Lowell Committee Votes to Pursue Skinner Contract

School Committee · Meeting of October 7, 2026

Lowell School Committee moves toward a contract extension for Superintendent Skinner and funds ROTC busing. The board voted 6-0 to open talks on extending Skinner's contract after rating his performance "proficient" in every category but management and operations. Member Bahu called it "the best evaluation that I've seen for Mr.

Skinner in the three years that I've been here." The committee also voted 6-0 to fund an $8,000 transportation shortfall for Lowell High School's Air Force Junior ROTC program, whose roughly $3,195 annual busing budget hasn't increased in 24 years. A cadet said students shouldn't "have to fundraise just to take a local field trip," while Superintendent Skinner argued the $39 million already given to the high school should cover it. Skinner committed to funding the program regardless of the vote and to report back on three years of ROTC costs before next year's budget.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,918 words

Source: the School Committee meeting of October 7, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.