The Level 4 List: Chestnut Street Middle, John F Kennedy Middle, and M Marcus Kiley Middle (Springfield)

CHESTNUT  STREET MIDDLE SCHOOL

The Chestnut Street Middle School in Springfield, which serves approximately 1,020 students in grades 6 through 8, was named to the state's Level 4 school list in January 2010. Chestnut Street's student population is just over three quarters Hispanic/Latino; the low income population has ranged from 78.6 to 90.5% since 2004-05 while the Limited English proficiency population has ranged from approximately 21 - 26%. In 2011-12, 40.5% of students spoke English as a second language and 25.4% were special education students (Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education).

On the 2009 MCAS exam, 35% of Chestnut Street students overall were proficient or advanced in English Language Arts (ELA) and 16% were proficient or better in math. That year 59% of students fell into the Warning/Failing category in math, down from 64% in 2008. Additionally, before Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) was phased out  due to the No Child Left Behind waiver granted to Massachusetts in 2012, Chestnut Street had not met AYP at either the aggregate or subgroup level in ELA or math for any year from 2004 - 2011. In 2008-09 students missed an average of 17 days of school and the attendance rate was 89.8%.

Since being designated a Level 4 school, proficiency rates on the MCAS exams at Chestnut Street improved in ELA and math from 2009 to 2010 but have since declined in both areas. Below are the percentage of students who were proficient or better on each section of the exam from 2009 - 2012.

	2009	2010	2011	2012
ELA	35%	37%	35%	33%
Math	19%	23%	20%	18%

• The percentage of students receiving a 'Warning/Failing' grade in math was 60% in 2012, with no change from the previous year,
• The percentage of students with an 'Advanced' score in math, on the other hand, increased 1 percent from 5% to 6% from 2011 to 2012.
• Just over half of the African American/Black student population (54%) was proficient or better in ELA
• 26% of Non-Low Income students were proficient or better in science compared to 6% of Low Income students
• Chestnut Street failed to meet any of its CPPI targets at either the subgroup and aggregate levels in 2012.

In regard to the CPI, which is a score given to assess a subgroup, school or district's progress toward 100% proficiency, Chestnut Street had an overall score of 64.7 in ELA and 47.6 in math; scores range from 0 - 100 with 100 denoting that all students are proficient.

The average number of absences and attendance rate at Chestnut Street have improved generally the same over the last few years. The retention rate is up 3.2 percentage points in 2011-12 from the previous year while out of school suspensions are up 8%.

	08-09	09-10	10-11	11-12
Avg. # of Absences	17	15.6	13.9	13.8
Attendance Rate	89.8%	90.6%	91.3%	91.5%

In 2012, the school was in the 2nd percentile relative to schools serving common grades statewide.



JOHN F KENNEDY MIDDLE SCHOOL

The John F Kennedy Middle School, which serves approximately 670 students in grades 6 through 8, was also named to the state's Level 4 school list in January 2010. JFK's student population is about 63%% Hispanic/Latino; the low income population has ranged from approximately 88 to 95% since 2007-08 while the Limited English proficiency population has ranged from approximately 8 - 19%. In 2011-12, 27.2% of students spoke English as a second language and 21.9% were special education students (Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education).

On the 2009 MCAS exam, 42% of JFK students overall were proficient or advanced in English Language Arts (ELA) and 15% were proficient or better in math. Math scores that year saw no change from 2008 while ELA scores were up 8 percentage points. That year 69% of 8th grade students fell into the Warning/Failing category in science with none achieving an 'Advanced' score. Additionally, before Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) was phased out  due to the No Child Left Behind waiver granted to Massachusetts in 2012, JFK had not met AYP at the aggregate or subgroup level in math in any year from 2004 - 2011 and just once at the aggregate level in ELA during this time period (2009). In 2008-09 students missed an average of 17.5 days of school and the attendance rate was 89.4%.

Since being designated a Level 4 school, proficiency rates on the MCAS exams at JFK have generally declined in both ELA and math. Below are the percentage of students who were proficient or better on each section of the exam from 2009 - 2012.

	2009	2010	2011	2012
ELA	42%	41%	38%	29%
Math	15%	14%	16%	11%

• 0% of 7th and 8th grade students achieved an 'Advanced' score in ELA in 2012; 2% of 6th grade students were advances.
• The percentage of students with an 'Advanced' score in math declined 1 percentage point to 2% in 2012.
• 72% of Students with Disabilities had a score in the 'Warning/Failing' category in ELA while 87% failed the math exam
• JFK failed to meet any of its CPPI targets at either the subgroup and aggregate levels in 2012.

