6:00
PM Reception for Joanne Fitts, Teacher of the Year
7:00 PM Business Meeting
Central
Administration Building
“Challenging Student Excellence” |
As well
as receiving awards for her accomplishments, Ms. Fitts has proven herself
successful in other ways. Twice she has
been elected as the Chairperson of the RI Association of Girls and Womens
Sports. She has served on the executive
boards of the RI Boys and RI Girls Volleyball Coaches Associations, and she has
also served as the Director of the RI Girls High School Tennis Association. Ms. Fitts has served on the
Because of this award, Ms. Joanne Fitts is now eligible to compete for the Rhode Island Teacher of the Year honors.
I.
Pledge of
Allegiance
II.
Call To
Order The meeting was called to order at
Roll Call Present: Chairperson Lynne Haft, Vice Chairperson Karin L. Forbes, Dr. Janice DeFrances, Carol H. Hueston, Michael R. Northup, Patricia E. Watkins and Cathy Kaiser, Jamestown School Committee
Absent: Dr. Denise Coppa
Administration Present: James M. Halley, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools, Daniel J. McGregor, Ph.D., Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Barbara A. Fitzsimmons, Ed.D., Curriculum Director, William J. Daly, Director of Human Resources, Joseph F. Quinn, Jr., Director of Administrative Services and Maureen Buck, Controller
III.
Presentations
A. Sports Camps Financial Report by Aaron Thomas: Although Mr. Thomas could not be there to present his report, the committee was very impressed by it, and Patricia Watkins motioned to accept the report which was seconded by Karin Forbes. The motion passed by unanimous vote: 6/0
IV.
Open Forum
·
Pam Weiger, Chairperson of SELAC, approached the
School Committee with parents’ concerns about the inability to reach their
children’s teachers by phone at
·
Barry Martasian spoke of a letter that came home
from school in his child’s backpack regarding a project that the 4th
graders at
·
Marion Holland wishes to remind the
V.
Routine Items
A. Correspondence and Good News
·
Carol Hueston received a communication regarding
library privileges for kindergarteners at
·
Pat Watkins received a thank you from Hamilton
Elementary for visiting their Open House; an invitation from the RI Alliance
for Arts Education, Inc. to a reception on October 17, 2002, honoring Stony
Lane, Quidnessett, and Forest Park Elementary Schools for “using the arts as an
integral part of the curriculum to help students achieve academic success”, and
an invitation to Jackie Dawley’s retirement party. She also mentioned the meeting of
· Lynne Haft mentioned the public hearings regarding the Regulations of the Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education Regarding Public High Schools and Ensuring Literacy for Students Entering High School; she then reported email she received about a bus stop issue which she has referred to the administration; she read parts of a joint letter to the editor from the school committee regarding the reopening of school and class sizes in which they hope to clear up misinformation; she referred to the report of the independent accountant’s findings regarding the high schools’ construction cost overruns; she then had Michael Northup read his letter of resignation into the record. (Appendix B)
· Dr. Halley brought to the school committee’s attention that the administrative council decided the following dates would be accepted for the district wide distribution of report cards:
Dr. Halley also mentioned that the administration has received the results of the RIDE state assessments that were administered last spring. (The results are Appendix C of these minutes.)
· Mention was made that as the majority of the communications received are of a positive nature, the title of this section should be called “Correspondence and Good News”. The secretary was instructed to change the nomenclature.
B.
Calendar - Lynne Haft reviewed the calendar for the
next two weeks with the school committee.
A date for the Goals and Objectives meeting was tentatively set for
October 16, 2002 at 7:00 pm.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approved items on the consent agenda are marked with * on a motion by Michael Northup and seconded by Carol Hueston (6/0).
Approved items that were exempted or amended within the consent agenda are marked with ** as indicated immediately following the item.
Withdrawn
or Tabled Items from the consent agenda are marked with *** as indicated immediately
following the item.
C. Approval of Minutes of Prior Meetings*
1.
2.
