The Lowell Public Schools policy subcommittee discussed a draft domestic violence leave policy but did not adopt language at this meeting and asked staff to obtain a formal legal opinion from the city law department.

Committee members raised practical and legal questions, including whether the district would provide paid leave and how teacher retirement-system membership could affect eligibility for state-administered benefits. One member noted that teachers contribute to the Massachusetts Teachers’ retirement system, not state retirement programs that may underlie some parental-leave rules, and asked whether that difference affects approval. Members agreed they needed a legal determination before moving forward.

The subcommittee resolved to follow up. A member urged staff to send another request to the city law department for an opinion; another member confirmed staff were still awaiting counsel’s advice from a prior request. The subcommittee did not approve the draft and will revisit the item after legal guidance is provided.

Why it matters: Domestic-violence leave policies intersect with employment law, collective-bargaining agreements, and retirement-benefit rules; clarity from legal counsel is required to ensure lawful and administrable leave provisions.

Next steps: Staff will re-send a legal request to the city law department and return the policy to the subcommittee after counsel’s opinion and any recommended redlines are received.