Lowell Public School Committee Regular Meeting Agenda
Date: May 15, 2019 Time: 6:30PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA 01852
1. SALUTE TO FLAG
2. ROLL CALL
3. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS 3.I. Public Hearing Inter-District School Choice Program
Documents:
SCHOOL CHOICE PUBLIC HEARING.PDF
3.II. Spotlight On Excellence- Mass Insight Education
Documents:
5-15-19 SPOTLIGHT ON EXCELLENCE MIE AWARDS.PDF
3.III. Focus Group Report
Documents:
LOWELL FOCUS GROUP REPORT 2019 - FINAL.PDF
3.IV. Superintendent Search Survey
Documents:
SURVEY DATA 050319.PDF
4. MINUTES 4.I. Minutes:
Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of the Lowell School Committee of Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Documents:
LSC MINUTES - MAY 1, 2019.PDF
4.II. Minutes - Budget Hearing
Approval of the Minutes of the FY20 Budget Hearing of Monday, May 6, 2019.
Documents:
LSC BUDGET HEARING MINUTES - MAY 6, 2019.PDF
5. PERMISSION TO ENTER 5.I. Permission To Enter: May 15, 2019
Documents:
PERMISSION TO ENTER - MAY 15, 2019.PDF
6. MOTIONS 6.I. [By Gerard Nutter]:
Request Superintendent provide SC with complete list of State mandated program requirements we are currently not adhering to along with an update of any Regular/Special Education programs that may have compliance issues.
6.II. [By Gerard Nutter]:
School Committee to vote to request that the City Council transfer the ERATE reimbursement of the Lowell Public School’s paid telephone expense to the Lowell Public School funds.
6.III. [By Mayor William Samaras]: Request the Superintendent of Schools And School Committee Review a Letter Requesting 5th Graders to Design Shirts for Council Members to Wear during Cleanup Day and To Forward Letter to 5th Grade Principals upon Review and Approval
Documents:
LETTER TO 5TH GRADE PRINCIPALS.PDF
6.IV. [By Jacqueline Doherty}:
Request the Superintendent provide the committee with a report on the policies and programs to support our Refugee Students along with any recommendations for improvement. The report should include data on the number of Language-Other-Than-English students at each level/program in the district, the enrollment trends over the last five years, as well as upcoming enrollment projections.
7. REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT 7.I. School Grounds’ Maintenance
Documents:
SCHOOL MAINTENANCE.PDF
7.II. Response To Robert Hoey's Motion Of May 1, 2018 Regarding Measles Transmission Prevention Plan
Documents:
MEASLES COVER PAGE.PDF SCHOOL COMMITTEE REQUEST FOR MEASLES GUIDELINES (3).PDF PARENT GUIDE.PDF MCKINNEY VENTO POLICY.PDF
7.III. Report On Motions
Documents:
REPORT MOTIONS MAY 15, 2019.PDF
7.IV. Enrollment Figures
Documents:
5.10.19.PDF ENROLLMENT CHANGES.PDF
8. NEW BUSINESS 8.I. Vote Of Inter-District School Choice
Documents:
SCHOOL CHOICE 05.15.19.PDF 2- FINAL SCHOOL CHOICE ADVISORY 4.19.19 .PDF 3-ON THE DESKTOP 5 3 19 SCHOOL CHOICE.PDF
8.II. Revision For Posting Of HR Position
Documents:
COVER PAGE CHIEF RESOURCES OFFICER.PDF HR JOB DESCRIPTION.PDF
8.III. Expenditure Transfer
Documents:
FS - PARA EXPENDITURE TRANSFER MEMO (PART 1).PDF LPS EXPENDITURE TRANSFER M AND L - 243,445.67 - 4.17.19.PDF
9. CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS 9.I. Trip - LHS- Kansas City
Permission for Lowell High School Latin Lyceum teacher Krista Earley to attend the AP Reader conference held from Monday, June 10, 2019 through Friday, June 14, 2019 in Kansas City, MO. There will be no cost to the district. All expenses are being covered by the College Board. No substitute teacher is needed.
Documents:
LHS, KANSAS CITY.PDF
9.II. Trip - Washington DC
Carolyn Rocheleau, Coordinator of Special Programs, to attend the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC)Summer Institute to be held in Washington, DC on July 16, 2019 through July 18, 2019. The conference is funded by the 21st Century Grant. The total cost associated with the conference not exceeds $1,200.00.
Documents:
C. ROCHELEAU, WASHINGTON DC.PDF
9.III. Trip- LHS To Washington And Philadelphia Head of School Marianne Busteed, requests permission for LHS staff member; Amanda Ernst and two chaperones (to be determined) along with a group of 20 LHS students to travel to Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia during April school vacation week of 2020. They will travel on Monday, April 20th through Friday, April 24, 2020. There are no costs to the Lowell High School or the School Department Budget
Documents:
LHS PHILADELPHIA AND WASHINGTON DC.PDF
9.IV. Trip- Groton, Connecticut
Permission for Rocio Camargo-Ruiz, District Support Specialist, to attend the MRA to attend the Northeast PBIS Network Leadership Forum in Groton, Connecticut on May 16th and 17th, 2019. The cost of the conference (including conference fees, meals and lodging) will be no cost to the Lowell Public School Department, as a PBIS scholarship will pay for all expenses. No substitute is needed.
Documents:
ROCIO CAMARGO-RUIZ COVER LETTER.PDF R. CAMARGO-RUIZ, GROTON, CT.PDF
10. COMMUNICATIONS 10.I. Invitation To Playworks
Documents:
EDIT VERSION PLAYWORKS LOWELL RECESS ROLLOUT 5.24.19 INVITATION.PDF
11. ADJOURNMENT
Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • P: 978.674.4324 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/ Lowell Public School Committee Regular Meeting Agenda
Date: May 15, 2019 Time: 6:30PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA 01852
1. SALUTE TO FLAG
2. ROLL CALL
3. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS 3.I. Public Hearing Inter-District School Choice Program
Documents:
SCHOOL CHOICE PUBLIC HEARING.PDF
3.II. Spotlight On Excellence- Mass Insight Education
Documents:
5-15-19 SPOTLIGHT ON EXCELLENCE MIE AWARDS.PDF
3.III. Focus Group Report
Documents:
LOWELL FOCUS GROUP REPORT 2019 - FINAL.PDF
3.IV. Superintendent Search Survey
Documents:
SURVEY DATA 050319.PDF
4. MINUTES 4.I. Minutes:
Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of the Lowell School Committee of Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Documents:
LSC MINUTES - MAY 1, 2019.PDF
4.II. Minutes - Budget Hearing
Approval of the Minutes of the FY20 Budget Hearing of Monday, May 6, 2019.
Documents:
LSC BUDGET HEARING MINUTES - MAY 6, 2019.PDF
5. PERMISSION TO ENTER 5.I. Permission To Enter: May 15, 2019
Documents:
PERMISSION TO ENTER - MAY 15, 2019.PDF
6. MOTIONS 6.I. [By Gerard Nutter]:
Request Superintendent provide SC with complete list of State mandated program requirements we are currently not adhering to along with an update of any Regular/Special Education programs that may have compliance issues.
6.II. [By Gerard Nutter]:
School Committee to vote to request that the City Council transfer the ERATE reimbursement of the Lowell Public School’s paid telephone expense to the Lowell Public School funds.
6.III. [By Mayor William Samaras]: Request the Superintendent of Schools And School Committee Review a Letter Requesting 5th Graders to Design Shirts for Council Members to Wear during Cleanup Day and To Forward Letter to 5th Grade Principals upon Review and Approval
Documents:
LETTER TO 5TH GRADE PRINCIPALS.PDF
6.IV. [By Jacqueline Doherty}:
Request the Superintendent provide the committee with a report on the policies and programs to support our Refugee Students along with any recommendations for improvement. The report should include data on the number of Language-Other-Than-English students at each level/program in the district, the enrollment trends over the last five years, as well as upcoming enrollment projections.
7. REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT 7.I. School Grounds’ Maintenance
Documents:
SCHOOL MAINTENANCE.PDF
7.II. Response To Robert Hoey's Motion Of May 1, 2018 Regarding Measles Transmission Prevention Plan
Documents:
MEASLES COVER PAGE.PDF SCHOOL COMMITTEE REQUEST FOR MEASLES GUIDELINES (3).PDF PARENT GUIDE.PDF MCKINNEY VENTO POLICY.PDF
7.III. Report On Motions
Documents:
REPORT MOTIONS MAY 15, 2019.PDF
7.IV. Enrollment Figures
Documents:
5.10.19.PDF ENROLLMENT CHANGES.PDF
8. NEW BUSINESS 8.I. Vote Of Inter-District School Choice
Documents:
SCHOOL CHOICE 05.15.19.PDF 2- FINAL SCHOOL CHOICE ADVISORY 4.19.19 .PDF 3-ON THE DESKTOP 5 3 19 SCHOOL CHOICE.PDF
8.II. Revision For Posting Of HR Position
Documents:
COVER PAGE CHIEF RESOURCES OFFICER.PDF HR JOB DESCRIPTION.PDF
8.III. Expenditure Transfer
Documents:
FS - PARA EXPENDITURE TRANSFER MEMO (PART 1).PDF LPS EXPENDITURE TRANSFER M AND L - 243,445.67 - 4.17.19.PDF
9. CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS 9.I. Trip - LHS- Kansas City
Permission for Lowell High School Latin Lyceum teacher Krista Earley to attend the AP Reader conference held from Monday, June 10, 2019 through Friday, June 14, 2019 in Kansas City, MO. There will be no cost to the district. All expenses are being covered by the College Board. No substitute teacher is needed.
Documents:
LHS, KANSAS CITY.PDF
9.II. Trip - Washington DC
Carolyn Rocheleau, Coordinator of Special Programs, to attend the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC)Summer Institute to be held in Washington, DC on July 16, 2019 through July 18, 2019. The conference is funded by the 21st Century Grant. The total cost associated with the conference not exceeds $1,200.00.
Documents:
C. ROCHELEAU, WASHINGTON DC.PDF
9.III. Trip- LHS To Washington And Philadelphia Head of School Marianne Busteed, requests permission for LHS staff member; Amanda Ernst and two chaperones (to be determined) along with a group of 20 LHS students to travel to Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia during April school vacation week of 2020. They will travel on Monday, April 20th through Friday, April 24, 2020. There are no costs to the Lowell High School or the School Department Budget
Documents:
LHS PHILADELPHIA AND WASHINGTON DC.PDF
9.IV. Trip- Groton, Connecticut
Permission for Rocio Camargo-Ruiz, District Support Specialist, to attend the MRA to attend the Northeast PBIS Network Leadership Forum in Groton, Connecticut on May 16th and 17th, 2019. The cost of the conference (including conference fees, meals and lodging) will be no cost to the Lowell Public School Department, as a PBIS scholarship will pay for all expenses. No substitute is needed.
Documents:
ROCIO CAMARGO-RUIZ COVER LETTER.PDF R. CAMARGO-RUIZ, GROTON, CT.PDF
10. COMMUNICATIONS 10.I. Invitation To Playworks
Documents:
EDIT VERSION PLAYWORKS LOWELL RECESS ROLLOUT 5.24.19 INVITATION.PDF
11. ADJOURNMENT
Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • P: 978.674.4324 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/ Lowell Public School Committee Regular Meeting Agenda
Date: May 15, 2019 Time: 6:30PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA 01852
1. SALUTE TO FLAG
2. ROLL CALL
3. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS 3.I. Public Hearing Inter-District School Choice Program
Documents:
SCHOOL CHOICE PUBLIC HEARING.PDF
3.II. Spotlight On Excellence- Mass Insight Education
Documents:
5-15-19 SPOTLIGHT ON EXCELLENCE MIE AWARDS.PDF
3.III. Focus Group Report
Documents:
LOWELL FOCUS GROUP REPORT 2019 - FINAL.PDF
3.IV. Superintendent Search Survey
Documents:
SURVEY DATA 050319.PDF
4. MINUTES 4.I. Minutes:
Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of the Lowell School Committee of Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Documents:
LSC MINUTES - MAY 1, 2019.PDF
4.II. Minutes - Budget Hearing
Approval of the Minutes of the FY20 Budget Hearing of Monday, May 6, 2019.
Documents:
LSC BUDGET HEARING MINUTES - MAY 6, 2019.PDF
5. PERMISSION TO ENTER 5.I. Permission To Enter: May 15, 2019
Documents:
PERMISSION TO ENTER - MAY 15, 2019.PDF
6. MOTIONS 6.I. [By Gerard Nutter]:
Request Superintendent provide SC with complete list of State mandated program requirements we are currently not adhering to along with an update of any Regular/Special Education programs that may have compliance issues.
6.II. [By Gerard Nutter]:
School Committee to vote to request that the City Council transfer the ERATE reimbursement of the Lowell Public School’s paid telephone expense to the Lowell Public School funds.
6.III. [By Mayor William Samaras]: Request the Superintendent of Schools And School Committee Review a Letter Requesting 5th Graders to Design Shirts for Council Members to Wear during Cleanup Day and To Forward Letter to 5th Grade Principals upon Review and Approval
Documents:
LETTER TO 5TH GRADE PRINCIPALS.PDF
6.IV. [By Jacqueline Doherty}:
Request the Superintendent provide the committee with a report on the policies and programs to support our Refugee Students along with any recommendations for improvement. The report should include data on the number of Language-Other-Than-English students at each level/program in the district, the enrollment trends over the last five years, as well as upcoming enrollment projections.
7. REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT 7.I. School Grounds’ Maintenance
Documents:
SCHOOL MAINTENANCE.PDF
7.II. Response To Robert Hoey's Motion Of May 1, 2018 Regarding Measles Transmission Prevention Plan
Documents:
MEASLES COVER PAGE.PDF SCHOOL COMMITTEE REQUEST FOR MEASLES GUIDELINES (3).PDF PARENT GUIDE.PDF MCKINNEY VENTO POLICY.PDF
7.III. Report On Motions
Documents:
REPORT MOTIONS MAY 15, 2019.PDF
7.IV. Enrollment Figures
Documents:
5.10.19.PDF ENROLLMENT CHANGES.PDF
8. NEW BUSINESS 8.I. Vote Of Inter-District School Choice
Documents:
SCHOOL CHOICE 05.15.19.PDF 2- FINAL SCHOOL CHOICE ADVISORY 4.19.19 .PDF 3-ON THE DESKTOP 5 3 19 SCHOOL CHOICE.PDF
8.II. Revision For Posting Of HR Position
Documents:
COVER PAGE CHIEF RESOURCES OFFICER.PDF HR JOB DESCRIPTION.PDF
8.III. Expenditure Transfer
Documents:
FS - PARA EXPENDITURE TRANSFER MEMO (PART 1).PDF LPS EXPENDITURE TRANSFER M AND L - 243,445.67 - 4.17.19.PDF
9. CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS 9.I. Trip - LHS- Kansas City
Permission for Lowell High School Latin Lyceum teacher Krista Earley to attend the AP Reader conference held from Monday, June 10, 2019 through Friday, June 14, 2019 in Kansas City, MO. There will be no cost to the district. All expenses are being covered by the College Board. No substitute teacher is needed.
Documents:
LHS, KANSAS CITY.PDF
9.II. Trip - Washington DC
Carolyn Rocheleau, Coordinator of Special Programs, to attend the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC)Summer Institute to be held in Washington, DC on July 16, 2019 through July 18, 2019. The conference is funded by the 21st Century Grant. The total cost associated with the conference not exceeds $1,200.00.
Documents:
C. ROCHELEAU, WASHINGTON DC.PDF
9.III. Trip- LHS To Washington And Philadelphia Head of School Marianne Busteed, requests permission for LHS staff member; Amanda Ernst and two chaperones (to be determined) along with a group of 20 LHS students to travel to Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia during April school vacation week of 2020. They will travel on Monday, April 20th through Friday, April 24, 2020. There are no costs to the Lowell High School or the School Department Budget
Documents:
LHS PHILADELPHIA AND WASHINGTON DC.PDF
9.IV. Trip- Groton, Connecticut
Permission for Rocio Camargo-Ruiz, District Support Specialist, to attend the MRA to attend the Northeast PBIS Network Leadership Forum in Groton, Connecticut on May 16th and 17th, 2019. The cost of the conference (including conference fees, meals and lodging) will be no cost to the Lowell Public School Department, as a PBIS scholarship will pay for all expenses. No substitute is needed.
Documents:
ROCIO CAMARGO-RUIZ COVER LETTER.PDF R. CAMARGO-RUIZ, GROTON, CT.PDF
10. COMMUNICATIONS 10.I. Invitation To Playworks
Documents:
EDIT VERSION PLAYWORKS LOWELL RECESS ROLLOUT 5.24.19 INVITATION.PDF
11. ADJOURNMENT
Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • P: 978.674.4324 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/ Lowell Public School Committee Regular Meeting Agenda
Date: May 15, 2019 Time: 6:30PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA 01852
1. SALUTE TO FLAG
2. ROLL CALL
3. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS 3.I. Public Hearing Inter-District School Choice Program
Documents:
SCHOOL CHOICE PUBLIC HEARING.PDF
3.II. Spotlight On Excellence- Mass Insight Education
Documents:
5-15-19 SPOTLIGHT ON EXCELLENCE MIE AWARDS.PDF
3.III. Focus Group Report
Documents:
LOWELL FOCUS GROUP REPORT 2019 - FINAL.PDF
3.IV. Superintendent Search Survey
Documents:
SURVEY DATA 050319.PDF
4. MINUTES 4.I. Minutes:
Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of the Lowell School Committee of Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Documents:
LSC MINUTES - MAY 1, 2019.PDF
4.II. Minutes - Budget Hearing
Approval of the Minutes of the FY20 Budget Hearing of Monday, May 6, 2019.
Documents:
LSC BUDGET HEARING MINUTES - MAY 6, 2019.PDF
5. PERMISSION TO ENTER 5.I. Permission To Enter: May 15, 2019
Documents:
PERMISSION TO ENTER - MAY 15, 2019.PDF
6. MOTIONS 6.I. [By Gerard Nutter]:
Request Superintendent provide SC with complete list of State mandated program requirements we are currently not adhering to along with an update of any Regular/Special Education programs that may have compliance issues.
6.II. [By Gerard Nutter]:
School Committee to vote to request that the City Council transfer the ERATE reimbursement of the Lowell Public School’s paid telephone expense to the Lowell Public School funds.
6.III. [By Mayor William Samaras]: Request the Superintendent of Schools And School Committee Review a Letter Requesting 5th Graders to Design Shirts for Council Members to Wear during Cleanup Day and To Forward Letter to 5th Grade Principals upon Review and Approval
Documents:
LETTER TO 5TH GRADE PRINCIPALS.PDF
6.IV. [By Jacqueline Doherty}:
Request the Superintendent provide the committee with a report on the policies and programs to support our Refugee Students along with any recommendations for improvement. The report should include data on the number of Language-Other-Than-English students at each level/program in the district, the enrollment trends over the last five years, as well as upcoming enrollment projections.
7. REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT 7.I. School Grounds’ Maintenance
Documents:
SCHOOL MAINTENANCE.PDF
7.II. Response To Robert Hoey's Motion Of May 1, 2018 Regarding Measles Transmission Prevention Plan
Documents:
MEASLES COVER PAGE.PDF SCHOOL COMMITTEE REQUEST FOR MEASLES GUIDELINES (3).PDF PARENT GUIDE.PDF MCKINNEY VENTO POLICY.PDF
7.III. Report On Motions
Documents:
REPORT MOTIONS MAY 15, 2019.PDF
7.IV. Enrollment Figures
Documents:
5.10.19.PDF ENROLLMENT CHANGES.PDF
8. NEW BUSINESS 8.I. Vote Of Inter-District School Choice
Documents:
SCHOOL CHOICE 05.15.19.PDF 2- FINAL SCHOOL CHOICE ADVISORY 4.19.19 .PDF 3-ON THE DESKTOP 5 3 19 SCHOOL CHOICE.PDF
8.II. Revision For Posting Of HR Position
Documents:
COVER PAGE CHIEF RESOURCES OFFICER.PDF HR JOB DESCRIPTION.PDF
8.III. Expenditure Transfer
Documents:
FS - PARA EXPENDITURE TRANSFER MEMO (PART 1).PDF LPS EXPENDITURE TRANSFER M AND L - 243,445.67 - 4.17.19.PDF
9. CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS 9.I. Trip - LHS- Kansas City
Permission for Lowell High School Latin Lyceum teacher Krista Earley to attend the AP Reader conference held from Monday, June 10, 2019 through Friday, June 14, 2019 in Kansas City, MO. There will be no cost to the district. All expenses are being covered by the College Board. No substitute teacher is needed.
Documents:
LHS, KANSAS CITY.PDF
9.II. Trip - Washington DC
Carolyn Rocheleau, Coordinator of Special Programs, to attend the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC)Summer Institute to be held in Washington, DC on July 16, 2019 through July 18, 2019. The conference is funded by the 21st Century Grant. The total cost associated with the conference not exceeds $1,200.00.
Documents:
C. ROCHELEAU, WASHINGTON DC.PDF
9.III. Trip- LHS To Washington And Philadelphia Head of School Marianne Busteed, requests permission for LHS staff member; Amanda Ernst and two chaperones (to be determined) along with a group of 20 LHS students to travel to Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia during April school vacation week of 2020. They will travel on Monday, April 20th through Friday, April 24, 2020. There are no costs to the Lowell High School or the School Department Budget
Documents:
LHS PHILADELPHIA AND WASHINGTON DC.PDF
9.IV. Trip- Groton, Connecticut
Permission for Rocio Camargo-Ruiz, District Support Specialist, to attend the MRA to attend the Northeast PBIS Network Leadership Forum in Groton, Connecticut on May 16th and 17th, 2019. The cost of the conference (including conference fees, meals and lodging) will be no cost to the Lowell Public School Department, as a PBIS scholarship will pay for all expenses. No substitute is needed.
Documents:
ROCIO CAMARGO-RUIZ COVER LETTER.PDF R. CAMARGO-RUIZ, GROTON, CT.PDF
10. COMMUNICATIONS 10.I. Invitation To Playworks
Documents:
EDIT VERSION PLAYWORKS LOWELL RECESS ROLLOUT 5.24.19 INVITATION.PDF
11. ADJOURNMENT
Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • P: 978.674.4324 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/ Lowell Public School Committee Regular Meeting Agenda
Date: May 15, 2019 Time: 6:30PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA 01852
1. SALUTE TO FLAG
2. ROLL CALL
3. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS 3.I. Public Hearing Inter-District School Choice Program
Documents:
SCHOOL CHOICE PUBLIC HEARING.PDF
3.II. Spotlight On Excellence- Mass Insight Education
Documents:
5-15-19 SPOTLIGHT ON EXCELLENCE MIE AWARDS.PDF
3.III. Focus Group Report
Documents:
LOWELL FOCUS GROUP REPORT 2019 - FINAL.PDF
3.IV. Superintendent Search Survey
Documents:
SURVEY DATA 050319.PDF
4. MINUTES 4.I. Minutes:
Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of the Lowell School Committee of Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Documents:
LSC MINUTES - MAY 1, 2019.PDF
4.II. Minutes - Budget Hearing
Approval of the Minutes of the FY20 Budget Hearing of Monday, May 6, 2019.
Documents:
LSC BUDGET HEARING MINUTES - MAY 6, 2019.PDF
5. PERMISSION TO ENTER 5.I. Permission To Enter: May 15, 2019
Documents:
PERMISSION TO ENTER - MAY 15, 2019.PDF
6. MOTIONS 6.I. [By Gerard Nutter]:
Request Superintendent provide SC with complete list of State mandated program requirements we are currently not adhering to along with an update of any Regular/Special Education programs that may have compliance issues.
6.II. [By Gerard Nutter]:
School Committee to vote to request that the City Council transfer the ERATE reimbursement of the Lowell Public School’s paid telephone expense to the Lowell Public School funds.
6.III. [By Mayor William Samaras]: Request the Superintendent of Schools And School Committee Review a Letter Requesting 5th Graders to Design Shirts for Council Members to Wear during Cleanup Day and To Forward Letter to 5th Grade Principals upon Review and Approval
Documents:
LETTER TO 5TH GRADE PRINCIPALS.PDF
6.IV. [By Jacqueline Doherty}:
Request the Superintendent provide the committee with a report on the policies and programs to support our Refugee Students along with any recommendations for improvement. The report should include data on the number of Language-Other-Than-English students at each level/program in the district, the enrollment trends over the last five years, as well as upcoming enrollment projections.
7. REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT 7.I. School Grounds’ Maintenance
Documents:
SCHOOL MAINTENANCE.PDF
7.II. Response To Robert Hoey's Motion Of May 1, 2018 Regarding Measles Transmission Prevention Plan
Documents:
MEASLES COVER PAGE.PDF SCHOOL COMMITTEE REQUEST FOR MEASLES GUIDELINES (3).PDF PARENT GUIDE.PDF MCKINNEY VENTO POLICY.PDF
7.III. Report On Motions
Documents:
REPORT MOTIONS MAY 15, 2019.PDF
7.IV. Enrollment Figures
Documents:
5.10.19.PDF ENROLLMENT CHANGES.PDF
8. NEW BUSINESS 8.I. Vote Of Inter-District School Choice
Documents:
SCHOOL CHOICE 05.15.19.PDF 2- FINAL SCHOOL CHOICE ADVISORY 4.19.19 .PDF 3-ON THE DESKTOP 5 3 19 SCHOOL CHOICE.PDF
8.II. Revision For Posting Of HR Position
Documents:
COVER PAGE CHIEF RESOURCES OFFICER.PDF HR JOB DESCRIPTION.PDF
8.III. Expenditure Transfer
Documents:
FS - PARA EXPENDITURE TRANSFER MEMO (PART 1).PDF LPS EXPENDITURE TRANSFER M AND L - 243,445.67 - 4.17.19.PDF
9. CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS 9.I. Trip - LHS- Kansas City
Permission for Lowell High School Latin Lyceum teacher Krista Earley to attend the AP Reader conference held from Monday, June 10, 2019 through Friday, June 14, 2019 in Kansas City, MO. There will be no cost to the district. All expenses are being covered by the College Board. No substitute teacher is needed.