D. Financial Reports*
E. Textbook Adoptions (none)
F. Bids and Awards
1. Refinishing of Wooden Gym Floors: Davisville Middle School (one floor) and North Kingstown High School (2 floors)** Karin Forbes requested further information from Dr. Halley as to why the new High School needed two gym floors refinished already. Dr. Halley responded it was regular maintenance and upkeep. She was satisfied with this response and requested a second to her motion to accept the item. Pat Watkins seconded, vote: 6/0
2. Quarterly Security Reports,
comment: She would like Dr. Halley to determine why so many there are so many unsupervised
high school students causing damage at the school. Dr. Halley said he would look into it. Ms. Watkins was satisfied with his response, and requested a second to her motion to accept the item. Carol Hueston seconded, vote: 6/0
F. Personnel Items*
1.
Appointments,
Non-Certificated Staff:
a)
Brenda
Young, Clerk at the
b)
William
Monti, 3rd Shift Custodian at the North Kingstown High School, 8
hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 40 hours per week, Step 1,
effective September 9, 2002.
c)
Steven
Sironen, 3rd Shift Custodian at the North Kingstown High School, 8
hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 40 hours per week, Step 1,
effective August 26, 2002.
d)
Johnny
Wortham, Maintenance Worker for the North Kingstown School Department, 8 hours
per day, 5 days a week for a total of 40 hours per week, Step 1, effective September
16, 2002.
e)
William
Rich, Mini Bus Driver for the North Kingstown School Department, Step 1,
effective
f)
Richard
Meader, Mini Bus Driver for the North Kingstown School Department, Step 1,
effective September 23, 2002.
g)
Catherine
Monaghan, Paraprofessional at Davisville Elementary School, 6 hours per day, 5
days a week for a total of 30 hours per week, Step 2, effective September
16,2002.
h)
Robin
Luz-Goggins, Account Clerk, Pupil Personnel Office/Curriculum Office, Step 1,
effective
i)
Alka
Joshi, Temporary Paraprofessional at
j)
Bryan
Jennings, Head Custodian at Fishing Cove, Step 10, effective
k)
Nancy
Meader, Food Service Worker at Wickford Elementary School, 2 hours per day, 5
days a week for a total of 10 hours per week, Step 1, effective September 16,
2002.
2.
Appointments,
Certificated Staff:
a)
Barbara
Hart, 1.0 FTE Family & Consumer Science Teacher at Davisville Middle
School, Step 2 with an annual salary of $33,885, effective August 26, 2002.
b)
Joseph
Connell, .2 FTE Foreign Language Teacher at Davisville Middle School, Step 10
plus a Masters + 30 credits with an annual salary $12,321.80, effective
c)
John
Walsh, 1.0 FTE Social Studies Teacher at the North Kingstown High School, Step
2, pro-rated in the 2002/2003 school year for 184 days with a total salary of
$33,164, effective August 30, 2002.
d)
Maria
Festa, .5 FTE Art Teacher at Forest Park Elementary School, Step 1 plus a
Masters, pro-rated for 183 days in the 2002/2003 school year with a total
salary of $16,865, effective, September 3, 2002
e)
Paula
Paolino, 1.0 FTE Grade 3 Elementary Teacher at Wickford Elementary School, Step
1 plus a Masters with an annual salary of $34,652, effective August 29, 2002.
f)
George
Savella, 1.0 FTE Science Teacher at the North Kingstown High School, Step 1,
pro-rated in the 2002/2003 school year for 182 days with a total salary of
$31,007, effective September 4, 2002
g)
Elizabeth
Kruse, 1.0 FTE Kindergarten Teacher at
h)
Karen
Kouttab, 1.0 FTE Science Teacher at the North Kingstown High School, Step 2,
pro-rated in the 2002/2003 school year for 179 days with a total salary of
$32,263, effective September 9, 2002.
3.
Transfer,
Non-Certificated Staff:
a)
Elmer
Salisbury, III, transferring from
4.
Increase
in Salary, Non-Certificated Staff:
a)
David
Wright, Computer Technician for the North Kingstown School Department, with an
annual salary of $32,000, effective
5.
