City Council approves $2 million transfer to restore Lowell school positions

The Lowell City Council voted to transfer $2,000,000 from the city manager’s contingency fund to the Lowell Public Schools on July 22, 2025, restoring positions the district had marked for cuts. The transfer was approved after a discussion of which positions would be restored and how the city will replenish reserves used to fund the payment. The $2,000,000 transfer will restore positions the superintendent identified as priorities for the coming school year, the superintendent and the city’s finance office said. Mr. Baldwin, the city’s chief financial officer, described the transfer at the meeting as the second part of an earlier action and said the funds come from the city’s contingency account. Superintendent Skinner said the transfer will restore 38 of the positions that had been cut and provide funding for some after-school programs; he said 53 positions had been cut earlier and the council’s action would restore a portion of them. “Those are the positions we’re restoring,” Superintendent Skinner said, describing the restored list as largely classroom-focused roles. Mr. Baldwin told the council the school portion of the funding will be paid from the city’s contingency and that the city expects to replenish reserves when free cash is certified. Councilors pressed for detail about how many actual employees versus vacancy slots the money would restore and raised questions about an existing vacant $150,000 central-office position; the superintendent said that vacant administrative post was accounted for separately in the school budget and is not part of the $2,000,000 transfer. Councilor Robinson and others sought clarity on whether the positions are currently filled, and the superintendent explained that the vote restores positions (which may be vacant or whose prior occupants had moved elsewhere) rather than guaranteeing that named staff will return. Public testimony included Jackie Daugherty, a member of the school committee, who urged the council to restore cash to the schools and explained how the city’s contribution fits into the state-required spending formula. The council recorded a roll call and approved the transfer; one councilor recused and the mayor recorded an abstention. The finance office cautioned that the transfer is a one‑time use of reserves and emphasized the intent to replenish reserve balances as part of year‑end closing. Mr. Baldwin told the council that rating agencies review reserve levels and that the city’s “outlook” could be affected if reserves are not restored; he said the administration intends to replenish the amounts used once free cash is certified. The vote: the council approved the transfer (motion recorded and adopted), with a recusal and an abstention noted in the roll call. The superintendent and the school business office remain available to provide details on the specific positions restored and on any subsequent staffing adjustments. Looking ahead: councilors and administration members said they expect more budget conversations during the next fiscal cycle, and the CFO repeated the administration’s plan to restore reserves when free cash is certified.