School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE , 2025 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Date: June 11, 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 6:37 p.m., members present were, namely: Ms. Doherty, Mr. Lay, Ms. Martin, Mayor Rourke, Mr. Bahou, Mr. Conway and Ms. Delrossi. 3. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS 3.1. Spotlight On Excellence: Catie's Closet The first Spotlight on Excellence featured Catie's Closet. schools where 50% or more of the student population comes from families living in poverty and for schools that do not meet the poverty level threshold, they provide special orders to meet the needs of their stud worth of clothing and other necessities for children who are transitioning between stable living conditions, including children who are homeless, moving into foster care, newcomers, fire victims, and survivors of abusive situations. 3.2. Spotlight On Excellence: Recognition of the 2024-2025 Retirees The second Spotlight on Excellence honored the Lowell Public Schools' 2024 2025 retirees. Earlier in the retirees, thanked them for their dedication to the students, and wished them all the best in their future endeavors. 4. MINUTES 4.1. Approval of the Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Lowell School Committee of May 24, 2025 Ms. Doherty moved to accept and place on file the minutes of the Special, Budget Hearing and Regularly Scheduled School Committee meetings that were held on May 14, 2025, May 21, 2025, and May 24, 2025; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 7 yeas. 155 Merrimack http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 7) 4.2. The Approval of the Minutes of the Budget Hearing Meeting Minutes May 14, 2025 Ms. Doherty moved to accept and place on file the minutes of the Special, Budget Hearing and Regularly Scheduled School Committee meetings that were held on May 14, 2025, May 21, 2025, and May 24, 2025; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 7 yeas. 4.3. The Approval of the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled Lowell School Committee and Budget Hearing Meeting of May 21, 2025 Ms. Doherty moved to accept and place on file the minutes of the Special, Budget Hearing and Regularly Scheduled School Committee meetings that were held on May 14, 2025, May 21, 2025, and May 24, 2025; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 7 yeas. 5. PERMISSION TO ENTER 5.1. Permission to Enter - June 11, 2025 Mr. Conway moved to approve the Permission to Enter; the motion was seconded by Mr. Bahou. The motion passed with 7 yeas. 6. MEMORIALS 6.1. Mark McKellar, Teacher at Bartlett Community Partnership School (PreK-8) 7. MOTIONS 7.1. [By Eileen DelRossi]: Motion to request that the Superintendent collaborate with the Department of Public Health to provide a report detailing the number of students and staff at each school who are experiencing respiratory conditions, including but not limited to asthma. Ms. Martin requested that the Superintendent consult with the Health Department for guidance on the most effective approach. Ms. Delrossi moved to approve; the motion was seconded by Ms. Doherty. The motion passed with 7 yeas. 7.2. [By Eileen DelRossi]: Motion to request that the Superintendent provide a report on the operational status and maintenance needs of copy machines in each school building. Ms. Delrossi moved to approve; the motion was seconded by Mr. Bahou. The motion passed with 7 yeas. L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 7) 7.3. [By Fred Bahou]: To have the School Committee conduct a Superintendent Evaluation based on state guidelines. Mr. Bahou moved to approve; the motion was seconded by Mr. Conway. The motion passed with 7 yeas. Ms. Martin moved to send item # 7.3. [By Fred Bahou]: To have the School Committee conduct a Superintendent Evaluation based on state guidelines to a Personnel Subcommittee for further discussion; the motion was seconded by Mr. Bahou. The motion passed with 7 yeas. 7.4. [By Dominik Lay]: Request a report on staffing levels for Science teaching positions at Lowell High School for the next two years versus the last two school years. Also, are we cutting a Physics position? If so, is another Science teacher being added? What was the reason for this decision? Mr. Lay moved to approve; the motion was seconded by Mr. Bahou. The motion passed with 7 yeas. 8. REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT 8.1. Strategic Plans 2025-2030 - Final Version Superintendent Skinner presented the LPS 2030 Strategic Plan to the Committee. This five-year plan outlines a clear and intentional vision for the future of the district. It sets focused goals and establishes a roadmap to guide decision-making, ensuring that the evolving needs of students, families, and communities are met. Serving as a tool for alignment, the plan helps concentrate resources, efforts, and energy on delivering an outstanding education for every child, every day. Ms. Doherty moved to approve the 2025-2030 Strategic Plan Final Version; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 7 yeas. Mr. Bahou moved to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 8.1 through 8.5 as reports of progress; the motion was seconded by Mr. Conway. The motion passed with 7 yeas. 8.2. Response to Motion (By David Conway, 4/02/2025) Regarding LHS and Lowell Sun Partnership Ms. Crocker-Roberge, the Assistant Superintendent for Schools & Leadership, informed the Committee that the partnership between Lowell High School and the Lowell Sun has continued to grow throughout the springtime as activities at the school and interest from the newspaper have increased. Since the last report on April 9, 2025, the many events that have transpired from LHS have appeared in the Lowell Sun. Additionally, the Sun has continued to publish our spring athletics season highlights, including feature stories about our LHS volleyball team on May 29, 2025, and about our LHS boys track title on May 24, 2025. Mr. Bahou moved to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 8.1 through 8.5 as reports of progress; the motion was seconded by Mr. Conway. The motion passed with 7 yeas. L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 4 of 7) 8.3. Response To Motion (By Eileen DelRossi, 05/07/25) Regarding Mental Health Focused Advisory Council Ms. Brown-Le Grand, the Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services, provided a report to the Committee that informed them that the Mental Health Department looks forward to partnering with Lowell High School leadership and social workers to establish a Youth Advisory Council focused on mental health. This initiative, set to launch in the 