Lowell City Council proposes to consolidate School Committee functions

School Committee members push back against draft home rule petition that would transfer financial, personnel, and maintenance duties to city administration.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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The Lowell School Committee forcefully asserted its independence as a co-elected and equal body to the City Council, and pushed back against a draft home rule petition that would transfer extensive functions of the committee to the city administration. School Committee members expressed concerns over the sweeping powers the council proposed to take over from the district, calling the petition "insulting" and a "poorly veiled attempt at privatization".

Why it matters

The dispute highlights the ongoing tension and power dynamics between the Lowell City Council and the independent School Committee, with the council seeking greater oversight and control over school operations and the School Committee fighting to maintain its autonomy. The outcome could have significant implications for the governance and management of Lowell's public schools.

The details

The draft home rule petition would authorize the consolidation of School Committee functions with the city, including financial, personnel, and maintenance duties. This was seen by School Committee members as an unwarranted "power grab" by the City Council. The council voted to postpone the petition for four weeks, but the School Committee unanimously passed a motion to have its Facilities Subcommittee meet with the City Council Facilities Subcommittee to discuss the creation of a joint facilities department.

  • The City Council voted in May 2025 to adopt the provisions of MGL c. 71 s. 37M, with respect to the creation of a combined facilities department with the city.
  • The School Committee summarily rejected the city's request in May 2025, citing concerns about the short notice and lack of specifics.
  • The City Council and School Committee held joint Facilities Subcommittee meetings in April, June, and October 2025, but the meetings revealed an increasing schism between the two sides.
  • On January 27, 2026, the City Council voted to have the proper department provide a draft home rule petition allowing the city to establish a centralized facilities department.
  • On February 3, 2026, City Solicitor Corey Williams provided "An Act relative to the consolidation of administrative functions of the school committee with the city."

The players

Danielle McFadden

The newest member of the Lowell School Committee, representing one of the two at-large seats.

Dominik Lay

A member of the Lowell School Committee who called the city's petition "insulting to the School Committee."

Connie Martin

A member of the Lowell School Committee who said in May 2025 that she was not prepared to move forward with the city's proposal for a combined facilities department.

Mike Sheehan

A senior schools custodian who urged the School Committee to vote against the city's plan for a combined facilities department in May 2025.

Tom Golden

The Lowell City Manager, who oversees all city departments except the School Department.

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What they’re saying

“At last night's council meeting, the council reviewed a draft home rule petition that authorizes the consolidation of School Committee functions with the city, including, but not limited to, financial, personnel and maintenance functions.”

— Danielle McFadden, Lowell School Committee member (Lowell Sun)

“I'm not prepared to move forward with it. When the city comes back with more specifics, I'll be willing to consider it.”

— Connie Martin, Lowell School Committee member (Lowell Sun)

“I've worked for the School Department for 30 years. We understand there's an issue with the facilities in the school. Essentially, this will allow the city to move all of your custodians out of the School Department over to the city, which I think is disrespectful, and there's no need.”

— Mike Sheehan, Senior Schools Custodian (Lowell Sun)

“Privatization is an attack on working families. It is incredibly difficult to undo and once the door is opened, every working person in the city is at risk of being next. I hope this administration is a friend of working families in the city of Lowell and I hope that this council and this administration formally take a stand against privatization.”

— Sean McDonough, Lowell High School teacher and private citizen (Lowell Sun)

“I highly recommend that [the council] remove the home rule petition. Four weeks from now, it shouldn't be taken up, and if it is submitted four weeks from now, then let the state go ahead and make that decision. If we need to revisit this a year or two years from now then we can do that after the state comes up with their decision.”

— Fred Bahou, Lowell School Committee member (Lowell Sun)

What’s next

The Lowell City Council has postponed the home rule petition for four weeks, and the Lowell School Committee has unanimously voted to have its Facilities Subcommittee meet with the City Council Facilities Subcommittee to discuss the creation of a joint facilities department.

The takeaway

The dispute between the Lowell City Council and the Lowell School Committee over the proposed consolidation of school functions highlights the ongoing power struggle and lack of trust between the two governing bodies. The outcome could have significant implications for the governance and management of Lowell's public schools, with the School Committee fighting to maintain its autonomy and the City Council seeking greater oversight and control.