In regard to the CPI, which is a score given to assess a subgroup, school or district's progress toward 100% proficiency, South Lawrence East had an overall score of 61.6 in ELA and 42.5 in math; scores range from 0 - 100 with 100 denoting that all students are proficient.

The average number of absences and attendance rate at JFK have remained generally the same over the last few years (though absences down slightly). 

	08-09	09-10	10-11	11-12
Avg. # of Absences	17.5	16.5	16.6%	16.7
Attendance Rate	89.4%	90%	89.9%	89.9%

In 2012, the school was in the 1st percentile relative to schools serving common grades statewide.

M MARCUS KILEY MIDDLE SCHOOL

The M Marcus Kiley Middle School, which serves approximately 700 students in grades 6 through 8, was named to the state's Level 4 school list in January 2010 along with Chestnut Street and JFK. Kiley's student population is a little over half Hispanic/Latino; the low income population has ranged from 82.5 to 90.8% since 2007-08 while the Limited English proficiency population has ranged from approximately 12.7 - 18.4%. In 2011-12, 24.1% of students spoke English as a second language and 21.8% were special education students (Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education).

On the 2009 MCAS exam, 35% of Kiley students overall were proficient or advanced in English Language Arts (ELA) and 14% were proficient or better in math. That year 57% of Kiley students fell into the Warning/Failing category in math while 21% failed ELA. Additionally, before Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) was phased out  due to the No Child Left Behind waiver granted to Massachusetts in 2012, Kiley only made AYP at the aggregate level in ELA and math once in 2008 and never at the subgroup level from 2004 - 2011. In 2008-09 students missed an average of 18.8 days of school and the attendance rate was 88.7%.

Since being designated a Level 4 school, proficiency rates on the MCAS exams at Kiley have slightly improved in both ELA and math. Below are the percentage of students who were proficient or better on each section of the exam from 2009 - 2012.

	2009	2010	2011	2012
ELA	35%	34%	30%	37%
Math	14%	11%	13%	17%

In 2012, the percentage of students in math receiving a 'Warning/Failing' grade decreased 7 percentage points from 2011 while the percentage of students failing ELA decreased 5 percentage points. Further:

• The percentage of 6th students proficient or better in ELA increased 11 percentage points from 19% in 2011 to 30% in 2012.
• The percentage of 8th students proficient or better in math decreased 6 percentage points in 2011 from 2012.
• 36% of Female students were proficient or better in ELA compared to 25% of Male students
• 74% of ELL/Former ELL students received a 'Warning/Failing' score in math in 2012
• Kiley failed to meet any of its CPPI targets at either the subgroup and aggregate levels in 2012

In regard to the CPI, which is a score given to assess a subgroup, school or district's progress toward 100% proficiency, South Lawrence East had an overall score of 67.9 in ELA and 47.1 in math; scores range from 0 - 100 with 100 denoting that all students are proficient.

The average number of absences at Kiley have remained increased in 2010-11 only to decline in 2011-12; the attendance rate has remained generally the same with a slight increased during the last school year. The retention rate is up 1.8% points in 2011-12 from the previous year while out of school suspensions are down 10.2 percentage points.

	08-09	09-10	10-11	11-12
Avg. # of Absences	18.8	18.7	21.4	13.7
Attendance Rate	88.7%	88.8%	87.1%	91.7%

In 2012, the school was in the 1st percentile relative to schools serving common grades statewide.

If the schools meet all of the requirements, Chestnut Street, JFK and Kiley Middle Schools could exit Level 4 status at the end of the 2012-13 school year.


Citation: www.doe.mass.edu 

You may also be interested in:

• The Level 4 List: Charlotte M. Murkland Elementary School (Lowell) 
• The Level 4 List: Henry Lord Middle School (Fall River) 
• The Level 4 List: EJ Harrington and Wm Connery Elementary Schools (Lynn)
• The Level 4 List: Jeremiah E Burke and The English High Schools (Boston) 

LPOBE Meeting: 12/12/12

The next coordinating meeting of Lynn Parents Organizing for a Better Education (LPOBE) will be held this Wednesday, December 12th from 6 - 8pm. The meeting will be held at 112 Exchange Street (enter through the back door).

