School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Date: November 20, 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 6:38 p.m., all members present were, namely: Mr. Bahou, Mr. Conway, Ms. Delrossi, Ms. Doherty, Mr. Lay and Ms. Martin. (on Zoom). Mayor Rourke was absent. Surika S. Prak, LHS Student Advisory Council was also present. 3. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS 3.1. Spotlight On Excellence: Lowell High School Student Summit at UMASS Lowell Ms. Branco, Associate Head of School, along with Lowell High School students Robina Nyangai (Senior) and Sasha Wainaina (Sophomore), shared their experiences with the Committee regarding the summit they recently attended at UMASS Lowell. The summit focused on Student Engagement, and the breakout sessions covered the following topics: Content and Curriculum Grading and Assessment Classroom Engagement and Activities Navigating High School & Student Supports Life after High School Mr. Buitenhuys, representing the Lowell Liter Crew, then addressed the Committee to announce a call for volunteers for Operation Rosebud. This initiative provides shoveling assistance to those in need, and Mr. Buitenhuys expressed his desire for it to become part of the graduation requirement. He is encouraging students and community members alike to join and support this important cause. Mr. Conway moved to suspend the rules to take agenda item 6.2 out of order; the motion was seconded by Ms. Doherty. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Mayor Rourke) APPROVED 155 Merrimack http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 8) 4. MINUTES 4.1. Approval of the Minutes of the Special Meeting of November 6, 2024 Ms. Delrossi moved to accept and place on file the minutes of the Special and Regularly Scheduled School Committee meetings that were held on November 6, 2024; the motion was seconded by Mr. Bahou. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Mayor Rourke) APPROVED 4.2. Approval of the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled Lowell School Committee Meeting of November 6, 2024 Ms. Delrossi moved to accept and place on file the minutes of the Special and Regularly Scheduled School Committee meetings that were held on November 6, 2024; the motion was seconded by Mr. Bahou. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Mayor Rourke) APPROVED Ms. Delrossi moved to suspend the rules in order to reschedule the December 4, 2024 and the December 18, 2024 Lowell School Committee meetings to December 11, 2024; the motion was seconded by Ms. Doherty. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Mayor Rourke) APPROVED 5. PERMISSION TO ENTER 5.1. Permission to Enter - November 20, 2024 Updated Ms. Doherty moved to approve the Permission to Enter; the motion was seconded by Mr. Bahou. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Mayor Rourke) APPROVED 5.2. Contract Approval for Director of Special Education, Athanasia Bousios Mr. Bahou moved to approve the contract for the Director of Special Education, Anthanasia Bousios; the motion was seconded by Mr. Conway. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Mayor Rourke) APPROVED Ms. Bousios expressed her excitement and enthusiasm for leading the department, eagerly anticipating the opportunity to collaborate with district administrators, staff, parents, families, and students. 6. MOTIONS 6.1. [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. Ms. Martin moved to approve; the motion was seconded by Ms. Doherty. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Mayor Rourke) APPROVED L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 8) 6.2. [By David Conway, Connie Martin, and Jackie Doherty]: That the new Lowell school buildings on university avenue at the former Jeanne D'Arc School site be named after the former longtime Superintendent of the Lowell Public Schools, George Nicholas Tsapatsaris. Mr. Panagiotakos registered and spoke on this motion and read the following letter and asked for it to be part of the record: reflections on those Lowellians who have made a difference in shaping Lowell and moving it forward. When you take the measure of the last half-century, over one quarter of our c Lowellians would undoubtedly be former Lowell Public School (LPS) Superintendent George N. Tsapatsaris, who devoted his entire adult life to public education in the City. Indeed, with the possible exception of the Rev. Dr. Theodore Edson, the leading proponent of the establishment of a public school l arguably has done more for -school students than Superintendent Tsapatsaris. As LPS Project Director and then in Lowell and its public sch Controlled Choice Desegregation program, who led what became one of the most ambitious Public C Recently, the LPS acquired the former Jeanne school students, we strongly support the pending Motion of Lowell School Committee Members David Conway, Connie Martin, and Jaqueline Doherty, all of whom worked with George, to name the school after him, and we are grateful to fellow Members Mayor Daniel Rourke, Fred Bahou, Eileen DelRossi, and Domink Lay for their consideration. George was the son of Nicholas and Demetra (Gemos) Tsapatsaris who immigrated to America from Mani, Greece. His story is emblematic of thousands of first-generation Greek immigrant children who grew up in Lowell during the last century. Their parents came with very little but they had the wisdom to prioritize education for their children as the means to achieve a better life. George graduated from Lowell High School, Class of 1949, and received a BA in History from Boston University and a Master of Education from UMass Lowell. He served his country nobly during the Korean War rising to the rank of First Lieutenant in the Army. His LPS career classroom teacher, Assistant Principal at the Bartlett Junior High School, Project Director, and Superintendent