Gerry: Jackie Doherty has a couple of motions that deal with teachers schedule. Seems like she is working to ensure a full day of orientation takes place instead of the normal couple hours. If the Teachers get a full day’s pay then they should be there a full day.

7. (by Jackie Doherty): Request the Superintendent report to the Committee on a plan for how each school will make the most effective use of staff orientation day in preparation for the 2010-2011 school year. In addition to scheduling and student assignments, orientation day should include professional development, such as student data analysis and grade-level team meetings. to launch the new school year.

She also wants to work out times to have productive Parent / Teacher Conference. Perhaps they will consider using one of the (many) early release days to let parents who work half days, 2nd shift or are out of work get to the schools in the daytime. This is what many private schools do already.

6. (by Jackie Doherty): Request the Superintendent report to the Committee on a plan for parent /teacher
meetings during the 2010·2011 school year that demonstrates the most effective use of staff time to engage parents in their children ‘s education. The plan should encompass a coordinated effort between school ls regarding meeting times that will enhance parent participation,such as shortly after the first marking period and at staggered days/times to make it easier for parents to attend multiple schools. The report should include the dates and formats of both parent /teacher meetings (one evening and one afternoon) for each school as weIl as rationale for choices and plans for outreach.

Gerry: One of the many interesting motions on tonight’s school committee agenda is the following:

5. (by James Leary and John Leahy): Request that the Lowell School Committee enter into negotiations with each Lowell Public School’s union, where it is applicable. and to allow for releasing both the union and administrations negotiating position to the public in writing on a regular basis.

Just last week teachers union president Paul Georges was on the Council floor stating that the Manager and Council should allow HIS union members the right to be heard on Plan Design. Wonder how he will feel about the motion that allows the taxpayer to hear what both sides are negotiating on?

While I would like to see all negotiations in Public, this motion allows BOTH sides to get their respective views out at the same time and is designed (In my view) to stop the one-sided leaks that come out of the teachers union.

The School Committee Attorney will probably strongly advise against it and I doubt many if any of the unions would willingly go along with it but I commend Mr. Leahy & Leary for at least bringing the motion forward.