Documents:
LHS, KANSAS CITY.PDF
9.II. Trip - Washington DC
Carolyn Rocheleau, Coordinator of Special Programs, to attend the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC)Summer Institute to be held in Washington, DC on July 16, 2019 through July 18, 2019. The conference is funded by the 21st Century Grant. The total cost associated with the conference not exceeds $1,200.00.
Documents:
C. ROCHELEAU, WASHINGTON DC.PDF
9.III. Trip- LHS To Washington And Philadelphia Head of School Marianne Busteed, requests permission for LHS staff member; Amanda Ernst and two chaperones (to be determined) along with a group of 20 LHS students to travel to Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia during April school vacation week of 2020. They will travel on Monday, April 20th through Friday, April 24, 2020. There are no costs to the Lowell High School or the School Department Budget
Documents:
LHS PHILADELPHIA AND WASHINGTON DC.PDF
9.IV. Trip- Groton, Connecticut
Permission for Rocio Camargo-Ruiz, District Support Specialist, to attend the MRA to attend the Northeast PBIS Network Leadership Forum in Groton, Connecticut on May 16th and 17th, 2019. The cost of the conference (including conference fees, meals and lodging) will be no cost to the Lowell Public School Department, as a PBIS scholarship will pay for all expenses. No substitute is needed.
Documents:
ROCIO CAMARGO-RUIZ COVER LETTER.PDF R. CAMARGO-RUIZ, GROTON, CT.PDF
10. COMMUNICATIONS 10.I. Invitation To Playworks
Documents:
EDIT VERSION PLAYWORKS LOWELL RECESS ROLLOUT 5.24.19 INVITATION.PDF
11. ADJOURNMENT
Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • P: 978.674.4324 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/ Lowell Public School Committee Regular Meeting Agenda
Date: May 15, 2019 Time: 6:30PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA 01852
1. SALUTE TO FLAG
2. ROLL CALL
3. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS 3.I. Public Hearing Inter-District School Choice Program
Documents:
SCHOOL CHOICE PUBLIC HEARING.PDF
3.II. Spotlight On Excellence- Mass Insight Education
Documents:
5-15-19 SPOTLIGHT ON EXCELLENCE MIE AWARDS.PDF
3.III. Focus Group Report
Documents:
LOWELL FOCUS GROUP REPORT 2019 - FINAL.PDF
3.IV. Superintendent Search Survey
Documents:
SURVEY DATA 050319.PDF
4. MINUTES 4.I. Minutes:
Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of the Lowell School Committee of Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Documents:
LSC MINUTES - MAY 1, 2019.PDF
4.II. Minutes - Budget Hearing
Approval of the Minutes of the FY20 Budget Hearing of Monday, May 6, 2019.
Documents:
LSC BUDGET HEARING MINUTES - MAY 6, 2019.PDF
5. PERMISSION TO ENTER 5.I. Permission To Enter: May 15, 2019
Documents:
PERMISSION TO ENTER - MAY 15, 2019.PDF
6. MOTIONS 6.I. [By Gerard Nutter]:
Request Superintendent provide SC with complete list of State mandated program requirements we are currently not adhering to along with an update of any Regular/Special Education programs that may have compliance issues.
6.II. [By Gerard Nutter]:
School Committee to vote to request that the City Council transfer the ERATE reimbursement of the Lowell Public School’s paid telephone expense to the Lowell Public School funds.
6.III. [By Mayor William Samaras]: Request the Superintendent of Schools And School Committee Review a Letter Requesting 5th Graders to Design Shirts for Council Members to Wear during Cleanup Day and To Forward Letter to 5th Grade Principals upon Review and Approval
Documents:
LETTER TO 5TH GRADE PRINCIPALS.PDF
6.IV. [By Jacqueline Doherty}:
Request the Superintendent provide the committee with a report on the policies and programs to support our Refugee Students along with any recommendations for improvement. The report should include data on the number of Language-Other-Than-English students at each level/program in the district, the enrollment trends over the last five years, as well as upcoming enrollment projections.
7. REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT 7.I. School Grounds’ Maintenance
Documents:
SCHOOL MAINTENANCE.PDF
7.II. Response To Robert Hoey's Motion Of May 1, 2018 Regarding Measles Transmission Prevention Plan
Documents:
MEASLES COVER PAGE.PDF SCHOOL COMMITTEE REQUEST FOR MEASLES GUIDELINES (3).PDF PARENT GUIDE.PDF MCKINNEY VENTO POLICY.PDF
7.III. Report On Motions
Documents:
REPORT MOTIONS MAY 15, 2019.PDF
7.IV. Enrollment Figures
Documents:
5.10.19.PDF ENROLLMENT CHANGES.PDF
8. NEW BUSINESS 8.I. Vote Of Inter-District School Choice
Documents:
SCHOOL CHOICE 05.15.19.PDF 2- FINAL SCHOOL CHOICE ADVISORY 4.19.19 .PDF 3-ON THE DESKTOP 5 3 19 SCHOOL CHOICE.PDF
8.II. Revision For Posting Of HR Position
Documents:
COVER PAGE CHIEF RESOURCES OFFICER.PDF HR JOB DESCRIPTION.PDF
8.III. Expenditure Transfer
Documents:
FS - PARA EXPENDITURE TRANSFER MEMO (PART 1).PDF LPS EXPENDITURE TRANSFER M AND L - 243,445.67 - 4.17.19.PDF
9. CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS 9.I. Trip - LHS- Kansas City
Permission for Lowell High School Latin Lyceum teacher Krista Earley to attend the AP Reader conference held from Monday, June 10, 2019 through Friday, June 14, 2019 in Kansas City, MO. There will be no cost to the district. All expenses are being covered by the College Board. No substitute teacher is needed.
Documents:
LHS, KANSAS CITY.PDF
9.II. Trip - Washington DC
Carolyn Rocheleau, Coordinator of Special Programs, to attend the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC)Summer Institute to be held in Washington, DC on July 16, 2019 through July 18, 2019. The conference is funded by the 21st Century Grant. The total cost associated with the conference not exceeds $1,200.00.
Documents:
C. ROCHELEAU, WASHINGTON DC.PDF
9.III. Trip- LHS To Washington And Philadelphia Head of School Marianne Busteed, requests permission for LHS staff member; Amanda Ernst and two chaperones (to be determined) along with a group of 20 LHS students to travel to Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia during April school vacation week of 2020. They will travel on Monday, April 20th through Friday, April 24, 2020. There are no costs to the Lowell High School or the School Department Budget
Documents:
LHS PHILADELPHIA AND WASHINGTON DC.PDF
9.IV. Trip- Groton, Connecticut
Permission for Rocio Camargo-Ruiz, District Support Specialist, to attend the MRA to attend the Northeast PBIS Network Leadership Forum in Groton, Connecticut on May 16th and 17th, 2019. The cost of the conference (including conference fees, meals and lodging) will be no cost to the Lowell Public School Department, as a PBIS scholarship will pay for all expenses. No substitute is needed.
Documents:
ROCIO CAMARGO-RUIZ COVER LETTER.PDF R. CAMARGO-RUIZ, GROTON, CT.PDF
10. COMMUNICATIONS 10.I. Invitation To Playworks
Documents:
EDIT VERSION PLAYWORKS LOWELL RECESS ROLLOUT 5.24.19 INVITATION.PDF
11. ADJOURNMENT
Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • P: 978.674.4324 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/ LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS Office of Superintendent Phone: (978) 674-4324 155 Merrimack Street Lowell, Fax: (978) 937-7609 Massachusetts 01852 E-mail: [email protected]
Public Hearing - School Choice
To: Michael Geary, City Clerk From: Jeannine M. Durkin, Superintendent Date: May 9, 2019 Re: Public Hearing - School Choice
A Public Hearing is being called for the purpose of reopening the discussion regarding the feasibility of School Choice at Lowell High School for the 2019-2020 school year. The Public Hearing will be held on May 15, 2019 in the Council Chambers at City Hall at 6:30 PM.
xc: Central Office Administrators Principals, Headmaster United Teachers of Lowell Clerical Unit LSAA Lowell Sun Wendy Blom, Lowell Telecommunications Mary Sheehan, Recorder
On May 3, 2019, the Massachusetts Department of Education published an updated legal advisory addressing school choice under G.L. c. 76, 12B. Given said advisory, I am recommending resinding the vote to
Robin Desmond LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment Phone: (978) 674-4323
155 Merrimack Street E-mail: [email protected]
Lowell, Massachusetts 01852
Spotlight on Excellence: Mass Insight Education & Research Partners in Excellence Teacher Awards
TO: Jeannine Durkin, Acting Superintendent of Schools FROM: Robin Desmond, Assistant Superintendent Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment
DATE: May 3, 2019
RE: Mass Insight Education & Research Partners in Excellence Teacher Awards
Mass Insight Education & Research recently recognized Lowell High School English teachers, Darrin Berard and Paul Francoeur, with their Partners in Excellence Teacher Awards. These two teachers were honored for their exemplary work in the Advanced Placement English Programming. Darrin Berard and Paul Francoeur are both Advanced Placement English Literature teachers at Lowell High School. They are among 30 Massachusetts Advanced Placement teachers who were recognized for their outstanding contributions to student success during the 2017-2018 academic year.
Darrin and Paul were celebrated at the Mass Insight Education & Research’s 7th annual Partners in Excellence Award Celebration, which was held on Wednesday, April 10, 2019 from 5:00- 9:00pm at The College of Holy Cross, Hogan Campus Center, Worcester, MA.
Spotlight on Excellence May 15, 2019 Page 1
M E M O R A N D U M
To: Lowell School Committee
From: Glenn Koocher, Executive Director, MA Association of School Committees
Date: March 20, 2019
RE: Report of Focus Groups
______
INTRODUCTION
As part of the process to select a new superintendent, the Lowell School Committee asked the MA Association of School Committees (MASC) to conduct a series of focus groups with various stakeholder constituencies. In all, 23 sessions were scheduled, during which over 250 individuals participated in live discussions. All participants were asked the same questions, but everyone was invited to add individual comments at their discretion. Those questions included:
• What are the strengths and particular assets of the district that need to be preserved, expanded, and cultivated during the next administration? • What are the areas for growth, development, and change, and what would be on your wish list for the next 3-5 years and beyond? • Referring to your experiences as stakeholders, what are the characteristics and attributes that would be desirable in the next superintendent? • What else would you like to add to provide insight to the school committee, search committee, candidates for the superintendency, and the successful candidate?
Specific information about Lowell, its schools and its administrative structure are provided in a brochure prepared by the Lowell Public Schools (LPS) in collaboration with MASC. It is accessible on the MASC web site at www.masc.org.
KEY THEMES FROM THE FOCUS GROUPS
One very interesting aspect of the meetings with constituents was the consensus of responses. There were very few contradictions to comments on the key points and central themes. It does appear that stakeholders are thinking alike and speaking consistently about their goals and concerns for the district and for the future of Lowell.
Commitment to the Success of Lowell. Participants take pride in their schools and in the city itself. They cited several innovations and a history of looking forward. In fact, Lowell High School was the state’s first coeducational secondary school when it was founded in 1831. Faculty members, despite significant challenges, embrace their positions and affirm their commitment to remain in Lowell and work with its
March 19, 2019 1 Lowell Superintendent Search Focus Group Report
children and families. Parents spoke highly of the city and their pride in being there and being part of the future for which there was cautious optimism.
Diversity as an Asset. Lowell has been a place where immigrants have arrived in various waves over decades and become part of the fabric of the city. There was a broad consensus that this is at the heart of what Lowell has become and the faculty is committed to it. Several responders noted their particular pride in having family who immigrated to Lowell. Still, the large population of English Language Learners represents a special responsibility which teachers and principals seem to embrace. They also acknowledge economic diversity as a challenge to “gateway cities” like Lowell that need additional funding just to maintain level services.
Empowering the Constituents Representing Lowell’s Diverse Population. Advocates for students believe that empowerment of parents is an important objective given the continued migration of students into the district. They call for a more broad outreach program to work with ELL constituencies. Lowell personnel often rely on a description of the 30-30-30-10 factor. (Thirty percent of the students are white, 30% Asian, and 30% Hispanic. The balance includes a growing population of African immigrant students and a range of others.) A high school administrator explained there are over 60 languages spoken by students at LHS.
Strength of Individual School Faculties. It is not unusual for the faculty to speak well of itself, but in the case of Lowell, parents also spoke highly of the teachers and principals who educate their children. Teachers and administrators gave highly detailed examples of how they fulfill their missions during a period of cutbacks and shortfalls. They articulated a strong commitment to their diverse student bodies, but also pointed to disparities that exist among schools. This is not to say there was high morale or absence of complaints noted. Many concerns were noted. The loss of classroom supports, reductions of paraprofessional positions in previous years, and frustration with the influence of politics and patronage in the past were mentioned frequently, but with emphasis that teachers, aides, principals and others work with focus on supporting the children in the district. There was clear respect for their students and parents at an unusually high level. The presence of a high number of native Lowell people among the ranks at every level and among all positions was cited as an asset that reinforces the commitment to the district, but, also, a liability to the “outsiders” who lack the familial and political relationships to the city’s political power structure.
Several veteran educators warn of a higher volume of retirements in 3-5 years, and they are concerned that these positions be filled and not left vacant or eliminated.
Collective Bargaining is Important. Collective bargaining has its friends and foes. There are those who believe that the entire education reform movement is based on hostility to teachers’ unions, while teachers argue that bargaining requires administrators to be more collaborative and create more partnerships that will be more effective because of it. The next superintendent should be briefed thoroughly on the various contracts with administrators, teachers, paraprofessionals, clerks, custodians and other classified employees working under written agreements. The superintendent should also understand the philosophy behind bargaining in order to succeed in a district with a long labor history.
March 19, 2019 2 Lowell Superintendent Search Focus Group Report
Funding Shortfalls and Resulting Cuts. Lowell provides what is regarded as fair compensation to its teachers, according to many faculty interviewees. Unlike some districts, staff do not flee the LPS for other higher-paying positions, because the compensation structure is viewed fairly. They note that individuals have been valued and prioritized over other cost cutting tactics deployed by other districts. While faculty appreciate this, they point to certain elements that undermine morale. In many cases, positions often go unfilled when they are vacated rather than resorting to layoffs. However, parents and faculty members cited significant cuts to services and programs for students including the elimination of library faculty across the district with the exception of the high school. There have been reductions in paraprofessional positions. Some key central office positions are unfilled. Faculty members explain how they have accepted additional elements to their work to cover for these losses, but they were clear in the need for significant infusions of funds to restore important services. There was some sense that the city should do more to generate the funds, while others believe the state should recalibrate the foundation budget system to fill the gap.
Five Schools will Require “Turn-Around Plans. Lowell has five schools, including Lowell High School, that are designated as “in need of improvement” under the state’s accountability and assessment system. The district will have three years to effect a successful transition in each school out of sanction status. However, educators see this as a “formidable but surmountable” challenge based on the success of earlier school turnaround efforts. They are concerned that these schools at risk have the financial support and independence to structure their renaissance without excessive interference. The next superintendent will need to monitor careful the legitimacy of this wish to manage their own turnaround with the obligations of the central office to oversee the process.
Several knowledgeable stakeholders advised that successful school improvement involves appreciating the role of teachers, allowing educators to opt-out if they find strategies unacceptable, tailoring curricula to the project, setting the right goals, establishing pre and after-school services, establishing collaboration with social and economic agency partners, and allotting or finding sufficient additional funds to secure these elements. Contributors were also adamant that the district would achieve success without the intervention of the kind of external consultants who enter with an agenda or preconceived notion of the right strategy.
Central Office and the Schools. In a district of almost 15,000 students, it is common for faculty to view the Central Offices as somewhat removed from the day to day life in the classroom. However, because of the tight knit nature of the faculty and its relationship to Lowell and their colleagues in the school department, there is a measure detante. School faculties would like more flexibility relative to the day to day operations and general goal setting as well as accountability while the central office personnel push back because of the nature of the state accountability system and the need to keep the pressure on educators to improve outcomes. However, several key positions are unfilled and functions working with fewer staff, including human resources which was cited as a having a significant impact. Several parents and faculty members urged the creation of 360-degree evaluations in order to implement the long promised (by the state) teacher and parent input into evaluations.
March 19, 2019 3 Lowell Superintendent Search Focus Group Report
A parent observed to a room with a lot of agreement, “Having the skeleton crew in the central office is less a distraction than an opportunity to bring in new leadership and effect needed changes.”
Desire for a Superintendent Who Will Stay and Lead. The district has had a series of superintendents who have stayed for three years or less and two of whom, over the last decade, who left unwillingly. Faculty and parents note that the principals and students shield the students from the impact of changing district leadership, but they note that strong, enlightened, and caring leadership will have an impact only if it is installed for the long term. Administrators see the superintendent as one creating the leadership team of the future and who will be able to manage the complex administrative challenges and to build strong relationships with the community, faculty, and Middlesex Community College and the University of Massachusetts-Lowell.
Clarity About Who is in Charge of What. There was a great deal of frustration expressed by contributors about the problems of working within an educational bureaucracy, particularly one that is understaffed and where lines of authority are ambiguous or freely crossed even by some of the same people who call for clear lines of authority.
Equitable Distribution of Capital and Financial Resources. Another consistent theme from responders was the need to scrutinize the conditions of buildings, policies relative to student assignment, and the contract related practices of transfer and reassignment of teachers and paraprofessionals to address a problem of resource allocations. MASC is always cautious when addressing the issues of “equity” because it can be easy to state but difficult to define and implement. In Lowell’s case, several instances were stated about high risk students attending particular schools, underperforming faculty being transferred to certain schools in past years, and general resource distribution being imbalanced. This is a frequent set of concerns in most Massachusetts districts, but participants in focus groups see this as a special challenge for the next superintendent.
Concerns About the High School. The city hosts a single general high school, and based on comments from a wide range of participants, the faculty is committed to its students and the city. A new high school will be constructed in phases over the next seven years. It will be constructed on the current site in the downtown area – the end result of a highly publicized and controversial process of site selection that defined much of Lowell politics for several years. Now, the decisions have been made and the process of getting a new complex is underway.
Two major themes around this emerged from the focus groups: 1) that the new complex be built efficiently and well and that disruptions to student and community life be minimized; and 2) that steps be taken to ensure that a greater number of students are well served to achieve high performance levels. Large schools are always at risk for students “falling through the cracks.” It was the sense of many responders that outstanding students can do well, but, perhaps, not as well as in other districts, and this is a cause for concern. Also, Lowell High School services an extraordinarily socially, economically, racially and linguistically diverse population, and a high risk student base will demand resources and services.
March 19, 2019 4 Lowell Superintendent Search Focus Group Report
Positive Comments about Special Education Services. Of those who participated in focus group discussions, there was a highly unusual level of support for the special education services in the district. Articulated by the faculty and reinforced by comments from parents, the quality of services to special needs children are regarded as high and the level of collaboration and transparency with parents is appreciated. Staffs are viewed as advocates for children and the administration is well regarded as focused on the mission for students more than the desire to withhold services for the purpose of saving money. During the week of focus group meetings, it was announced that the director of special education had resigned. This should bring special focus to the future of the program and a point of interest for the next superintendent.
Making the Lowell Public Schools the Schools of Choice. Parents have choices: parochial, non-sectarian private, and charter schools. Charters, in particular, divert state funds and disrupt the economy of scale that comes from running a two-tiered, but singly funded state system. Most stakeholders do not realize how much charter schools divert from Chapter 70 financial aid – the full average per pupil cost per student and not, as is widely believed, a lesser amount. Most educators and members of the public want an environment where parents would return their children to the Lowell Public Schools.
Special Facets of Plan-E and the Role of the City Manager. Lowell is one of three cities operating under a ‘Plan-E” form of government. Under Plan-E, the city council elects one of its own members to serve as mayor who chairs both the council and the school committee. As a result, veterans of municipal government point to the support for public schools from a system where local elected officials often move from the school committee to the city council. The city also appoints the city manager who has very carefully defined authority over the operations of the administration of city government. The authority of the city manager is similar to the authority of the superintendent of schools, both of whom are legally authorized to oversee municipal government, especially personnel. In addition, the city has done well in terms of economic development, but reaping the success of urban development requires years of patient and consistent planning, just as meaningful improvement in student achievement requires well planned, focused and collaborative work in the schools and central office.
Politics and Schools. As is the case with virtually all Massachusetts urban school districts, many educators come to work in one school system and remain throughout their career. Prior to the modern education reform movement, local residents received an unofficial but real preference in obtaining positions as teachers and, subsequently, promotion to the principal and central office administrative ranks. As is also the case, the faces of the faculty reflect the city as it was decades earlier. As new immigrants come into the city, and as the population diversifies, the faculty rarely resembles the students. Moreover, as the preponderance of faculty are drawn from the municipality, it is the community that now raises questions of diversity and the disadvantage of not having a connection to the city’s political forces.
This is not to question the competency of the faculty. Stakeholders were virtually unanimous in commending the principals and teachers and noting the support of paraprofessionals and support persons.
March 19, 2019 5 Lowell Superintendent Search Focus Group Report
These same constituents, parents, and educators criticize the role of politics in the school system, but , on the other hand, they describe their own willingness to use their local connections, end-run the chain of command, take their concerns directly to the school committee, encourage the use of the school committee as a forum to advocate for their personal and professional advantage, and, without the deliberate intent to do so, undermine the authority of the central office, and, counterintuitively, argue for a superintendent who will end the practices that undermine progress.
Most focus group participants are looking to the school committee to lead the way in appointing, and, more importantly, supporting a superintendent who will effect this change.
They also note that any superintendent who comes to Lowell from another district will be at a distinct disadvantage by not having the knowledge of local history, understanding of the depth of current relationships, and the familiarity with the individual school, constituency, and community priorities. As one knowledgeable individual said, “Lowell has a lot of political pot holes, and the newbie needs not to step in one.”
SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE FOCUS GROUPS
STRENGTHS OF THE CITY AND THE DISTRICT
As noted above, the community and faculty stakeholders noted the following strengths:
• A proficient and committed faculty. This was a general consensus as noted above. Educators appreciate their colleagues, parents support the schools and respect the teachers and building leaders, and the faculty is stable and supportive of the students. They note that faculty are “in it for the right reason” and “home grown” and that this argues that they have a good, ongoing understanding of student concerns. • Students may obtain college credits through the duel enrollment program and, if successful, can obtain an undergraduate degree in three years. • The Knowledge Bowl is an important program for middle schoolers and is a popular event for students. Proponents fear that programs like this could be sacrificed in the interests of time. • There were theme schools that were referenced frequently as assets to the district. There is a program for the arts, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), and a community school model. Also, there are three “therapeutic schools” serve students with high level special needs.
AREAS FOR GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT AND CHANGE (Several additional issues to fulfill unmet needs are incorporated into the section, below, on Characteristics of the Superintendent)
• Financial issues have resulted in: o Loss of elementary and middle school library time. o Limits to art, music, and related arts curricula in the lower grades.
March 19, 2019 6 Lowell Superintendent Search Focus Group Report
o Reductions that took place in previous years of school resource officer time in schools. o Consolidation of positions, adding to the workload. o Many important positions are unfilled. • While social and emotional needs of students are prioritized, there is a great call for additional student mental health and counseling services. • Although constituents praise the work of schools and teachers, the stress of working in a fiscally tight environment and the growing demands of children in distress bring less job satisfaction to the workplace. • There is a need for benchmarks to monitor student progress. • There is a need for a vision that is well defined and carried out. • Where there are short-term assignments during transitions in school or classroom leadership, or transfers of faculty, children have less opportunity to build relationships with students or teachers. This was raised in reference to language in the collective bargaining agreements that may require principals to accept transfers-in who were not their first choices, or in situations where there is rapid turnover in certain schools.
THE NEXT SUPERINTENDENT
• Someone, preferably with experience as a superintendent or ranking central office administrator, with an understanding of urban district schooling and the experience of serving an economically as well as culturally diverse community. This would include an understanding of “gateway cities” and appreciated the unique social and emotional disruptors such as anxiety, depression, and even fear that new residents can feel. • Involved and visible. Several participants noted they appreciated the opportunity to have contact with the superintendent, and there was wide consensus that educators would like to see the superintendent visit their buildings. Parents also noted that for a variety of reasons, including being pulled in various directions at the same time, the superintendents, whoever they may have been, was not accessible to them. • Bilingual and Bicultural. A number of interviewees stated a goal of finding a bilingual leader and one who is comfortable with at least one of the cultures of Lowell’s students and families. • Done some homework about Lowell. There was no real consensus about whether the next superintendent should come via an internal promotion or from outside the district. However, stakeholders believe that preparation for this position would be essential to being successful given the many complexities, relationships, and challenges of a large, urban district. • Background in education, preferably in a classroom or with direct service to children (i.e., SPED). Stakeholders, as a whole, want someone who has worked in a classroom or directly in a school with children. This view was strongly held by teachers and paraprofessionals, but less so among others. • Knowledgeable about collective bargaining and managing union-organized staff in ways that can bring about mutually agreeable strategies and “win-win” outcomes.