spanned over four decades; and his contributions to and imprint on the LPS system can be felt and seen to this day. As Project Director, George worked ceaselessly to ensure that all -school children had an equal educational opportunity regardless of their neighborhood. Although some of his actions were met with resistance and criticism, he was undaunted, guided by his foundational beliefs, stemming from his personal experience, that every child could reach their highest potential with the right encouragement, direction, and education and that it was our duty to provide it. George saw UMass Lowell as an untapped resource vital to that mission. At that time, relations between the City and the University would ebb and flow under normal town-gown strains. Fortuitously, George found a kindred spirit in Dr. Donald Pierson, Dean of the UML College of Education. Together they developed the Demonstration School, a Pre-K to 4 facility where teachers and education researchers worked together to develop and deliver cutting-edge instruction. They also joined forces to initiate the Professional Development Program for Lowell teachers and administrators. These partnerships helped the City and the University build a trusting working relationship that would become the foundation for the fruitful collaborations we have today. George may be most remembered, though, for his visionary and tireless leadership role in the historic $300 Million Lowell School building program. Because of the wise decision of the Lowell City Council in L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 4 of 8) required ten percent share in a timely way. When the economy spiraled downwards, Lowell was the , Lowell built eight new schools and substantially renovated or expanded 13 others, an unprecedented and unrivaled school system modernization. Aided by state-of-the-art technology in all the new schools, George then led the charge Education Reform Act, transforming the way education here was to be delivered into the 21st Century. George was a Lowellian by birth, a Lowellian by education, a Lowellian as a husband and father, a Lowellian for his professional career, a Lowellian throughout his life, and a Lowellian at heart. For all these reasons and more, it is only fitting that the Lowell School Committee The letter was from Steven C. Panagiotakos former Lowell School Committee Member, State Representative and State Senator and Michael W. Gallagher former Lowell School Committee member Mr. Conway moved to approve; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin and Ms. Doherty. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Mayor Rourke) APPROVED 6.3. [By David Conway]: Request the Superintendent to give an updated report on the 2024 presidential mock election for all LHS students and personnel. Mr. Conway moved to approve; the motion was seconded by Mr. Bahou. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Mayor Rourke) APPROVED 6.4. [By Eileen DelRossi]: Request the superintendent to work with staff to apply for supporting effective instruction state grants, student support and academic grants, English Language Acquisition, and Promise Neighborhoods grants. Ms. Delrossi moved to approve; the motion was seconded by Ms. Doherty. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Mayor Rourke) APPROVED 6.5. [By Eileen DelRossi]: Request the superintendent to update the committee on the current state of bus transportation. Ms. Delrossi moved to approve; the motion was seconded by Mr. Conway. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Mayor Rourke) APPROVED 7. REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT 7.1. Response to Motion (By Eileen DelRossi, 9/18/24) Regarding Greenhalge Teacher Parking update A report from the city informed the Committee that through discussions with school staff and neighborhood representatives, the following short-term solutions are recommended to improve traffic flow during the drop-off and pick up periods: The signage along the Ennell Street frontage should be modified from the current one-hour drop sidewalk area by removing the potential for personal vehicles to park in this location during the day. L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 5 of 8) The existing Resident Only parking should be maintained on the south side of Victor Street. between Ennell Street and Boisvert Street. This will aid in school drop off and pick up by removing parked vehicles on both sides of the street from blocking circulation. School Staff have been notified regarding this change in drop-off and pick up practices. Currently, some teacher/staff vehicles overflow the existing parking lot and park along the north side of Victor Street between Ennell Street and Beaulieu Street. This parking is no longer permitted. However, additional parking is now permitted along Boisvert Street. The location where the most pedestrian/vehicle conflict was observed was the intersection of Beaulieu Street and Victor Street. It is possible that the buses along Ennell Street, if there are vehicles in the no parking zone, could block access to Victor Street, which would cause parents to form the habit of using Beaulieu Street. It is recommended during the trial period to encourage parents to use Ennell Street to access Victor Street to limit conflicts between student pedestrians and vehicles at the crosswalk across Victor Street at Beaulieu Street and allow more queueing area. -day Trial Order. The following longer-term solutions are recommended: The crosswalks across Victor Street at Ennell Street, Beaulieu Street and Boisvert Street would benefit from ADA-compliant curb ramps. The crosswalk across Victor Street at Beauleau Street would be a perfect location for a raised crosswalk. The missing sidewalk connection along the school driveway entrance from Ennell Street should be constructed. The mid-block crosswalks across Boisvert Street should be removed and a new crosswalk be placed across Boisvert Street at Victor Street. to be implemented. She stated that the area is very congested, and she believes they need a police officer to direct traffic. Superintendent Skinner stated that many of the measures in place are permanent and some are on a trial basis. Mr. Bahou moved to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.1 through 7.6 as reports of progress; the motion was seconded by Ms. Delrossi. