School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES Date: July 31, 2024 Time: 5:00PM Location: 155 Merrimack Street, 5th Floor, Lowell, MA 01852 Join Zoom Meeting https://lowell-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/86304005070?pwd=y2WZp0oWDu4zgIa3eM0IHqvweHmYPx.1 Meeting ID: 863 0400 5070 Passcode: 485926 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 you have 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 5:05 p.m., all members present were, namely: Ms. Martin, Mayor Rourke, Mr. Bahou and Mr. Conway. Ms. Delrossi, Ms. Doherty and Mr. Lay arrived via Zoom at 5:09 p.m. 3. PERMISSION TO ENTER 3.1. Permission to Enter: July 31, 2024 Mr. Conway moved to approve the Permission to Enter; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 4 yeas, 3 absent (Mr. Delrossi, Ms. Doherty, Mr. Lay) APPROVED 3.2. Contract Approval for Chief Operating Officer, James Hall Mr. Conway moved to discuss; the motion was seconded by Mr. Bahou. Ms. Doherty moved to return Chief Operating Officer, James Hall’s contract to the Superintendent for corrections; seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 7 yeas. APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 3) 4. NEW BUSINESS 4.1. Permission to Post Positions Dr. Hall, Chief Operating Officer informed that Committee that on May 15, 2024, the Committee voted to select 50-68 Dracut St, Lowell, MA, more commonly known as the Ste. Jeanne D'Arc School, as a school building in accordance with Chapter 43, Section 34 of Massachusetts General Laws." At the time of the above vote, it was projected that it would take 15-24 months to utilize this space for school purposes. However, during the early summer this was revisited when it was determined that more space was needed for the Dr. Janice Adie Day School. The Facilities Department determined that the first floor of the school could not be ready, but believed that the annex could be prepared for use with relatively minor renovations. If prepared in time, major cost savings would result from savings from out- of-district placements which could average over $150,000.00 each. Currently, there are sixty-six (66) students currently enrolled at the Dr. Janice Adie Day School, with the number projected to grow to at least eight (80) students at the start of the year. It is proposed that fourteen (14) of these students with the most complex needs be placed at the new location. Currently, to meet the needs of the new facility, Dr. Hall requested that the Committee authorize the posting of the following position to meet the needs of the additional students: ➢ Three (3) classroom teachers- to meet the needs of the additional students. ➢ Nine (9) paraprofessionals- to meet the needs of the additional students. Mr. Bahou moved to approve the positions for the Dr. Janice Adie School as proposed; the motion was seconded by Mr. Conway. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Delrossi) APPROVED 4.2. Vote to Approve and Accept Portrait of a Graduate Grant Ms. Phillips, Chief Equity & Engagement Officer informed the Committee that on July 29, 2024, Lowell Public Schools was announced by the Barr Foundation as a recipient of a three-year grant to continue implementation of its Portrait of a Graduate. The Portrait of a Graduate is the vision of what all Lowell High School students will be able to know and do to be successful in college, career and community. During the next grant cycle, the Barr Foundation has focused on changes to instructional practice. The goal of this work will be for all students to engage in deep learning so that they are able to consistently engage in critical thinking and be more prepared to embody the domains of LPS’ Portrait of a Graduate in their preferred post-secondary pathway. The grant period runs from August 16, 2024 - June 30, 2027, for a total of $500,000. Ms. Delrossi moved to approve and accept the Portrait of a Graduate grant; the motion was seconded by Ms. Doherty. The motion passed with 7 yeas. APPROVED Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 3) 5. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Conway moved to adjourn at 5:14 p.m.; seconded by Mr. Bahou. The motion passed with 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