School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Date: March 19, 2025 Time: 6:30PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA 01852 1. SALUTE TO FLAG 2. ROLL CALL On a roll call at 6:37 p.m., members present were, namely: Mr. Conway, Ms. Delrossi, Mr. Lay, Ms. Martin, Mayor Rourke and Mr. Bahou. Ms. Doherty was absent. Surika S. Prak, LHS Student Advisory Council was also present. 3. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS 3.1. Spotlight On Excellence: Robinson Middle School Eagles Boys Basketball team The first spotlight on excellence featured the Robinson Middle School Eagles Boys Basketball team. The Robinson Middle School Eagles Boys' Basketball team capped off an undefeated season with a win in the championship game. According to Principal Bridget Dowling, not only are these young men great athletes, but also excellent students and role models for their peers. The team is coached and mentored by Andres Lopez and Levi Dennis. The coaches and a few members of the team addressed the Committee and spoke about the value of teamwork and how much it meant to them. 3.2. Spotlight On Excellence: Sullivan Middle School Girls Basketball team The second spotlight on excellence featured the Sullivan Middle School Girls Basketball team. The Sullivan Middle School Girls' Basketball team took home the championship trophy for the second year in a row. The team is coached and mentored by Andrew Stewart and Arianna Mele. The coaches and a few members of the team addressed the Committee and spoke about the value of teamwork and how much it meant to them. 4. MINUTES 4.1. The Approval of the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled Lowell School Committee Meeting of March 5, 2025 Mr. Conway moved to accept and place on file the minutes of the Regularly Scheduled School Committee meeting that was held on March 5, 2025; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Doherty). 155 Merrimack http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 6) 5. PERMISSION TO ENTER 5.1. Permission to Enter - 03.19.2025 Mr. Lay moved to approve the Permission to Enter; the motion was seconded by Mr. Bahou. The motion passed with 4 yeas, 3 absent (Ms. Delrossi, Ms. Doherty, Ms. Martin). 5.2. Ratification of Collective Bargaining Agreement with SEIU Administrative Assistants SY 24 25 Mr. Conway moved to approve the collective bargaining agreement with SEIU administrative assistants 24 - 25; the motion was seconded by Mr. Bahou. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 2 absent (Ms. Delrossi, Ms. Doherty). 6. MEMORIALS 6.1. Elizabeth Cassella, mother of Elizabeth "Betty Anne" Phillips, Paraprofessional at the Washington School, grandmother of Caitlyn Buxton, Administrative Assistant at Lowell High School. 7. SUBCOMMITTEES 7.1. The Approval of the Minutes of the Policy and Governance Subcommittee Meeting of February 5, 2025 Deferred to the next meeting. 8. REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT 8.1. Response To Motion (By Fred Bahou, 01/15/25) Regarding staff identification cards to be used as fob access. Dr. Pinto, Assistant Superintendent for Finance, provided a report to the Committee that informed them that using a single staff identification card or fob for both identification and building access would present a significant security risk and operational challenges for the district. The recommendation is to maintain the current system for identification and access, with a separate ID card and a radio frequency identification card (RFID). Mr. Bahou moved to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 8.1 through 8.3 as reports of progress; the motion was seconded by Mr. Conway. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Doherty). 8.2. Response To Motion (By Eileen DelRossi, 2/05/25) Regarding Educational Guidance in response to changes in Federal Immigration policy. Ms. Phillips, Chief Equity & Engagement Officer, provided a report to the Committee that informed them that in January 2025, Superintendent Skinner sent a district-wide communication to Lowell Public L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 6) families informing them of the district's commitment to providing all children with a free public education regardless of their race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, or the status of their parents/guardians. This message was shared via SMORE and also sent to families based on their preferred language of communication by way of connected calls and emails in eight different languages (Spanish, Portuguese. Khmer. French, Haitian Creole, Arabic, Pashto and Duri). Additionally, Lowell High School has taken proactive steps to communicate support for students and families, reinforcing commitment to schools remaining a safe space for all students. Social workers have connected families with Northeast Legal Aid and distributed "Know Your. Rights" resources to help navigate any immigration-related concerns. Additionally, the school's student support family liaison team has responded to numerous calls from parents expressing concern about ICE and has informed them of the school district's protocols should ICE officials arrive on campus. The Lowell High School team is also promoting access to Cartwheel Telehealth, which provides students and families with mental health support via teletherapy. Cartwheel supports students with a variety of challenges they may be facing like anxiety, depression, stress and social issues. Mr. Bahou moved to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 8.1 through 8.3 as reports of progress; the motion was seconded by Mr. Conway. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Doherty). 