School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Date: April 16, 2025 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 skeo@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 6:34 p.m., members present were, namely: Mr. Lay, Ms. Martin, Mayor Rourke, Mr. Conway and Ms. Doherty. Mr. Bahou and Ms. Delrossi were absent. Surika S. Prak, LHS Student Advisory Council was also present. 3. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS 3.1. Spotlight On Excellence Knowledge Bowl Champions 2025: Daley Middle School The First Spotlight on Excellence featured the 2025 Knowledge Bowl Champions. The Daley Middle was the Pyne Arts Middle School and third place went to the Wang Middle School. The coaches for this Miranda and Alejandro Bonilla. Members of the championship team are: Annabel Brown, Logan Bui, Ameya Hande, Veesoth Hor, Munidar Kuy, Ten Kuy, Kwasi Opoku, Nathan Ong, Andrew Protopopescu, and Owen White. The team alternates were: Owen Brown, Jackson Durkin, Ijenna Ifezue, and Elliott Kolakowski. The Committee congratulated all participants for a job well done. 4. MINUTES 4.1. The Approval of the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled Lowell School Committee Meeting of April 2, 2025 Mr. Conway moved to accept and place on file the minutes of the Regularly Scheduled School Committee meeting that was held on April 2, 2025; the motion was seconded by Ms. Doherty. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 2 absent (Mr. Bahou, Ms. Delrossi). 155 Merrimack http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 9) 5. PERMISSION TO ENTER 5.1. Permission to Enter - April 16, 2025 Ms. Doherty moved to approve the Permission to Enter; the motion was seconded by Mr. Lay. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 2 absent (Mr. Bahou, Ms. Delrossi). 6. MEMORIALS 6.1. Gerald Goyette Senior, father of Gerold Goyette, computer repair technician at Lowell High School. 7. MOTIONS 7.1. [By Connie Martin]: Request that the Lowell School Committee approve a $3,000 donation to match a gift from the Greater Lowell Community Foundation to support 8th grade graduation activities for McKinney-Vento students across the district. Ms. Martin moved to approve; the motion was seconded by Ms. Doherty. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 2 absent (Mr. Bahou, Ms. Delrossi). 7.2. [By Dominik Lay and Fred Bahou]: To have proper department look at menu options in addition to the standard pizza offering. Ms. Miranda, Ms. Infesue, Ms. Bailey, and Ms. Uong addressed the Committee to discuss a variety of food options and to express their concerns about school lunches, including the environmental impact of the containers used. Mr. Lay moved to approve; the motion was seconded by Ms. Doherty. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 2 absent (Mr. Bahou, Ms. Delrossi). 7.3. [By Dominik Lay and Fred Bahou]: To have proper department report on packaging for school lunches. Mr. Lay moved to approve; the motion was seconded by Ms. Doherty. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 2 absent (Mr. Bahou, Ms. Delrossi). 7.4. [By Dominik Lay and Fred Bahou]: Ask the Superintendent to invite Food Service Director for a discussion on lunch portions for all middle schools because students need for growth mentally and physically are different since the eighth grade students may be physically bigger than the fifth-grade students. Mr. Conway requested information on what other school districts are serving for food. Mr. Lay moved to approve; the motion was seconded by Ms. Doherty. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 2 absent (Mr. Bahou, Ms. Delrossi). L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 9) 7.5. [By Dominik Lay and Fred Bahou]: Ask the Superintendent to explore the ways and possibly of extending lunch time period for all middle schools. Mr. Lay moved to approve; the motion was seconded by Ms. Doherty. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 2 absent (Mr. Bahou, Ms. Delrossi). 8. SUBCOMMITTEES 8.1. The Approval of the Minutes of the Joint School and City Facilities Subcommittee Meeting of April 1, 2025 Ms. Doherty, Chairperson of the Facilities Subcommittee informed the members that the city and school facility subcommittees met on April 1, 2024. She stated that in 2024, Lowell invested nearly $29.4 million into our school facilities for projects that have already been completed or are currently in progress. She stated that it is the belief that once Lowell High School is fully operational, almost half of the students in the district will have access to functional cooling options. She stated that the city is committed to seeking additional funding opportunities to further develop solutions. She stated that one -phase grant that awarded $15.3 million, which includes a $300,000 prize to enter into negotiations with the Department of Energy (DOE) funds that have already been deposited. The grant will be disbursed over the next five years. In January 2025, the city successfully completed negotiations with the DOE and accepted the award, prior to the current administration being sworn into office. This agreement obligated the grant funds, though funding is still being litigated. In terms of implementation, ASHAE Level 2 energy audits for 23 schools are scheduled to begin within the next month, funded through the prize money, with an additional $230,000 leveraged in utility incentives. The city aims to complete these audits before the start of the next school year, which will allow litigation to continue, potentially giving us a clearer understanding of the funding