School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Date: October 16, 2024 Time: 6:30PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA 01852 Members of the public can view the meeting via LTC. Those wishing to speak about a specific agenda item must register in advance by emailing the Superintendent. Please include the agenda item, as well as your phone number and email address so we can provide a Zoom link for access. The email address is lbedoya@lowell.k12.ma.us. If you do not have access to email, you may contact us at 978-674-4324. All requests must be submitted by 2:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. 1. SALUTE TO FLAG 2. ROLL CALL On a roll call at 6:31 p.m., all members present were, namely: Ms. Doherty, Mr. Lay, Mayor Rourke, Mr. Bahou, Mr. Conway and Ms. Delrossi. Ms. Martin was absent. 3. MINUTES 3.1. Approval of the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled Lowell School Committee Meeting of October 2, 2024 Ms. Doherty moved to accept and place on file the minutes of the Regularly Scheduled School Committee meeting that was held on October 2, 2024; the motion was seconded by Mr. Lay. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Martin) APPROVED 4. PERMISSION TO ENTER 4.1. Permission to Enter Mr. Bahou moved to approve the Permission to Enter; the motion was seconded by Mr. Conway. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Martin) APPROVED 5. MOTIONS 5.1. [By David Conway]: Request the Superintendent to prepare a report on our PA systems for each of our schools. The report should include, but not limited to the age of the system, it's effectiveness if all rooms and areas are able to hear the messages. And further, walkie talkies need to be supplied to all staff that do not have direct contact with the main office in their school. Mr. Conway moved to approve; the motion was seconded by Ms. Doherty. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Martin) APPROVED 155 Merrimack http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 5) 5.2. [By Dominik Lay]: Request the Superintendent for a report on each in the past 5 years, the amount of students that have been unable to graduate as a result of not achieving the minimum required MCAS score. Mr. Bahou asked how many students passed the first time. Mr. Conway asked about the students that failed and if there was a way to see how many dropped out. Mr. Lay moved to approve; the motion was seconded by Ms. Doherty. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Martin) APPROVED 5.3. [By Dominik Lay]: Request the Superintendent a report on a solution or procedure to ensure that any correspondence or letters to be communicated with parents or community that translate into Khmer are properly translated. Mr. Lay moved to approve; the motion was seconded by Ms. Doherty. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Martin) APPROVED 5.4 [By Connie Martin]: Request the establishment of a monthly Curriculum and Instruction Subcommittee to provide consistent updates on classroom implementation of curriculum initiatives and teaching practices across the district. This motion was deferred to the next regularly scheduled meeting on November 6, 2024. 5.5. By Eileen DelRossi]: Request the Superintendent collaborate each Assistant Superintendent to develop an accountability plan for each of their departments to develop appropriate timelines and streamlined two - parent communication. Including but not limited to phone calls, emails, letters, meetings, and in-person visits so that parents feel consistently communicated with and our students overall needs are met at the central office level. Mr. Delrossi moved to approve; the motion was seconded by Ms. Doherty. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Martin) APPROVED 5.6.[By Eileen DelRossi]: Request the superintendent to collaborate with appropriate school and / or City of Lowell staff to enhance intramural sports programs at the middle school level. Mr. Delrossi moved to approve; the motion was seconded by Ms. Doherty. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Martin) APPROVED 6. REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT 6.1. Response to Motion (By Dominik Lay, 05/01/24) Regarding School Lunch Dr. Hall, Assistant Superintendent for HR & Operations, presented a report to the Committee stating that Lowell Public Schools was recently highlighted in the Department of Education and Secondary Education's October School Meals Newsletter as a successful example of engaging students and L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 5) soliciting feedback through social media. The report also included information about a recent taste test and a survey in which 89 students responded positively. Students also loved locally produced Craic Sauce and strongly supported the LHS Yogurt Bar. Mr. Lay moved to accept the report as a report of progress; the motion was seconded by Ms. Delrossi. