Episode 16: A Conversation and Update with Superintendent Khelfaoui
A Lowell School Committee agenda item posted for the July 18, 2018 School Committee Meeting caught our attention quickly. Three motions on that meeting’s agenda centered around placing the current Lowell Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Salah Khelfaoui, on administrative leave with the intent of severing the Superintendent’s contract before its expiration in 2020.
Many teachers, parents, and community members spoke at that July 18 meeting in favor of retaining Dr. Khelfaoui as Superintendent of Schools; not one member of the public spoke in opposition. Amazingly, the motion to place Dr. Khelfaoui on administrative leave passed by a vote of 4 to 3. Interestingly, the three members who were not in favor of dismissal or movement toward dismissal - Mr. Lay, Mr. Hoey, and Mr. Descoteaux - indicated that they did not know what the “good cause” might be that would trigger a dismissal process.
Today, Paul and Mickie speak with Dr. Khelfaoui about the developments since the July 18 meeting when he was placed on administrative leave and more current movement on this issue. Up until now, Dr. Khelfaoui has not had an opportunity to address the School Committee’s actions with the Lowell community. We, like many of you, would like to hear his point of view.
We are including links to the School Committee meetings and agenda/minutes below.
We also would encourage all United Teachers of Lowell members, school staff, parents and community members to attend the scheduled School Committee Meeting on Wednesday, October 10, 2018. The meeting will begin as a public session at 6:30 pm at Lowell City Hall’s City Council Chambers.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Check the City of Lowell’s Agenda and Meeting Minutes webpage for meeting packet details and for published minutes of meeting. By scrolling down to the School Committee meeting section, one can locate agendas, packets, and meeting minutes as they become available. Of interest are:
July 18, 2018 meeting minutes. It was during this meeting that the motions regarding Dr. Khelfaoui’s employment were first made public. The video of the meeting is available on demand from LTC here under the date of the meeting.
October 3, 2018: Motion 7:IV by Mr. Lay requesting updated status of motions to dismiss the Superintendent. The video of this meeting is available on-demand from LTC here under the date of the meeting. (Mr. Lay’s motion is discussed at the 53:00 mark).
October 10, 2018 meeting agenda.
Dr. Khelfaoui was interviewed on the Teacher Voice, Labor Matters weekly radio broadcast on October 8, 2018. The link to that broadcast will be posted here as soon as it becomes available on WCAP980 AM’s website. The original broadcast of the show was Monday at 10 am-11 am. The show will replay on Tuesday, October 9th from 6:30 - 7:30 pm on WCAP980 AM.
Dr. Khelfaoui was also interviewed on WCAP980 AM’s Morning Show with Teddy Panos on October 9, 2018. We will link to that program as it becomes available
Dr. Khelfaoui’s contract is available on the Lowell Public School’s website.
Mickie and Amy would like to thank both Paul Georges and Dr. Khelfaoui for speaking with us today. As you heard in this podcast episode, Dr. Khelfaoui’s hearing will take place on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 in the City Council Chambers. The meeting will begin at 6:30. We would strongly urge people to attend this meeting as it is Dr. Khelfaoui’s intent that the entire meeting be held publicly.
Also, we thank you, our listeners for tuning in. We welcome your comments and feedback and suggestions. If you have suggestions for future podcasts, send us an email at UTLStraightTalk@gmail.com. And if you enjoy our podcasts, be sure to spread the word - or share with a friend (or two).
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