status. The city remains optimistic, thanks to strong internal and external partnerships, and the city is also reviewing a new grant recently released by the Commonwealth. Last year, utility partner made $879,000 and the city knows the partnerships will only grow and get stronger. The first budget period of the grant runs through January 2027, and key steps in the process include conducting energy audits, creating a strategic plan, and designing measures for each school, all while complying with federal regulations such as historic preservation and environmental policies. The second budget period of the grant will focus on construction and implementation, making it a three-year process. She stated that the city and the schools have a great partnership. She also provided an update to the Committee on the high school athletic center. She stated that progress is being made on the checklist and that every issue as it arises is addressed. She concluded by saying that another joint facilities subcommittee meeting will be held on June 17, 2025. Ms. Martin moved to accept the following report as a report of progress; the motion was seconded by Ms. Doherty. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 2 absent (Mr. Bahou, Ms. Delrossi). L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 4 of 9) 9. REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT 9.1. State Response to Federal Request for Certification Superintendent Skinner informed the Committee that the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education acknowledged that the department does and will comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, its implementing regulation, and Supreme Court cases interpreting the same, and that such compliance is a material condition for the continued receipt of federal financial assistance. The Department submits regular applications certifying compliance with all required assurances for federal programs, all of which have been approved by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE). Those certifications remain in effect, as do many assurances regarding Title VI previously provided and communicated to and on file with USDOE. The Department has been faithfully implementing education programs in accordance with all federal law, including anti-discrimination law, and will continue to do so. The department is confident that our programs and the principles underlying our programs are fully compliant with Title VI. Ms. Doherty moved to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 9.1 through 9.8 as reports of progress; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 2 absent (Mr. Bahou, Ms. Delrossi). 9.2. Strategic Goal Update: Student Support Services Ms. Brown-Le Grand, Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services, provided the Committee with an update regarding the re-establishment of the Office of Student Support Services, which was approved by the Lowell School Committee in Spring 2024. Since its re-creation, the office has made substantial progress in setting strategic goals and establishing clear pathways to serve as a valuable resource for both the district and the broader community. According to the memo, the office is being developed as a cohesive and unified model with a clear, compelling mission and vision. This framework outlines how the office will coordinate district-wide student services to effectively meet the diverse needs of all students. The memo highlighted the following key achievements: Mission & Vision Development Enhanced Collaboration & Communication Leadership & Professional Development Strengthened School & Community Partnerships The Office of Student Support Services is steadily advancing toward its strategic vision by fostering collaboration, building staff capacity, and strengthening connections across departments and with community partners. The departments within Student Support Services are staffed by exceptional educators, whose dedication has been vital to our achievements and progress. Ms. Doherty moved to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 9.1 through 9.8 as reports of progress; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 2 absent (Mr. Bahou, Ms. Delrossi). L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 5 of 9) 9.3. Response to Motion (By Jackie Doherty, 03/05/25) Regarding Teachers Licensure Dr. Hall, the Assistant Superintendent for HR & Operations, informed the Committee that in January 2025, Human Resources reviewed the number of personnel in schools who may need additional support to remain employed for the 2025/2026 school year. We identified 43 personnel who were working on an emergency license in January. The HR department and principals have exchanged updates over the last few months regarding teachers who need licensure support in order to he employed next year. Additionally, the HR department has written directly to staff members who need to update their licenses or acquire additional licenses. Some employees were able to immediately take action to update their licenses. At the time of this response, 40 teachers working on an emergency license still need to take additional action to be eligible to be employed next school year. Of these 40 teachers still working on an emergency license, all but 4 appear to be on track to receive a license by the end of this school year. Ms. Doherty requested follow-up information on how long each employee with a temporary license has held their waiver, as well as the classes they are currently teaching. Ms. Doherty moved to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 9.1 through 9.8 as reports of progress; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 2 absent (Mr. Bahou, Ms. Delrossi). 