Lynn School Committee Meeting: 12/13/12

The next Lynn School Committee meeting  is scheduled for Thursday, December 13th at 7:00pm (*the meeting will be preceded by a Policy Sub-Committee Meeting at 6:00pm, a Curriculum Sub-Committee Meeting at 6:30pm and an open mike session at 6:45pm). SC meetings take place at 90 Commercial Street.

Items on the agenda include:

-Policy Sub-Committee: Excused/Unexcused Absences (Mr. Starbard)
-Policy Sub-Committee: Drug Testing of Substitute Teachers (Mrs. Capano)
-Curriculum Sub-Committee: Gifted and Talented Program
-Quarterly Presentation of Youth Council/Career Fairs (Mr. Gallo)

To view the full agenda see: http://www.lynnschools.org/documents/district/school_committee/2012_notices/SC%20-%2012-13-12%20with%20Policy%20and%20Curr.pdf

The Level 4 List: South Lawrence East (Lawrence)

The South Lawrence East Middle School in Lawrence, which serves approximately 520 students in grades 5 through 8, was named to the state's Level 4 school list in January 2010. South Lawrence East's student population is nearly 90% Hispanic/Latino; the low income population has ranged from 83.5 to 91.3% since 2007-08 while the Limited English proficiency population has ranged from approximately 10 - 18%. In 2011-12, 79.3% of students spoke English as a second language and 29.3% were special education students (Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education).

On the 2009 MCAS exam, 30% of South Lawrence East students overall were proficient or advanced in English Language Arts (ELA) and 11% were proficient or better in math, just a 1 percent increase in both subjects from the previous year. That year 4% of 7th grade students were proficient or better in math while 71% of 8th grade students fell into the Warning/Failing category in math. Also in 2009, half of the low income student population received an ELA score in the 'Needs Improvement' range. Additionally, before Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) was phased out  due to the No Child Left Behind waiver granted to Massachusetts in 2012, South Lawrence East had not met AYP at the subgroup level in ELA for 6 out of the 8 years listed (2004 - 2011) and in math for any of the 8 years. In 2008-09 students missed an average of 8.3 days of school and the attendance rate was 95.1%.

Since being designated a Level 4 school, proficiency rates on the MCAS exams at South Lawrence East have improved in both ELA and math. Below are the percentage of students who were proficient or better on each section of the exam from 2009 - 2012.

	2009	2010	2011	2012
ELA	30%	39%	35%	42%
Math	11%	17%	25%	25%

In 2012, the percentage of students in math receiving a 'Warning/Failing' grade decreased 18 percentage points from 2009. Further:

• The percentage of students 'Advanced' in ELA increased 1 percentage points from 4% in 2011 to 5% in 2012.
• The percentage of students with an 'Advanced' score in math remained the same at 8%.
• Just over a third (36%) of female students received a 'Advanced' or 'Proficient' score in ELA compared to 23% of males
• 63% of African American students were proficient or better in math; this subgroup posted a 90.9 CPI
• The percentage of 8th grade students proficient or better in science increased 7 percentage points from 2010 to 2012
• South Lawrence met all of its ELA targets at the subgroup and aggregate levels in 2012 and improved below target at the subgroup and aggregate levels in math

In regard to the CPI, which is a score given to assess a subgroup, school or district's progress toward 100% proficiency, South Lawrence East had an overall score of 74.4 in ELA and 59.1 in math; scores range from 0 - 100 with 100 denoting that all students are proficient.

There still is much room for improvement as ELA scores in 2012 were 27 points lower than the state average and math scores 34 points lower. The achievement of students with disabilities and ELL students are also areas for concern.

The average number of absences and attendance rate at South Lawrence East have remained generally the same over the last few years (though absences are up slightly). The retention rate is down 0.6% points in 2011-12 from the previous year while out of school suspensions are down 3%.

	08-09	09-10	10-11	11-12
Avg. # of Absences	8.3%	7.9%	8.6%	9.4
Attendance Rate	95.1%	95.3%	95.0%	94.4%

In 2012, the school was in the 5th percentile relative to schools serving common grades statewide.

If the schools meet all of the requirements, South Lawrence East could exit Level 4 status at the end of the 2012-13 school year.


