School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE , 2025 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Date: May 14, 2025 Time: 5:00 PM 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 5:21 p.m., members present were, namely: Mr. Bahou, Mr. Conway Ms. Delrossi, Ms. Doherty, Ms. Martin and Mayor Rourke. Mr. Lay arrived at 5:30 p.m. 3. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS 3.1. Public Budget Hearing Revised Ms. Ortiz, Mr. Sheehan, Ms. Barboza and Mr. Georges all spoke regarding their concerns about the funding and the possible shortfall in the upcoming budget. Ms. Martin moved to vote for the Action of Necessity, because the School Committee will be voting for their own-bottom line figure; the motion was seconded Mr. Lay. The motion passed with 7 yeas. Ms. Doherty asked when the Maintenance of Effort agreement was originally negotiated. Superintendent Skinner responded that it was established in 2007. Ms. Doherty then inquired about the district's financial contributions to facilities. Mayor Rourke noted that 247 positions have been added over the past five years, averaging approximately 50 new positions per year. Ms. Doherty also questioned whether any city department is facing a 25% budget cut. 155 Merrimack http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 4) Page 11 1110: School Committee Total amount for approval $287,000 Mayor Rourke asked about the $150,000 allocated for bills from the prior year in the budget. Superintendent Skinner explained that the district had funds available to pay overdue bills due to positions that went unfilled. However, by setting aside $150,000, the district is now taking a more proactive approach. Mayor Rourke moved to approve the transfer of $150,000 to the Suspense Account; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 7 yeas. Mr. Conway moved to approve the bottom-line figure of $137,000; the motion was seconded by Mr. Conway. The motion passed with 7 yeas. Page 12 1200: Superintendent $1,283,543 Mr. Conway moved to approve the bottom-line figure of $1,283,543; the motion was seconded by Ms. Delrossi. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 nay (Mr. Lay). Page 13 & 14 1400: Finance and Administrative Services $7,043,085 Mr. Conway inquired about who will assume responsibility for scheduling duties following the elimination of the LHS Scheduler position. He also asked for clarification regarding the creation of the new HR Manager role. Superintendent Skinner stated that he does not have that specific information regarding the LHS Scheduler position at this time. He noted that while the position of HR Director was included in last change will improve the chances of successfully being hired for the position. Mr. Conway moved to transfer $150,000 (HR Manager) to the Suspense Account; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 7 yeas. Mr. Bahou moved to transfer $1,000,000 (Computer Hardware) to the Suspense Account; the motion was seconded by Ms. Doherty. The motion passed with 7 yeas. Ms. Martin moved to transfer $84,055 (District Webmaster) to the Suspense Account; the motion was seconded by Mr. Lay. The motion passed with 7 yeas. Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve the bottom-line figure of $4,953,685; the motion was seconded by Ms. Delrossi. 7 yeas APPROVED L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 4) Page 15 21xx: Instructional Leadership $3,794,008 Mr. Conway moved to transfer $138,831 (Early Childhood Coordinator) to the Suspense Account; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 7 yeas. Ms. Doherty moved to approve the bottom-line figure of $3,655,177; the motion was seconded by Ms. Delrossi. The motion passed with 7 yeas. Page 16 21xx: Principals/School Leadership $12,254,433 Mr. Lay moved to approve the bottom-line figure of $12,254,433; the motion was seconded by Mr. Conway. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Martin). Page 17 & 18 2305: Personnel Classroom Teachers $114,255,257 Mr. Lay moved to have the Native Language Teacher position be held in Abeyance; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 7 yeas. Mr. Lay moved to approve the bottom-line figure of $114,255,257; seconded by Ms. Delrossi. The motion passed with 7 yeas. Page 19 2305: Medical/Therapeutic Services $36,579,611 Ms. Martin moved to have 16 Paraprofessionals be held in Abeyance; the motion was seconded by Mr. Conway. The motion passed with 7 yeas. Mr. Bahou moved to have the Twilight Program be held in Abeyance; the motion was seconded by Mr. Conway. The motion passed with 7 yeas. Mr. Bahou moved to have the Tutors be held in Abeyance; the motion was seconded by Ms. Doherty. The motion passed with 7 yeas. Ms. Delrossi moved to approve the bottom-line figure of $36,579,611; seconded by Mr. Conway. The motion passed with 7 yeas Ms. Delrossi moved to recess at 8:15 p.m. and to resume the budget deliberations and public hearing on Wednesday, May 21, 2025; the motion was seconded by Mr. Conway. The motion passed with 7 yeas. L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 4 of 4) 4. PERMISSION TO ENTER 4.1. Permission to Enter - Out of District SPED busing and the lease for the Dr. Janice Adie Day School. Ms. Martin moved to approve the Permission to Enter; the motion was seconded by Ms. Delrossi. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Mr. Lay). 5. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Delrossi moved to recess at 8:15 p.m.; the motion was seconded by Mr. Conwa7. The motion passed with 7 yeas. Respectfully submitted, Liam Skinner, Superintendent and Secretary to the Lowell School Committee LS/mes L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us