. Lay and he doesn’t believe it’s advantageous to the system. He stated that Student Support Services is very important to the district. Mr. Bahou stated that we need to give the Superintendent support and that he is comfortable moving forward with the organizational chart. Ms. Doherty stated that she can support the organizational chart if HR is pulled out of Operations and Special Education is put under Student Support Services. Mr. Lay stated that there is no need for Student Support Services at this time and that we should leave Equity where it is. Ms. Martin stated that a significant shift needs to be done with the organizational chart. She stated that Staff Counsel should be under Student Support Services and that Technology should be in Operations or Finance. She stated that the Adult Education Program doesn’t make sense under the Chief Schools Office. Mr. Conway asked if there are safeguards if we find there are issues or if one area is overloaded. Superintendent Skinner responded yes. Mr. Bahou made a motion to approve the recommended organizational chart; seconded by Mayor Rourke. Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 4) Ms. Doherty made a friendly amendment to the motion to move HR out of Operations and to move Special Education under Student Support Services. The maker of the motion had no objection. Mr. Bahou made a motion to approve the recommended organizational chart and to move HR out of Operations and to move Special Education under Student Support Services; seconded by Mayor Rourke. 4 yeas, 2 nays (Ms. Delrossi, Mr. Lay), 1 present (Ms. Martin) APPROVED Ms. Doherty made a motion to move the Assistant Superintendent’s out of the suspense account to the general fund; seconded by Mr. Bahou. 7 yeas APPROVED Mr. Conway made a motion to move the Districtwide Summer Program out of the suspense account to the general fund; seconded by Mr. Bahou. 7 yeas APPROVED Ms. Delrossi made a motion to move the Social Worker - FRC out of the suspense account to the general fund; seconded by Mr. Conway. 7 yeas APPROVED Mr. Conway made a motion to move the four (4) Community School Coordinators out of the suspense account to the general fund; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED Ms. Doherty made a motion to move the District Support Specialist – Student Support Services out of the suspense account to the general fund; seconded by Ms. Delrossi. 7 yeas APPROVED Ms. Martin made a motion to move the CLSP Contracted Services out of the suspense account to the general fund; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED Ms. Martin made a motion to move the Capital Improvements out of the suspense account to the general fund; seconded by Mr. Bahou. 7 yeas APPROVED Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve the bottom-line figure of $150,000 seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED Superintendent Skinner brought the following cabinet positions forward for the Committee to review and restore due to the use of ESSER funds for summer school. Ms. Doherty made a motion to restore the Director of Research & Accountability to the general fund; seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED Mr. Lay made a motion to restore the District Support Specialist (Math) to the general fund; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED Mr. Bahou made a motion to restore the District Curriculum Support Specialist (Science/SS) to the general fund; seconded by Ms. Delrossi. 7 yeas APPROVED Ms. Martin made a motion to restore the Parent Academy Director to the general fund; seconded by Ms. Delrossi. 7 yeas APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 4 of 4) Ms. Delrossi made a motion to approve the Lowell Public Schools FY2025 final bottom-line figure at $257,347,416 and to submit the FY2025 Budget to the City Manager; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED 5. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Conway made a motion to adjourn at 8:06 p.m.; seconded by Ms. Martin. 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