Citation: www.doe.mass.edu 


You may also be interested in:

• The Level 4 List: Charlotte M. Murkland Elementary School (Lowell) 
• The Level 4 List: Henry Lord Middle School (Fall River) 
• The Level 4 List: EJ Harrington and Wm Connery Elementary Schools (Lynn)
• The Level 4 List: Jeremiah E Burke and The English High Schools (Boston) 

Public Meeting Re: Marshall Middle School: 12/11/12

There will be a public meeting to discuss the proposed new Marshall Middle School Preferred Schematic Report and a vote to submit this to the Massachusetts School Building Association (MSBA). The meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 11 at 9:00 am in the Staff Development Room on the 2nd Floor of 90 Commercial St (the Lynn Tech Annex).

http://www.lynnschools.org/documents/district/school_committee/2012_notices/lps%20publc%20meeting%20dec%2011%202012%209am.pdf

This Day in History: December 6

-London becomes the world's first city to host licensed taxicabs, 1897

 -Theodore Roosevelt announced his 'Corollary' to the Monroe Doctrine stating that the U.S, would intervene in the Western Hemisphere should Latin American governments prove unstable or incapable, 1904

-Finland declares independence from Russia, 1917

-The first human heart transplant is performed in the United States by Adrian Kantrowitz, 1967

-Holidays: Constitution Day (Spain); Independence Day (Finland); National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women (Canada)

Lynn School Committee Meeting: 11/29/12

The next Lynn School Committee meeting  is scheduled for Thursday, November 29 at 7:00pm (*the open mike session begins at 6:45pm). SC meetings take place at 90 Commercial Street.

Items on the agenda include:

-Coordinator for Private Partnerships (RFP) - Mr. Gallo
-October 2012 Monthly Project Update Report for Thurgood Marshall Middle School

For the full agenda, see: http://www.lynnschools.org/documents/district/school_committee/2012_notices/SC%2011-29-12%20Agenda.pdf

LPOBE Community Education Forum 11/28/12

Event: LPOBE Community Education Forum
Date: Wednesday, November 28th
Location: Ford School, 49 Hollingsworth St.
Time: 6 - 8 PM

Lynn Parents Organizing for a Better Education (LPOBE) is hosting a community education forum this Wednesday, November 28th. Come discuss the issues facing the Lynn Public School System and what parents and community members can do to help solve these problems and improve public education in the city.

Childcare, translation and light snacks will be provided.

Lynn City Council Parameters Per the City Charter

The Lynn City Council makes up the legislative branch of our city's government and is prescribed certain duties per the City Charter. See below for Article 3 of the Charter which describes the Council's duties and the parameters of their governing ability.

ARTICLE 3 - LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

 Section 3-1     Composition; Eligibility; Election and Term        

(a)     Composition--There shall be a city council consisting of eleven members which shall exercise the legislative powers of the city. Four of these members, to be known as councillors at-large, are to be nominated and elected by and from the voters of the city, at-large. Seven of the members, to be known as ward councillors, are to be nominated and elected by and from the voters of seven city wards, one ward councilor to be elected from each such ward.

(b)     Eligibility--Any voter shall be eligible to hold the office of councillor. A ward councillor, notwithstanding his removal from one ward in the city to another during the term for which he was elected, may continue to serve and to perform his duties until the expiration of the term for which he was elected.

(c)     Election and Term--The term of office for councillors shall be for two years beginning the first Monday of January following their election and until their successors are qualified.

Section 3-2     Presiding Officer
      
The city council shall, annually on the first Monday in January, meet for the purpose of organization. They shall be called together by the city clerk, or in the absence of the city clerk by the member present senior in both age and years of service, who shall preside. The city council shall then elect, from among its members, by separate roll call votes, a president and vice-president. A majority vote of the full council shall be necessary for such election. No other business shall be in order until such officers are elected. The president shall preside at all meetings of the city council, regulate the proceedings and decide all questions of order. He shall have such other powers and duties as may be provided by the charter, by ordinance or by vote of the city council. He shall have the same right to vote as any other city councillor. In. the event of the absence or disability of the president, the vice-president shall act as president.

Section 3-3     Compensation
      
The city council shall, by ordinance, establish an annual salary for its members. No ordinance increasing such salary shall be effective, however, unless it shall have been adopted during the first eighteen months of the term for which councillors are elected and it provides that such salary is to be effective at the commencement of the term of office of the next city council to be elected.

Section 3-4     Prohibitions
      
(a)     Appointment after Expiration of Term--No city councillor shall hold any compensated appointive city office or city employment during his term and until two years following the expiration of the term for which he was elected. This provision shall not prohibit a city officer or city employee who has taken a leave of absence from such office or employment from resuming his duties as such following service as a city councillor.