March 19, 2019 7 Lowell Superintendent Search Focus Group Report
• Familiarity with school building projects is important. The segmented reconstruction of the high school will require familiarity with the many elements of a major project including safety, scheduling, access, and watching over the construction appropriately. • Knowledgeable and able to explain a school budget. Several attendees are also looking to the superintendent to find additional money to protect and even restore some of the cut services. • Able to find new money. To complement general budget savvy, participants see the need for greater financial strength through grants, partnerships or statewide advocacy. • Committed to civic engagement and parent empowerment. Lowell officials are also considering new strategies to make local elected boards more diverse. Several strategies are possible, but they are not necessarily within the responsibilities of the superintendent. However, voter empowerment was also an expressed goal of parents and advocates for them. • An appreciation of the laws, regulations and principles of special education so as to continue the user-friendly culture of the SPED department and its compliance with state requirements. • Appreciates and supports co-curricular activities and arts and enrichment as valuable components of high quality education of children. • Authenticity and caring. The next superintendent should demonstrate a strong appreciation for people and a caring nature for children and families. • A leadership style that: o Personifies high expectations for children and teachers. o Skills that not only personify exemplary leadership styles, but also “motivate courageous followers.” o Administers transparently and demands the same from subordinates. o Balances top down and bottom up management, and the pros and cons of each. o Delegates to subordinates and supports them in their work. o Understanding of, and interest in, innovation and change o Builds collaboration among educators and with parents and community and can use these contacts to build a truly diverse staff at all levels. o Is able to say, “No,” without burning bridges. • A communications style that: o Is founded on a goal of clarity. o Understands media and how to use it. o Can produce information quickly and accessibly. o Uses humor and good naturedness appropriately. o Will be as well known to the clerks and custodians as to teachers, paraprofessionals and principals. o “Someone who would want make me want to stay in Lowell.”
March 19, 2019 8 Lowell Superintendent Search Focus Group Report Lowell Superintendent Search Survey
Q1 We welcome your participation in the following survey to help determine the best criteria for selecting the Superintendent of Schools. Please select the category that best describes you.
Answered: 76 Skipped: 5
Parent of a Lowell Publi...
Employee of Lowell Publi...
Resident of Lowell witho...
Student in the LowellPublic...
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Parent of a Lowell Public Schools Student 63.16% 48
Employee of Lowell Public Schools 25.00% 19
Resident of Lowell without Children in the Lowell Public Schools 11.84% 9
Student in the LowellPublic Schools 0.00% 0 TOTAL 76
# OTHER (PLEASE SPECIFY) DATE 1 other 4/5/2019 9:53 PM 2 Community Partner 4/5/2019 9:00 PM
3 I am also an employee of the LPS 4/5/2019 9:08 AM 4 Future parent of LPS students (children 3 and 1) 4/3/2019 9:15 PM 5 flexibility and judges with facts not emotions. 4/2/2019 10:23 PM
6 Daughter will be at Lowell public this fall 4/2/2019 8:41 PM 7 I am also a parent of 3 LPS students 4/2/2019 6:16 PM
1 / 14 Lowell Superintendent Search Survey
Q2 Please rank the following priorities in order of importance to you, with one being the most important (1-21):
Answered: 80 Skipped: 1
Educational leadership
Collective bargaining a...
Facilities management
Curriculum development
Quality classroom...
Financial management
Communication with parents...
Communication with the...
Communications with staff
Staff relations an...
Professional development
School-based technology
Defining district goals
District improvement...
Ensuring that students are...
Academic standards an...
Amount of testing in...
Diversity of staff
Working with a Diverse Stud...
Staff evaluation
Student extra curricular...
Emotional, mental, and...
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Educational 31.94% 11.11% 2.78% 6.94% 1.39% 5.56% 5.56% 2.78% 5.56% 4.17% 2.78% 1.39% 4.17% 1.39% 0.00% leadership 23 8 2 5 1 4 4 2 4 3 2 1 3 1 Collective 4.11% 9.59% 5.48% 5.48% 5.48% 6.85% 8.22% 1.37% 6.85% 4.11% 0.00% 1.37% 4.11% 1.37% 4.11% bargaining and 3 7 4 4 4 5 6 1 5 3 0 1 3 1 employment policy Facilities 4.05% 9.46% 14.86% 4.05% 6.76% 5.41% 8.11% 9.46% 6.76% 1.35% 6.76% 2.70% 4.05% 0.00% 4.05% management 3 7 11 3 5 4 6 7 5 1 5 2 3 0 Curriculum 6.94% 5.56% 11.11% 13.89% 8.33% 2.78% 5.56% 6.94% 6.94% 5.56% 2.78% 5.56% 1.39% 1.39% 4.17% development 5 4 8 10 6 2 4 5 5 4 2 4 1 1
2 / 14 Lowell Superintendent Search Survey
Quality 2.78% 11.11% 11.11% 12.50% 11.11% 9.72% 6.94% 8.33% 5.56% 4.17% 4.17% 0.00% 5.56% 1.39% 0.00% classroom 2 8 8 9 8 7 5 6 4 3 3 0 4 1 instruction Financial 9.46% 9.46% 6.76% 12.16% 6.76% 13.51% 4.05% 4.05% 5.41% 5.41% 2.70% 4.05% 0.00% 4.05% 2.70% management 7 7 5 9 5 10 3 3 4 4 2 3 0 3
Communication 4.17% 5.56% 5.56% 6.94% 9.72% 6.94% 15.28% 11.11% 0.00% 4.17% 6.94% 4.17% 6.94% 4.17% 2.78% with parents and 3 4 4 5 7 5 11 8 0 3 5 3 5 3 guardians Communication 0.00% 1.39% 4.17% 2.78% 4.17% 5.56% 8.33% 13.89% 9.72% 6.94% 2.78% 6.94% 4.17% 6.94% 2.78% with the 0 1 3 2 3 4 6 10 7 5 2 5 3 5 community Communications 1.39% 1.39% 5.56% 4.17% 8.33% 4.17% 5.56% 6.94% 11.11% 11.11% 5.56% 5.56% 6.94% 4.17% 8.33% with staff 1 1 4 3 6 3 4 5 8 8 4 4 5 3 Staff relations 0.00% 5.33% 12.00% 4.00% 10.67% 6.67% 9.33% 4.00% 1.33% 14.67% 6.67% 8.00% 4.00% 0.00% 2.67% and morale 0 4 9 3 8 5 7 3 1 11 5 6 3 0 Professional 0.00% 0.00% 4.17% 1.39% 1.39% 2.78% 4.17% 5.56% 4.17% 1.39% 16.67% 11.11% 8.33% 11.11% 6.94% development 0 0 3 1 1 2 3 4 3 1 12 8 6 8
School-based 1.39% 1.39% 0.00% 5.56% 2.78% 6.94% 2.78% 0.00% 6.94% 4.17% 6.94% 16.67% 4.17% 9.72% 4.17% technology 1 1 0 4 2 5 2 0 5 3 5 12 3 7 Defining district 1.35% 4.05% 0.00% 1.35% 2.70% 2.70% 1.35% 1.35% 1.35% 5.41% 4.05% 8.11% 20.27% 9.46% 4.05% goals 1 3 0 1 2 2 1 1 1 4 3 6 15 7 District 4.23% 5.63% 5.63% 1.41% 1.41% 0.00% 1.41% 1.41% 4.23% 0.00% 2.82% 2.82% 5.63% 23.94% 5.63% improvement 3 4 4 1 1 0 1 1 3 0 2 2 4 17 planning
Ensuring that 4.00% 2.67% 0.00% 0.00% 6.67% 5.33% 4.00% 5.33% 0.00% 6.67% 2.67% 6.67% 2.67% 6.67% 21.33% students are 3 2 0 0 5 4 3 4 0 5 2 5 2 5 college and career ready Academic 1.39% 2.78% 0.00% 1.39% 2.78% 0.00% 0.00% 1.39% 4.17% 0.00% 4.17% 2.78% 6.94% 4.17% 9.72% standards and 1 2 0 1 2 0 0 1 3 0 3 2 5 3 student assessment Amount of 0.00% 2.70% 1.35% 1.35% 0.00% 4.05% 2.70% 4.05% 1.35% 2.70% 1.35% 2.70% 0.00% 1.35% 2.70% testing in which 0 2 1 1 0 3 2 3 1 2 1 2 0 1 students are participating Diversity of staff 0.00% 1.39% 1.39% 1.39% 1.39% 1.39% 1.39% 2.78% 6.94% 4.17% 5.56% 1.39% 1.39% 0.00% 5.56% 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 5 3 4 1 1 0 Working with a 5.26% 6.58% 2.63% 2.63% 5.26% 3.95% 1.32% 1.32% 3.95% 5.26% 1.32% 1.32% 2.63% 7.89% 1.32% Diverse Student 4 5 2 2 4 3 1 1 3 4 1 1 2 6 and Community Population Staff evaluation 1.37% 0.00% 1.37% 1.37% 0.00% 1.37% 1.37% 2.74% 1.37% 1.37% 6.85% 1.37% 2.74% 0.00% 1.37% 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 2 1 1 5 1 2 0 Student extra 1.35% 1.35% 1.35% 4.05% 1.35% 4.05% 2.70% 4.05% 2.70% 5.41% 4.05% 1.35% 1.35% 1.35% 2.70% curricular 1 1 1 3 1 3 2 3 2 4 3 1 1 1 activities Emotional, 19.23% 5.13% 3.85% 8.97% 5.13% 2.56% 2.56% 2.56% 3.85% 3.85% 2.56% 3.85% 1.28% 0.00% 2.56% mental, and 15 4 3 7 4 2 2 2 3 3 2 3 1 0 physical health of students and staff
3 / 14 Lowell Superintendent Search Survey
Q3 What do you believe is/will be the most important issues facing the next Superintendent?
Answered: 73 Skipped: 8
# RESPONSES DATE 1 challenges of the physical plant and cohesion of the staff and administration working together for 4/16/2019 10:43 AM common goals 2 Improving facility maintenance. 4/6/2019 11:03 PM 3 Safe schools(heat, mice issues, etc) 4/6/2019 9:28 PM 4 School equity across the district 4/6/2019 5:57 PM 5 The infrastructure crisis 4/6/2019 3:27 PM
6 employees harassing and bulling other employees and getting away with it.... and the bosses are 4/5/2019 9:53 PM doing the same... the put employees in a hostile environment because they do not like them, and because they want them out 7 Contending with the crumbling infrastructure of Lowell’s Schools 4/5/2019 9:00 PM 8 Budget, safety of schools, ROBINSON SCHOOL RESOURCES a PRIORITY to help this school 4/5/2019 9:08 AM succeed!!! 9 Managing construction; working with school committee and city council; improving diversity of staff 4/4/2019 8:26 PM and involving community in school 10 Getting LPSD back on track Financially and Fixing and Managing the Buildings. After this is 4/4/2019 6:38 PM completed maybe he can start to address what really matters. A good quality education for all students! 11 Increase teacher pay and benefits and not bankrupting the city 4/4/2019 4:10 PM 12 The deterioration of our school buildings 4/4/2019 4:01 PM 13 Communication and school standard 4/4/2019 11:35 AM 14 I believe that the next Superintendent will need to deal with district organization, common goals 4/4/2019 11:31 AM district wide, supporting a more positive culture district wide and working on plans for the new LHS. 15 They like to harass and bully people untill they leave there jobs...hostile environment 4/3/2019 10:04 PM 16 District improvement planning, dealing with facilities issues, high school project 4/3/2019 9:15 PM 17 updating schools and fixing building issues 4/3/2019 8:09 PM 18 Politics 4/3/2019 7:12 PM 19 The Lowell High School *Maintenance, Remodel and or new High School 4/3/2019 7:07 PM 20 having to clean up and rebuild but this is a chance for change. 4/3/2019 4:30 PM 21 Budget 4/3/2019 3:09 PM 22 the budget, proper management, communication, dealing with the issues 4/3/2019 1:11 PM 23 Creating long-term plans to maintain facilities new and old. Take up the many initiatives supporting 4/3/2019 11:05 AM LPS, expand and institute long-term to make Lowell a model of excellence in urban education. Lowell Public Schools will also need to develop a plan to support students through diverse hiring practices and increased cultural literacy for staff. 24 Fulyl Funding are schools and Standing up to City Hall 4/3/2019 9:14 AM 25 Safety in classrooms for students and teachers. 4/3/2019 6:19 AM 26 Retaining teachers, bullying 4/3/2019 12:31 AM 27 Financial and addressing individual school issues 4/2/2019 11:04 PM 28 The Lowell High project 4/2/2019 11:02 PM 29 Buildings and maintenance 4/2/2019 10:43 PM 30 The budget crises is a big issue. We also have many high needs students and their needs 4/2/2019 10:38 PM frquently are not being met. I think this is partially because of underfunding. Staff and leadership needing additional education about the impact of trauma and disabilities needs to be improved. We have trauma informed schools. We should be a trauma informed district, with everyone getting ARC training. It is something that would be cost effective and bring up our test scores.
31 dwindling support staff 4/2/2019 10:25 PM 32 finances 4/2/2019 10:19 PM 33 finances 4/2/2019 9:49 PM 34 staying away from egoistic power tie politics and favoritism 4/2/2019 9:37 PM 35 Working cooperatively with the School Committee and the city 4/2/2019 9:36 PM 36 Curriculum 4/2/2019 9:31 PM 37 The complex needs of the district with the current funding. 4/2/2019 9:07 PM 38 Facilities management 4/2/2019 9:06 PM 39 Financial management, new high school 4/2/2019 8:41 PM 40 The buildings! All of them are falling apart and the RATS! 4/2/2019 8:28 PM 41 Understanding our population and fixing the mess that the city is in 4/2/2019 8:28 PM 42 Fixing special ed services given to students. District spends more money fighting in legal fees then 4/2/2019 8:04 PM they would if they just gave the services. Waste of money. Needs looking into and reevaluating. 43 Building conditions 4/2/2019 8:00 PM
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44 Budget/high svhool construction 4/2/2019 7:26 PM 45 transparency and fiscal management 4/2/2019 7:16 PM 46 Budgeting 4/2/2019 7:05 PM 47 BUDGET 4/2/2019 6:59 PM 48 Diverse staff, appropriate curriculum, building upkeep, staff morale, support staff, discipline 4/2/2019 6:48 PM policies for unruly students 49 The construction of the new LHS 4/2/2019 6:44 PM 50 Bringing up academic and curriculum standards to be in first class when compared with state and 4/2/2019 6:39 PM national. 51 Acting in the interests of the students instead of political friendships 4/2/2019 6:30 PM 52 Maintaining public relations and relieving financial deficits. 4/2/2019 6:30 PM 53 Conditions of schools and buildings 4/2/2019 6:27 PM 54 Dealing with decrepit buildings 4/2/2019 6:23 PM 55 Breaking the traditional model and exploriing new, innovative ways to meet the needs of ALL our 4/2/2019 6:23 PM students 56 The budget-cleaning up the mess he/she will inherit. Also, bringing the team downtown together. 4/2/2019 6:20 PM 57 Better teaching techniques for all children. Children are not robots and everyone learns differently. 4/2/2019 6:19 PM Plus the public education system is the poorest in this country and it’s a shame when people do not teach children to be intelligent. You teach children by dumbing them down. My education as a child was 20 times better than it is for my children. 58 Budget, Budget, and Budget 4/2/2019 6:16 PM 59 facilities 4/2/2019 6:16 PM 60 Closing gap beteeen each school level to provide equal opportunity to each student 4/2/2019 5:56 PM 61 The new high school 4/2/2019 5:47 PM 62 Transition to the new LHS 4/2/2019 5:46 PM 63 Political connections in a corrupt city 4/2/2019 5:28 PM 64 Budget 4/2/2019 4:41 PM 65 Renovating the school occupied by students 4/2/2019 4:26 PM 66 The high school 4/2/2019 4:09 PM 67 Schools are operating without adequate resources, staff, or facilities. 4/2/2019 4:09 PM 68 financial - lack of funding, over-reach of SC, community relationships 4/2/2019 3:12 PM 69 Equality among the schools, increase district morale, quality instruction happening at all schools 4/2/2019 2:09 PM despite the constant budget cuts 70 Curriculum 4/2/2019 1:44 PM 71 Financial Management 4/2/2019 12:41 PM 72 Dealing with a school committee that lacks knowledge of public education programs. 4/2/2019 12:40 PM
73 Management skills: needs to be exceptional at hiring, delegating, and communicating the 4/2/2019 12:29 PM department's plan.
5 / 14 Lowell Superintendent Search Survey
Q4 Please rank the following skills and abilities, with one being the most important (1-20):
Answered: 76 Skipped: 5
Development and...
Success in acquiring...
Experience in collective...
Successful administrati...
Experience in curriculum...
Excellent communicatio...
Skills in working with...
Success in improving/ma...
Encourages parental...
Experience as a principal
Understanding of special...
Understands and recogniz...
Strong Organization...
Experience in educational...
Interest in promoting...
Participation in community...
Experience in developing...
Understanding of and...
Experience in crisis...
Experience with program...
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Development and 39.71% 13.24% 8.82% 10.29% 4.41% 4.41% 0.00% 2.94% 5.88% 0.00% 1.47% 1.47% 1.47% 0.00% Implementation of 27 9 6 7 3 3 0 2 4 0 1 1 1 0 Budget Success in acquiring 5.97% 26.87% 11.94% 5.97% 8.96% 4.48% 2.99% 1.49% 2.99% 1.49% 4.48% 1.49% 1.49% 2.99% outside funding and 4 18 8 4 6 3 2 1 2 1 3 1 1 2 grants Experience in 1.54% 4.62% 15.38% 7.69% 10.77% 7.69% 3.08% 1.54% 6.15% 4.62% 0.00% 3.08% 4.62% 3.08% collective bargaining 1 3 10 5 7 5 2 1 4 3 0 2 3 2
Successful 12.86% 17.14% 10.00% 27.14% 5.71% 2.86% 1.43% 4.29% 4.29% 0.00% 2.86% 2.86% 0.00% 1.43% administrative 9 12 7 19 4 2 1 3 3 0 2 2 0 1 experience
Experience in 0.00% 4.29% 5.71% 2.86% 17.14% 11.43% 8.57% 5.71% 8.57% 5.71% 7.14% 4.29% 4.29% 4.29% curriculum 0 3 4 2 12 8 6 4 6 4 5 3 3 3 development
Excellent 10.14% 5.80% 18.84% 2.90% 5.80% 24.64% 10.14% 7.25% 2.90% 5.80% 1.45% 0.00% 1.45% 0.00% communication skills 7 4 13 2 4 17 7 5 2 4 1 0 1 0
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Skills in working with 4.35% 11.59% 4.35% 2.90% 7.25% 4.35% 21.74% 7.25% 4.35% 5.80% 8.70% 7.25% 2.90% 0.00% diverse groups 3 8 3 2 5 3 15 5 3 4 6 5 2 0
Success in 8.82% 1.47% 0.00% 5.88% 7.35% 7.35% 7.35% 26.47% 1.47% 7.35% 4.41% 5.88% 2.94% 2.94% improving/maintaining 6 1 0 4 5 5 5 18 1 5 3 4 2 2 high academic standards
Encourages parental 2.94% 1.47% 4.41% 4.41% 7.35% 5.88% 7.35% 7.35% 23.53% 5.88% 2.94% 1.47% 4.41% 4.41% involvement 2 1 3 3 5 4 5 5 16 4 2 1 3 3 Experience as a 4.62% 0.00% 0.00% 3.08% 0.00% 1.54% 1.54% 4.62% 1.54% 23.08% 6.15% 10.77% 9.23% 4.62% principal 3 0 0 2 0 1 1 3 1 15 4 7 6 3 Understanding of 4.23% 2.82% 4.23% 5.63% 2.82% 4.23% 4.23% 8.45% 2.82% 8.45% 21.13% 8.45% 7.04% 2.82% special education 3 2 3 4 2 3 3 6 2 6 15 6 5 2
Understands and 3.03% 3.03% 9.09% 3.03% 4.55% 4.55% 4.55% 1.52% 10.61% 4.55% 4.55% 21.21% 7.58% 4.55% recognizes good 2 2 6 2 3 3 3 1 7 3 3 14 5 3 teaching
Strong Organizational 2.99% 1.49% 1.49% 5.97% 2.99% 1.49% 2.99% 5.97% 5.97% 4.48% 7.46% 2.99% 20.90% 11.94% skills 2 1 1 4 2 1 2 4 4 3 5 2 14 8
Experience in 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 4.48% 1.49% 1.49% 0.00% 1.49% 0.00% 5.97% 1.49% 7.46% 11.94% 32.84% educational 0 0 0 3 1 1 0 1 0 4 1 5 8 22 technology Interest in promoting 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 1.45% 2.90% 1.45% 1.45% 2.90% 2.90% 1.45% 4.35% 7.25% 8.70% 5.80% professional 0 0 0 1 2 1 1 2 2 1 3 5 6 4 development for all staff
Participation in 0.00% 4.48% 0.00% 4.48% 2.99% 1.49% 2.99% 1.49% 2.99% 1.49% 2.99% 1.49% 1.49% 2.99% community groups 0 3 0 3 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 1 2 Experience in 1.52% 3.03% 3.03% 0.00% 1.52% 0.00% 4.55% 1.52% 4.55% 3.03% 0.00% 3.03% 1.52% 4.55% developing innovative 1 2 2 0 1 0 3 1 3 2 0 2 1 3 educational partnerships Understanding of and 0.00% 1.49% 2.99% 0.00% 0.00% 5.97% 0.00% 0.00% 2.99% 1.49% 1.49% 4.48% 2.99% 4.48% commitment to 0 1 2 0 0 4 0 0 2 1 1 3 2 3 vocational education Experience in crisis 1.47% 1.47% 0.00% 1.47% 4.41% 1.47% 4.41% 4.41% 4.41% 4.41% 10.29% 0.00% 4.41% 1.47% management 1 1 0 1 3 1 3 3 3 3 7 0 3 1
Experience with 2.82% 2.82% 5.63% 4.23% 5.63% 1.41% 7.04% 1.41% 1.41% 5.63% 2.82% 5.63% 0.00% 4.23% programs for social- 2 2 4 3 4 1 5 1 1 4 2 4 0 3 emotional learning
7 / 14 Lowell Superintendent Search Survey
Q5 What are the strengths of the Lowell Public Schools that you would like to see preserved?
Answered: 68 Skipped: 13
# RESPONSES DATE 1 diversity of the student body, the special education programs and summer programs 4/16/2019 10:43 AM 2 Diversity of student body, teacher development, strong academic classes, desicated 4/10/2019 12:03 AM teachers/principals
3 Pathways programs 4/6/2019 9:28 PM 4 Dedicated staff and faculty who understand the community. Strong partnerships with community 4/6/2019 5:57 PM groups and other educational institutions. 5 Our teaching staff understands content and pedagogy, we need to trust teachers and not move to 4/6/2019 3:27 PM top down programs
6 there are none 4/5/2019 9:53 PM 7 Caring teachers and staff. Abundance of excellent partnerships 4/5/2019 9:00 PM
8 The teachers The diversity of the students and families Knowledge Bowl The arts After-school 4/5/2019 9:08 AM programs Sports
9 Devoted teachers and administrators; great kids; diversity 4/4/2019 8:26 PM 10 I can’t think of just one to highlight! (I do like the middle school science/STEM night and the middle 4/4/2019 6:38 PM school sports (basketball, volleyball,cross country). Guess give students a place/opportunity to belong to an activity/find their nitche and stay out of trouble.)
11 At the school my daughter goes they are very caring and attentive to her needs. 4/4/2019 4:56 PM
12 Outstanding educational materials. Knowledge wasn't just spewed out and made to be 4/4/2019 4:10 PM regurgitated for a test. Lessons were taught to improve life 13 The teachers are highly committed to their students. Please continue to support them in their 4/4/2019 4:01 PM efforts.
14 Students feedback and care 4/4/2019 11:35 AM 15 I have not been a parent in LPS for long enough to full answer this question. I believe that 4/4/2019 11:31 AM something I've seen at the McAvinnue school that I would like to see preserved and be made a priority in all schools is community building - the school has a great culture and supports student and family engagement.
16 Diverse student population and staff, SPED services 4/4/2019 8:47 AM 17 Nothing. 4/3/2019 10:04 PM
18 Opportunities for kids of different levels. 4/3/2019 7:12 PM 19 After School Programs 4/3/2019 7:07 PM
20 having diversity but keeping classrooms limited at 24 students. free buses and lunch to remains. 4/3/2019 4:30 PM 21 I have not seen any 4/3/2019 1:11 PM
22 The predominant teacher force is very strong and I would like to see their ability to innovate 4/3/2019 11:05 AM preserved. There is an abundance of excellent programming that should be maintained and enhanced (early childhood, high school mentoring, clubs, etc.)
23 SENSE OF PRIDE IN OUR SCHOOLS..THERE HAS BEEN SO MUCH TURNOVER... 4/3/2019 9:14 AM 24 STEM Science Fair 4/3/2019 6:19 AM
25 Student Diversity, commitment to helping children with needs. 4/3/2019 2:57 AM 26 Teachers do care, thank goodness 4/3/2019 12:31 AM
27 The great teaching staff and sports programs 4/2/2019 10:43 PM 28 We are diverse. Some of our teachers, leadership, and staffat underperforming schools are 4/2/2019 10:38 PM amazing. We need to figure out to not penalize them for being in higher needs schools. Our higher performance schools i.e. the Wang and Daley have demographics of students that contribute to their success. We need to figure out how to make all schools comparably successful with some uniformity accross the district. Figure out what is working and implement it accross the district. Principals at some schools are doing things that work-i.e. the Bailey and McAvinnue turnarounds with great leadership we can learn from.