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Mayor Rourke) APPROVED 7.2. Response to Motion (By Fred Bahou, 11/06/24) Regarding fire safety grant Ms. Crocker-Roberge, the Assistant Superintendent for Schools & Leadership, presented a report to the Committee that spoke about the Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) program, which offers grants to local fire departments to support fire safety education for students in schools. However, she noted that Lowell Public Schools does not meet the criteria to apply for this grant. Mr. Bahou moved to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.1 through 7.6 as reports of progress; the motion was seconded by Ms. Delrossi. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Mayor Rourke) APPROVED L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 6 of 8) 7.3. Response to Motion (By Fred Bahou, 07/25/24) Regarding Saint Jeanne D'Arc School Classrooms Dr. Hall, the Assistant Superintendent for HR & Operations, presented a report to the Committee detailing that the Dr. Janice Adie School currently serves 24 students, who are accommodated in 4 of the classrooms. Additionally, the school is equipped with a cafeteria . Mr. Bahou moved to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.1 through 7.6 as reports of progress; the motion was seconded by Ms. Delrossi. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Mayor Rourke) APPROVED 7.4. Key Performance Indicators Q1 Report Ms. Crocker-Roberge, the Assistant Superintendent for Schools & Leadership, provided the Key Performance Indicators Q1 report to the Committee. The report included the Quarter 1 update on the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). The KPIs identified fall within four main categories: Academics and Student Achievement Safe and Welcoming Environment Operational Efficiency Family and Community Engagement Key highlights are presented within each area with supporting tables and charts that illustrate the metrics and comparisons from the previous year. Data is also disaggregated by reporting groups where applicable. Mr. Bahou moved to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.1 through 7.6 as reports of progress; the motion was seconded by Ms. Delrossi. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Mayor Rourke) APPROVED 7.5. RFI RFQ Space Utilization in LPS Mr. Pinto, the Assistant Superintendent of Finance, presented a report to the Committee outlining that the Superintendent has initiated a request for demographic specialists to conduct an enrollment projection, space utilization study, and redistricting analysis for Lowell Public Schools. This request aims to identify qualified vendors for the enrollment projection services and assess how to maximize the use of our facilities. Additionally, it will explore the possibility of redistricting to better optimize our personnel, resources, and school spaces. Mr. Bahou moved to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.1 through 7.6 as reports of progress; the motion was seconded by Ms. Delrossi. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Mayor Rourke) APPROVED 7.6. Grant Update Mr. Pinto, the Assistant Superintendent of Finance, presented a comprehensive report to the L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 7 of 8) initiatives and strengthening school resources. The update included a table that showed grant fiscal information, grant descriptions and end dates. Ms. Doherty asked for grants to be discussed at an upcoming Finance subcommittee meeting. Mr. Bahou agreed and stated that perhaps at the March Finance subcommittee meeting. Mr. Pinto stated that the Finance subcommittee meetings will be held on December 5, 2024, March 6, 2025, and June 5, 2025. Mr. Bahou moved to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.1 through 7.6 as reports of progress; the motion was seconded by Ms. Delrossi. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Mayor Rourke) APPROVED 7.7. Home Education Superintendent Skinner recommended that the following parents/guardians be allowed to home educate their child: Cristiane Hess Ms. Doherty moved to approve home education; the motion was seconded by Mr. Conway. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Mayor Rourke). APPROVED 8. NEW BUSINESS 8.1. Budget Modification Request Mr. Bahou moved to approve the budget modification in the amount of $428,140; the motion was seconded by Ms. Doherty. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Mayor Rourke). APPROVED 8.2. Appointment of Representative to Lowell Telemedia Center Board Superintendent Skinner has requested that the Committee re-appoint Jen Myers to a second term on the Lowell Telemedia Center Board, where she serves as one of the School Committee's representatives. Mr. Bahou moved to approve the re-appointment of Jen Myers to the Lowell Telemedia Center Board; the motion was seconded by Mr. Conway. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Mayor Rourke). APPROVED 9. ADJOURNMENT L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 8 of 8) Ms. Doherty moved to adjourn at 7:45 p.m.; the motion was seconded by Ms. Delrossi. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Mayor Rourke). APPROVED Respectfully submitted, Liam Skinner, Superintendent and Secretary to the Lowell School Committee LS/mes L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us