(b)     Interference in Administration--Except as may be otherwise authorized by the charter, no member of the city council, nor any committee of the city council, shall directly take part in the conduct of the administrative business of the city.

Section 3-5     Exercise of Powers; Quorum; Rules of Procedure
      
(a)     Exercise of Powers--Except as otherwise provided by law or the charter, the legislative powers of the city council may be exercised in a manner determined by it.

(b)     Quorum--A majority of the city council shall constitute a quorum but a smaller number may meet and adjourn from time to time. The affirmative vote of a majority of the full council shall be necessary to adopt any motion, ordinance, resolution, order, or other vote, except as otherwise provided by the charter, or by law.

(c)     Rules of Procedure--The city council shall from time to time establish rules for its proceedings.
        (i)     Regular meetings of the council shall be held at a time and place fixed by ordinance.
        (ii)    Special meetings of the city council shall be held at the call of the mayor, as provided in Section 2-6 (b), on the call of the president of the city council, or on the call of any three or more members, by written notice delivered in hand or to the place of residence or business of each member at least forty-eight hours in advance of the time set, and which includes notice of the subjects to be acted upon.
        (iii)   Except as may be otherwise authorized by law, all sessions of the city council, and any committee thereof, shall be open to the public and to the press.
        (iv)    Every matter, which comes before the city council, shall be put to a vote, the result of which shall be recorded.
        (v)     A full, accurate, up-to-date record of the proceedings of the city council shall be kept and shall be open to inspection by the public. It shall include a record of each roll call vote.

Section 3-6     Council Access to Information
      
(a)     In General--The city council may make investigations into the affairs of the city and into the conduct and performance of any city agency, and for this purpose may subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, and require the production of evidence.

(b)     City Officer, Members of Multiple-Member Bodies, and City Employees--The city council may require any city officer, member of a multiple-member body or city employee to appear before it to give such information: as the city council may require in relation to the municipal services, functions, powers or duties which are within the scope of responsibility of the said city officer, member of the multiple-member body or city employee.

(c)     Mayor--The city council may at any time require the mayor to provide it with specific information on any matter within its jurisdiction. The city council may require the mayor to appear before it, in person, to respond to written questions presented to him. The mayor may bring with him on such occasions any assistant, department head, city officer or city employee he deems necessary to assist him in responding to the questions posed by the city council. The mayor shall not be required to answer any questions not relevant to those presented to him in advance and in writing.

(d)     Notice Requirements--The city council shall give at least five days written notice to any person it shall require to appear before it under the provisions of this section. Notice under this section shall be by delivery in hand.

Section 3-7     Officers Elected by the City Council
      
(a)     In General--The following administrative officers of the city shall be chosen by vote of the city council; a city clerk, a city solicitor, and a city electrician and two members of the board of assessors.   (amended by Chapter 8 of the Acts of 1985)

(b)     Powers and Duties--The several officers elected by the city council shall exercise the powers and discharge the duties respectively conferred or imposed by law upon such officers. The city council may, in addition thereto, prescribe further appropriate powers and duties upon such officers.

(c)     Term of Office--Each of the officers above mentioned shall be elected by the city council, as soon as may be after the first day of March, for the term of three years, beginning on the first day of April following. If, following the expiration of an initial three-year term, an officer is re-elected by the city council to succeed himself in the same office such subsequent election shall be for an indefinite term, but subject to removal as provided below.

(d)     Removal--The city council may remove from office at any time any officer elected by it, but only in accordance with the following procedure:
        (1)     The city council shall adopt a preliminary resolution of removal, which shall state in clear and specific terms the ground on which the proposed removal is based;
        (2)     A copy of the said preliminary resolution shall be delivered in hand, or sent by registered or certified mail to the last known place of residence of the person whose removal is sought, forthwith following its adoption;
        (3)     If, at the expiration of ten days following the adoption of the said resolution the affected officer has not requested a public hearing concerning the proposed removal, the preliminary resolution shall be deemed to be final;
        (4)     If, within ten days following the date the resolution has been adopted the affected officer has, in writing, requested a public hearing concerning such removal, the preliminary resolution shall remain in effect pending a public hearing;
        (5)     Not less than fourteen nor more than twenty-one days following the receipt of a written request for a public hearing concerning a proposed removal, the city council shall conduct such a hearing, at which the affected officer shall have a right to be represented by counsel, to call witnesses, examine other witnesses, and to require the production of other evidence;
        (6)     Within fourteen days following the conclusion of the public hearing the city council shall adopt a final resolution of removal, or it shall vote to rescind the preliminary resolution of removal previously adopted. Failure to take such action within such period shall be deemed to be rescission of the preliminary resolution of removal.