29 Dedicated staff School autonomy 4/2/2019 10:25 PM 30 Special Education is not received well by this "acting" superintendent and are losing an amazing 4/2/2019 10:23 PM leader due to politcs. 31 great teachers 4/2/2019 10:19 PM
32 quality of teaching; Independent elected school committee; 4/2/2019 9:49 PM 33 Strive to improve 4/2/2019 9:37 PM
34 Support for teachers 4/2/2019 9:36 PM 35 Teachers. The ground level teachers working with the students are fine. Everything else is a mess. 4/2/2019 9:31 PM
36 Success of the sports programs. LPS has great facilities if maintained. Sadly they are not. 4/2/2019 9:06 PM 37 Community involvement and referrals within the community 4/2/2019 8:28 PM
38 It needs a huge over haul. The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. Parents are 4/2/2019 8:04 PM being lied to about the simplest of things and made to feel stupid instead of just given an apology. Nothing is followed through. People pass the buck so of speak instead of handling the issues. Issues go on for years and parents are expected to repeat them selfs over and over without any resolutions because "someone" will get back to you. And get back you is you coming back in or email or phone call to redo it all over again.
8 / 14 Lowell Superintendent Search Survey
39 Curriculum and caring staff from top to bottom. 4/2/2019 8:00 PM 40 Most qualified staff hired, not a quota hiring system. 4/2/2019 7:26 PM
41 support for ELL 4/2/2019 7:16 PM 42 Community involvement 4/2/2019 7:05 PM
43 Diversity 4/2/2019 6:59 PM
44 Dedicated staff 4/2/2019 6:48 PM 45 Diversity of students and wide range of extra curricular activities in sports and the arts. 4/2/2019 6:44 PM
46 1.Attendance 2.Homework 3.Leadership in class 4/2/2019 6:39 PM 47 Diversity 4/2/2019 6:30 PM
48 Tenor of reliable educators in all schools. Quality over quantity, when it concerns staff in the 4/2/2019 6:30 PM special education classrooms. More student aids available in all classrooms. 49 Excellent knowledgable teachers at the elementary level, strong leadership with many 4/2/2019 6:27 PM administrators. 50 Dedication of staff 4/2/2019 6:23 PM
51 Diversity of students, community resources and opportunities if LPS were open to them. 4/2/2019 6:23 PM 52 Strong collective bargaining units. Lowell Teacher Academy and all the opportunities it provides to 4/2/2019 6:20 PM advance teachers and train and mentor new teachers.
53 No bullying policy 4/2/2019 6:19 PM 54 Sound teaching 4/2/2019 6:16 PM
55 Strong professional development for staff 4/2/2019 6:16 PM 56 STEM Program that should expend to all schools . Teachers collaboration between classrooms . 4/2/2019 5:56 PM Free meals and low cost of after school programs and in school activities 57 Amazing teachers who understand the needs of their students 4/2/2019 5:47 PM
58 Diversity of the students 4/2/2019 5:46 PM 59 Nothing, everything is bad 4/2/2019 5:28 PM
60 It’s diversity 4/2/2019 4:41 PM 61 Transportation 4/2/2019 4:26 PM
62 The staff is incredibly dedicated and committed to supporting our kids. 4/2/2019 4:09 PM 63 the richness of a diverse population needs to be honored 4/2/2019 3:12 PM
64 I don't have a strength except the current school my kids attend. I think my kids go to a top school 4/2/2019 2:09 PM in Lowell because the current administration work really hard to maintain quality instruction despite the ongoing challenges from the central office.
65 Strong teachers 4/2/2019 1:44 PM 66 Working with diverse groups. 4/2/2019 12:41 PM
67 The teachers and curriculum are excellent. 4/2/2019 12:40 PM 68 Diversity and commitment to challenging students and preparing them for college/adulthood, not 4/2/2019 12:29 PM pumping up grades for PR.
9 / 14 Lowell Superintendent Search Survey
Q6 What are the areas that need change and/or improvement?
Answered: 73 Skipped: 8
# RESPONSES DATE 1 the organization of evaluation in all areas seems lacking and diversity in the staff, especially at 4/16/2019 10:43 AM administrative levels.
2 Diverse staff. Building maintenence, equal opportunitis for ALL of the schools, school lunch quality 4/10/2019 12:03 AM 3 Facilities, general staff morale 4/6/2019 9:28 PM
4 Equitable resources and consistent expectations across schools. Addressing the staff and faculty 4/6/2019 5:57 PM who do NOT meet expectations, and ensuring that unsatisfactory performers are not reassigned to already-struggling schools.
5 Our infrastructure issues have been ignored too long. We need to maintain our facilities and make 4/6/2019 3:27 PM a safe learning environment a priority.
6 you need to take out the bullies and harassers even the bosses.... they like to ruin the lives of 4/5/2019 9:53 PM people and they get away with it because not one person does anything about it 7 Political Climate Outdated technology infrastructure Poor conditions of buildings, facilities, heating, 4/5/2019 9:00 PM air conditioning
8 It is unacceptable that certain schools in the district are allowed to be stereotyped (i.e.: The 4/5/2019 9:08 AM Robinson). We need to have a top-down, district mentality that ALL schools should be successful and that if one school is not succeeding, we are all not succeeding as a district. It is shameful and unacceptable that the Robinson has been labelled the way it is. We need a superintendent that will recognize that the Robinson needs resources: a second assistant principal (we have close to 700 students and one AP, there should be one for the 5th and 6th and one for the 7th and 8th). We need safety training for teachers. We need an advocate, a voice from the top that will help us and give us the resources we need. We need building maintenance. And that is just the Robinson. The district itself needs so much! More translators! Diverse staff to better reflect the student population! RESOURCES! Grants and funding from outside the district! THE ROBINSON 9 Evidence-based reading curriculum K-3; opportunities for teachers to hear the hopes and fears of 4/4/2019 8:26 PM parents who don’t participate in the usual school events 10 If a person isn’t doing their job successfully let them go. Don’t hold on to them and try to fit them 4/4/2019 6:38 PM into another position that they are not educated/good at. Stop paying people to sit around. Pay people who do their job.
11 I help a friend with the school bus and I had troubles. Twice the bus didn’t show up. Once it was 4/4/2019 4:56 PM 20 minutes late. Today, it was early. And the time in her card is 9:02 and the normal time for it is 8:50. How come it can’t be on time? It’s horrible for the kid waiting and disrespectful with her because of the weather we have. It’s just an example of what happened to me already. 12 Pay teachers more Bigger budgets. More activities and involvement for students. 4/4/2019 4:10 PM
13 Facilities management is lacking - buildings are not getting the repairs they need to be fully 4/4/2019 4:01 PM functional spaces. The communication with parents could also improve. 14 Diversity, school safety, communication 4/4/2019 11:35 AM
15 Every communication I have had outside of our school, the McAvinnue, has been negative. 4/4/2019 11:31 AM Dealing with preK and kindergarten registrations have been nothing short of a true nightmare. The fact that preschoolers need to reregister for kindergarten and are subject to being shipped to new schools is asinine and unfair to an incredibly young and vulnerable community. Every single person I've ever had to talk with that isn't a McAvinnue faculty or staff member, has not been able to answer questions, have given me conflicted answers to questions and have been all around unhelpful. It seems that there are many different administrative roles in LPS without communication or a clear chain of command. Additionally, the Lowell Public Schools website is difficult to follow and often has out of date information. There needs to be more frequent, timely and clear communication to parents from the district; and when there is district communication such as voicemails, those should be done by individuals with strong communication skills. 16 Extracirricular activities, equal approach to children with Special Education needs, focusing on 4/4/2019 8:47 AM safety 17 Change management they let harassment happen and tefuse to pay overtime. And denie it They 4/3/2019 10:04 PM like to ruin lives
18 Acknowledging the amount of social /emotional and special education issues that need immediate 4/3/2019 8:09 PM action. There is not nearly enough support for the amount children with these issues.
19 Provide better in classroom learning opportunities such as equipment for experiments, technology, 4/3/2019 7:12 PM etc. Building maintenance, high standard teachers, less politics, more about kids and learning. 20 Start doing the collective bargaining with the teachers union on time, no more of this wait 1-3 4/3/2019 7:07 PM years and back pay the teachers in a lump sum, it messes up the budget that year the the following 2-3 years. Adding more Music, and other Arts programs to after school programs. Start and fund an after school programs that students can join for additional help with coursework so as to not interrupt their normal class schedule.
21 Students should be assigned to schools in their neighborhood by default. school should be at a 4/3/2019 4:30 PM level 1 or close to it. If this is not the case why? 22 Communication reliability taken ownership of what they did wrong..... working to keep the building 4/3/2019 1:11 PM in good shape....working as a team....taken complaints more seriously...
23 Communication needs improvement. Policies and practical changes that affect students, families 4/3/2019 11:05 AM and teachers, should be communicated in a timely and open manner with opportunity for input. Also, while the teaching force is very strong, the process for new hires should have an additional lens focusing on hiring diversity. 24 We need to get away from top down approach 4/3/2019 9:14 AM
25 Oversight of principals and decisions made at the building level about staffing, educator 4/3/2019 6:19 AM evaluations, and budget spending. 26 Staff diversity, opportunities for students who excel. 4/3/2019 2:57 AM
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27 Administration sucks, they sweep everything under the rug (bullying) Where are the books? Why 4/3/2019 12:31 AM am I googling everything to help w/ homework? Teach them to learn not just prepare for mcas and make the kids think it has anything to do with them... ridiculous Teach them real life skills, my kid can't even sign her name!!! Let alone write a check or balance a checkbook 28 A better way on how to monitor how principals and assistant principals are managing schools. A lot 4/2/2019 11:04 PM of the principals are trying to stay above water and are sweeping many things under the rug, especially when contracts are up. Leadership is lacking and there is no accountability. There are many students that are in fourth grade with reading levels of a second grader. Or students with behavioral issues, spending most of the day in a principals office most of the day with no supervision and missing out on instructional learning, and not being sent back to class because it is much easier to keep a student in the office than to face the problem head on.
29 Buildings and maintenance 4/2/2019 10:43 PM 30 Building maintenance issues make me want to pull my kids out of the district. I am relieved that the 4/2/2019 10:38 PM high school roof is being fixed. That had me worried for our students. 31 More support for elementary reading for striving learners More PD online Para evaluations needed 4/2/2019 10:25 PM
32 Support for Sped. 4/2/2019 10:23 PM 33 support for special education 4/2/2019 10:19 PM
34 Facilities, more money from state and Lowell, strong, effective leadership to stand up to council 4/2/2019 9:49 PM 35 connecting to more diverse thinking and hiring outside the tight circle. Encouraging minority too. 4/2/2019 9:37 PM
36 Facilities and capital improvents 4/2/2019 9:36 PM 37 Central administration and the curriculum is weak. No spelling or grammar. My kid is grade levels 4/2/2019 9:31 PM behind in writing, and even with an IEP the teachers have no curriculum to assist him. My kid doesn't even have a grammar reference book, I had to buy him one. Sad and pathetic. 38 Our district needs to improve in all areas of communications; parent engagement; increase funding 4/2/2019 9:07 PM for enrichment/specials programs; improve the physical conditions of the facilities; equity across all schools. 39 Principals need to be held accountable for their school climate. They create the climate for the 4/2/2019 9:06 PM teachers and students. The leadership at schools with poor climate needs to be reconfigured. Contracts should not be renewed. Everyone suffers when those contracts are reluctantly renewed. There are 101 people that are capeable and willing to do a better job. 40 More attention to middle and high school. High quality teachers and maintenance of facilities. 4/2/2019 8:41 PM
41 The buildings. Build a new high school not downtown. 4/2/2019 8:28 PM 42 Actually, following through what someone says. When everyone knows the issue, actually fix the 4/2/2019 8:04 PM issue. Answer a direct question. Parents have jobs too. Staff doesn't seem to care that parents loose hours of work and thousands in income just trying to get a straight answer. Lowell is a low income community. That money can mean a lot to a small family. Staff needs to remember that when they are making $100k+ per year. 43 Building conditions, leadership, and personal growth. 4/2/2019 8:00 PM
44 This survey. You really think people are going to rank 1-21 or 1-20? 4/2/2019 7:26 PM
45 stop teaching to the test 4/2/2019 7:16 PM 46 Budgeting and maintenance 4/2/2019 7:05 PM
47 Budget 4/2/2019 6:59 PM 48 Building maintenance and upkeep Curriculum appropriateness Discipline policy adhered to fit 4/2/2019 6:48 PM unruly students School equity in curriculum, staffing, programming when able Available space review and use Accountability Planning ahead ex: bubbles at grade levels, expanding programs with well thought out plans. STOP putting bandaids on everything- someone come up with well thought out plans 49 creating opportunities for each child to develope to their best selves. 4/2/2019 6:44 PM
50 1. Math (Definitely needs improvement). 2. Extra curricular activities. 3. Sports activities. 4. 4/2/2019 6:39 PM Number of teachers for students to be increased.
51 Removing teachers who are proven over the years to be poor at teaching... such as teachers who 4/2/2019 6:30 PM are kept because Latin teachers are hard to find 52 Better monitoring of hired staff in the special education classrooms. Witnessing abuse is a main 4/2/2019 6:30 PM concern in the differing grade and middle school environments. More knowledgeable principals and vice principals, when it concerns special education requirements. 53 Something more about the bullying to be done They all say they no bullying in my school and there 4/2/2019 6:27 PM is bullying In the school and the principal and teacher look the other way.
54 Conditions of schools, repairs, air quality testing, more involvement and responsibility to curriculum 4/2/2019 6:27 PM and families with Middle and High School teachers and administrators.
55 Building conditions/maintenance Ending politics as usual 4/2/2019 6:23 PM 56 Diverstiy of staff, programs and innovation. 4/2/2019 6:23 PM
57 The budget needs to be effectively managed and responsibly administered. Ms. Turner is doing a 4/2/2019 6:20 PM great job so far. A significant reduction in the amount of assessment our students are tortured with. Teachers need to be teaching, not constantly testing and spending countless hours out of their rooms for assessment and data analysis. A cohesive administration at the Central Office. The view from down here is that it appears to be chaos downtown... 58 Academics. It’s a damn shame how you all are teaching these children. It’s a shame compared to 4/2/2019 6:19 PM a private school. You cannot tell me that the private schools are the same as the public schools. The private schools teach their children the truth and how to use their brains. You teach our children lies and make them dumb. I’m Native American, and you all need to teach the damn truth on what happened on the American land. It’s disgusting what you teach these children. You don’t even teach them about Irish slaves. I’m tired of the public school system, and think the whole system needs to change.
59 subgroup growth, sel 4/2/2019 6:16 PM 60 Fully funding the budget-especially recognizing that ESL requires specific education and funding 4/2/2019 6:16 PM and that over 40% of our population is ESL so without proper services we will NOT achieve higher levels
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61 Communication with parents , better use of Classroom Dojo app 4/2/2019 5:56 PM 62 Better finance management needed. More adequate funding for schools, increase spending per 4/2/2019 5:47 PM student.
63 The School Committee should have a vested interest with children in the School System and not 4/2/2019 5:46 PM worry about the Superintendent showing deference to them. He or she is the expert not the committee
64 Buildings 4/2/2019 5:28 PM 65 Curriculum needs to be district wide 4/2/2019 4:41 PM
66 Safety of our children 4/2/2019 4:26 PM 67 All schools are operating at a deficit. There are not enough teachers, support staff, physical 4/2/2019 4:09 PM resources, technology, or space.
68 business as usual - the "old boy" network needs to be broken 4/2/2019 3:12 PM 69 Lack of communication from the top, constant budget cuts, the turnover at some schools (staff), 4/2/2019 2:09 PM quality leadership in the central office--everything is so political. I think the decision to reject the Cawley state of the art high school proposal and revert to a 6 yr renovation was the biggest mistake Lowell has done. Students are fleeing,staff are fleeing, the high school is in disrepair and it is not an option for students to obtain a quality education now and for the next few years as they piece it back together with this renovation.
70 Cut relationships with non-profits, new lunch provider, follow state standards, hands on programs 4/2/2019 1:44 PM
71 Financial management, clarity of plan for educational curriculum. 4/2/2019 12:41 PM 72 The amount of testing - including benchmark assessments and the overfocus on MCAS testing 4/2/2019 12:40 PM must be reduced. The time is better spent on art, music, foreign languages.
73 Communication is poor, from the top down. Particularly between the central office and parents. 4/2/2019 12:29 PM
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Q7 Please add additional comments
Answered: 42 Skipped: 39
# RESPONSES DATE 1 politics and nepotism should be abolished 4/16/2019 10:43 AM
2 A superintendent with experience in large urban districts with diverse populations is essential. 4/6/2019 5:57 PM Lowell cannot ensure quality education for current students without a realistic understanding of our community’s context and the history of inequity that has led to current school disparities.
3 We need a superintendent who will make working with the school community a priority. Teachers, 4/6/2019 3:27 PM students, families can be part of creative solutions and we need an administrator who believes that.
4 as the last superintendent said at one of the school committee meetings. Lowell needs to wake up, 4/5/2019 9:53 PM Lowell school department is not doing things by the law.... Lowell public schools needs to do something about the harassment and bullying and abuse going on in the system. and the antagonizing, and make sure the employees get paid their overtime, because it is against the law
5 We need an experienced urban superintendent who understands and has a proven track record in 4/5/2019 9:00 PM community relations, entrepreneurial knowledge, raising student college rates, and is student and staff-centered. Experience as a transformational leader with a commitment to social justice.
6 Someone who has been a TEACHER. We have so many good teachers in this district and we 4/5/2019 9:08 AM need someone that will celebrate that and build on those strengths. We also need someone that is familiar with the challenges of this district. We do not have time to have someone come in and need a "learning curve." We need someone that already understands what this district needs and can jump right in and be successful and start making beneficial changes.
7 Thank you for asking! This is difficult work and I appreciate the care that is going in to it. 4/4/2019 8:26 PM
8 Hire more people to work with kids in order to make sure all kids educational needs are met. Don’t 4/4/2019 6:38 PM cut the positions of people that work directly with the kids.
9 Get rid of the MCAS. Education is so much more than a test score. 4/4/2019 4:01 PM
10 N/A 4/4/2019 11:35 AM 11 I didn't know about the "blue ribbon search committee" until it was too late to apply. I only knew 4/4/2019 11:31 AM about this survey because call was put out. I hope that there will be plenty of notice about future opportunities for the community to be a part of the superintendent search and I hope that those opportunities will be communicated through wide spread means.
12 LESS POLITICS!! 4/3/2019 7:12 PM
13 Do a Teachers / PTO Town hall and invite teachers and parents to participate with questions, 4/3/2019 7:07 PM concerns, and assisting with drawing up the plan for the coming years.
14 A survey that is more user friendly would be appreciated. Ranking multiple criteria 1-20 is 4/3/2019 3:09 PM unwieldy. A simple 5 or 7 point Likert scale for each item would give you equally useful data AND make it user friendly.
15 As I see in the Lowell Public Schools. - They union do not do there job. People like to brawl others 4/3/2019 1:11 PM down... they do not like to work as a team... The bosses do nothing about the complaints... They do not like change for the better... They like to push people out of a position just because they do not like them.... You kept people in a position because they have a license or a degree not that they can do the job.... you give pay raised to people because they get another degree, but can the do the job very well.... You pay a group of people the same raise, when that group does not do the same amount of work.. It is expected for employees to do as they are told, whether they are being harassed or bullied.... You do not care enough for the employees. You have bosses in place who like to antagonize the employees and nothing happens. the buildings are not kept up. some staff has to work in 95 degree offices which is unhealthy. they like to make some staff feel very uncomfortable, with a lot of comments and other stuff. You have an administrator who wanted to crucify an employee. People like this should NOT 16 Please don’t rush the process! 4/3/2019 11:05 AM
17 Push to Eliminate State Testing 4/3/2019 9:14 AM
18 We NEED to become a 1 to 1 district so that ALL students have access to technology on a daily 4/3/2019 6:19 AM basis.
19 Seriously, the kids in lowell are stunted, and it's disgusting ... 4/3/2019 12:31 AM
20 Need to get on sound financial footing, before you can do anything. 4/2/2019 9:49 PM
21 Blind tie among schools employees, who works together for decades, or else, from top to bottom 4/2/2019 9:37 PM ranks, brings only rigidness and hostility, and create an unhealthy atmosphere for for all, significantly for students, which should not be delay for change any further.
22 Lowell would be well served by a Local candidate 4/2/2019 9:36 PM 23 Above the principal, I have no idea how the school administration factions. It's a message. 4/2/2019 9:31 PM
24 Our schools need to have many positions reinstated - library aids, parent liaisons, 4/2/2019 9:07 PM paraprofessionals, social workers, and other support staff. Our teachers are working with their hands tied, we need to provide them with the proper resources so they can teach all children properly. Our buildings need to be proactively maintained; recognizing that a school environment needs to be safe and inspiring for positive learning and teaching to occur. Additionally, we need to find the funding to reinstate specials/curriculum enrichments to the elementary and secondary students, to provide a well-rounded education. We need a district leader to reinstate confidence and be transformative, making all LPS the first choice for all families.
25 I've heard such great things about the elementary schools, but I'd love to see more changes at the 4/2/2019 8:41 PM upper levels
26 Someone who will have a backbone and stand up to the school committee and not be their puppet 4/2/2019 8:28 PM
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27 Be respectful to us parents, especially those with disabled children. You have no idea what we live 4/2/2019 8:04 PM with at home. Fighting partents for services when there is more then enough evidence, drs, ect saying other wise is just shame full on Lowell. There is no reason why Lowell cant be a mode for other city's for education and special education services. With umass Lowell being right here LPS should be setting off right before sending there. A huge majority of us grew up here in Lowell and stayed. But you want to know why sobmany leave? Because the education for their kids sucks! They move their kids back for UMASS Lowell later. If Lowell wants to build their community start with their damn kids and fix your damn schools!!
28 LPS has incredible potential-at least in my building the morale is good and there is desire to 4/2/2019 7:16 PM elevate a challenging student group-a single direct would be helpful - bring back librarians!
29 I would like the new superintendent to be a former educator who hasn’t forgot what it is like. 4/2/2019 6:59 PM 30 LPS needs a complete overhaul. I don’t envy the new superintendent as things are terrible in 4/2/2019 6:48 PM Lowell at all levels.
31 I think the LPS should promote from within staff members dedicated to improving the city schools. 4/2/2019 6:44 PM 32 1. We would highly recommend to thrive to bring the school district standards state and national 4/2/2019 6:39 PM level. 2. We are very delighted about the improvements in educational system happening in Lowell public school district. 33 I am a parent with many concerns that have yet to come to fruition and would love to see 4/2/2019 6:30 PM improvements in parent/staff.student relations. Educators with immense knowledge in negotiating and maintaining partnership, with students who have diverse mental development delays and emotional needs.
34 Children are going to school in buildings that have questionable air quality, carpeted rooms that 4/2/2019 6:27 PM are over 20 + years old, and have varies technology depending on the school. All schools and children should have the same technology and opportunities, regardless of which school they attend. The High School is also a major problem, I have a High School student who has to deal with building issues on a regular basis. I am not in agreement with the improvement plan for the High School and am not comfortable sending my other child, who is currently in middle school, to the High School during the renovations that will take place. I do not feel it will be safe or healthy for students to be in these buildings while being renovated.
35 Lowell public schools are in crisis. Please do not hire a good old Lowell politician/lifer or some 4/2/2019 6:23 PM carpetbagging resume-builder. We need someone who can help and who cares about the schools more than his/her image.
36 LPS needs an innovative leader who is willing to explore new options for education. 4/2/2019 6:23 PM
37 Thanks for asking:) 4/2/2019 6:20 PM 38 Stop making our children stupid especially with the way you teach them math is ridiculous. My 4/2/2019 6:19 PM daughter hates math because how you teach math. She can barely even spell ok. It’s not me as a parent. I teach my children well. It’s you all giving our children a poor education. Such a shame to the point the public school system should be fired until you all become like the public school system.
39 I would be interested in adding a gifted and talented program at the elementary level. As a staff 4/2/2019 6:16 PM member and a parent I know that high level kids are not being challenged at their levels.
40 The School Committee needs to realize they are elected officials and not educational experts. 4/2/2019 5:46 PM Running a good campaign does not mean you have the best interest of the students 41 I would like to see a superintendent that visits schools and learns it’s staff, students and 4/2/2019 4:41 PM community. One that is invested in across the board curriculum so that teachers in every school are following the same scope and sequence. Curriculum that hits the mass common core standards.
42 It is shocking that Lowell does not have any sort of dual-language programs or elementary second 4/2/2019 12:40 PM language instruction. Lowell should be offering dual language programs in several languages to promote the retention of native languages but also build the skills of second language learners. A strong superintendent for Lowell schools will have experience as a classroom teacher and understand how to utilize the teachers and support staff in improving communication to families and the community.
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REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Date: May 1, 2019 Time: 6:30PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA 01852
1. SALUTE TO FLAG
2. ROLL CALL
On a roll call at 6:32 p.m., all members were present, namely: Ms. Doherty, Mr. Hoey, Mr. Lay, Ms. Martin, Mr. Nutter, Mayor Samaras and Mr. Descoteaux.
3. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS
3.I. Presentation of the Superintendent Finalists Recommended by the Blue Ribbon Committee
Ms. Martin, Chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee (BRC) informed the Committee that the BRC met on six (6) evenings to conduct an orientation workshop, develop questions and selected candidates from the pool of twenty-three (23) applicants and subsequently interviewed ten (10) applicants. At the conclusion of the interviews that took place the following candidates, listed aphetically were submitted:
1. Dr. Joel Boyd, Instructional Superintendent, Boston Public Schools and former Superintendent, Sante Fe, NM Public Schools. 2. Candidate Name Redacted – Candidate Withdrew for Personal Reasons. 3. Dr. Sergio Paez, Former Superintendent, Holyoke Public Schools and Current Administrator, Central Falls, RI Public Schools. 4. Dr. Stacy Scott, Former Superintendent in Dracut and Framingham Public Schools.
The Committee will conduct site visits the week of May 13th and the candidates will be interviewed on Saturday, May 18, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, City Hall.