2025-2026 school year, will provide students with a meaningful platform to share their perspectives, advocate for their needs, and contribute to shaping supportive school-based mental health strategies. The department will begin to meet with the LHS Community School Manager, social workers and the administration prior to summer break. The focus will be to outline the structure of the group and possibly identify students who may be interested in participating. The group's first meeting will be targeted for October 2025. By establishing this collaborative forum, students will not only have a structured space to express their voices but will also play an active role in advocating for their needs and shaping the solutions developed at the district level. Through regular dialogue and engagement with staff and district leaders, members of the Youth Advisory Council will be empowered to identify pressing student concerns, recommend improvements, and contribute to the development of supportive practices and resources. be included in efforts related to drug awareness. Mr. Bahou moved to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 8.1 through 8.5 as reports of progress; the motion was seconded by Mr. Conway. The motion passed with 7 yeas. 8.4. Cafeteria Highlights of May 2025 Mr. Bahou moved to send item 8.4. Cafeteria Highlights of May 2025 to a School Improvement & Performance Management Subcommittee for further discussion; the motion was seconded by Ms. Doherty. The motion passed with 7 yeas. Mr. Bahou moved to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 8.1 through 8.5 as reports of progress; the motion was seconded by Mr. Conway. The motion passed with 7 yeas. 8.5. Personnel Report The Personnel Report officially informs the Committee of all retirements, resignations, promotions and new hires. Mr. Bahou moved to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 8.1 through 8.5 as reports of progress; the motion was seconded by Mr. Conway. The motion passed with 7 yeas. L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 5 of 7) 9. NEW BUSINESS 9.1. Budget Reconsideration Due to New Funding, as well as updates based on School Committee questions Dr. Pinto, Assistant Superintendent for Finance, presented a report to the Committee outlining the administration recommended implementing the $2 million tier included in the report and requested approval of the revised budget total of $273,489,114. Mayor Rourke moved to restore Tier 1 & 2 in the amount of $2 million in the FY26 Budget; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 2 nays (Mr. Bahou, Ms. Delrossi). Ms. Doherty moved to transfer the funds from the Suspense Account to the Budget; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 4 yeas, 3 nays (Mr. Bahou, Mr. Conway, Ms. Delrossi). 9.2. Vote to Accept a Donation of $20,000.00 from the Billi Marcus Foundation for Daley School The Billie Marcus Foundation donated twenty thousand dollars ($20,000.00) to support the Daley Middle School. Mr. Bahou moved to accept the donation of $20,000 from the Billi Marcus Foundation; the motion was seconded by Mr. Conway. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Delrossi). 9.3.Approval to Accept and Expend Allocated FY25 Award Letter The grant funds have been provided by the Bravely grant allocation for the Next Generation Learning Challenge and Tides Center to support examining the current Lowell High School grading policies for inequities. Mr. Lay moved to approve, accept and expend the allocated FY25 award letter; the motion was seconded by Ms. Doherty. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Delrossi). 9.4. Approval to Accept and Expend Allocated FY25 Awards The grants funds have been secured by the Lowell Public Schools from Project Bread. Ms. Martin moved to approve, accept and expend the allocated FY25 awards; the motion was seconded by Mr. Bahou. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Delrossi). L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 6 of 7) 9.5. Approval of New Job Descriptions and Permission to Post Ms. Doherty moved to approve and post and new job descriptions; the motion was seconded by Mr. Conway. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Delrossi). 9.6. Request Approval to Transfer Funds Ms. Doherty moved to transfer funds in the amount of $1,299,715 to the Special Education Stabilization Fund; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Delrossi). 9.7. Budget Modification Request for Approval Mr. Conway moved to approve the budget modification in the amount of $3,082,446; the motion was seconded by Ms. Doherty. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Delrossi). 9.8. MIAA Waiver The Athletic Department is requesting approval of MIAA Rule 55 to allow 8th graders to participate on various teams for the 2025-2026 school year. We have successfully used Rule 53 for many years. The use of Rule 53 has become common in the MVC and we use this rule to help our teams remain on equal footing with our peers. Mr. Conway moved to approve the MIAA Waiver; the motion was seconded by Ms. Doherty. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Delrossi). 10. CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS 10.1. Overnight Request: LHS -Orlando, FL Mr. Bahou 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. Delrossi). 10.2. Overnight Request: LHS - Yonkers, NY Mr. Bahou 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. Delrossi). 10.3. Overnight Request: LHS - April 2026 Europe Mr. Bahou 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. Delrossi). 10.4. Overnight Request: LHS - Costa Rica April 2027 Mr. Bahou 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. Delrossi). L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 7 of 7) 11. PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL 11.1. The Members of the United Teachers of Lowell hereby donate twenty one [21] sick leave days to Katherine Spellissy, Morey School Teacher. Ms. Doherty moved to bundle and approve the professional personnel; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Delrossi). 11.2. The Members of the United Teachers of Lowell hereby donate one [1] sick leave day to Hope Eacrett, Bailey School Teacher. Ms. Doherty moved to bundle and approve the professional personnel; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Delrossi). 12. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Conway moved to adjourn at 8:08 p.m.; the motion was seconded by Ms. Doherty. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Delrossi). Respectfully submitted, Liam Skinner, Superintendent and Secretary to the Lowell School Committee LS/mes L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us