(e)     Coordination--Notwithstanding their election by the city council the city officers named in this section shall at all reasonable times be subject to the call of the mayor for conference, discussion, consultation and coordination of any matter which relates to their respective offices.

(f)     Qualifications--All persons elected to a city office by the city council under this section shall at the time of their election and at all times during their tenure in such office, be a resident and a voter of the city. Establishment of a principal place of residence outside of the limits of the city of Lynn shall be deemed to be an automatic resignation of the office to which said person was elected.
The city council may, by ordinance, establish additional standards of competence and suitability, which may be required of candidates for any office to be filled by vote of the city council.

Section 3-8     Clerk of the City Council
      
The city clerk shall be, ex-officio, the clerk of the city council. The clerk of the council shall give notice of all meetings of the city council to its members and to the public, keep the journal of its proceedings, and perform such other duties as may be assigned by the charter, by ordinance or by other vote of the city council. The city council shall, by ordinance, establish a salary schedule and a job description for the clerk of the council.

Section 3-9     Appointments to City Offices
      
Confirmation--The mayor shall submit to the city council the names of all persons he desires to appoint to any city office, as a department head or as a member of a multiple-member body, except a position, which is covered by the state civil service law. The city council shall refer all such names as are submitted to a standing committee which shall investigate all such candidates for confirmation and make a report with recommendations to the full city council not less than seven nor more than twenty-one days following such referral. If the city council has taken no other action, said appointments shall become effective on the thirtieth day following the date the name has been received by the city council.

Section 3-10    Procedures
      
(a)     In General--No measure shall be adopted on the date it is introduced, except in the case of special emergency involving the peace, health, or the safety of the people or their property. Except as otherwise provided by the charter, every adopted measure shall be effective at the expiration of thirty-one days after adoption by the city council or at any later specified therein. Measures not subject to referendum may become effective upon adoption. No ordinance shall be amended or repealed except by another ordinance adopted by the city council, or by the procedure for citizen initiative and referendum provided in Article 7.

(b)     Emergency Measures--An emergency measure shall be introduced in the form and manner prescribed generally except that it shall be plainly designated as an emergency measure. A preamble which describes and declares that an emergency exists and which defines its nature in clear and specific terms shall first be separately voted upon and shall require the affirmative votes of two-thirds of the members of the full city council.
Following such adoption of an emergency preamble the city council may, by a two-thirds vote, pass the measure with or without amendment at the meeting at which it was introduced. Emergency measures shall stand repealed on the sixty-first day following their adoption, unless an earlier date is specified in the measure, or unless a second emergency measure adopted in conformity with this section is passed extending it, or a measure adopted in conformity with the procedures for measures generally is passed extending it.

(c)     Publication and Public Hearings Required--Every proposed ordinance or loan order, except any submitted in conformity with Section 3-10 (b), shall be published once in full in at least one local newspaper and in any additional manner as may be provided by ordinance or law. Such publication shall also state the time, not less than seven days following such publication, and the place at which the city council, or a standing committee of the city council, will hold a public hearing on said proposed ordinance or loan order.

(d)     Council Reconsideration--The clerk of the city council shall hold every measure adopted by the city council for a period of twenty-four hours, Sundays and legal holidays excepted, and if during said time notice of an intent to file a motion to reconsider the matter is filed with the clerk of the council by a member entitled to make such a motion, the measure shall be returned to the city council for further action. If no such statement of intent is filed with the clerk of the council he shall, at the expiration of the said twenty-four hour period forthwith present the matter to the mayor.

(e)     Publication of Adopted Measures--After final adoption and approval by the mayor if required, all ordinances and loan orders and such other measures as the city council shall by ordinance direct, shall be published in full in a newspaper of general circulation in the city.

(f)     Publication, Exceptions--If any measure required to be published in full by Section 3-10 (c) or (e) exceeds in length eight octavo pages of ordinary print, then in lieu of such publication, the same may be published in a booklet or pamphlet and made available for distribution to any person requesting the same at the office of the city clerk and provided that notice of such publication and a summary of the contents thereof shall be published as otherwise provided in the said sections.