The Committee requested that Superintendent Durkin send a letter of thanks to all members of the Blue Ribbon Committee for their participation.
Mr. Descoteaux made a motion to accept the report as a report of progress; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED
Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us
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3.II. Superintendent’s Recommended FY2020 Budget
Superintendent Durkin, Assistant Superintendent Desmond and Assistant Superintendent Turner provided the Committee with the FY20 Proposed Budget Overview. The Lowell Public Schools can anticipate an increase of $9,134,184 from Chapter 70 funds pending further state budget deliberations. It is also expected that a 3.96% increase to direct cash contribution from the City equaling $623,148 based on a letter from the City Manager. The sum of these increases is $9,757,332 which will help offset the additional costs to maintain a level service budget. The following areas were discussed during the overview:
Pillars of Excellence Data Driven Turnaround Plans for All Schools Safety and Social Emotional Learning Programs that Attend to the Whole Child Highly Qualified, Expert and Diverse Workforce Adequate, Equitable, and Safe Facilities and Resources FY20 Chapter 70 Summary FY20 Chapter 70 Foundation Budget Proposed FY20 Budget Spending Position Control Programmatic Changes and Budget Impact STEM Academy @ Rogers School Sullivan, Moody and Reilly School Changes B.R.I.D.G.E. Program CSA Day School Program Restructuring Other Personnel Reductions Non-Personnel Reductions and Additions
Mr. Nutter made a motion to accept the report as a report of progress; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED
4. MINUTES
4.I. Minutes: Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of the Lowell School Committee of Wednesday, April 10, 2019
Ms. Martin made a motion to accept and place on file the minutes from the April 10, 2019, Lowell School Committee meeting; seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED
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5. PERMISSION TO ENTER
5.I. Permission to Enter: May 1, 2019
Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve the Permission to Enter; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED
6. MOTIONS
6.I. [By Mayor William Samaras]: Motion to cancel the regularly scheduled Lowell School Committee meeting of Wednesday, June 5, 2019 due to the Lowell High School Graduation Exercises.
Mayor Samaras made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED
6.II. [By Robert Hoey]: Superintendent to provide the Committee a report in collaboration with public health authorities on how the district is following the Center for Disease Control's recommendations on how to reduce the potential risk of measles transmission in schools and determine what actions to take to further reduce the potential risk of measles transmission in schools.
Mr. Hoey made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Doherty. 7 yeas APPROVED
7. REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
7.I. 2019 Summer School Programming
Carolyn Rocheleau, Coordinator of Special Programs provided a report to the Committee that informed them of the 2019 Summer School programming to be offered in the Lowell Public Schools. Programs include:
The grant funded 21st Century Community Learning Centers summer programming at twelve (12) schools that will serve nearly 1300 students. A new partnership with UMass Lowell that will allow the Lowell Public Schools and Project Learn to offer IDEA Camp to our students. This STEM Camp will run three (3) weeks during the month of July. Special Education Summer Programming at the Pyne Arts, Lowell High School and the Adie Day School for students with special needs. A new grant funded program for Pre-K students with and without disabilities at the Lincoln School for six (6) weeks this summer.
Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.I through 7.VIII and 7.X as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED
Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us
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7.II. 21st Century Summer Enhancement Grant Update and Award
Carolyn Rocheleau, Coordinator of Special Programs provided a report to the Committee that informed them that the Lowell Public Schools was awarded a Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education grant entitled (FY19) Massachusetts 21st Century Community Learning Centers – Summer Enhancement Grant in the amount of $80,000.
Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.I through 7.VIII and 7.X as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED
7.III. FY19 Teacher Diversification Pilot Program Grant
Pina Maggio, LTA Facilitator/Director provided a report that informed the Committee that an FY19 Teacher Diversification Pilot Program Grant in the amount of $174,552.00 was awarded to the Lowell Public Schools.
Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.I through 7.VIII and 7.X as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED
7.IV. Summer Learning Program Grant Update and Award
Carolyn Rocheleau, Coordinator of Special Programs provided a report to the Committee that informed them that the Lowell Public Schools was recently awarded a Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education grant entitled (FY19) Development and Expansion of High Quality Summer Learning. The $43,620.00 grant will provide six (6) weeks of summer learning for early childhood students. The program is designed to address the urgent need for transition services for our early childhood population (ages 3 – 5).
Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.I through 7.VIII and 7.X as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED
7.V. Food and Nutrition Summer Programs Grant
Alysia Spooner-Gomez, Food Service Director provided a report that informed the Committee that the Lowell Public Schools Food and Nutrition Department has been awarded a grant in the amount of $10,755.00 to assist in planning and pre-operational activities for the 2019 Summer Food Service Program. The funding will be used to support the Summer Kick Off Event with Project Learn at the Kids Summer BookFest on June 11, 2019.
Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.I through 7.VIII and 7.X as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED
Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us
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7.VI. FY19 and FY20 Budget Priority List
Superintendent Durkin provided the Committee with an updated School Committee’s Priority List of Positions for the FY19 school year. Mr. Lay brought forward an additional item for the FY20 school year and requested it be added to the list should funding be available.
Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.I through 7.VIII and 7.X as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED
7.VII. MSBA Update
Superintendent Durkin provided a report to the Committee that informed them that as part of MSBA’s Accelerated Repair Program applications that were submitted this past February 2019, the MSBA conducted six (6) site visits on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 for the purpose of touring the buildings and learning about the major issues in each building. During the visits, MSBA staff were appraised of past mitigation efforts/repairs as well as programmatic challenges the building issues have created in each of the schools.
Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.I through 7.VIII and 7.X as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED
7.VIII. Report on Motions
Superintendent Durkin provided the monthly report on the status of outstanding motions and asked the Committee if they had any concerns or questions.
Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.I through 7.VIII and 7.X as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED
7.IX. Home Education
Superintendent Durkin recommended that the following parent/guardian be allowed to home educate their child: Samantha Miller 59 Whitney Avenue
Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve; seconded by Mr. Lay. 7 yeas APPROVED
7.X. Enrollment Figures
The district enrollment report provided to the Committee showed the breakdown by school and grade through April 26, 2019.
Ms. Martin made a motion to accept the following Reports of the Superintendent 7.I through 7.VIII and 7.X as reports of progress; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED
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8. NEW BUSINESS
8.I. Approval of Fitchburg State University Research Proposal
Dr. Joann B. Nichols is an Associate Professor of Education at Fitchburg State University. She is interested in conducting research by bringing her reading partner therapy dog to the Pawtucketville Memorial School for the purpose of understanding how reading to the dog can influence a child’s improvement in reading.
Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve the Fitchburg State University Research Proposal; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED
8.II. Approval of Walden University Research Proposal
Patricia Adams is a ninth grade science teacher at Lowell High School and is currently enrolled in the doctorate program at Walden University. She is proposing to conduct research on the implementation of the FOSS science curriculum at the middle school level.
Mr. Hoey made a motion to approve the Walden University Research Proposal; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED
8.III. Budget Transfer
Department: SCHOOLS
TRANSFER TO: Account # Description Amount Org. Object Project DESE Function
98937034 530002 2350 Wang SA - Prof Dev $ 1,255.65 99010718 524006 2300 LHS SA - Rental of Buildings $ 18,000.00 99347109 544400 4000 Maintenance - Supplies $ 11,570.00
TOTAL $ 30,825.65
TRANSFER FROM:
Account # Description Amount Org. Object Project DESE Function
98910612 544400 2300 Wang SA - General Supplies $ 1,255.65 99041104 530002 2200 LHS Schl Alloc - Other (Equity) $ 18,000.00 99030502 524006 3520 LHS Athletics - Rental $ 11,570.00
Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us
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TOTAL $ 30,825.65 Reason for the transfer: Adjustments to expend the budget.
Ms. Doherty made a motion to approve the budget transfer of $30,825.65; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux 7 yeas APPROVED
9. CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS
9.I. LHS- Track Team Trip to New York
Request permission for LHS Track team along with two [2] Lowell High School Coaches, David Casey and Nate Kraft to attend the 52nd Annual Glen D. Loucks Games in White Plains, New York on Friday, May 10th and Saturday, May 11, 2019. All travel expenses will be paid by the students and Coaches expenses will be paid by the students and Coaches. All travel related expenses will be paid through the Friends of Lowell High School Track Parent Boosters. There is no other cost to Lowell High or the School Department.
Ms. Doherty made a motion to take and approve both convention/conference requests together; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED
9.II. McAvinnue Trip- Museum of Science in Boston
Request permission for fourth grade McAvinnue students, along with Principal Michael Ducharme, Assistant Principal Michael Domina, Teachers; Julie Gillis, Kate Burgess-MacIntosh, Judith Middleton, Kim Vespo, Antonia Pastor, Cortney Patterson, Jessica Cabrera, Eileen Grenham, and Kathryn Larry to participate in an overnight field trip to the Museum of Science in Boston on Friday, May 31st through Saturday, June 1, 2019. The trip will be paid by students, staff, donations and school fundraising. The McAvinnue School Student Activity Account will pay the $ 1,072.00 transportation cost. There are no costs to the School Department budget. No substitute teacher is needed.
Ms. Doherty made a motion to take and approve both convention/conference requests together; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED
10. COMMUNICATIONS
10.I. A Thank You Card from the Family of Donald J. McQueen for the Moment of Silence.
Mr. Descoteaux made motion to accept the communication and to place it on file; seconded by Ms. Martin. 7 yeas APPROVED
Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us
(Page 8 of 9)
11. PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL
11.I. The Members of the United Teachers of Lowell Hereby Donate Eleven [11] Sick Leave Days to Donna Fahey, Janice Adie Day School Paraprofessional.
Ms. Doherty made a motion to take and approve all seven (7) professional personnel requests together; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED
11.II. The Members of the United Teachers of Lowell Hereby Donate Fifteen [15] Sick Leave Days to Gina Steward, LHS School Paraprofessional
Ms. Doherty made a motion to take and approve all seven (7) professional personnel requests together; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED
11.III. The Members of the United Teachers of Lowell Hereby Donate Sixteen [16] Sick Leave Days to Kristin Reyes, Daley School Teacher.
Ms. Doherty made a motion to take and approve all seven (7) professional personnel requests together; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED
11.IV. The Members of the United Teachers of Lowell Hereby Donate Sixteen [16] Sick Leave Days to Patricia Teague, Daley School Paraprofessional.
Ms. Doherty made a motion to take and approve all seven (7) professional personnel requests together; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED
11.V. The Members of the United Teachers of Lowell Hereby Donate Ten [10] Sick Leave Days to Patricia Williams, Lowell High School Teacher.
Ms. Doherty made a motion to take and approve all seven (7) professional personnel requests together; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED
11.VI. The Members of the United Teachers of Lowell Hereby Donate Thirteen [13] Sick Leave Days to Rebecca Rager, Murkland School Teacher.
Ms. Doherty made a motion to take and approve all seven (7) professional personnel requests together; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED
11.VII. The Members of the United Teachers of Lowell Hereby Donate Twenty Eight [28] Sick Leave Days to Aaron King, Butler School Teacher.
Ms. Doherty made a motion to take and approve all seven (7) professional personnel requests together; seconded by Mr. Hoey. 7 yeas APPROVED
Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us
(Page 9 of 9)
12. ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Hoey made a motion to adjourn at 8:22 p.m.; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED
Respectfully submitted,
Jeannine M. Durkin, Superintendent and Secretary to the Lowell School Committee
JMD/mes
Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us
LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Date: May 6, 2019 Time: 6:30PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA 01852
1. SALUTE TO FLAG
2. ROLL CALL
On a roll call at 6:35 p.m., members present were, namely: Mr. Hoey, Ms. Martin, Mr. Nutter, Mayor Samaras, Mr. Descoteaux and Ms. Doherty. Mr. Lay arrived at 6:41 p.m.
3. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS
3.I. FY20 Budget Session
Mayor Samaras opened the public participation portion of the meeting and asked the public to address the Committee with their concerns regarding the 2020 Budget.
The following people spoke about the FY 2020 Budget and their concerns around the budget cuts to the band program, social workers and psychologists:
Effie Kurazittis Beth Nolan-Stack Dina Melli Kim Scott William Maliaoux Madison Scott Dontae Lee Aidan (no last name given) David Grenier Krystal Mello Amanda Perrin Cynthia Dom Melissa Ciesla Lyndsey Killnea Luis Raudales Erica Patten Sophia Gikas Natasha Watts Nan Kanoway
Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us
(Page 2 of 3)
Rico Kattari Eric Buckley Nancy Rozzoni Arthur Lamieux James Foyer
Mr. Nutter asked what the cost would be to bring back the three (3) band members, two (2) social workers and the school psychologist that were elimated. He also inquired about centrally locating ETC’s, social workers and psychologists. Assistant Superintendent Turner stated $760,000.00. Superintendent Durkin stated that discussions are still ongoing regarding centrally locating the ETC’s, social workers and psychologists. Superintendent Durkin also addressed eliminating the two (2) social workers and stated that even if funds were available she would not recommend reinstating the social workers to the budget, but would recommend a Coordinator of Social/Emotional Learning and Mental Health.
Mr. Nutter made a motion to reinstate the three (3) band teachers, two (2) social workers and a school psychologist and to eliminate the Adult Education Program to fund them being reinstated. Motion fails due to lack of a second.
Committee members thanked the many people that attended and spoke at the budget hearing. The Committee also expressed their concerns about the recommended cuts and asked the Superintendent and her administration to address the reasoning behind the recommended cuts as well as their plan moving forward on how the district would still offer said programs/services. The Committee concluded by asking for the recommended cuts to be presented to them at the next budget hearing in a tiered method for further discussion.
Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us
(Page 3 of 3)
4. ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Nutter made a motion to adjourn at 8:16 p.m.; seconded by Mr. Descoteaux. 7 yeas APPROVED
Respectfully submitted,
Jeannine M. Durkin, Superintendent and Secretary to the Lowell School Committee
JMD/mes
Lowell Public Schools • 155 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • http://www.lowell.k12.ma.us
Office of Finance and Operations Phone: (978) 674-4325 LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 155 Merrimack Street Fax: (978) 937-7620
Lowell, MA 01852 E-mail:[email protected]
PERMISSION TO ENTER
To: Jeannine Durkin, Superintendent of Schools
From: Billie Jo Turner, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Business
Date: May 10, 2019
Subject: Permission to Enter – May 15, 2019 School Committee Meeting
LABBB COLLABORATIVE $ 3,000.00 123 Cambridge Street Burlington, MA 01803
To amend the existing contract to provide for a rate increase for an RN as of 1/3/19. (FY19)
Funding provided by the School Department: SPED OOD Tuition______
HUMMINGBIRD TRANSPORTATION $ 3,350.00 53 Ridge Road Upton, MA 01568
To amend the existing contract to provide additional monies due to reduction in cost sharing previously allocated. (FY19)
Funding provided by the School Department: SPED Transportation______
DOCTOR FRANKLIN PERKINS $ 300.00 380 High Street Extension Lancaster, MA 01523
To amend the existing contract to provide for the out-of-district additional costs for one (1) student enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP. (FY19)
Funding provided bv the School Department: SPED OOD Tuition______
RIDE-RITE MEDI VAN, INC. $ 11,500.00 160 State Road Westminister, MA 01473
To amend the existing contract to provide additional transportation cost for the remainder of the 2018- 2019 school year for SPED and Homeless students. (FY19)
Funding provided by the School Department: SPED Transportation______COLLABORATIVE FOR EDUCATIONAL SERVICES $ 30,000.00 97 Hawley Street Northampton, MA 01060
To provide two (2) years of training for the LPS Instructors, the curriculum for the ESL Licensure Program (Prek-6 and grades 5-12) and access to Canvas for students and instructors.
Funding provided by the Teacher Diversification Pilot Program Grant______
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS, LOWELL $ 58,000.00 61 Wilder Street Lowell, MA 01854
To provide and develop an initiative of recruiting diverse students to enter the teacher workforce with intentional coursework, mentoring and support for racially and ethnically diverse students.
Funding provided by the Teacher Diversification Pilot Program Grant______
MIDDLESEX COMMUNITY COLLEGE $ 5,750.00 33 Kearny Square Lowell, MA 01852
To provide a training module for substitute in ECE to recruit and make aware of unique difference in classrooms and space for conference. (FY19)
Funding provided by the PEG/Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative Grants______
WALKER INC. $ 16,954.73 1968 Central Avenue Needham, MA 02492
To provide for the out-of-district cost for one (1) student enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP. (FY19)
Funding provided by the School Department: SPED OOD Tuition______
THE CARROLL CENTER FOR THE BLIND $ 8,000.00 770 Centre Street Newton, MA 02458
To provide for the out-of-district cost for one (1) student enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP. (FY19)
Funding provided by the School Department: OOD SPED Tuition______
2
BI-COUNTY COLLABORATIVE $ 163,182.22 397 East Central Street Franklin, MA 02038
To provide for the out-of-district cost for two (2) students enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP.
Funding provided by the School Department: SPED OOD Tuition______
COTTING SCHOOL $ 176,377.76 453 Concord Avenue Lexington, MA 02421
To provide for the out-of-district cost for two (2) students enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP.
Funding provided by the School Department: SPED OOD Tuition______
COLLABORATIVE FOR REGIONAL ED. SERVICES/TRAINING (CREST) $2,000,000.00 480 Broadway Methuen, MA 01844
To provide for the out-of-district cost for thirty-nine (39) students enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP.
Funding provided by the School Department: SPED OOD Tuition______
DOCTOR FRANKLIN PERKINS SCHOOL $ 68,863.11 380 High Street Extension Lancaster, MA 01523
To provide for the out-of-district cost for one (1) student enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP.
Funding provided by the School Department: SPED OOD Tuition______
EASTER SEALS – MASSACHUSETTS $ 50,000.00 484 Main Street, Suite 600 Worcester, MA 01608
To provide for the out-of-district cost for two (2) students enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP.
Funding provided by the School Department: SPED OOD Tuition______3
EASTER SEALS – NEW HAMPSHIRE $ 185,000.00 555 Auburn Street Manchester, NH 03105
To provide for the out-of-district cost for one (1) student enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP.
Funding provided by the School Department: SPED OOD Tuition______
EVERGREEN CENTER, INC. $ 282,628.45 345 Fortune Boulevard Milford, MA 01757
To provide for the out-of-district cost for three (3) students enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP.
Funding provided by the School Department: SPED OOD Tuition______
THE GUILD FOR HUMAN SERVICES, INC. $ 195,245.86 521 Virginia Road Concord, MA 01742
To provide for the out-of-district cost for two (2) students enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP.
Funding provided by the School Department: SPED OOD Tuition______
JUDGE ROTENBERG EDUCATIONAL CENTER, INC. $ 373,777.31 250 Turnpike Street Canton, MA 02021
To provide for the out-of-district cost for one (1) student enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP.
Funding provided by the School Department: SPED OOD Tuition______
JUSTICE RESOURCE INSTITUTE, INC. $ 219,957.01 160 Gould Street, Suite 300 Needham, MA 02494
To provide for the out-of-district cost for two (2) students enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP.
4 Funding provided by the School Department: SPED OOD Tuition______LABBB COLLABORATIVE PROGRAMS $ 260,774.16 123 Cambridge Street Burlington, MA 01803 To provide for the out-of-district cost for three (3) students enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP.
Funding provided by the School Department: SPED OOD Tuition______
LANDMARK SCHOOL INC. $ 168,213.30 429 Hale Street Prides Crossing, MA 01965
To provide for the out-of-district cost for three (3) students enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP.
Funding provided by the School Department: SPED OOD Tuition______
LEAGUE SCHOOL OF GREATER BOSTON $ 87,009.93 300 Boston Providence Turnpike Walpole, MA 02032
To provide for the out-of-district cost for one (1) student enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP.
Funding provided by the School Department: SPED OOD Tuition______
THE LEARNING CENTER FOR DEAF CHILDREN, INC. $ 236,253.20 848 Central Street Framingham, MA 01701
To provide for the out-of-district cost for three (3) students enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP.
Funding provided by the School Department: SPED OOD Tuition______
LIGHTHOUSE SCHOOL, INC. $ 530,514.53 25 Wellman Avenue No. Chelmsford, MA 01863
To provide for the out-of-district cost for ten (10) students enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP.
5 Funding provided by the School Department: SPED OOD Tuition______MELMARK NEW ENGLAND $ 823,916.73 461 River Road Andover, MA 01801
To provide for the out-of-district cost for four (4) students enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP.
Funding provided by the School Department: SPED OOD Tuition______
NASHOBA LEARING GROUP $ 222,478.36 10 Oak Park Drive Bedford, MA 01730
To provide for the out-of-district cost for two (2) students enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP.
Funding provided by the School Department: SPED OOD Tuition______
NEW ENGLAND LONG-TERM CARE, INC. $ 188,253.75 171 Harrison Avenue Boston, MA 02111
To provide for the out-of-district cost for three (3) students enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP.
Funding provided by the School Department: SPED OOD Tuition______
PERKINS SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND $ 292,981.03 175 N. Beacon Street Watertown, MA 02472
To provide for the out-of-district cost for one (1) student enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP.
Funding provided by the School Department: SPED OOD Tuition______
ROBERT F. KENNEDY CHILDREN’S ACTION CORP. $ 123,462.28 40 Court Street, Suite 410 Boston, MA 02108
To provide for the out-of-district cost for two (2) students enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP.
Funding provided by the School Department: SPED OOD Tuition______6
THE SALEM PUBLIC SCHOOLS $ 43,502.20 29 Highland Avenue, Room 115 Salem, MA 01970
To provide for the out-of-district cost for one (1) student enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP.
Funding provided by the School Department: SPED OOD Tuition______
SEEM COLLABORATIVE $ 61,380.00 92 Montvale Avenue, Suite 3500 Stoneham, MA 02180
To provide for the out-of-district cost for one (1) student enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP.
Funding provided by the School Department: SPED OOD Tuition______
SEVEN HILLS FOUNDATION, INC $ 50,107.46 22 Hillside Avenue Groton, MA 01450
To provide for the out-of-district cost for one (1) student enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP.
Funding provided by the School Department: SPED OOD Tuition______
ST. ANN’S HOME, INC. $ 403,933.31 100A Haverhill Street Methuen, MA 01844
To provide for the out-of-district cost for eight (8) students enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP.
Funding provided by the School Department: SPED OOD Tuition______
STEVENS CHILDREN’S HOME, INC. $ 61,936.15 24 Main Street Swansea, MA 02777
To provide for the out-of-district cost for one (1) student enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP.
7 Funding provided by the School Department: SPED OOD Tuition______THE EDUCATION COOPERATIVE $ 54,569.55 141 Mansion Drive, Suite 200 East Walpole, MA 02032
To provide for the out-of-district cost for one (1) student enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP.
Funding provided by the School Department: SPED OOD Tuition______
VALLEY COLLABORATIVE $1,454,570.04 40 Linnell Circle Billerica, MA 01821
To provide for the out-of-district cost for twenty-three (23) students enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP.
Funding provided by the School Department: SPED OOD Tuition______
WALKER, INC. $ 91,671.96 1968 Central Avenue Needham, MA 02492
To provide for the out-of-district cost for one (1) student enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP.
Funding provided by the School Department: SPED OOD Tuition______
WHITNEY ACADEMY, INC. $ 63,197.12 P.O. Box 619 85 Dr. Braley Road E. Freetown, MA 02717
To provide for the out-of-district cost for one (1) student enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP.
Funding provided by the School Department: SPED OOD Tuition______
THE CARROLL CENTER FOR THE BLIND, INC. $ 20,000.00 770 Centre Street Newton, MA 02458
To provide for the out-of-district cost for one (1) student enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP.
8 Funding provided by the School Department: OOD SPED Tuition______
THE MAY INSTITUTE, INC. $ 646,053.90 41 Pacella Park Drive Randolph, MA 02368
To provide for the out-of-district cost for five (5) students enrolled and receiving services as outlined in their special education IEP.
Funding provided by the School Department: OOD SPED Tuition______
9 Good Afternoon Principals,
This is City Councilor Karen Cirillo and I am writing in hopes that your 5th grade students can help the City Council in their upcoming effort of cleaning an area of Lowell.
I put a motion on the April 9th City Council Agenda which read: Councilor Cirillo requests the Mayor establish a City Councilor Annual Lowell Cleanup, #trashtag challenge for the City Council to clean an area of Lowell
We need T-shirts to wear while working hard to keep Lowell clean and beautiful. My want and goal is to have each of your 5th grade classes from each of your schools design a T-shirt for one of the City Councilors, the City Manager and the Assistant City Manager. This works out well as there are eleven of us and there are eleven schools with 5th grade students who can participate.
If it is acceptable, I am happy to come and speak to your students regarding what the goal is. My goal is to have your 5th grade students not only participate in a wonderful art project, but also learn about keeping Lowell clean. The City Council wants to be a positive influence in promoting a clean Lowell.
The City Manager, Assistant City Manager and City Councilors will randomly pick a school and when matched up we will notify your school which one of us will be wearing your design.
I would like to know ASAP if your 5th grade students will be joining in this fun and exciting project, as I would request your school’s design by May 31st.
There is only one rule to the design of the t-shirt, and it is to have fun.
All of my very best,
City Councilor Karen Cirillo
cc. Bartlett Community Partnership School
Butler Middle School
Daley Middle School
Laura Lee Therapeutic Day School
Lowell Community Charter Public School
Pyne Arts School
Robinson Middle School
STEM Academy
Stoklosa Middle School
Sullivan Middle School
Wang Middle School LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS Henry J. Mroz Administration Office 155 Merrimack Street Lowell, Massachusetts 01852
Tel: (978) 674-2016 Rick Underwood Fax: (978) 275-6361 Director of Operations & Maintenance E-Mail: [email protected]
To: Lowell School Committee
From: Rick Underwood
Date: May 7, 2019
Re: School Grounds’ Maintenance
Who would have thought that picking up fallen leaves would become a hazardous job? However, this is exactly what it has become in many of our school yards.
