School Committee

LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE , 2025 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Date: January 7, 2026 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. Conway, Ms. Delrossi, Mayor Gitschier, Ms. McFadden and Mr. Bahou. Mr. Lay and Ms. Martin were absent. 3. MINUTES 3.1. The Approval of the Minutes of the Regularly Scheduled Lowell School Committee Meeting of December 17, 2025 Mr. Bahou moved to accept and place on file the minutes of the Regularly Scheduled School Committee meeting that was held on December 17, 2025; the motion was seconded by Mr. Conway. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 2 absent (Mr. Lay, Ms. Martin). 4. PERMISSION TO ENTER 4.1. Permission to Enter January 7, 2026 Ms. McFadden moved to approve the Permission to Enter; the motion was seconded by Ms. Delrossi. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 2 absent (Mr. Lay, Ms. Martin). 5. MOTIONS 5.1. [By Fred Bahou]: Have proper department provide a report on the number of students are provided and take advantage of breakfast at our schools, what the breakfast is that LPS is providing & how it is implemented? Mr. Bahou moved to approve; the motion was seconded by Ms. McFadden. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 2 absent (Mr. Lay, Ms. Martin). 155 Merrimack http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 2 of 4) 5.2. [By Fred Bahou]: Schedule a Finance Subcommittee meeting to discuss school funding for 26-27 School year, focusing development of budget, school transportation costs, contractual commitments & overall scope of upcoming school year finances. Mr. Bahou moved to approve; the motion was seconded by Mr. Conway. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 2 absent (Mr. Lay, Ms. Martin). 6. SUBCOMMITTEES 6.1. The Approval of the Minutes of the AD HOC Building Naming Subcommittee Meeting of December 16, 2025 This was deferred to the next School Committee meeting on January 21, 2026. 7. REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT 7.1. Finance Office Updates Dr. Pinto, Assistant Superintendent of Finance, presented a report summarizing recent budget meetings. These meetings included reviews of budget workbooks, position control (including grant-funded positions), and the new account ledger tool used for budget monitoring. The team also collaborated on reallocating funds and proposing amendments to existing plans. The FY27 budget development process has begun. The report notes that budget guardrails, funding formulas, and the budget meeting process have been est enrollment projections. Updates will be provided as decisions become available. Mr. Bahou moved to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.1 and 7.2 as reports of progress; the motion was seconded by Ms. McFadden. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 2 absent (Mr. Lay, Ms. Martin). 7.2. Updated SY 2025-2026 Calendar Superintendent Skinner informed the Committee that he is continuing to work with the City Manager and the Elections Department to determine whether schools can remain open on these special election days and future election days. Superintendent Skinner stated that if the proper safeguards are put in place he is hopeful that school can remain open. Mr. Rosenberg, Director of the Elections Department, was available to address any questions from Committee members and is also collaborating with the Superintendent and City Manager on this matter. Superintendent Skinner will have a revised calendar at the next meeting if needed. Mr. Bahou moved to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.1 and 7.2 as reports of progress; the motion was seconded by Ms. McFadden. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 2 absent (Mr. Lay, Ms. Martin). L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 3 of 4) 7.3. Home Education Superintendent Skinner recommended that the following parents/guardians be allowed to home educate their child: Juan Soto Jennifer Grisales Phommavong Xayasane Mr. Conway moved to approve Home Education; the motion was seconded by Ms. McFadden. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 2 absent (Mr. Lay, Ms. Martin). 8. NEW BUSINESS 8.1. Request to Accept Donation from United Way of Massachusetts Bay United Way has provided 565 gift cards of $100 value and designated for grocery purchases at grocery store and supermarket locations where debit Mastercard is accepted. Cards were distributed in accordance with documented need, with homeless students being first priority. Schools included with the number of gift cards in parentheses: Bartlett Community Partnership School (50), Butler Middle School (70), Career Academy (25), Greenhalge Elementary (70), Lowell High School Freshman Academy (90), Reilly Elementary School (70), STEM Academy (120), and Sullivan Middle School (70). Mr. Conway moved to accept the donation from United Way of Massachusetts Bay; the motion was seconded by Mr. Bahou. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 2 absent (Mr. Lay, Ms. Martin). 8.2. Budget Modification Request Ms. McFadden moved to approve the budget modification in the amount of $17,500; the motion was seconded by Mr. Conway. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 2 absent (Mr. Lay, Ms. Martin). 9. CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS 9.1. Overnight Out of State Travel Request - LHS to Clifton, NY Ms. McFadden moved to bundle and approve the convention/conference requests; the motion was seconded by Mr. Bahou. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 2 absent (Mr. Lay, Ms. Martin). 9.2. Overnight Out of State Travel Request - LHS to Providence, RI Ms. McFadden moved to bundle and approve the convention/conference requests; the motion was seconded by Mr. Bahou. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 2 absent (Mr. Lay, Ms. Martin). L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us  (Page 4 of 4) 10. ADJOURNMENT Ms. McFadden moved to adjourn at 6:52 p.m.; the motion was seconded by Mr. Bahou. The motion passed with 5 yeas, 2 absent (Mr. Lay, Ms. Martin). Respectfully submitted, Liam Skinner, Superintendent and Secretary to the Lowell School Committee LS/mes L http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us