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Martin) APPROVED 6.2. Response to Motion (By Eileen DelRossi, 04/17/24) Regarding Elevator Inspections Dr. Hall, Assistant Superintendent for HR & Operations, presented a report to the Committee stating that the facilities department has assembled all elevator inspection documents and to link to its folder on its school website. The inspections of school elevators are not scheduled by the schools or the facilities department but are scheduled by the Commonwealth. Mr. Lay moved to accept the report as a report of progress; the motion was seconded by Ms. Delrossi. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Martin) APPROVED 6.3. Response to Motion (By Jackie Doherty, 07/25/24) Regarding Band and Color Guard Program Costs Ms. Fox Roye, Assistant Superintendent for Teacher & Learning provided a report to the Committee that addresses the request for detailed information regarding the financial aspects of the Band and Color Guard Program. Specifically, it outlines the costs associated with participation in these programs, including uniforms, stipends, and transportation. The estimated total cost per student participating in the Band and Color Guard Program is approximately $500.00. The main financial commitment involves the costs of uniforms and any additional transportation arrangements. This report aims to clarify the financial expectations associated with these expenses. Ms. Doherty asked if it could work if parents incurred the cost and provided their own transportation. Superintendent Skinner stated in this case it would, but overall, sports/clubs. He stated that the high school needs to make the choice. Mr. Lay moved to accept the report as a report of progress; the motion was seconded by Ms. Delrossi. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Martin) APPROVED 6.4. Response to Motion (By Fred Bahou, 03/20/24) Regarding Chromebook Care and Maintenance Plan Ms. Fox Roye, Assistant Superintendent for Teacher & Learning provided a report to the Committee that informed them about the revised Chromebook Care Plan and the consequences for students who damage devices. The report stated that both students and parents must sign an acknowledgment form confirming their understanding of this policy and their responsibilities regarding chromebook care. Parents will be notified in writing of any damage, including details about the nature of the damage and potential repair costs. This notification will also request parental involvement in discussing the incident with their child. Mr. Bahou asked about disciplinary action for repeat offenders and believes of teeth. He asked if policies in other districts are similar. L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 4 of 5) Mr. Bahou asked why these monetarily. difficult to track. Mr. Lay moved to accept the report as a report of progress; the motion was seconded by Ms. Delrossi. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Martin) APPROVED 6.5. Home Education Superintendent Skinner recommended that the following parents/guardians be allowed to home educate their child: Elizabeth Porteous Djose Nehemie Zamor Erin Lefebvre Nadja Avon Ms. Doherty moved to approve home education; the motion was seconded by Mr. Bahou. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Martin). APPROVED 7. NEW BUSINESS 7.1. Approval to Accept and Expend Allocated FY25 Awards The grants funds provided in the report have been secured by the Lowell Public Schools through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Mr. Bahou moved to approve, accept and expend the allocated FY25 awards; the motion was seconded by Ms. Doherty. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Martin). APPROVED 8. CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS 8.1. Overnight Request: Butler Middle School - Washington, D.C. Mr. Conway moved to bundle and approve the convention/conference requests; the motion was seconded by Ms. Delrossi. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Martin). APPROVED 8.2. Overnight Request: LHS - AFJROTC - Woodbridge, VA Mr. Conway moved to bundle and approve the convention/conference requests; the motion was seconded by Ms. Delrossi. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Martin). APPROVED L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 5 of 5) 8.3. Overnight Request: LHS - To Compete in the World Championship in Dayton, OH Mr. Conway moved to bundle and approve the convention/conference requests; the motion was seconded by Ms. Delrossi. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Martin). APPROVED 8.4. Overnight Request: Wang Middle School to Washington D.C. Mr. Conway moved to bundle and approve the convention/conference requests; the motion was seconded by Ms. Delrossi. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Martin). APPROVED 9. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Lay moved to adjourn at 7:17 p.m.; the motion was seconded by Ms. Doherty. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Martin). APPROVED Respectfully submitted, Liam Skinner, Superintendent and Secretary to the Lowell School Committee LS/mes L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us