The days of having students go out and help clean a playground or a school yard is gone at several school locations such as the Rogers, Murkland, Robinson, Morey, LHS and others due to increased danger of discarded needles. Knowing the importance of keeping our school grounds clean, inviting and safe to everyone, we understand this job still needs to be done.
To help combat this problem it is this Department’s intention to revisit a previously used idea of putting together a landscaping crew made up of Security Guards who have the option of becoming Custodians during school breaks. Part of this plan is to use some of the FY20 fiscal year equipment account funds to invest in a commercial leaf vacuum that will add to our landscaping equipment inventory, because we can’t always rely on the availability of equipment and man power of the Parks Department to help us as they so often do.
Together with the newly formed landscaping crew and an investment in added landscaping equipment (leaf vacuum, backpack blowers, puncture resistant gloves and already existing equipment utility/landscaping trailer, ride on mowers, trimers, and walk behind blowers), a schedule for each school will be created. It is my thought that this will increase the curb appeal and safety of our schools throughout the district.
The down side of this will leave us 3 or 4 employees short of last year’s already stretched custodial staff. However, I wouldn’t recommend this new approach if I didn’t think this was something unachievable, as we have a very dedicated hard working custodial staff.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any question or concerns.
LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS Office of Superintendent Phone: (978) 674-4324 155 Merrimack Street Fax: (978) 937-7609 Lowell, Massachusetts 01852 E-mail: [email protected]
Measles Transmission Prevention Plan
To: School Committee Members
From: Jeannine M. Durkin, Superintendent of Schools
Date: May 9, 2019
The enclosed report is provided by the City of Lowell Health Department in response to the following motion made by Robert Hoey during the May 1, 2019 School Committee Meeting:
Superintendent to provide the Committee a report in collaboration with public health authorities on how the district is following the Center for Disease Control's recommendations on how to reduce the potential risk of measles transmission in schools and determine what actions to take to further reduce the potential risk of measles transmission in schools.
The City of Lowell • Health Department School Health Unit 341 Pine Street • Lowell, MA 01851 P: 978.674.4010 • F: 978.970.4011 www.LowellMA.gov
Kerran Vigroux, BS, MPH Director of Health & Human Services 978.674.1050
The School Health Unit ensures student immunization compliance when students register for school. The only exceptions are medical and religious exemptions to immunization, and students admitted to school under the McKinney Vento Act. (see attached document)
Currently, there are 9 students with medical exemptions and 48 students with religious exemptions to MMR (measles, mumps rubella) in the Lowell Public Schools. In the event of a confirmed case of measles, unimmunized students would be excluded from school for a period of 21 days after exposure.
Religious exemption defined in MGL ch 76 sec 15 is as follows; In the absence of an emergency or epidemic of disease declared by the department of public health, no child whose parent or guardian states in writing that vaccination or immunization conflicts with his sincere religious beliefs shall be required to present said physician's certificate in order to be admitted to school.
Attached please find the Parent Guide to School Health which includes immunization requirements and student illness guidelines.
A Parent’s Guide to the Lowell Health Department School Health Unit
Dear Parent/Guardian: The School Nurse is a liaison between home and school regarding health concerns and to serve as a health resource to you and your child. The School Nurse completes state mandated screenings and provides nursing care for illnesses or accidents. The School Nurse promotes wellness, and assists in maintaining a healthy, safe environment for students and staff. Please contact your School Nurse with any health concerns or questions. Post Illness School Attendance Guidelines: Medical Emergency Form: Children must be fever free without medication A Medical Emergency Form must be completed and symptom free for 24 hours before returning and returned to the School Nurse. This form to school. According to health department gives information on how to reach parents in guidelines, a child with a diagnosis of strep case of emergency and provides updated health throat, impetigo or conjunctivitis, is required to information on your child from year to year. be on medication for 24 hours before returning to Notify the School Nurse of any changes in school. emergency contact information or state of health during the school year. In the event of the need Immunization/Lab Test Requirements: for medical transport, every attempt will be made School Immunization Law, Chapter 76, Section to send a copy of this form. Remember, in the 15 of the General Laws of the State of event of an accident or illness, the school must Massachusetts requires that all immunizations be able to reach the parent or another person must be up to date for children to attend school who will assume responsibility for the student. according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health regulations. Massachusetts Health Emergencies: General Law allows for the school district to Please notify the School Nurse of any medical exclude any child from school whose condition which may precipitate an emergency immunizations are not up to date. situation for your child (e.g. allergic reaction to **New in 2017: Polio #4 must be given after the food, insect bites or medication, asthma, 4th Birthday** diabetes, seizures). The School Nurse will work A certified record of immunization from with you in developing a care plan to meet your your child’s physician is required for child’s health care needs. entry into school All immunization records must be Illness: provided in English and include all Children must remain home if they have any of dates in full. the following: Immunizations are reviewed by the A contagious illness like chickenpox, School Nurse. In the event of missing or flu, or strep throat, until the doctor or incorrect information, your prompt public health department official says it attention in addressing the is safe to return or the child has been on error/omission is imperative to assure antibiotics for 24 hours. compliance with state law. A rash or skin condition not diagnosed Preschool Entry Requirements: by a doctor 4 Dtap/DTP, 3 Polio, 3 Hepatitis B, 1 A fever that causes chills, sweating or MMR, 4 doses Hib, 1 dose Varicella or muscle aches physician documented case of Temperature over 100.4 in the past 24 chickenpox, 1 lead test hours Kindergarten Entry Requirements: Vomiting / diarrhea in the past 24 hours 5 Dtap/DTP, 4 Polio, 3 Hepatitis B, Live head lice 2 MMR, 2 Varicella or physician Notification by the school nurse/ health documented case of chickenpox, department that immunizations are not 1 lead Test up to date. (Exclusion notice)
Grade 1-6 Entry Requirements: According to the Nurse Practice Act and Health 5 Dtap/DTP, 4 Polio, 3 Hepatitis B; 2 MMR, Department Policy, nurses are not allowed to 2 Varicella, or physician documented case take orders from a non- licensed person (parent of chickenpox for any grade. or guardian). This applies to all prescription or Grade 7-12 Entry Requirements: over the counter medication. Childhood series and 1 Tdap, 2 MMR and 2 Medication Pickup: Varicella or physician documented case of Parents/guardian may retrieve medications from chickenpox. the School Nurse and signed for in the Medication Policies: medication log. All unused, discontinued or Medications (both prescription and over the outdated medications must be picked up by a counter) should not be taken during school parent/guardian at the end of the school year or it hours, if it is possible to achieve the medication will be discarded. regime at home. Medication to be taken three Physical Exam Requirements: (3) times a day can be given at home before Within 1 year prior to school entry or within 30 school, after school and at bedtime. days after school entry. Physical exams are required for grades Pre K, K, 4, 7, and 10. A prescriber’s order is required for ALL Head Lice: prescription and non-prescription (over the In accordance with the NO LICE POLICY counter) medications. Children must be treated, lice free and checked by the School Nurse before being readmitted to To insure your child’s safety, all medications are school. Prevention is the key to controlling this to be delivered to school: pesky problem. Please inspect your child’s hair In a pharmacy-labeled container frequently and call the school nurse if you have Ask the pharmacy to provide separate any questions. bottles for home and school Mandated Screening Programs: By a parent/guardian adult, NEVER Vision, Hearing, Postural & BMI screenings will WITH THE CHILD take place throughout the school year. If you do not want your child to participate in MEDICATION WILL ONLY BE vision, hearing, postural or BMI screening ACCEPTED IN THE PHARMACY please notify the nurse in writing. LABELLED CONTAINER. Vision and Hearing: Vision: year of school IN THE EVENT OF A DELAYED SCHOOL entry, PreK-5, grade 7 and 9. Hearing: year of OPENING, MEDICATION SCHEDULED school entry, K-3, grade 7 and 9. FOR THE REGULAR START TIME WILL Parents/guardians will be notified of any NOT BE ADMINISTERED. problems that necessitate a medical follow up. Postural Screening: The State of All medications which must be taken during Massachusetts mandates that all students in school hours, either long or short term, require grades 5 through 9 be screened for scoliosis. the following forms to be on file in the school Parents/guardians will be notified of any health office before any medication can be problems that necessitate a medical follow up. administered at school: Heights and Weights: Students are screened in A current medication order, signed and grades 1, 4, 7 and 10 to calculate BMI. dated by the prescribing physician Information is kept confidential. A signed and completed Parent consent SBIRT: (Screening, Brief Intervention and and medication administration plan Referral to Treatment) In March, 2016, the Massachusetts Legislature enacted an Act Current photo of student for relative to substance use, treatment, education identification purposes and prevention (STEP Act) which outlines the Medication will be counted by the nurse requirements for public schools in the in the presence of the Commonwealth to engage in substance use parent/guardian/responsible adult and screening and education. This screening occurs signed on the medication log. in grades 7 and 9 in the Lowell Public Schools.
Information with an opt out letter will be sent
to parents/guardians prior to SBIRT
screening.
The City of Lowell • Health Department School Health Unit 341 Pine Street • Lowell, MA 01851 P: 978.674-4305 • F: 978.446-7100 www.LowellMA.gov
978.674.1050 STUDENTS ENTERING LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS UNDER THE MCKINNEY VENTO HOMELESS ASSISTANCE ACT
CITY OF LOWELL HEALTH DEPARTMENT SCHOOL HEALTH UNIT
Students entering Lowell Public Schools under the McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act will be provided school entry regardless of proof of immunization status. After school entry, the school nurse will provide the family with 3 written notices of the immunization requirements for school attendance over the following 30 days. The school nurse may assist the homeless liaison in obtaining immunization records from previous health care providers and with referrals to establish a medical home, usually Lowell Community Health Center. If unable to access prior records, and there is a delay in an appointment with a medical home, students are referred to the Lowell General Hospital immunization clinic.
Lowell Public Schools
REPORT ON STATUS OF OUTSTANDING MOTIONS
Report on Motions: May 15, 2019
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
EXPECTED DATE OF MOTION COMPLETION STATUS MOTION DATE
Legal Opinion
[by Gerard Nutter]: School Committee request Atty. Hall to work with DESE to offer legal opinion on how City is able to charge $1,500,000.00 in 1. SUPT 12/19/18 health personnel cost against NET School Spending but then keep ALL Medicaid reimbursement when School Personnel fill out all the required paperwork and if School Personnel should cease to do that.
Public Participation [by Robert Hoey]: Move to change the time Completed 2. SUPT 03/06/19 allowed for speakers from 3 minutes to 5 minutes 04/10/19 at all school-related meetings.
Letter Opposing Settlement [by Gerard Nutter]: School Committee vote to direct our Lawyer to draft a letter to the 3. SUPT 04/10/19 magistrate in the Huot v. City of Lowell case opposing any settlement involving changing the way School Committee is elected/appointed due to lack of School Committee being allowed representation in the case.
Quarterly update on Status of Motions To be presented at the meeting of Wednesday May 15, 2019 - 1 - REPORT ON STATUS OF OUTSTANDING MOTIONS
EXPECTED DATE OF MOTION COMPLETION STATUS MOTION DATE
Measles Transmission in Schools [by Robert Hoey]: Superintendent to provide the Committee a report in collaboration with public health authorities on how the district is following Will be the Center for Disease Control's 4. SUPT 05/01/19 presented recommendations on how to reduce the 05/15/19 potential risk of measles transmission in schools and determine what actions to take to further reduce the potential risk of measles transmission in schools.
SC Meeting Cancellation [by Mayor William Samaras]: Motion to cancel Completed 5. SUPT 05/01/19 the regularly scheduled Lowell School Committee 05/01/19 meeting of Wednesday, June 5, 2019 due to the Lowell High School Graduation Exercises
Update on Status of Motions To be presented at the meeting of Wednesday, May 15, 2019 - 2 - REPORT ON STATUS OF OUTSTANDING MOTIONS
OFFICE OF THE ASST. SUPERINTENDENT – FINANCE AND OPERATIONS
EXPECTED DATE OF COMPLETION MOTION MOTION DATE STATUS
Establish Monthly Meeting Dates [by Jacqueline Doherty]: Respectfully request the Superintendent work with the School Committee Ongoing Requested a and City Council Subcommittees on Facilities to 1. FO 11/16/16 Joint establish monthly meeting dates to address the Meeting ongoing issues concerning maintenance of our 10/09/18 school buildings.
Special Task Force LHS Stipends Task Force [by Andre Descoteaux]: Request the superintendent to Established establish a Special Task Force to review and 09/28/18 2. FO 01/17/18 recommend updates to the current LHS stipends, Update including but not limited to: Athletic Coaching, Student provided clubs, Band, and Chorus. 04/20/19
New Maintenance of Effort Agreement [by Gerard Nutter]: Request the Superintendent to update the Committee on the status of New Presented 3. FO 02/14/18 Maintenance of Effort Agreement with City and set 04/10/19 March 1st to finalize and present to the Committee for Ongoing approval at the March 7th meeting or Per Chap 603 CMR 10.00 we contact the Education Commissioner's Office and request designee to conduct hearing.
LPS Budget’s Compliance with City Regulations [by Mayor William Samaras]: Request the City Auditor provides the School Committee with a report on all School Department Budget and Financial issues. Report shall include, but not be limited to, the entering of the FY2018 School 4. FO 04/04/18 Budget into the City’s financial system and the Ongoing school budget’s compliance with all City financial regulations and the City Budget.
Update on Status of Motions To be presented at the meeting of Wednesday, May 15, 2019 - 3 - REPORT ON STATUS OF OUTSTANDING MOTIONS
EXPECTED DATE OF COMPLETION MOTION MOTION DATE STATUS
Salvaged Equipment [by Andre Descoteaux]: Ask the Superintendent to request an evaluation of all current useful and/or 5. FO 04/04/18 new equipment that is currently in the High School. Ongoing That equipment should be salvaged by us and not the demolition company.
Joint City & SC Finance Subcommittee [by Gerard Nutter]: Mayor convene "Special Meeting" between School and City Council Finance Subcommittee with the Superintendent and CITY MANGER the week of Sept. 10th to 6. FO 08/15/18 finalize the Maintenance of Effort Agreement for the 2018/2019School Year and to discuss the need for the City of Lowell to properly fully fund transportation per MA. State Law and cease decreasing the city's total Cash contribution it provides the schools.
Joint Finance and Facility Subcommittee [by Gerard Nutter]: Request a Joint meeting of the Finance and Facility subcommittee's to review existing job descriptions for "custodians" and consider the need to privatize school building maintenance (painting, minor plumbing, ceiling tile replacements etc.) and look at potential cost versus adequately maintaining these buildings for 7. FO 08/15/18 our students.
Update on Status of Motions To be presented at the meeting of Wednesday, May 15, 2019 - 4 - REPORT ON STATUS OF OUTSTANDING MOTIONS
EXPECTED DATE OF COMPLETION MOTION MOTION DATE STATUS
Laura Lee as Surplus City Property [by Gerard Nutter]: School Committee VOTE to keep open The Laura Lee Therapeutic Day School as a functioning, needed School building and 8. FO 10/07/18 request City Manager to formally remove it from the Surplus City property list and inform the City Council and residents of Lowell, Nullifying the Vote by the Lowell City Council of June 20th 2017.
Maintenance of Effort Agreement
[by Gerard Nutter]: School Committee vote to formally abolish existing Maintenance of Effort Agreement with City and create a subcommittee of Asst. Supt. of Finance, Mayor and Finance Subcommittee Chair to begin negotiations for a Presented 9. FO 12/19/18 new agreement for the 2019/2020 School Year for 04/10/19 entire School Committee to approve. Ongoing
Mr. Nutter amended the motion to form a Subcommittee to work with the City to get a new Maintenance of Effort Agreement by March 1, 2018
Exit Meeting Surveys [by Robert Hoey]: Request that the Superintendent direct Human Resources once the Human Resources Director is in place to conduct exit meeting surveys of teachers that request a transfer Ongoing including the reasons why they requested a to be transfer. established when Chief 10. FO 12/19/18 Human Resource Officer is hired
Update on Status of Motions To be presented at the meeting of Wednesday, May 15, 2019 - 5 - REPORT ON STATUS OF OUTSTANDING MOTIONS
EXPECTED DATE OF COMPLETION MOTION MOTION DATE STATUS
Formal List of Recruiting Sources [by Robert Hoey]: Request that the Superintendent direct Human Resources to develop once the Human Resources Director is in place a formal list of recruiting sources that work with minorities, 11. FO 12/19/18 female, the disabled, and veterans. Also provide a report on how many employees do we have in each bargaining unit and not affiliated that are minority, disabled, veteran and reservists and guardsmen.
Ongoing In District Transfers and Departures to be [by Robert Hoey]: Once the HR is hired, a Report established when Chief 12. FO 01/16/19 on how many in district transfers, and departures out of the district. A list from each individual school Human for the past five years. Resource Officer is hired
Current Technology and Anticipated Needs
[by Dominik Lay]: Schedule a Technology Update 13. FO 01/16/19 Subcommittee meeting to review the district’s provided current technology and assess anticipated needs 04/03/19 for current and additional technology.
Assistance from Greater Lowell Technical
[by Andy Descoteaux]: Ask the Superintendent to work with the City Manager to try and obtain the 14. FO 04/03/19 use of some of the Greater Lowell Technical students to help alleviate some of the open work orders that are overwhelming our city workers.
Next Maintenance of Effort Agreement
15. FO 04/03/19 [by Gerard Nutter]: School Committee vote to request City provide minimum 42% of their NET
Update on Status of Motions To be presented at the meeting of Wednesday, May 15, 2019 - 6 - REPORT ON STATUS OF OUTSTANDING MOTIONS
EXPECTED DATE OF COMPLETION MOTION MOTION DATE STATUS
School spending requirement in the form of a cash contribution to the Lowell Public School System in the next Maintenance of Effort Agreement.
City CFO Attend SC Meeting
[by Gerard Nutter]: School Committee request in the next Maintenance of Effort Agreement that the City CFO or their representative attend the 16. FO 04/03/19 2nd School Committee meeting every January with a detailed report on Maintenance of Effort charges year to date and October with a detailed report on Maintenance of Effort charges for the previous school year.
Finance Subcommittee
[by Gerard Nutter]: Request for a Finance Subcommittee before the next School Committee meeting and have Assistant Superintendent Turner Schedule a Subcommittee 17. FO 04/03/19 present a list of policy and procedures that have meeting on been put in place that address many of the 05/01/19 oversight and accounting issues raised in the Fiscal Audit.
Audit on City’s Net School Spending Charges [by Gerard Nutter]: School Committee vote to 18. FO 04/10/19 request DESE conduct a fiscal compliance Audit regarding the City’s Net School Spending charges.
Line Item for Translations [by Dominik Lay]: Ask that the Superintendent to 19. FO 04/10/19 create a line item for translations in the FY20 Budget for an amount to be determined.
Update on Status of Motions To be presented at the meeting of Wednesday, May 15, 2019 - 7 - REPORT ON STATUS OF OUTSTANDING MOTIONS
EXPECTED DATE OF COMPLETION MOTION MOTION DATE STATUS
Report on Potential Savings [by Gerard Nutter]: Based on the City budget the last 2 years supplied by the City Manager in anticipating the City will provide at most approx. $650,000 of their required $2,000,000 increase in Net School Spending in the form of an additional 20. FO 04/10/19 cash contribution. School Committee direct Superintendent to provide report showing savings if we eliminate All Pre-School Programs, Adult Education , All Varsity/ JV / Intramural Athletics programs and rezoning School District for 2019/2020 School year.
Update on Status of Motions To be presented at the meeting of Wednesday, May 15, 2019 - 8 - REPORT ON STATUS OF OUTSTANDING MOTIONS
OFFICE OF THE ASST. SUPERINTENDENT – CURRICULUM, INSTRUCTION AND ASSESSMENT
EXPECTED DATE OF COMPLETION MOTION MOTION DATE STATUS
1. CIA
Update on Status of Motions To be presented at the meeting of Wednesday, May 15, 2019 - 9 - REPORT ON STATUS OF OUTSTANDING MOTIONS
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT – STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
EXPECTED DATE OF COMPLETION MOTION MOTION DATE STATUS
Allocates Funds to Support Citywide
[by Jacqueline Doherty]: Lowell School 1. SSS 12/19/19 Committee allocates funds to support Citywide Family Council per recommendations from Administration, beginning with 2019-2020 budget.
Update on Status of Motions To be presented at the meeting of Wednesday, May 15, 2019 - 10 - REPORT ON STATUS OF OUTSTANDING MOTIONS
CITY COUNCIL MOTIONS
EXPECTED DATE OF COMPLETION MOTION MOTION DATE STATUS
City Auditor Attend School Committee
[by Gerard Nutter]: Request Mayor invite City Auditor to attend the next School Committee meeting to address questions / finding stemming from the Fiscal Audit and best practice procedures. Among the issues to address:
a. Use of School Facilities - The school department directed the City Auditor’s office to reclassify $180,000 of general fund operating expenditures to this fund. The only supporting documentation for this reclassification was a reference to the school budget. There was no direct correlation to the facilities use receipts. As a result, we consider the expenditure non-compliant with the MGL
b. The school department charged the annual districtwide alarm system bills ($46,197) and locker repairs ($6,200) to the fund. We consider these 1. CC expenditures non-compliant with the MGL as they are general operating expenditures.
c. School Choice (Fund 1119) – per MGL, these funds are to be used for “expenses incurred in providing education for school choice students”. More than $50,000 was reclassified to the school choice account from the state hurricane relief grant. The supporting documentation provided (explanation only) was that these costs related to transportation. As noted above, expenditure reclasses should have supporting documentation; otherwise they should not be approved by the City Auditor’s Office.
d. How the Auditor allowed the Superintendent to submit a full year budget that was never voted on by the Lowell School Committee and why he never notified the City Council, Mayor or City Manager?
Update on Status of Motions To be presented at the meeting of Wednesday, May 15, 2019 - 11 - REPORT ON STATUS OF OUTSTANDING MOTIONS
EXPECTED DATE OF COMPLETION MOTION MOTION DATE STATUS
Policy BDF - Not Followed
[by Gerard Nutter]: Request Mayor to explain why the existing Lowell School Committee Policy BDF - Advisory Committees to the School Committee was not followed when naming the Blue Ribbon Panel? Noting on the following last line of that policy.
2. CC 8-The school committee possesses certain legal powers and purgatives that cannot be delegated or surrendered to others. Therefore, all recommendations of an advisory committee must be submitted to the school committee. The committee will have the sole power to dissolve any of its advisory committees and will reserve the right to exercise this power at any time during the life of any committee.
Update on Status of Motions To be presented at the meeting of Wednesday, May 15, 2019 - 12 -
Lowell Public Schools District Enrollment Page 1 May 10, 2019
School School Name PK K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 SP Other Total 0001 Cardinal O'Connell Early 78 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 43 121 0002 Bailey Elementary School 22 95 94 94 92 101 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 509 0005 Rogers STEM Academy 0 96 86 85 87 101 106 110 53 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 724 0010 McAvinnue Elementary School 23 95 91 91 90 103 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 501 0015 Greenhalge Elementary 45 97 85 87 92 99 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 25 530 0018 Pyne Arts Magnet School 19 50 48 48 45 49 59 55 59 54 0 0 0 0 0 10 496 0020 Lincoln Elementary School 43 99 93 88 90 101 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 525 0027 Moody Elementary School 0 47 46 47 44 50 59 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 293 0030 Morey Elementary School 42 95 89 88 88 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 519 0036 Pawtucketville Memorial 23 95 91 90 91 101 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 511 0040 Reilly Elementary School 0 97 85 90 96 104 110 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 582 0050 Shaughnessy Elementary 25 98 87 89 90 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 498 0055 Washington Elementary 23 51 41 48 44 49 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 263 0075 McAuliffe Elementary School 39 97 83 89 90 99 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 511 0080 Murkland Elementary School 35 96 89 91 86 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 514 0085 Laura Lee Therapeutic Day 0 0 0 2 1 0 6 10 4 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 29 0090 Bartlett Community 35 46 48 47 43 50 55 53 52 53 0 0 0 0 0 7 489 0100 Head Start - Community 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 18 0110 Lowell Collaborative Preschool 127 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 127 0310 Butler Middle School 0 0 0 0 0 0 145 139 144 123 0 0 0 0 0 0 551 0315 Daley Middle School 0 0 0 0 0 0 179 170 170 163 0 0 0 0 0 0 682 0320 Leblanc Therapeutic Day 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 12 9 14 0 0 42 0330 Robinson Middle School 0 0 0 0 0 0 171 171 176 144 0 0 0 0 0 0 662 0340 Sullivan Middle School 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 171 174 144 0 0 0 0 0 0 489 0345 Wang Middle School 0 0 0 0 0 0 171 170 188 151 0 0 0 0 0 0 680 0360 Stoklosa Middle School 0 0 0 0 0 0 167 165 175 170 0 0 0 0 0 0 677 0505 Lowell High School 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 831 749 746 725 30 0 3081
Lowell Public Schools District Enrollment Page 2 May 10, 2019
School School Name PK K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 SP Other Total 0515 The Career Academy 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 24 25 17 13 0 0 79 0605 Adie Day School 3 6 8 8 7 3 2 6 3 0 3 0 1 0 0 4 54 0930 Family Resource Center 7 4 5 2 4 8 1 2 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 41 0962 Special Education Office 44 29 19 18 9 12 8 2 4 5 2 2 0 1 2 228 385 1004 BRIDGE Program 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 17 23 0 0 0 0 0 0 43 1007 The Engagement Center 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 5 44 1 0 51 OOD Out of District 2 2 6 4 1 5 7 12 9 4 11 17 10 16 16 0 122 Totals 644 1295 1194 1206 1190 1335 1246 1239 1232 1042 879 805 788 813 49 442 15399 Date Enrollment Change 7-Nov 15451 14-Nov 15462 +11 21-Nov 15466 +4 28-Nov 15478 +12 5-Dec 15488 +10 12-Dec 15506 +18 19-Dec 15537 +31 26-Dec 15555 +18 2-Jan 15564 +9 9-Jan 15573 +9 16-Jan 15572 -1 23-Jan 15574 +2 30-Jan 15549 -25 6-Feb 15550 +1 13-Feb 15547 -3 20-Feb 15556 +9 27-Feb 15523 -33 6-Mar 15446 -77 13-Mar 15450 +4 20-Mar 15419 -31 27-Mar 15430 +11 3-Apr 15424 -6 10-Apr 15409 -15 17-Apr 15411 +2 24-Apr 15425 +14 1-May 15446 +21 8-May 15470 +24 15-May 15471 +1 22-May 15492 +21 29-May 15474 -18 5-Jun 15472 -2 12-Jun 15470 -2 19-Jun 15467 -3 26-Jun 15459 -8 3-Jul 14702 -757 10-Jul 14699 -3 17-Jul 14687 -12 24-Jul 14654 -33 13-Sep 15601 +947 20-Sep 15562 -39 27-Sep 15437 -125 4-10 Oct 15393 -44 11-Oct 15360 -33 18-Oct 15351 -9 25-Oct 15369 +18 2-Nov 15393 +24 9-Nov 15406 +13 16-Nov 15409 +3 23-Nov 15401 -8 30-Nov 15411 +10 7-Dec 15421 +10 14-Dec 15415 -6 21-Dec 15430 +15 28-Dec 15440 +10 4-Jan 15442 +2 11-Jan 15425 -17 18-Jan 15439 +14 25-Jan 15449 +10 1-Feb 15445 -4 8-Feb 15440 -5 15-Feb 15444 +4 22-Feb 15450 +6 1-Mar 15355 -95 8-Mar 15360 +5 15-Mar 15363 +3 22-Mar 15369 +6 29-Mar 15382 +13 5-Apr 15373 -9 12-Apr 15358 -15 19-Apr 15364 +6 26-Apr 15382 +18 3-May 15382 +0 10-May 15399 +17 17-May LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS Henry J. Mroz Administration Office 155 Merrimack Street Lowell, Massachusetts 01852
Tel: (978) 674-4325 Billie Jo Turner Fax: (978) 937-7620 Assistant Superintendent for Finance E-Mail: [email protected] and Operations
TO: Jeannine Durkin, Superintendent of Schools
FROM: Billie Jo Turner, Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations
DATE: May 13, 2019
RE: School Choice M.G.L. Chapter 76 Section 12b
I am recommending that the Lowell Public Schools reconsider participation in the inter-district school choice program for grades 9-12 for the 2019-2020 school year.