Section 3-11    Management Audits
      
(a)     In General--A complete management audit of each city agency shall be made at least once in every eight years in order to accomplish the following purposes:
        (1)     To identify any areas which hinder or prevent the city agency from performing its assigned responsibilities, goals or objectives and to offer suggestions for the removal of such obstacles and to suggest ways in which the responsibilities, goals or objectives might better be met.
        (2)     To evaluate the adequacy of management practices being utilized in the agency, with respect to fiscal controls and use of available personnel and equipment.
        (3)     To suggest specific ways and means by which the functions and services of the agency might be improved.

(b)     Elements to be Considered--Each such management audit shall include, but need not be limited to, a consideration of the following:
        (1)     Organization, staffing and manpower.
        (2)     Adequacy of financial controls.
        (3)     Facilities and equipment.
        (4)     Goal setting, long and short range.
        (5)     Procurement practices.
        (6)     Overtime policies.
        (7)     Cost comparisons with other municipalities and comparable private enterprise activities.

(c)     Organization of Reports--Each management audit shall consist of the following parts:
        (1)     Introduction--A brief explanation of the methods used to conduct the audit.
        (2)     Scope--A statement of the extent of the examination made.
        (3)     Major Contacts--A listing of the names of all persons interviewed in the conduct of the management audit and an outline of the procedures followed.
        (4)     Findings--Details of the practices found during the management audit, which, in the opinion of the audit team, requires modification or other change in order to strengthen and improve the agency and its performance.
        (5)     Recommendations--Specific suggestions for actions to be taken either by the agency itself through changes in its own internal policies and operating procedures, or by the city council, based upon specific findings made.

(d)     Administration--The city council shall be responsible for the conduct of all management audits under this section. The city council shall determine which city agencies shall be reviewed in any particular year and shall provide a schedule to assure that each city agency is so audited at least once in every eight years. The city council shall determine the manner in which such audits shall be conducted and shall award all contracts for professional consulting services in connection therewith. The city council may delegate the details of the overview of such audits to a standing committee, or to the city auditor or other designee who shall keep it fully informed of the implementation of all changes suggested in such audit reports by the city agencies concerned.

Section 3-12    Delegation of Powers
      
The city council may delegate to one or more city agencies the powers vested in it by the laws of the commonwealth to grant and issue licenses and permits, and may regulate the granting and issuing of such licenses and permits by any such city agency, and may, in its discretion, rescind any such delegation without prejudice to any prior action which has been taken.

Section 3-13    Filling of Vacancies
      
(a)     Councillor at Large--If a vacancy in the office of councillor at large shall occur in the first eighteen months of the term for which councillors are elected, the vacancy shall be filled by the candidate for the office of councillor at large at the preceding city election who received the highest number of votes without being elected and provided such person is willing to serve. If a person who received such highest number of votes is not willing to serve the other candidates in descending order of number of votes received shall be offered the vacancy until one accepts the office. The city clerk shall certify the said candidate to the office of councillor at large to serve for the balance of the unexpired term.

(b)     Ward Councillor--If a vacancy in the office of ward councillor shall occur in the first eighteen months of the term for which councillors are elected the vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as provided for councillors at large, provided that the candidate who is willing to serve shall have received at least thirty percent of the total number of votes cast for the office of ward councillor in the ward for which the vacancy exists. If no such candidate is available the city council shall, within thirty days following the date on which the vacancy is declared to exist, elect a suitable person from among the voters residing in the ward to serve for the balance of the unexpired term.

(c)     In General--No vacancy, which occurs after the expiration of the first eighteen months, shall be filled unless failure to act to fill the vacancy would result in less than seven members serving in the office of city councillor. In that event all vacancies, which exist, shall be filled in the manner provided above and the city council restored to full strength.

Whenever a vacancy exists on the council which is not filled in the period after the expiration of the first eighteen months of the term for which councillors are elected the person at the city election who is elected to the seat in which the vacancy exists shall forthwith be sworn shall serve for the balance of the then unexpired term, in addition to the term for which he was elected. If the vacancy is in the office of councillor at large it shall be filled by the person receiving the highest number of votes for the office who is not then a member of the city council.

Section 3-14    General Powers
      
Except as otherwise provided by law or the charter, all powers of the city shall be vested in the city council which shall provide for their exercise and for the performance of all duties and obligations imposed on the city by law.

Citation: http://www.ci.lynn.ma.us/cityhall_citycharter.shtml

Lynn School Committee Parameters Per the City Charter

In the November 13th edition of the Lynn Daily Item, it was mentioned in regard to a discussion about overcrowding at Ford Elementary and other schools that

"...Latham and Ford are primarily responsible for sorting out Ford's problems. [Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy] reminded [the School Committee] that the City Charter includes a committee prohibition barring "interference in administration."

