School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE , 2025 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Date: September 03, 2025 Time: 6:30PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA 01852 1. SALUTE TO FLAG 2. ROLL CALL 3. MINUTES 3.1. The Approval of the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled Lowell School Committee Meeting of August 20, 2025 Mr. Bahou moved to accept and place on file the minutes of the Regularly Scheduled School Committee meeting that was held on August 20, 2025; the motion was seconded by Mr. Conway. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Doherty). 4. PERMISSION TO ENTER 4.1. Permission to Enter September 3, 2025 Mr. Conway expressed concern about certain expenditures during these financially challenging times and urged the Superintendent to exercise greater fiscal prudence, particularly when hiring consultants for work that could be performed in-house. Mr. Lay moved to approve the Permission to Enter; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 1 abstain (Mr. Bahou), 1 absent (Ms. Doherty). 5. MEMORIALS 5.1. Constance Dussault, grandmother of Pyne Arts Principal Lori Lang and great-grandmother of Daley Middle School Special Education Teacher Timothy Lang 5.2. Lisa Ryder, retired Moody Elementary School Paraprofessional 6. MOTIONS 6.1. [By Fred Bahou]: Request to have the proper department look at enrollment numbers of all K-8 schools, and if schools are less than 105% capacity, to give students priority with siblings at those schools or live locally to their requested schools some consideration of attending that requested school. Mr. Bahou moved to approve; the motion was seconded by Mr. Lay. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Doherty). 155 Merrimack http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 5) 7. REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT 7.1. Response to Motion (Connie Martin, 07/16/2025) Regarding Federal Withholding of Education Funding for Title I, II, III and IV Dr. Pinto, Assistant Superintendent of Finance, presented a report to the Committee outlining the Act (ESSA). These funds play a critical role in supporting educational equity and sustaining essential student services. As of this update, applications for the Title grants have been submitted, and while funding has been delayed, it has not been withheld. Due to existing carryover funds, the district has not experienced any substantial disruptions. However, the district is currently addressing a funding shortfall of $137,758 for the current year. Despite this, schools are expected to maintain the same level of support in terms of tutors and academic coaches. The report also included a table summarizing the Title grants received by the district, their intended purposes, and a year-over-year comparison of funding levels. Ms. Delrossi moved to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.1 through 7.8 as reports of progress; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Doherty). 7.2. Response to Motion (By Connie Martin, 08/20/2025) Regarding Organization Chart for the LPS Central Office Ms. Martin moved to refer agenda item # 7.2. Response to Motion (By Connie Martin, 08/20/2025) Regarding Organization Chart for the LPS Central Office to the Personnel Subcommittee for further discussion; the motion was seconded by Mr. Lay. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Doherty). Ms. Delrossi moved to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.1 through 7.8 as reports of progress; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Doherty). 7.3. Response to Motion (Eileen DelRossi, 06/11/2025) Regarding Operational Status and Maintenance Needs of Copy Machines Dr. Pinto, Assistant Superintendent of Finance, presented a report to the Committee informing them that the district maintains a fleet of copy machines across all school buildings to support instructional and administrative needs. The Finance Office monitors service requests, machine downtime, and reporting issues to ensure consistent access and functionality. Ms. Delrossi moved to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.1 through 7.8 as reports of progress; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Doherty). L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 5) 7.4. Response to Motion (By Eileen Delrossi, 08/20/2025) Regarding LHS Schedule Information Ms. Crocker-Roberge, Assistant Superintendent for Schools & Leadership, presented a report to the Committee informing them that on August 15, 2025, the Lowell High School (LHS) schedule was between the scheduling team, Data Office, and the vendor, Aspen (Follett). Compared to past years, the high school scheduling process was significantly ahead, and the scheduling team and Student Support Office experienced a very smooth reopening for students and staff on opening day. In addition to a schedule rebuild, there were refinements that took place ahead of the start of school, such as balancing sections, resolving scheduling conflicts, and meeting the needs of specialized programs like Latin Lyceum. Guidance counselors will continue to meet with students to ensure their schedules align with graduation requirements and individual course requests. Any student who requested a course change or addition was referred to their House Office during the period requested to meet with a Guidance Counselor. Guidance Counselors will continue to schedule new students upon arrival at LHS. Ms. Delrossi moved to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.1 through 7.8 as reports of progress; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Doherty). 7.5. Response to Motion (By Dominik Lay, 06/11/2025) Regarding Science Teaching Positions at Lowell High School Dr. Fox-Roye, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, provided a report to the Committee that informed them that over the past two academic years, the Science Department at Lowell High School (LHS) has maintained a consistent staffing level, with 30 certified science teachers each year. Specifically, LHS shifted one of three Physics teaching positions to Chemistry. This change was driven by increased student interest and enrollment in Chemistry, alongside a decline in enrollment in Physics. This adjustment allowed for better alignment of staffing with student course demand. As LHS continues to develop Chapter 74 programming and work toward its goal of ensuring that all students are college-and career-ready, it remains committed to monitoring enrollment trends and adjusting staffing to meet the academic needs and interests of its students. Ms. Delrossi moved to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.1 through 7.8 as reports of progress; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Doherty). 7.6. Response to Motion (By Fred Bahou, 02/07/2024) Regarding LPS/LHS Chapter 74 (C74) Progress Update Dr. Fox-Roye, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, provided an update to the Committee that informed them that on August 1, 2025, Lowell Public Schools submitted a summary report to the approval for Career Technical Education (CTE) Chapter 74 (C74) programs. This submission demonstrates -quality career pathways for students at Lowell High School. L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 4 of 5) Ms. Delrossi moved to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.1 through 7.8 as reports of progress; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Doherty). 7.7. Elementary and Middle School Handbook Updates Mr. Lay moved to approve the updated 2025 2026 Elementary and Middle School Handbook; the motion was seconded by Ms. Delrossi. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Doherty). Ms. Delrossi moved to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.1 through 7.8 as reports of progress; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Doherty). 7.8. FY26 Budget Update Dr. Pinto, Assistant Superintendent of Finance, presented a report to the Committee outlining the responsibilities of the Finance Office. These responsibilities include, but are not limited to, oversight of the budget, purchasing, accounts payable, contracts, grants, and payroll. Additionally, the office shares responsibility for entitlement grants, information technology, special education out-of-district tuition, and Medicaid reporting. Ms. Delrossi moved to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.1 through 7.8 as reports of progress; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Doherty). 7.9. Permission to Post Position Mr. Conway moved to approve and post the Professional Development Lead position; the motion was seconded by Ms. Delrossi. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Doherty). 7.10. Request for Home Education Superintendent Skinner recommended that the following parents/guardians be allowed to home educate their child: Tara Celeste Mr. Lay made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Conway. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Mr. Conway). APPROVED 8. NEW BUSINESS 8.1. Approval to Accept and Expend Allocated FY26 Awards The grants funds provided in the report have been secured by the Lowell Public Schools through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 5 of 5) Mr. Conway moved to approve, accept and expend the allocated FY26 awards; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Doherty). 8.2. Request Approval of LHS Clubs/Advisors for SY26 Ms. Martin moved to approve LHS Clubs/Advisors for SY26; the motion was seconded by Mr. Delrossi. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Ms. Doherty). 9. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Delrossi moved to adjourn at 8:05 p.m.; the motion was seconded by Ms. Doherty. 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