My recommendation is based on discussions with our Lowell Public School Attorneys, as well as updated guidance from DESE in regards to School Choice.
A public hearing is required to be held for this recommendation and we are holding it at the beginning of the regularly scheduled School Committee meeting on May 15, 2019 @ 6:30PM in City Hall, Council Chambers.
Education Laws and Regulations
Advisory on Inter-District School Choice Pursuant to G.L. c. 76, §12B
To: School Committee Chairpersons, Superintendents of Schools, and Other Interested Parties From: Jeffrey C. Riley, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Date: April 23, 2019 ______
The inter-district school choice program under G.L. c. 76, § 12B, has been in place in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts since 1991.1 School choice allows a parent or guardian to enroll his or her child in a school district other than the district in which the child lives. The purpose of this advisory is to assist districts in understanding inter-district school choice under G.L. c.76, § 12B, and includes Frequently Asked Questions and Answers. This advisory replaces the previous advisory issued in 1995. This advisory updates the previous advisory and compiles the numerous questions we have received and answered since 1995 interpreting the requirements of G.L. c.76, § 12B. The text of G.L. c. 76, § 12B is attached for easy reference.
Presumption That All School Committees Will Participate in School Choice
Under the school choice law, G.L. c.76, § 12B, as amended in 1993, all school districts in Massachusetts are presumed to participate in and to admit non-resident students through school choice. See G.L. c. 76, § 12B(d) (“Each city, town or regional school district shall enroll non-resident students at the school of such non-resident student's choice; provided, however, that such receiving district has seats available”). A receiving district can withdraw from school choice only if a school committee holds a public hearing on this issue and then votes to withdraw from the school choice program prior to June 1st.2 G.L. c. 76, § 12B(d). The hearing and the school committee’s vote can occur at the same meeting and may occur at a scheduled school committee meeting provided there is notice to the public that this item will be discussed and that members of the public are afforded an opportunity to participate and make their positions known to the school committee prior to the vote. A separate meeting is not required for this purpose. A school committee that intends to continue participating in school choice is not required to hold a hearing or
1 Other public educational choices for students include enrolling in their home district, charter schools, Commonwealth of Massachusetts virtual schools, vocational technical education programs, Metco, and the Massachusetts Academy of Math & Science at WPI. Private educational choices include private and parochial schools and home schooling. For additional information regarding educational choices in Massachusetts, please see http://www.doe.mass.edu/finance/schoolchoice/choice-guide.html#. 2 Sending school districts cannot “withdraw” from school choice. 1
to vote because G.L. c. 76, § 12B, contains a presumption that all school districts will participate in school choice.
A timely decision and vote by a school committee to withdraw from school choice is effective only for the following school year. The resolution on which the school committee votes to withdraw from school choice must contain the reasons for the withdrawal. While the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Department) does not review decisions to withdraw from school choice, the school committee must notify the Department of its vote to withdraw and the reasons for the withdrawal as soon as reasonably possible after the vote. A school committee withdrawing from school choice must continue to serve all non-resident students previously admitted through school choice. G.L. c. 76, § 12B(d).
Student Selection Process
When admitting students through school choice under G.L. c.76, § 12B, school districts may not consider or discriminate based on race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, ancestry, athletic performance, physical handicap, special need,3 academic performance, or proficiency in the English language. If the number of applicants exceeds the number of available seats, the selection of students must be on a random basis. The selection process must take place prior to July 1st and again, assuming there are seats available, prior to November 1st. Once students are selected, the receiving school district4 must notify the sending district5 of the acceptance of such students.6 Neither the sending nor the receiving school district may disclose publicly the identities of student participants in school choice. G.L. c. 76, § 12B(j).
Financing School Choice
The school choice tuition for students in a regular education program is $5,000 per student.7 For students attending half-day kindergarten, tuition is $2,500 per student. For students eligible for special education, an additional increment is added to the base regular education amount to cover the cost of these services. These amounts are determined using a cost calculator similar to the one used for the circuit breaker program
3 Section 12B of G.L. c. 76 uses the terms “physical handicap” and “special need” but does not use the term “disability.” Except when citing the specific portion of Section 12B, this advisory uses the term “disability.” 4 The receiving district is the district in which a student attends school under school choice. This is also referred to as the school choice district. 5 The sending district is the district in which the student lives. 6 Additionally, the Department notifies sending districts in December and June through school choice reports. 7 Section 12B of G.L. c. 76 provides that the amount is 75% of the actual per pupil spending amount for students in the receiving district in the type of program received by the student, up to $5,000 per student. In every district, this amount has been $5,000 for a substantial number of years. 2
under G.L. c. 71B, § 5B.8 School choice students are not eligible to receive transportation services unless a student’s disability requires transportation and their Individual Education Program (IEP) includes special transportation as a related service.
The state treasurer deducts school choice tuition from the sending district’s total education aid, as specified in G.L. c. 70 and G.L. c. 76, § 12B(f). If there is not enough Chapter 70 aid to fund fully the school choice tuition, the treasurer deducts the remaining tuition from other state aid appropriated for the sending district. Section 12B(a) of G.L. c. 76 additionally limits school choice participation to 2 percent of the total number of students attending public schools in the Commonwealth in a given fiscal year.
8 See also information posted at http://www.doe.mass.edu/finance/circuitbreaker/. 3
9 If school choice enrollment exceeds this statewide limit, tuition payments would be prorated.
9 Additional information regarding school choice and trends in enrollment through school choice can be found at http://www.doe.mass.edu/finance/schoolchoice/. 4
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
District Participation in School Choice
1. May a school committee vote to specify into which schools, grades, and programs it will admit students through school choice?
Yes. When determining capacity for admission of school choice students by June 1st for the upcoming school year, school committees may specify the schools and grades in which seats are available for non-resident students. See G.L. c. 76, § 12B(c). Therefore, it is permissible for a school committee to limit the admission of non-resident students through school choice to specific grades, programs, and schools.
It is important to note, however, that once a non-resident student is admitted through school choice, the school district must treat students admitted through school choice in the same manner as it treats students residing in the district. The basic premise of the school choice law is that a school choice student once admitted to the district must be treated in the same way a resident student is treated. Therefore, if students who reside in the district are permitted to transfer to other schools or programs within the district, then students admitted through school choice must also be permitted to transfer to other schools or programs in the district.
2. May a school committee rescind an earlier vote to participate in school choice?
It depends. If the new vote of the school committee occurs before June 1, it overrides the previous vote. Students who are already participating in the school choice program, or who were admitted prior to the new vote, have a right to continue attending school in the receiving district. If the new vote of the school committee occurs on or after June 1, it is ineffective and the district remains a school choice district for the upcoming school year.
3. May a school committee rescind an earlier vote to withdraw from school choice?
Yes. Consistent with statutory presumption that all school districts will participate in school choice, a school committee may rescind an earlier vote to withdraw from school choice. The new vote to participate in school choice need not occur prior to June 1st.
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Provision of Information on School Choice
4. May a district advertise its status as a school choice district?
Yes. Advertising its status and seats available for admission is consistent with notifying potential applicants of the availability of seats and the process for admission through school choice. The Department annually updates and publishes the list of districts that participate in school choice on its website.
5. How should districts that participate in school choice inform potential applicants of the application process?
Districts participating in school choice are encouraged to publish the availability of school choice seats and the district’s admission process and deadlines, including making such information readily available on the district’s website. School districts must also must provide the information upon request.
6. Where can a family obtain information about how to apply through school choice?
Applicants should contact the district they want to attend for information on how to apply for school choice.
Admission and Continued Attendance of Students
7. Does a student need to be a Massachusetts resident to seek admission pursuant to G.L. c. 76, § 12B?
Yes. Admission through school choice is only open to residents of Massachusetts. See G.L. c. 76, § 12B(a) (definition of sending district). Additionally, a student must be a resident of Massachusetts to attend and to continue attending a receiving district through school choice.
8. Must a school district use a random selection process?
The statute requires a random selection process if there are more applications for admission than there are seats available. The statute also prohibits school districts from discriminating in the admission of any student on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, ancestry, athletic performance, physical handicap, special need, academic performance, or proficiency in the English language. G.L. c. 76, § 12B(j).
9. May a school choice district accept students at any time during the school year? Yes, provided that there are fewer applicants than seats available for school choice students. If there are more applicants than seats available, the receiving
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district must conduct a random selection process prior to July 1st and again, assuming there are seats available, prior to November 1st. Once names are selected during a random process, the district can maintain a waitlist of those names and admit students from that list during the year should seats become available. The same requirements regarding notice to the sending district apply to students admitted during the year as apply to students admitted before a school year begins. See the discussion under “student Selection Process” on page 2 of this advisory.
10. Must school districts establish a sibling preference policy when admitting students pursuant to G.L. c. 76, § 12B? Yes. Under G.L. c. 76 § 12B(j), any sibling of a student currently attending school in the receiving district receives a preference for admission. Siblings are students who have a common parent, either biologically or legally through adoption. Children who live in the same household, such as step-siblings and foster children, and do not share a common parent are not siblings for purposes of receiving a sibling preference for admission. Students entitled to a sibling preference are those who have a sibling currently attending school in the receiving district when an offer of admission is made.
This preference is available to students who have a common parent regardless of whether the students live in the same household, whether the student currently attending was admitted as a resident student or through school choice, or whether the student currently attending will still be enrolled when the newly admitted student begins attending. The sibling preference is not available for students who do not share a common parent biologically or legally and live in the same household.
Receive Sibling Preference Do Not Receive Sibling Preference Students who live in different Children who live in the same households but share a common household but do not share a biological or legal parent common biological or legal parent Siblings of students who will Foster children without a common graduate at the end of the school biological or legal parent year in which the admissions Step-siblings without a common process occurs biological or legal parent Siblings of applicants accepted for admission who are not yet attending, including twins
The sibling preference applies only when one sibling is already attending in the school choice district. If siblings of the same family apply simultaneously and only one sibling is admitted, no preference is available for the sibling who has not yet been admitted.
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11. How does sibling preference apply when a student is seeking to attend a regional vocational technical high school through school choice under G.L. c. 76, § 12B?
Siblings of students currently attending the regional vocational technical school seeking admission under G.L. c. 76, § 12B, must receive a sibling preference during the admission process for school choice. The sibling preference applies to regional vocational schools admitting students under G.L. c. 76, § 12B, in the same manner that it applies to all other schools.
12. May districts designate students as school choice who have not been admitted through the school choice process?
No. Only students admitted through the school choice process may be counted and reported as school choice students.
13. May a school district establish a preference for the children of school district or other municipal employees when admitting students through school choice?
No. A preference for admission on any basis other than for siblings is inconsistent with the random selection requirement in the statute. Outside of school choice, however, a school district may admit children of school district and municipal employees under G.L. c. 76, § 12. Also see FAQ No. 29. The receiving district is not eligible to receive school choice tuition for such students.
14. Without signed parental consent, may a receiving district contact a student's district of residence to obtain records?
During the application phase, the school choice district should not obtain or consider student records from the student’s previous or current district. Once a student is admitted and accepts that offer of admission, however, the receiving district can request student records from the sending district as a matter of right under the student record regulations at 603 CMR 23.07(4)(g). This regulation provides as follows.
(g) Authorized school personnel of the school to which a student seeks or intends to transfer may have access to such student's record without the consent of the eligible student or parent, provided that the school the student is leaving, or has left, gives notice that it forwards student records to schools in which the student seeks or intends to enroll. Such notice may be included in the routine information letter required under 603 CMR 23.10.
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15. May a receiving district consider a student’s disciplinary record prior to accepting a student?
No. A receiving district may not consider a student’s disciplinary record during the admission process under G.L. c. 76, § 12B. In consultation with its lawyer, a district may consider beginning its own disciplinary process once a student is attending.
16. May a school district refuse to admit students through school choice who have been expelled from another school?
No. Prior to 2014, school officials had discretion to admit or not to admit a student who had been expelled. The disciplinary statutes were revised in 2014 and the language permitting public schools to refuse to admit expelled students was deleted. Therefore, public schools may no longer refuse to admit students because they were expelled from another school. While not addressing school choice explicitly, the advisory and question and answers on student discipline posted on the Department’s website provide more detailed information about student discipline laws.
17. May a receiving district rescind an offer of admission based upon a student’s disciplinary record?
No. A receiving district may not rescind an offer of admission based upon a student’s disciplinary record. In consultation with its lawyer, a district may consider beginning its own disciplinary process once a student is attending.
18. How can a selective secondary school participate in school choice and still be “selective?”
Selective secondary schools in Massachusetts, which are primarily regional vocational technical schools, admit students pursuant to an admissions plan that has been approved by the Department. Participating in school choice under G.L. c. 76, § 12B, is an additional option for regional vocational technical schools that have seats not filled by resident students.10 School choice students are accepted after resident students who meet the minimum requirements for admission.
The admission of students through school choice under G.L. c. 76, § 12B, is a separate and distinct process from the admission of students to a regional vocational school pursuant to its selective admissions plan approved by the Department. If a regional vocational technical school admits students under G.L. c. 76, § 12B, it may not consider, among other characteristics, athletic
10 Inter-district school choice under G.L. c. 76, § 12B, is separate and distinct from the nonresident student tuition process under G.L. c. 74 and 603 CMR 4.00. There are significant differences between the two programs. Additional information regarding the nonresident tuition process may be found at http://www.doe.mass.edu/cte/admissions/. 9
performance, physical handicap, special need, or academic performance. An admissions process under G.L. c. 76, § 12B, is not a selective admissions process.
19. May a child who is too young to be eligible for kindergarten entry in his or her district be admitted through school choice as a kindergarten student in another district that has a different age standard?
Yes. If the child qualifies for admission to the receiving district, the district of residence must pay the school choice tuition for this student. Additionally, if the student returns to the district of residence after completing kindergarten, the district of residence must enroll this student like any other student enrolling in the district for the first time, including grade placement.
Example
Children in District A must be five years old by September 1st to enter kindergarten. Children in District B must be five years old by December 31st to enter kindergarten. Student 1 from District A, who does not meet District A’s age requirement, enrolls in kindergarten in District B through school choice. District A is responsible for this student’s tuition even though the student would not be eligible to enroll in District A. The fact that the sending district has a different kindergarten entry age is irrelevant under school choice, except to the extent that it may motivate families to seek enrollment of the child in another district. Additionally, should Student 1 return to District A for a subsequent grade, District A should enroll that student as it would any other student who moves into the district for the first time and seeks to attend school.
20. May a district admit students into pre-kindergarten through school choice?
Yes, districts may admit students into pre-kindergarten programs through school choice provided they follow the admission practices required for school choice and do so after admitting all resident students. Note, however, that receiving districts will receive school choice tuition only for those pre-kindergarten students who qualify for special education and have an IEP.
21. If a resident student moves from the district but wishes to continue to attend school there, may the district enroll this student through school choice? May the district provide this student an admission preference? May the district count this student as a school choice student?
Provided it participates in school choice, the district may enroll such a student if it follows the same process that it uses for all other non-resident students, including the provisions relating to public notice. The district, however, may not provide an admission preference to this student or admit this student ahead of other students who may wish to be admitted or who are on a waitlist. Alternatively, the school
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committee could allow the former student to continue to attend at no cost to the student’s family or could enter into an agreement with the school committee of the new district of residence to allow that student to attend at the expense of the new school district. See G.L. c. 76, § 12 (addressing agreements between school committees for the education of students), and FAQ No. 30. If the student is not admitted through school choice following the same process that it uses for all other non-resident students, the district cannot count the student as a school choice student, receive school choice tuition for the student, or otherwise “convert” the student to school choice.
22. What happens to a school choice student’s status if the student studies abroad independent of the school district’s programs or otherwise stops attending school in the receiving district?
The receiving district would unenroll the student if he or she stops attending school in the receiving district. The student no longer has a right to attend school in the receiving district. Instead, if seats were available and the student wished to attend again in the receiving district, the student would need to reapply and participate in the same application process as all other non-resident students. The receiving district cannot provide an enrollment preference to this student or admit this student ahead of other students.
23. May a receiving district approve a home schooling plan for a student who does not reside in the district?
No. Under G.L. c. 76, § 1, the student’s district of residence has authority to evaluate and approve home education plans. Such approval must occur in advance of withdrawing a student from school. See G.L. c. 76, § 1 (student of compulsory school age must “attend a public day [or some other approved school . . . but such attendance shall not be required of a child . . . who is being otherwise instructed in a manner approved in advance by the superintendent or the school committee.”). Students who are home schooled in Massachusetts are considered to be privately enrolled.
Rights of Students
24. Must a student admitted under school choice reapply for admission in subsequent years?
No. Once a receiving district admits a non-resident student through school choice, that student has the right to remain in the receiving district, provided his or her enrollment is continuous, until he or she graduates from high school or completes the highest grade offered by the district. The right to continued attendance exists even if the school district decides that it will no longer participate in the school choice program.
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25. Once a student is accepted through school choice, can the receiving district rescind the acceptance because of the student’s academic record?
No. A district may not rescind an offer of admission based upon a student’s academic record because that would be discriminating based upon academic performance, a practice explicitly prohibited by the school choice statute at G.L. c. 76, § 12B(j).
26. Must a school choice district admit students with disabilities who may require out-of-district placements?
Yes. The school choice law explicitly states that applicants cannot be discriminated against on the basis of disability. School districts may not consider whether students have a disability or the nature of their disabilities in determining whether to admit them under G.L. c. 76, § 12B, and similarly may not rescind any offers of admission on the basis of a student’s disability or needs.11 Neither a sending district nor a receiving district may require a student who needs an out- of-district placement to unenroll from the receiving district or to re-enroll in the sending district. A student who is accepted through school choice is entitled to the same rights and privileges as if the student were a resident of the district. It is important to note that the school choice tuition for a student with disabilities is determined using a cost calculator similar to the one used for the circuit breaker program; this does not include the costs of evaluations for special education. The costs of evaluations are paid by receiving districts.
27. May a school choice student be disciplined, including suspension or expulsion, by the receiving district?
Yes. The same rules and process regarding discipline that apply to resident students also apply to non-resident students attending through school choice. See the Department’s discipline advisory for additional information regarding student discipline. If a receiving district imposes discipline on a school choice student, it must provide alternative educational services. While a student always has the right to re-enroll in the district of residence, a receiving district may not “send a student back” to the district of residence following discipline or otherwise pressure a student to re-enroll in the district of residence.
11 Under the special education regulations at 603 CMR 28.10(6)(b), the school choice district must invite the district of residence to Team meetings “provided such participation [does] not limit the student’s right to a timely evaluation and placement.” 12
28. If a student who is participating in school choice becomes homeless, may the student continue to participate in school choice?
Yes. Students who are attending through school choice under G.L. c. 76, § 12B, have a right to continue attending as school choice students through the full course of curriculum. This is true irrespective of whether they become homeless, provided they continue to reside outside the district in which they attend school through school choice. In general, however, school choice students do not have a right to transportation.
Alternatively, the student may continue to attend in the school choice district as a homeless student under the federal McKinney-Vento Act. Under McKinney- Vento, students who become homeless have a right either to remain in their “school of origin” or to attend school where they are temporarily residing. The school choice district in which the student was attending school when the student became homeless is the “school of origin.” Homeless students who choose to remain in their school of origin have the right to remain there until the end of the school year in which they get permanent housing, and have additional rights to transportation. Detailed information regarding the education rights of homeless students can be found at http://www.doe.mass.edu/mv/.
School choice students who become homeless and who wish to remain in school in the receiving district may choose whether to continue attending as school choice students or whether to exercise their rights to continue attending in the school choice district under McKinney-Vento. While school districts should inform parents, guardians, and students of their rights, school districts may not pressure or otherwise encourage such students to make a particular choice or to give up their rights. The consequences of such a choice are significant. If the student chooses to continue to be a school choice student, they will not have access to transportation services. If the students chooses to continue attending under McKinney-Vento, they will have access to transportation but may not be able to continue attending school in the district beyond the end of the school year in which they get permanent housing.
29. May a homeless student seek admission through school choice?
Yes, a homeless student has the same right to seek admission through school choice as any other student who resides in Massachusetts.
30. May a district report to the Department a student as “school choice” solely because the student became homeless and resides temporarily outside the school district in which the student attends school?
No. School districts may only report students to the Department as “school choice” if the students have been admitted to the district through the admission
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process for school choice. Students may not be “converted” to school choice solely because they live outside the district in which they attend school.
31. Are students placed in foster care by the Department of Children and Families school choice students?
No. Students who reside in a foster home are not school choice students on that basis alone. Students in foster care, however, may seek admission through school choice to districts other than those in which they live. Detailed information regarding the education of students in foster care can be found at http://www.doe.mass.edu/sfs/foster/.
32. If a student lives in two school districts and attends school in one of those districts, is that student a school choice student?
No. If a student lives in two separate residences because his or her parents share physical custody, irrespective of how that time is divided, the student may choose either location as the district of residence for purposes of attending school. That student is considered a resident of whichever district in which he or she chooses to attend school. Such students are not counted or reported as school choice students.
33. If a student lives in two school districts and applies to a third districts through school choice, which district of residence is the sending district?
Both districts of residence are sending districts and the school choice tuition is split between the two districts.
Transition between Schools
34. Does a student who attends an elementary or K-8 school district through school choice have an automatic right to progress with resident students to a regional high school?
No. Effective beginning with fiscal year 2020, school year 2019-20, a school choice student admitted to an elementary or K-8 district does not have a right to attend high school in a regional school district, including a regional vocational technical district. Because regional school districts are districts separate from municipal school districts, those districts separately determine whether to participate in school choice and, if so, into which schools, grades, and programs it will admit students through school choice.12 If the regional school district operating the high school participates in school choice, a non-resident student may seek to attend the regional high school through school choice under G.L. c. 76, § 12B.
12 Municipalities, as opposed to school districts, are the members of regional school districts. G.L. c. 71, §15. 14
Note: This is a change from the Department’s prior interpretation of the school choice statute, which advised that a non-resident student admitted through school choice had an automatic right to progress to a separate regional school district for later grades. In changing its interpretation, the Department carefully examined the plain language of the statute. Recognizing this shift, students currently admitted to or attending an elementary or K-8 district through school choice will continue to have an automatic right to attend through graduation from the regional school district, consistent with our past guidance. For future students who may seek admission through school choice, the Department now requires municipal school districts to provide clear, written notice that they will not have an automatic right to progress to the regional school district for later grades. This change takes effect starting with students admitted for fiscal year 2020, school year 2019-20.
Example
Student 1 lives in District A and, beginning in fiscal year 2020, attends school in District B through school choice. District B is a municipal school district and offers grades K-8. Municipality B, the municipality in which District B is located, is a member of a regional school district, District C, for grades 9-12. Student 1 does not have an automatic right to attend high school in District C. Student 1, however, may be able to attend high school in District C if District C participates in school choice and has seats available.
35. How does the right to attend a school choice district through high school graduation apply to a district that tuitions out students in higher grades to a school district that is not a school choice district?