8.3. Budget Update Federal Department of Education Reductions, Impact to Lowell Public Schools Dr. Pinto, Assistant Superintendent for Finance, provided a report to the Committee that informed them that the Lowell Public School District (LPS) anticipates significant impacts on its federal funding due to recent policy changes and budgetary decisions at the federal level. In the fiscal year 2025 budget, the City of Lowell proposed a total appropriation of $257,137,509 to support LPS. This figure does not account for approximately the $59.4 million in additional costs funded by the city budget, nor the extensive capital investments planned for the schools. However, recent federal actions have introduced uncertainties to this financial landscape. Notably, the Trump administration's decision to cancel over $12 million in federal funding designated for providing local, healthy food to childcare programs and schools in Massachusetts has raised concerns. This $12.2 million award, known as Northeast Food for Schools (NFS) in Massachusetts, was to be used to provide local healthy food to childcare programs and schools, and to create new procurement relationships with local farmers and small businesses. Food costs have been shown to be one of the primary causes of high childcare costs. LPS received $25,000 from this grant award in FY25, and because of the reduction, will miss out on this award for FY26. Additionally, proposed congressional budget cuts threaten to tighten eligibility requirements for federally subsidized free school meals. Such changes could result in more than 12 million children nationwide losing access to free meals, which would significantly affect districts like Lowell that rely on these programs to support their student populations. Furthermore, the recent layoffs at the U.S. Department of Education, as part of a broader initiative to dismantle the department, have raised concerns about potential delays in federal funding distribution and support services. In summary, while LPS's FY2025 budget outlines substantial local support, recent federal developments pose challenges that could affect the district's financial planning and the delivery of essential services to students. LPS Finance personnel are closely monitoring these situations through news sources and professional etwork, the MA Association of School Superintendents, The Massachusetts Association of School Business Officials) to analyze the L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 4 of 6) impacts, advocate for students and continued funding, adapt and ensure the continued provision of quality education and related services. Mr. Bahou moved to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 8.1 through 8.3 as reports of progress; the motion was seconded by Mr. Conway. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Doherty). 8.4. Home Education Superintendent Skinner recommended that the following parents/guardians be allowed to home educate their child: Mary I Russell Angelica Ren Ms. Martin moved to approve home education; the motion was seconded by Mr. Conway. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Doherty). 9. NEW BUSINESS 9.1. 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 and Mass Cultural Council. Mr. Lay moved to approve, accept and expend the allocated FY25 awards; the motion was seconded by Ms. Delrossi. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Doherty). 9.2. Budget Modification Request Mr. Bahou moved to approve the budget modification in the amount of $37,487.63; the motion was seconded by Ms. Delrossi. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Doherty). 9.3. Vote of Inter-District School Choice Deferred to the next meeting. 9.4. 1st Reading of Policies - Section A and Unaffiliated Staff Draft Mr. Lay made a motion to waive the first reading of Section A and the Unaffiliated Staff and to send it to the next School Committee meeting for approval; the motion was seconded by Mr. Conway. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Doherty). 9.5. Second Reading of Preschool Assignment Policy Ms. Delrossi made a motion to approve the Preschool Assignment Policy; the motion was seconded by Mr. Lay. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Doherty). L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 5 of 6) 10. CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS 10.1. Overnight Request - AFJROTC National Drill Team Competition Fort Devens, MA Mr. Conway moved to bundle and approve the convention/conference requests; the motion was seconded by Mr. Lay. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Doherty). 10.2. Out of State Request - LHS to Glenn D. Loucks Games White Plains, NY Mr. Conway moved to bundle and approve the convention/conference requests; the motion was seconded by Mr. Lay. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Doherty). 10.3. Out of State Request - LHS to New Balance Outdoor Nationals Philadelphia, PA Mr. Conway moved to bundle and approve the convention/conference requests; the motion was seconded by Mr. Lay. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Doherty). 10.4. Out of State Overnight Conference Request - National Leadership in Chicago, IL Mr. Conway moved to bundle and approve the convention/conference requests; the motion was seconded by Mr. Lay. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Doherty). 10.5. Overnight Request: Conference in Falmouth, MA Mr. Conway moved to bundle and approve the convention/conference requests; the motion was seconded by Mr. Lay. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Doherty). 10.6. Out of State Overnight Request - AAAL 2025 Denver, Colorado Mr. Conway moved to bundle and approve the convention/conference requests; the motion was seconded by Mr. Lay. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Doherty). 11. COMMUNICATIONS 11.1. Notification of Nurses rate Compensation SY 24 25 The following adjustments were approved by the School Committee in Executive Session: Effective January 13, 2025, increase annual compensation for LPNs by $5,000 per year. Effective January 13, 2025, increase annual compensation for RNs by $10,000 per year. Authorize a stipend of $8,000 per year for a Nurse supervisor to be paid on a pro rata basis at a rate of $8,000 per year. Authorize the posting and hiring of 1 additional Special Education nurse. Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the communication and to place it on file; the motion was seconded by Ms. Delrossi. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Doherty). L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 6 of 6) 12. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Bahou moved to adjourn at 7:08 p.m.; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Doherty). Respectfully submitted, Liam Skinner, Superintendent and Secretary to the Lowell School Committee LS/mes L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us