School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE , 2025 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Date: December 17, 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 call at 6:36 p.m., members present were, namely: Mr. Bahou, Mr. Conway, Ms. Delrossi, Ms. Doherty, Ms. Martin and Mayor Rourke. Mr. Lay arrived at 6:48. 3. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS 3.1. Tara Goodhue, Lowell High School, 2026 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year The Special Order of Business featured Tara Goodhue of Lowell High School, the 2026 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year. Ms. Goodhue thanked the Committee, Lowell High School, and her students, and spoke about the wide range of subjects and lesson plans she teaches. Committee members once again congratulated her on this achievement. 4. MINUTES 4.1. Approval of the Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Lowell School Committee of November 19, 2025 Ms. Doherty moved to accept and place on file the minutes of the Special and Regularly Scheduled School Committee meetings that were held on November 19, 2025; the motion was seconded by Ms. Delrossi. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Mr. Lay). 4.2. The Approval of the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled Lowell School Committee Meeting of November 19, 2025 Ms. Doherty moved to accept and place on file the minutes of the Special and Regularly Scheduled School Committee meetings that were held on November 19, 2025; the motion was seconded by Ms. Delrossi. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 absent (Mr. Lay). 155 Merrimack http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 4) 5. PERMISSION TO ENTER 5.1. Permission to Enter December 17, 2025 Mr. Conway moved to approve the Permission to Enter; the motion was seconded by Mr. Bahou. The motion passed with 7 yeas. 6. MOTIONS 6.1. [By Connie Martin]: Request the Administration provide a report on the current instruction offered to LPS students at all levels on the topic of on-line safety including social media and chat bots etc. Ms. Martin moved to approve; the motion was seconded by Ms. Doherty. The motion passed with 7 yeas. 6.2. [By Eileen DelRossi]: Request for superintendent to work with proper school/city departments to survey the steps behind the Robinson school that lead to the Bridge street pedestrian crossing. Ms. Delrossi moved to approve; the motion was seconded by Mr. Bahou. The motion passed with 7 yeas. 6.3. [By Eileen DelRossi]: Request the superintendent to post all school site council notes in regards to their budgets. Ms. Delrossi moved to approve; the motion was seconded by Ms. Doherty. The motion passed with 7 yeas. 7. SUBCOMMITTEES 7.1. The Approval of the Minutes of School Improvement & Performance Management Subcommittee Meeting of November 19, 2025 Mr. Bahou, Chairperson of the School Improvement and Performance Management Subcommittee, reported that chronic absenteeism was discussed, including how the district continuously tracks attendance data throughout the year. He noted that over the past three years, chronic absenteeism has district has strong attendance intervention plans in place. Additionally, Mr. Bahou shared that absenteeism among 9th and 10th grade students has decreased significantly during the 2024 2025 school year, compared to higher rates observed in the previous year. The committee also discussed support offered during February vacation week, when students with chronic absenteeism may receive intensive academic support. Students with high needs are prioritized for summer school, and those with such ecial Education summer program. Mr. Bahou moved to accept the report as a report of progress; the motion was seconded by Ms. Doherty. The motion passed with 7 yeas. L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 4) 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 and the Peter R. Marsh Foundation. Ms. Delrossi moved to approve, accept and expend the allocated FY26 awards; the motion was seconded by Mr. Lay. The motion passed with 7 yeas. 8.2. Approval to Accept Donation from Hannaford for Lincoln, Butler, and Morey Schools Hannaford has offered to make the following donations in support of the Student Activity Accounts at the respective schools: Seven hundred sixty-eight dollars ($768.00) to the Lincoln School Four hundred eighty-six dollars ($486.00) to the Butler Middle School Four hundred eight dollars ($408.00) to the Morey School The total donation from Hannaford is one thousand six hundred sixty-two dollars ($1,662.00) to benefit students across these schools. Mr. Conway moved to accept the donation of $1,662 for the Lincoln, Butler and Morey Schools; the motion was seconded by Ms. Doherty. The motion passed with 7 yeas. 8.3. Lowell High School Competency Determination Policy Addendum for Approval The Lowell High School Competency Determination (CD) Policy is as an addendum to the Lowell High School Graduation Policy and has been developed to ensure full alignment with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Competency Determination requirements. The proposed policy outlines the standards, coursework, and assessment requirements through which Lowell High School students demonstrate mastery in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science and Technology/Engineering, as defined by state regulations and the district's academic expectations. It also clarifies the criteria for earning credit and ensures consistency across all academic departments in determining student competency toward graduation. Ms. Doherty moved to approve the Lowell High School Competency Determination Policy Addendum; the motion was seconded by Mr. Bahou. The motion passed with 7 yeas. 8.4. FY 2027 Budget Development Calendar Draft Ms. Martin moved to approve the draft FY 2027 Budget Development Calendar; the motion was seconded by Mr. Lay. The motion passed with 7 yeas. L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 4 of 4) 9. CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS 9.1. Overnight Out of State Travel Request - LHS to Portland, OR Mr. Lay moved to approve the convention/conference request; the motion was seconded by Mr. Conway. The motion passed with 7 yeas. 9.2. Overnight Travel Request - FY 2026 MASBO Conference Mr. Conway moved to approve the convention/conference request; the motion was seconded by Mr. Lay. The motion passed with 6 yeas, 1 nay (Mr. Conway). 10. COMMUNICATIONS 10.1. Expression of gratitude from Lowell Public Schools to departing Committee Member Jackie Doherty School Committee members expressed their well wishes to Ms. Doherty, as she is not running for another term. Ms. Doherty reflected on the many issues she addressed during her time on the committee, shared how much she enjoyed serving, and wished the committee continued success in the future. 11. PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL 11.1. The Members of the United Teachers of Lowell Hereby Donate sixty [60] Sick Leave Days to Courtney Toombs STEM Academy Teacher and Nine [9) sick leave days to Rachel Reller Wang Middle School Teacher. Ms. Doherty moved to approve the professional personnel; the motion was seconded by Ms. Martin. The motion passed with 7 yeas. 12. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Bahou moved to adjourn at 7:41 p.m.; the motion was seconded by Mr. Conway. 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