Under G.L. c. 71, § 6, school committees of towns not maintaining a high school enter into tuition agreements for students to attend high school. The general premise of school choice is that a receiving district must treat a school choice student in the same way it treats a resident student. Therefore, the receiving district must tuition school choice students to high school in the same manner as it tuitions resident students. The high school into which students are tuitioned will charge the tuition for all students it receives to the K-8 district, including students who were attending the K-8 district through school choice. The K-8 district includes school choice students on its school choice reports and receives the school choice tuition from the students’ communities of residence.
Example
Student 1 lives in District A and attends school in District B through school choice. District B is a municipal school district and offers grades K-8. Municipality B is not a member of a regional school district. District B, therefore, tuitions its students into District C for high school. Student 1
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has a right to attend high school in District C in the same manner as students who reside in District B. District C will receive the agreed-upon tuition from District B, and District B will receive school choice tuition from District A.
Transportation and Other Tuition Arrangements
36. Must a school choice district provide transportation to non-resident students with disabilities?
Students who participate in the school choice program do not receive transportation services unless those services are included in a student’s IEP. Specialized transportation is considered a “related service” under state and federal laws regarding special education and, if needed, should be included on the student’s IEP. The receiving district would provide this transportation and the sending district would reimburse the receiving district for the cost of providing this service under G.L. c. 76, §12B(f).
37. May a school committee accept students from another school district on a tuition basis apart from school choice?
Yes. The school choice law does not affect G.L. c. 76 § 12, which states that
[a]ny child, with the consent of the school committee of the town where he resides, may attend, at the expense of said town, the public schools of another town, upon such terms as may be fixed by the two committees.
In addition, other statutes, including G.L. c. 71B, § 4 (special education), and G.L. c. 74, § 7 (non-resident vocational technical education),13 explicitly provide additional means for certain students to attend the schools in communities in which they do not live. School choice under G.L. c. 76, § 12B, is a separate program and does not affect these statutes.
38. May a school committee charge tuition for out-of-state residents?
Yes. School choice law under G.L. c. 76, § 12B, does not affect G.L. c. 71, § 6A, which allows city, town, and regional school districts to admit non-Massachusetts residents on a tuition basis. That statute also allows school committees to vote to waive the tuition for such students.
13 Inter-district school choice under G.L. c. 76, § 12B, is separate and distinct from the nonresident student tuition process under G.L. c. 74 and 603 CMR 4.00. There are significant differences between the two programs. Additional information regarding the nonresident tuition process may be found at http://www.doe.mass.edu/cte/admissions/. 16
ATTACHMENT: G.L. c. 76, § 12B
Section 12B. (a) As used in this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
''Above foundation reimbursement amount'', (i) for fiscal year nineteen hundred and ninety-four, fifty percent of the net losses due to the provisions of this section; provided, however, that if the amount lost by said district pursuant to subsection (f) is greater than two percent of the total school budget of said district, the amount of said reimbursement shall be equal to seventy-five percent of the net losses due to the provisions of this section; (ii) beginning in fiscal year nineteen hundred and ninety-five, twenty-five percent of the net losses due to the provisions of this section.
''Receiving district'', any city, town or regional school district within the commonwealth in which a child does not reside, but in which that child attends public school under the provisions of this section.
''Sending district'', any city, town or regional school district within the commonwealth in which a child resides, but in which that child does not attend public school under the provisions of this section.
''State school choice limit'', in fiscal year nineteen hundred and ninety-four, one percent of the total number of students attending public schools in the commonwealth; in fiscal year nineteen hundred and ninety-five, one and one-half percent of the total number of students attending public schools in the commonwealth; in fiscal year nineteen hundred and ninety-six, one and three-quarters percent of the total number of students attending public schools in the commonwealth; in fiscal year nineteen hundred and ninety-seven and thereafter, two percent of the total number of students attending public schools in the commonwealth; provided, however, that students enrolled under the program for the elimination of racial imbalance as provided in section twelve A shall not be counted toward these limits.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of section twelve, or any other special or general law to the contrary, any child may attend a public school, in a city or town where he does not reside; provided, however, that the receiving district shall be paid by the commonwealth a tuition rate as established in subsection (f).
(c) Not later than May first of every year, the school committee of each city, town or regional school district shall submit a report to the department stating:
(1) The capacity of each school in said city, town or regional school district for the following academic year.
(2) The number of students expected to attend each school in said city, town or regional school district in the following academic year.
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(3) The number of students attending said school district under the terms of this section in the prior school year and the number of those students who are expected no longer to be attending said school district in the next school year.
(4) The number of additional seats therefore available to non-resident students reduced by the number of students enrolled under the program for the elimination of racial imbalance as provided in section twelve A, in said charter school or each school in said city, town or regional school district. The board may require every district to update this report in whatever manner is required to effectuate the objectives of this section.
(d) Each city, town or regional school district shall enroll non-resident students at the school of such non-resident student's choice; provided, however, that such receiving district has seats available as stated in said report; provided, however, that this obligation to enroll non-resident students shall not apply to a district for a school year in which its school committee, prior to June first, after a public hearing, adopts a resolution withdrawing from said obligation, for the school year beginning the following September. Any such resolution of a school committee shall state the reasons therefor, and such resolution with said reasons shall be filed with the department of education; provided, however, that said department shall have no power to review any such decision by a school committee. If the city, town or regional school district operates an intra- district choice plan, non-resident students may apply for schools on the same basis as resident students, but the intra-district choice plan may give preference to resident students in assigning students to schools.
(e) Not later than the first day of July, each city, town or regional school district shall each year submit a non-resident attendance report to the board and to the state treasurer, certifying the number of non-resident applicants for each available seat in each school, the disposition of their applications, how many of said applicants will be attending the district in the next school year, the identity of the sending districts for those students, the annual amount of tuition for each such child and the total tuition owed to the district based on full or partial attendance, itemized by the amount attributable to each city or town of residence. The board may review said certification to determine that the amount of the individual tuition charged for each child is in accordance with the provisions of this section and shall inform the state treasurer of any errors. The department may also, on a post-audit basis, verify the admission and attendance of the number of children certified by each school district. In addition to the foregoing, all said districts shall, on October first and April first, report to the board and certify to the state treasurer accurate and up to date reports of all the information required in the non-resident attendance report. If the total number of students admitted to receiving districts pursuant to this section is greater than the state school choice limit, the board shall notify all districts that no more students may be accepted pursuant to this section.
(f) For each student enrolling in a receiving district, there shall be a school choice tuition amount. Said tuition amount shall be equal to seventy-five percent of the actual per pupil spending amount in the receiving district for such education as is required by such non- resident student, but not more than five thousand dollars; provided, however, that for
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special education students whose tuition amount shall remain the expense per student for such type of education as is required by such non-resident student. The state treasurer is hereby authorized and directed to deduct said school choice tuition amount from the total education aid, as defined in chapter seventy, of said student's sending district, prior to the distribution of said aid and to deposit said aid in the School Choice Tuition Trust Fund established by section twelve C. In the case of a child residing in a municipality which belongs to a regional school district, the school choice tuition amount shall be deducted from said chapter seventy education aid of the school district appropriate to the grade level of the child. If, in a single district, the total of all such deductions exceeds the total of said education aid, this excess amount shall be deducted from other aid appropriated to the city or town. If, in a single district, the total of all such deductions exceeds the total state aid appropriated, the commonwealth shall appropriate this excess amount; provided, however, that if said district has exempted itself from the provisions of chapter seventy by accepting section fourteen of said chapter, the commonwealth shall assess said district for said excess amount.
(g) The state treasurer is further directed to disburse to the receiving district, from the School Choice Tuition Trust Fund established by section twelve C, an amount equal to each student's school choice tuition as defined in subsection (f); provided, however, that each public school district which admits children under the provisions of this section shall certify to the state treasurer the number of such children attending its public schools, the city or town of residence of each such child, the annual amount of tuition for each such child and the total tuition owed to the district based on full or partial attendance, itemized by the amount attributable to each city or town of residence; and, provided further, that such certification shall be made on October first of each year and April first of each year. Each school district submitting a certification to the state treasurer shall also submit a copy of said certification to the department of education. Said department may review said certification to determine that the amount of the individual tuition charged for each child is in accordance with the provisions of this section and shall inform the state treasurer of any errors. The department may also, on a post-audit basis, verify the admission and attendance of the number of children certified by each school district.
(h) There shall be a parent information system established, maintained and developed by the board of education to disseminate to parents detailed and comparable information about each school system participating in the school choice program, so-called, which shall include, but not be limited to, information on special programs offered by the school, philosophy of the school, number of spaces available, transportation plans, class sizes, teacher/student ratios, and data and information on school performance that indicate its quality. Said information shall include the school profiles, so-called, developed pursuant to section one B of chapter sixty-nine. The board may include information regarding regional choice initiatives as deemed appropriate. The system shall have as its primary goal to ensure that all parents have an equal opportunity to participate in the program of interdistrict choice. The board of education, when disseminating this information shall encourage the parent and student to make at least one visit to the school of choice as part of the application procedure.
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(i) Subject to appropriation, the board of education shall develop and administer a school choice transportation reimbursement program for the purpose of providing reimbursement for the transportation of pupils enrolled under the provisions of this section. Pupils eligible for said reimbursement must be eligible to receive free or reduced cost lunches under eligibility guidelines promulgated by the federal government under 42 USC section 1758. The board may limit said reimbursement to a yearly amount. The types of transportation to be reimbursed pursuant to said program shall include, but need not be limited to, the following: (1) transportation by school buses provided by the sending or receiving district; (2) transportation provided by the parent or guardian of the child; (3) transportation provided by public transportation. All eligible pupils who attend a school district contiguous to the school district of residence of such pupil shall be eligible for said reimbursement. If cost-effective transportation alternatives exist for pupils who attend districts not contiguous to the school districts of residence of such pupil, the board may provide a transportation reimbursement. Said reimbursements may be paid to the district in which the pupil is enrolled, the district of residence of the student, or the parent, guardian or person acting as guardian of the student; provided, however, that said district or parent provide documentation of the transportation expenditure. The board of education shall promulgate regulations for the program to be placed on file with the joint committee on education, arts and humanities of the general court. The board of education shall disseminate information to parents and school systems detailing the availability of said transportation reimbursements. A full description of said school choice transportation reimbursement program shall be submitted to the house and senate committees on ways and means and shall not become effective until ninety days after said submission. Notwithstanding the second paragraph of section one, nothing in this section shall confer upon any student attending a private school any right to transportation or reimbursement therefor.
(j) School committees may establish terms for accepting non-resident students; provided, however, that if the number of non-resident students applying for acceptance to said district exceeds the number of available seats, said school committee shall select students for admission on a random basis; provided, further, that said school committee shall conduct said random selection twice: one time prior to July first and one time prior to November first; provided, further, that no school committee shall discriminate in the admission of any child on the basis of race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, ancestry, athletic performance, physical handicap, special need or academic performance or proficiency in the English language. The Massachusetts commission against discrimination, established by section fifty-six of chapter six, shall have jurisdiction to enforce the provisions of this section; provided, however, that all students described in subsection (m) shall be entitled to remain in the receiving districts they are attending or have been accepted to attend. Any school committee that accepts non-resident students under the provisions of this section shall notify each district from which it has accepted a non-resident student of its acceptance of that student; provided, however, that a school committee may not publicly release the names of students leaving or entering a district under the provisions of this section. Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this paragraph, any sibling of a student
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already enrolled in the receiving district shall receive priority for admission to said district.
(k) Any child accepted to attend a public school in a community other than the one in which he resides pursuant to this section shall be permitted to remain in that school system until his high school graduation, unless there is a lack of funding of the program as authorized by said sections.
(l) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section or any general or special law to the contrary, any school district which admitted children on a private tuition basis prior to June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and ninety-one may continue, on that basis, to admit any child who attended its school system prior to that date, as well as any sibling or step- sibling of such child and any foster child residing in the home of such child.
(m) Any student who, pursuant to the provisions of this section, has been attending or has been admitted to attend a public school of a city or town in which he does not reside and for whom the commonwealth has been paying tuition or, in the case of a student recently admitted, would be required to pay tuition in the coming year, shall be deemed to be a student admitted pursuant to paragraph (j), and shall be subject to all of the provisions of this section; provided, however, that said students shall be allowed to remain in said school notwithstanding any determination of capacity or decision by the receiving district to withdraw made pursuant to this section.
(n) Subject to appropriation, any sending district for which the provisions of subsection (f) result in a reduction in state aid shall be eligible to apply for a school choice reimbursement from the commonwealth. If net school spending in a sending district is greater than said foundation budget as defined in chapter seventy, the amount of said reimbursement shall be the above foundation reimbursement amount for that fiscal year. If net school spending in a sending district is less than said foundation budget, the amount of said reimbursement shall be equal to one hundred percent of the positive difference, if any, between (i) the amount transferred pursuant to subsection (f), and (ii) the product of the number of students leaving the sending district and the average per pupil expenditure in the sending district for such education as is required by such nonresident student, for the period the child shall attend; provided, however, that if any district has exempted itself from the provisions of said chapter seventy by accepting section fourteen of said chapter seventy, the district shall be ineligible for a reimbursement under this subsection; provided, further, that if any district in which net school spending is greater than the foundation budget becomes a sending district for the first time in fiscal year nineteen hundred and ninety-five or any year thereafter, the reimbursement amount for that district in the first year that it is a sending district shall be the fiscal year nineteen hundred and ninety-four reimbursement amount; the reimbursement amount for the district in its second year as a sending district shall be the fiscal year nineteen hundred and ninety-five reimbursement amount. Said reimbursement application shall be submitted to the department of education on or before October first of each year together with an educational corrective action plan containing information, recommendations and suggestions relative to: (1) areas needing improvement within the school system of the
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applicant; (2) methods of improvement to be employed; (3) goals and objectives of said improvement; (4) evaluation and control methods to be used; (5) personnel to be engaged in such improvement; (6) results intended to be accomplished within one year from the date of application; and (7) methods of increasing parental involvement to be employed; provided, however, that any community or regional school district that has a previously approved plan need not refile said plan; and, provided further, that approval of said plan by said board shall act as a condition precedent to the distribution of said reimbursement to the applicant community or regional school district. Under no circumstances shall the total amount expended pursuant to subsections (h) and (i) and to reimburse sending districts pursuant to this paragraph, be greater than twenty million dollars. If, in any year, the total amount that would be required to reimburse said cities at said rates would be greater than twenty million dollars, then the reimbursement rates shall be reduced proportionately to those rates at which the total cost does not exceed twenty million dollars.
(o) The commonwealth and the school committee of any town may accept funds from the federal government for the purposes of this section. Any amounts received by the school committee of any town from the federal government, from the commonwealth or from a charitable foundation or private institution shall be deposited with the treasurer of such town and held as a separate account, and may be expended by said school committee without further appropriation, notwithstanding the provisions of section fifty-three of chapter forty-four. Whenever such funds are received after the submission of the annual school budget, all or any portion thereof may be expended by the school committee without further appropriation, but shall be accounted for in the next annual school budget.
If the student attends the public schools of another town and it is anticipated that the student shall need the services of a private day or residential school, an individual education plan team meeting shall be convened by the school district in which the child is attending school. The school district in which the student attends school shall notify the school district where the student resides of the team meeting at least five school days prior to the meeting. Personnel from the district in which the child resides shall be allowed to participate in the team meeting concerning future placement of the child.
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News from Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley & the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
On the Desktop – May 3, 2019
Re: School Choice
Dear Superintendents, Charter School Leaders, and Assistant Superintendents,
The Department has published an updated legal advisory addressing inter-district school choice under G.L. c. 76, § 12B. That advisory can be found at [http://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/advisory/2019-0423glc76s12b.html], on the “Education Laws and Regulations” page of the Department’s website under “Legal Advisories.” With one exception, the information in this advisory is not new. This advisory updates the previous advisory, issued in 1995, and compiles the numerous questions we have received and answered over the last few decades. As you will see in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), it also touches upon topics such as special education, homeless students, vocational education students, and regional school districts as these topics relate to school choice.
The one change in the Department’s previous guidance and legal interpretation of the school choice statute, after much internal and external discussion over several years, is with respect to students enrolled through school choice in a district that has a limited grade span. The new guidance appears in the FAQ section of the advisory as follows:
34. Does a student who attends an elementary or K-8 school district through school choice have an automatic right to progress with resident students to a regional high school?
No. Effective beginning with fiscal year 2020, school year 2019-20, a school choice student admitted to an elementary or K-8 district does not have a right to attend high school in a regional school district, including a regional vocational technical district. Because regional school districts are districts separate from municipal school districts, those districts separately determine whether to participate in school choice and, if so, into which schools, grades, and programs it will admit students through school choice.1 If the regional school district operating the high school participates in school choice, a non-resident student may seek to attend the regional high school through school choice under G.L. c. 76, § 12B.
1 Municipalities, as opposed to school districts, are the members of regional school districts. G.L. c. 71, §15. Note: This is a change from the Department’s prior interpretation of the school choice statute, which advised that a non-resident student admitted through school choice had an automatic right to progress to a separate regional school district for later grades. In changing its interpretation, the Department carefully examined the plain language of the statute. Recognizing this shift, students currently admitted to or attending an elementary or K-8 district through school choice will continue to have an automatic right to attend through graduation from the regional school district, consistent with our past guidance. For future students who may seek admission through school choice, the Department now requires municipal school districts to provide clear, written notice that they will not have an automatic right to progress to the regional school district for later grades. This change takes effect starting with students admitted for fiscal year 2020, school year 2019-20.
Example
Student 1 lives in District A and, beginning in fiscal year 2020, attends school in District B through school choice. District B is a municipal school district and offers grades K-8. Municipality B, the municipality in which District B is located, is a member of a regional school district, District C, for grades 9-12. Student 1 does not have an automatic right to attend high school in District C. Student 1, however, may be able to attend high school in District C if District C participates in school choice and has seats available.
Please note that, as stated above, this change does not apply to students currently admitted to or attending an elementary or K-8 district through school choice. It will take effect starting with students admitted for fiscal year 2020, school year 2019-20.
As you finalize budgets for the upcoming fiscal year and make decisions regarding inter-district school choice, we encourage you to review this advisory. Please do not hesitate to contact the Department through its Center for School & District Finance at [email protected] or the Office for College, Career, & Technical Education at [email protected] should you require additional information.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey C. Riley Commissioner Phone: (978) 674-2034 LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS Office of Superintendent Fax: (978) 674-2141 155 Merrimack Street E-mail: [email protected] Lowell, Massachusetts 01852
Chief Human Resources Officer Posting
To: Lowell School Committee
From: Jeannine M. Durkin, Superintendent of Schools
Date: May 9, 2019
After conducting the first round of interviews for the position of Chief Human Resources Officer, I believe that it is in our best interest to increase the salary range of the position from the maximum of 125,000.00 to the range of $125,000.00 to $138,000.00. I have attached a revised posting for the position for your consideration.
Lowell Public Schools Lowell, Massachusetts
CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER
ABOUT LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS:
The Lowell Public Schools (LPS) is one of the largest districts in Massachusetts, currently enrolling more than 14,150 students in grades PreK-12. LPS has a dedicated school community committed to serving our students and families. The Lowell Public School System provides an inspiring, engaging and empowering education by creating the “Pillars of Urban Excellence” to support and drive its vision:
The Limitless Potential of all Teachers and Students School Cultures that are Welcoming, Respectful, Safe, and Healthy Collaborative, Professional Growth of Educators Throughout their Careers Partnerships with Schools, Families, and the Community Equity and Transparency in all our Actions and Interactions
Our school traditions and activities are enjoyed not only by our students, but by the community as well. Our Students enjoy: Field Trips, Celebrations, Student Assemblies, Science Fair, Reading and Writing Events, Family Nights, Special Recognition Events, Civic and Social Justice Activities, Knowledge Bowl, Athletic Activities, Extended Day Programs and more. We provide many parent/guardian engagement activities and meetings. We encourage parents/guardians to participate.
POSITION SUMMARY:
Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) reports directly to the Superintendent and has oversight of the District’s strategic talent acquisition and talent management priorities which includes, but are not limited to:
Developing a district-wide Diversity, Equity and Inclusion plan that is able to attract, recruit, hire, develop and retain high performing teams who are responsive to the varying needs of a diverse and multicultural student population and their families. Aggressively develop and implement a comprehensive, long range recruitment plan to attract a more diverse candidate pool in collaboration with principals and K-12 administrators Planning, organizing, administering, and monitoring of the entire human resource administrative program- Strategic staffing, HRIS, compliance, training, policies, employee relations. Developing, implementing and maintaining a fair and equitable employee compensation policy and system. Monitors and reviews current personnel policies, job classifications, salary structures. Implementing an objective, fair and legally defensible disciplinary system and termination process. Business partner and consultant to the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendents, Department Heads/Principals, School Committee and Union. The Chief of Human Resources may be assigned leadership responsibilities for additional programs or departments at the discretion of the Superintendent.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
LEGAL ADVISEMENT AND COMPLIANCE
Oversight of DESE licensure requirements to ensure highly qualified status of staff. Ensure compliance guidance with FMLA, Small Necessities Leave Act, ADA, EEO, FLSA and MGL’s. Remains current with upcoming legislative changes. Provide training on human resources topics and regulation updates to HR staff, department heads and building leaders across the district including annual compliance training for anti-harassment, ethics compliance, performance management, etc.. Develop evaluation tools and policies for all employees with emphasis on those that are currently not in place.
STRATEGIC STAFFING & RECRUITMENT
Oversight of the district’s recruiting, hiring and retention efforts in partnership with school and district leaders as well as community stakeholders. Responsible for reporting data pertaining to human capital to various audiences including Assistant Superintendents, School Committees, DESE and staff. Formalize onboarding, off boarding and succession planning policies.
EMPLOYEE & LABOR RELATIONS
Oversight and mastery of all district staff changes ranging from hiring, leaves of absence, termination, non-renewal, resignation, FMLAs, etc... Oversight of HR functions including unemployment hearings, civil rights compliance, CORIs, workman compensations claims, etc. Coordinate and develop staff activities and professional development on employment law topics including orientation sessions, substitute workshops, etc. Assist in Collective Bargaining, investigations and other high- level HR functions. Responsible for extensive participation in labor relations including maintaining dialogue with collective bargaining units, grievances, arbitration, negotiations and communications between the District and the collective bargaining units.
ADMINISTRATIVE
Assists in state and federal audits pertaining to personnel. Coordinates and reconciles staff change data with the payroll department; Work with other department heads to develop workflow and processes to ensure efficient and timely data and communications with both internal and external groups. Improve current Human Resource Information Systems to better coordinate and consolidate between database systems. Participate and coordinate staff roster verification with school leaders and Assistant. Develops and maintains yearly seniority lists and temporary staff lists. Attend meetings as necessary (including School Committee, city or DESE related). Serve as administrative representative to the Personnel Subcommittee.
Additional duties may include projects assigned by the Superintendent.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:
Applicant must possess an advanced degree, Master’s preferred, from an accredited college or university in business administration, personnel management or other related discipline. 10+ years rising Human Resources leadership experience in one of the following required: school administration, personnel/human resources management, public or business administration Experience working with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) as it pertains to licensure, highly qualified staff, and personnel regulations desirable. Applicant must have strong organizational and consulting skills for communicating effectively with members of the internal and external school community, including those from varied racial, ethnic, cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Applicant must have extensive and proven success in high volume full-life cycle recruitment and hiring. Applicant must have the ability to speak and write with precision and accuracy in order to communicate effectively. Applicant must have experience in data management and statistical analysis.
Applicant must have demonstrated ability to make decisions in a fast-paced environment.
Salary Range: $125,000 - $138,000
The posting of this position will be effective as TBD Applications will only be received through the Lowell Public Schools Personnel Office website, via the on-line application system.
http://www.lowell.k12.ma.usLowell Public Schools
Office of Personnel & Recruitment 155 Merrimack Street
Lowell, Massachusetts 01852
LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS Henry J. Mroz Administration Office 155 Merrimack Street Lowell, Massachusetts 01852
Tel: (978) 674-4325 Billie Jo Turner Fax: (978) 937-7620 Assistant Superintendent for Finance E-Mail: [email protected] and Operations
TO: Jeannine Durkin, Superintendent of Schools
FROM: Billie Jo Turner, Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations
DATE: April 23, 2019
RE: Paraprofessional Offset - Expenditure Transfer (Part 1)
Please accept this motion to transfer a portion of Paraprofessional salaries expense in the amount of $243,445.67, per the approved offset to Food Service. See the attached sheet labeled “Expenditure Transfer Form”.
LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS Henry J. Mroz Central Administration Offices 155 Merrimack Street Lowell, MA 01852
Tel: 978-674-4324 Jeannine Durkin Fax: 978-937-7609 Superintendent of Schools E-Mail: [email protected]
May 9, 2019
Dear Committee Member,
Please accept this request for an out of state conference for Rocio Camargo-Ruiz, District Support Specialist at the Northeast PBIS Network Leadership Forum in Groton, Connecticut from May 16, 2019 through May 17, 2019. The training will afford her enhanced knowledge to support the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports programming currently in nine schools. The focus of this session includes showing the connection between PBIS and academic supports, strengthening Tier II and Tier III supports and implementing PBIS in special settings.
In order to participate, Ms. Camargo-Ruiz will be out of the district for two days and no substitute will be required in her absence. The only cost associated with the conference is the registration fees. The total will not exceed $1000.00 and will be paid through a PBIS funded scholarship.
Sincerely,
Jeannine M. Durkin Superintendent
Bringing the POWER OF PLAY Recess Rollout to Lowell Schools A Experience how recess can improve the social, emotional and physical well-being of children Friday, May 24th and improve school climate. 11:30am-12:45pm C.W. Morey School 130 Pine Street, Lowell, MA
Learn about Playworks and meet with the Mayor, Superintendent, and Community Leaders to Explore Partnership Opportunities for Lowell Schools.
Details below