9.4. Response to Motion (By Eileen DelRossi, 04/02/25) Regarding STEM Academy Parking Mr. Underwood, Director of Facilities, provided an update to the Committee regarding ongoing monitoring of the parking situation at the STEM Academy. The issue has become increasingly concerning following the addition of eight modular classrooms. The second-largest school in terms of enrollment and staff size. It also houses the second largest cafeteria, which not only serves the school itself but also prepare meals for several satellite schools. Additionally, the building hosts numerous educational programs. Originally, the school was designed with three dedicated parking areas: one on South Street, one in the courtyard, and a reserved section in front of the building on Highland Street. Since then, two of these areas have been repurposed one for the modular classrooms and the courtyard for recess space. To compensate for the loss of recreational areas, a fenced play area was created at the corner of Highland and South Streets after the modular units became operational. The previous year, a large playground structure had also been added in a grassy area adjacent to the courtyard. Looking ahead, a plan is underway to create 20 or more additional parking spaces by fencing in the grassy area (where the playground is currently located) and converting the paved section for parking. This will allow separation between the play and parking areas. A potential additional solution involves requesting that the City of Lowell allow on-street parking on Highland Street, near the former site of a portable classroom at the corner of Thorndike Street. Ms. Doherty moved to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 9.1 through 9.8 as reports of progress; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 2 absent (Mr. Bahou, Ms. Delrossi). L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 6 of 9) 9.5. Response to Motion (By David Conway, 04/02/2025) Regarding Lowell High School and Lowell Sun Partnership Ms. Crocker-Roberge, the Assistant Superintendent for School & Leadership informed the Committee that Lowell High School offers numerous opportunities for students to write about their school and have their work published. It is a sign of our times, however, that our partnership with the Lowell Sun is not as robust as it could be. This is primarily due to limited response and bandwidth at the newspaper, however, recent outreach has opened up and a renewed interest and a commitment to publishing submissions. At the same time, however, there are a plethora of media resources (print, podcast, and digital) which our student authors avail of. In keeping with tradition, independent reporters for The Lowell Sun have continued to cover sporting event results, intermittent articles about School Committee business, and occasional articles about the Lowell High School construction project. In the absence of a dedicated newsroom, submissions to the paper are typically included on the Education page in the Sunday edition. Community Outreach Strategist Jennifer Myers has provided writing support and content editing for submissions to the Lowell Sun since the original motion was made, for example, a recent March 2nd article on an LHS student who received a national JROTC scholarship. Due to limited response/bandwidth at the newspaper, Ms. Myers and the Lowell High School Student Activities Club have focused their efforts on building out their social media presence on various platforms, where reader/viewer engagement reports are very strong, as well as on local news blogs such as Inside Lowell, Additionally, Ms. Myers has featured some of their stories in the LPS Connector newsletter and on the LPS social media pages. Mr. Conway stated that he was disappointed with the report and would like the motion to remain open and to receive an update in a few weeks. Ms. Doherty moved to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 9.1 through 9.8 as reports of progress; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 2 absent (Mr. Bahou, Ms. Delrossi). 9.6. Response to Motion (By Eileen DelRossi, 3/05/25) Regarding LHS Classroom and Program Planning Ms. Crocker-Roberge, the Assistant Superintendent for School & Leadership informed the Committee that construction work for the renovation of the 1922 building has been delayed due to issues with the foundation that must be mitigated as part of the project. The Lowell High School administrative team has worked extensively with the Project Team (Suffolk, Perkins Eastman, & Skanska) to develop the best possible path forward with the least interruption to learning for the duration of the Project. Many details about specific next steps are not yet available as the School Building Committee and City Council must work through the various scenarios for managing the delay and financing the additional costs incurred by the setback. The report included tentative new dates for the project timeline but should be considered preliminary as it is likely to be refined/revised in the weeks to come. The most significant update is that the Phase 3 1922 Building area (currently under construction) will not be turned over for occupancy until December 2025. The Phase 3/1980 Building area (currently under construction) will be turned over for occupancy this August 2025 as planned. With the Phase 3 1922 Building not being turned over until December 2025, Phase + (remaining 1922. building) will not start construction until L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 7 of 9) January 2026, which pushes the completion of these areas to the Spring of 2027. The final move occupying the finished new school will take place Summer of 2027, as the final move is too extensive and impactful to school operations to take place over a mid-year school break Ms. Doherty moved to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 9.1 through 9.8 as reports of progress; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 2 absent (Mr. Bahou, Ms. Delrossi). 