This leads to the question: what else does the City Charter dictate as far as the Lynn School Committee is concerned? See below for Article 4 of the Lynn City Charter which is specific to the School Committee.

ARTICLE 4 - SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Section 4-1     Composition; Eligibility; Term of Office

(a)     Composition--The school committee shall consist of the mayor, who shall be chairman, and, six members elected at large.

(b)     Eligibility--Any voter shall be eligible to hold the office of school committee member.

(c)     Term of Office--The term of office of school committee members shall be for two years beginning the first Monday in January following their election, and until their successors are qualified.

Section 4-2     Officers of the School Committee
   
The committee shall organize biennially on the first Monday in January, and shall elect one of its members vice chairman, whose duty it shall be to preside in the absence of the mayor.

Section 4-3     General Powers and Duties
   
The school committee, in addition to the powers and duties conferred and imposed by law on school committees, shall have power to:

(a)     Elect a superintendent of schools, and may, subject to the civil service laws and regulations, appoint, suspend or remove at pleasure such subordinate officers of assistants, including custodians of school buildings, as it may deem necessary for the proper discharge of its duties and the conduct of its business;

(b)     Define the term of service, the duties and fix the compensation of all officers and employees appointed by it;

(c)     Provide, when they are necessary, temporary accommodations for school purposes;

(d)     Make all repairs, the expenditure for which are made from the regular appropriation for the school department, except as is otherwise provided herein, or by statute;

(e)     Control all school buildings and the ground connected therewith;

(f)     Make all reasonable rules and regulations, not inconsistent with any laws of the commonwealth, for the management of the public schools of the city and for conducting the business of the schools.

Section 4-4     Sites for School Buildings
   
No site for a school building shall be acquired or designated, no plans for the construction or alteration of a school building shall be accepted, or work thereon begin, and no furnishings or equipment shall be purchased or installed, by the city, without first having obtained in each case the approval of the school committee signified by order.

(a)     Appointment--No member of the school committee, except the mayor, shall, during the term for which he is elected, hold any other office or position, the compensation for which is payable out of the city treasury, nor shall such person be eligible to hold any such office or position until two years following the expiration of such term. This provision shall not prevent a city officer or city employee who has taken a leave of absence from such office or employment from resuming his duties as such following such service as a school committee member.

(b)     Interference in Administration--No member of the school committee, nor any sub-committee of the school committee, shall, directly or indirectly, attempt to take any part in the conduct of the administrative business of the school department.

Section 4-6     Exercise of Powers
   
(a)     In General--Unless otherwise provided by general law, or by the charter, the power of the school committee may be exercised in the manner determined by it.

(b)     Quorum--The presence of four members of the school committee shall constitute a quorum. The affirmative votes of four members shall be necessary to adopt any order, resolution or other formal vote, but a smaller number may adjourn from time to time.

(c)     Meetings to be Public--All meetings of the school committee, and of every sub-committee thereof, shall at all times be open to the public and to the press, unless otherwise authorized by law.

Section 4-7     Budget Hearing
   
At least thirty days before the meeting at which the school committee is to vote on the budget request which it will submit to the mayor for inclusion in the budget he is required to submit to the city council, the school committee shall cause to be published in a local newspaper a general summary of its proposed budget. The summary shall indicate specifically areas of increase from the current budget, if any, and the reasons for such changes. The notice shall further state (1) the times and places where complete copies of the preliminary budget proposal are available for examination by the public, and (2) the date, not less than seven nor more than fourteen days following such publication, the time and the place at which a public hearing will be held by the school committee on its budget proposal.

The action of the school committee in adopting the budget, following the public hearing shall be summarized and the results of a roll call vote taken on each amendment to the proposed budget as may be offered shall be recorded.

Section 4-8     Mayor to be Coordinator
   
The mayor shall be responsible for the effective coordination of all activities of the school department with the activities of all other city agencies. He shall transmit all requests of the school committee, which require action by the city council to the city council, and he shall, at the request of the city council, provide it with such information concerning such requests as may be necessary or desirable.

Section 4-9     Vacancies
   
If a vacancy shall occur in the office of school committee member it shall be filled in the same manner as is provided in Section 3-12 for the filling of vacancies in the office of city councillor at large.


Citation: http://www.ci.lynn.ma.us/cityhall_citycharter.shtml


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