New police precinct at Rogers School
In her article today, reporter Jen Myers leads with the Lowell school department’s decision to centralize food preparation at the Rogers School, the new home for central administration. This decision along with reductions in temporary staff will enable about $300,000 in savings for the food service program—a first step toward solvency. What Myers doesn’t mention, however, is that the Rogers School will also house a community precinct for the Lowell Police Department. In a collaborative move, the school committee voted last night to provide space for the police at the former middle school. The space is near the gymnasium and has its own access to the building. This partnership will benefit the city in many ways as the district looks to expand use of the Rogers School to community partners and youth groups, and the police build a positive presence in the neighborhood. (According to this Sun report, the Lowell Police had to close three of its nine precincts due to June budget cuts.) In other news, the committee voted to defer a decision on the early-release program recommended by the superintendent until more information is forthcoming about childcare options and the professional development planned.