Lowell Public School Committee
Regular Meeting Agenda
Date: | January 19, 2022 |
Time: | 6:30PM |
Location: | City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA 01852 |
Members Of The Public May View The Meeting Via LTC And Those Wishing To Speak Regarding A Specific Agenda Item Shall Register To Speak In Advance Of The Meeting By Sending Email To The Superintendent Indicating The Agenda Item, A Phone Number And Email Address So We Can Provide A Zoom Link To Access The Meeting. Email Address Is Mpalazzo@Lowell.k12.Ma.us If No Access To Email You May Contact Us At 978-674-4324. All Requests Must Be Submit It Before 3:00 PM On The Day Of Meeting.
1.
2.
ROLL CALL
3.
MINUTES
3.1.
Approval Of The Minutes Of The Inauguration Exercises Of Monday, January 3, 2022
3.2.
Approval Of The Minutes Of The Regularly Scheduled Lowell School Committee Meeting Of Wednesday, January 5, 2022
Documents:
4.
PERMISSION TO ENTER
4.1.
5.
MEMORIALS
5.1.
Evanthia Dukakis, a retired Daley School teacher.
6.
MOTIONS
6.1.
[by Connie Martin]:
Requesting that the Administration develop a transparent reporting system that will allow parents and students to report concerns with school meal offerings directly to our vendor and provide a feedback tracking system so the School Committee can monitor responses to concerns.
6.2.
[by Eileen DelRossi]:
Request superintendent provides the school committee with a detailed list of all expenditures related to school building maintenance and repairs for fiscal year 2022.
6.3.
[by Eileen DelRossi]:
Request Superintendent provides the school committee with current cafeteria staffing levels at the Stem Academy.
6.4.
[by Eileen DelRossi]:
Request the Superintendent to apply the unfinished business portion to the agenda of the 1st and 3rd Wednesday school committee meetings. This was voted into the school committee rules on inauguration day. Rules can be found on the January 3rd meeting agenda 4.3 adoption of rules.
6.5.
[by Stacey Thompson]:
Request that the Superintendent provide the committee with a report of ongoing records detailing the frequency of HVAC unit filter changes in each of the school buildings. This request will be ongoing as a measure to keep awareness and transparency of air quality efforts for both students and staff.
6.6.
[by Andy Descoteaux and Dominik H. Lay]:
Ask the Supt. to furnish the SC with the number of Chromebooks that are currently in the LPS; separating ones that are broken or unusable and are those being used by our students. Also, what technology equipment does our LPS staff have available today and how much is in need of repair or unable to be repaired? Do we currently have adequate staffing to ensure our technology needs are being met, system wide?
6.7.
[by Jackie Doherty]:
Request the Superintendent provide the committee with a plan to increase compensation to retired LPS teachers working in the schools part time or as tutors, so they receive the same rate as the current teachers’ contract.
6.8.
[by Jackie Doherty]:
Request the Superintendent collaborate with MASC and MASS to provide the committee with suggested actions that will amplify the concerns of LPS and districts across the state for flexibility re staffing shortages during the ongoing pandemic, such as extending availability of retirees, waivers for remote learning, or other measures that make sense for students, families, and staff.
7.
REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
7.1.
7.2.
7.3.
7.4.
7.5.
8.
NEW BUSINESS
8.1.
8.2.
8.3.
Consideration of updated job description and permission to post: District Safety Coordinator
8.4.
Consideration of supplemental payment of $125 per day for unaffiliated personnel who serve as substitute teachers during periods of required COVID-related emergency classroom coverage
Documents:
8.5.
Consideration of providing an additional 5 days of sick leave to all personnel who test positive for COVID-19 or are required to quarantine as per DESE guidelines due to close contact status, retroactive to July 1, 2021
8.6.
Approval of American International College Research Proposal: Ginger Coleman
9.
CONVENTION/CONFERENCE REQUESTS
9.1.
In State and Overnight Travel Request: LHS Athletic Director David Lezenski to attend the 46th Annual Massachusetts Secondary Schools Athletic Directors (MSSAD) Conference on March 29, 2022 Through April 1, 2022 at the Cape Cod Resort and Conference Center in Hyannis, Massachusetts. There is no cost to the district.
Documents:
9.2.
International Travel Request: Lowell High School staff member, Susan Brassard and two additional chaperones (Cassandra Johnson and Brianna Heughins), along with approximately eighteen [18] LHS students, are requesting to travel to Rome and Sorrento, Italy during the school vacation the week of February 20, 2023 to February 24, 2023. The total cost of $3,220 will be paid by each student traveling. The need of adding the cost for substitute teachers may arise depending on total students enrolled by February 17, 2023. Contingent on COVID-19 restrictions.
Documents:
10.
COMMUNICATIONS
10.1.
Communication from the Office of Teaching and Learning regarding staffing levels at the Leblanc Therapeutic Day School
Documents:
11.
PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL
11.1.
The Members Of The United Teachers Of Lowell Hereby Donate two [2] Sick Leave Days To Patricia Teague Daley School Paraprofessional.
Documents:
12.