9.7. Response to Motion (By David Conway, 04/02/2025) Regarding FTE's Position that are funded with federal monies. Dr. Pinto, Assistant Superintendent for Finance, provided an update to the Committee providing a detailed breakdown of employees funded through federal grants, categorized by job class, location, FTE percentage, and specific federal funding sources. The document provided offers insight into the distribution of federally funded positions across the district, highlighting the extent to which grant funding supports staffing. By reviewing this information, we can assess the district's reliance on federal funds and consider potential budget implications as we plan for future funding sustainability. There are 188 total FTES funded by the various federal grants, to include tutors, nurses, paraprofessionals, parent and bilingual family liaisons. The salary allocation totals $10.125M. Ms. Doherty moved to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 9.1 through 9.8 as reports of progress; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 2 absent (Mr. Bahou, Ms. Delrossi). 9.8. Status of Lowell High School Construction Update A report on the status of the Lowell High School construction project was presented to the Committee, as previously shared during the School Building Committee meeting. Ms. Doherty moved to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 9.1 through 9.8 as reports of progress; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 2 absent (Mr. Bahou, Ms. Delrossi). 9.9. Key Performance Indicators Q3 Report Ms. Crocker-Roberge, the Assistant Superintendent for Schools & Leadership, provided the Key Performance Indicators Q3 report to the Committee. The report included the Quarter 3 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 L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 8 of 9) 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. Ms. Doherty moved to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 9.1 through 9.8 as reports of progress; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 2 absent (Mr. Bahou, Ms. Delrossi). 9.10. Home Education Superintendent Skinner recommended that the following parents/guardians be allowed to home educate their child: Desiree Perez Katie Bergeron Erivanda De Sa Mr. Lay moved to approve home education; the motion was seconded by Mr. Conway. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 2 absent (Mr. Bahou, Ms. Delrossi). 10. NEW BUSINESS 10.1. 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 One8Foundation. Ms. Doherty moved to approve, accept and expend the allocated FY25 awards; the motion was seconded by Mr. Lay. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 2 absent (Mr. Bahou, Ms. Delrossi). 10.2. Budget Modification Request Ms. Doherty moved to approve the budget modification in the amount of $11,430; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 2 absent (Mr. Bahou, Ms. Delrossi). 10.3. Mind Research Institute Research Proposal The Mind Research Institute is proposing to conduct a research on the correlation between ST Math usage and students' assessment score growth. The i-Ready assessment results from approximately 5,000 students from grades K to 5, and the MCAS results from grades 3 to 5 from the past two years will be shared and joined with the company's internal data on student usage and time spent on the math software. Mind Research Institute is looking to quantify how much the program improves student performance as a function of use. This kind of evidence has previously been requested by some school leaders and will also be useful for the district to justify a continued investment in ST Math. Ms. Conway moved to approve the Mind Research Institute Research Proposal; the motion was seconded by Mr. Lay. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 2 absent (Mr. Bahou, Ms. Delrossi). L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 9 of 9) 11. CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS 11.1. In State Travel Request - Massachusetts Association of School Business Ms. Doherty moved to approve the convention/conference request; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 2 absent (Mr. Bahou, Ms. Delrossi). 12. PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL 12.1. The Members of the United Teachers of Lowell Hereby Donate one [1] Sick Leave Days to Tina Lawrence, Bartlett Community Partnership Paraprofessional, and ten [10] Sick Leave Days to Raigen O'Donohue, Sullivan Middle School Teacher. Mr. Conway moved to approve the professional personnel; the motion was seconded by Mr. Lay. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 2 absent (Mr. Bahou, Ms. Delrossi). 13. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Conway moved to adjourn at 8:01 p.m.; the motion was seconded by Ms. Doherty. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 2 absent (Mr. Bahou, Ms. Delrossi). Respectfully submitted, Liam Skinner, Superintendent and Secretary to the Lowell School Committee LS/mes L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us