Increase
in Hours, Non-Certificated Staff:
a)
Mary
White, Paraprofessional at Quidnessett Elementary School, from 4 to 5 hours per
day, 5 days a week for a total of 25 hours per week, Step 7, effective September
17, 2002.
6.
Increase
in FTE, Certificated Staff:
a)
Michael
Rogers, from .4 FTE to .8 FTE Physical Education/Health/Adaptive PE Teacher at
the North Kingstown High School, Step 4 with an annual salary of $30,616,
effective August 26, 2002.
b)
Cynthia
Warburton, from .3 FTE to .5 FTE Itinerant ESL Teacher, Step 5, pro-rated in
the 2002/2003 school year for 179 days @ .5 FTE and 9 days @ .3 FTE with a
total salary of $20,397, effective September 9, 2002.
7.
Decrease
in FTE, Certificated Staff:
a)
Jane
Flood, from .5 FTE to .4 FTE Speech Teacher for the North Kingstown School
Department, effective
8.
Recall,
Non-Certificated Staff:
a)
Julie
Russell, Paraprofessional at Fishing Cove School, 4 hours per day, 5 days a
week for a total of 20 hours per week, Step 2, effective August 28, 2002.
9.
Appointments,
2002/2003 Curriculum Coordinators:
Audrey Friedman Language
Arts $2,332.00
Martha Baton Co-Library/Media $ 583.00
Judith O’Brien Co-Library/Media $ 583.00
Edward Ferrario Science $3,499.00
Jean Larsen Art $1,748.00
Adrian Poland Reading $2,332.00
Suzanne Barry Math $1,166.00
Michelle Sandham Co-Social
Studies $ 583.00
John Walsh Co-Social
Studies $ 583.00
10.
Retirement,
Non-Certificated Staff:
a)
Brenda
Young, Clerk at the
b)
Georgia
Ray, Bus Paraprofessional for the North
Kingstown School Department, effective
11.
Resignation,
Non-Certificated Staff:
a)
Maria
Houston, Special Education Paraprofessional at
b)
Lucille
Ianuccilli, Mini Bus Driver for the North Kingstown School Department,
effective
c)
Norma
McAteer, Mini Bus Driver for the North Kingstown School Department, effective
d)
Sheila
Clark, Principal Paraprofessional at
e)
Virginia
Urquhart, Clerk at the
12.
Resignations,
Certificated Staff:
a)
Diann
Cote, .4 FTE Social Studies Teacher at the
b)
Heather
Allaby, 1.0 FTE Science Teacher at the
c)
Eleanor
McKenna, .5 FTE Art Teacher at
END
OF CONSENT AGENDA
VI.
New Business
A. Policy Subcommittee Recommendations for Approval: Michael Northup made a motion to include these items in the consent agenda. Lynne Haft recalled that this had been done in the past, but had not informed the new secretary of this procedure. Motion not necessary. Policies accepted with Consent Agenda.
1. Standing Orders – Policies and Procedures for Emergencies, First Aid Medications and Infectious Diseases - JLCE
2.
Amendment
to Policy on Student Conduct, Behavior and Discipline Policy –JLCE
3.
Amendment to Policy on School Committee – for Approval with
Changes – BB
4.
Amendment
to Policy on School Committee Member Code of Ethics/Conduct – BCA
5.
Amendment
to
6.
Amendment
to Policy on School Committee Clerk – Role and Responsibility – BDC
7.
Amendment
to Support Committees to the School Committee – BDE
8.
Amendment
to Policy on School Committee Meetings – for Approval with Changes – BE
9.
Amendment
to Policy on School Committee Policy Development – for Approval with Changes –
BGA
10.
Amendment
to Policy on School Committee Communication/Chain of Command- for Approval with
Changes – BH
11.
Amendment
to Policy on School Committee Member Service/Compensation Re-
imbursement – BID
12.
Recommendation
for New Policy – Grievance Hearings at the School Committee Level – GBK***
Karin Forbes tabled this policy and sent back to the subcommittee for further
review.
B.
Policy
Subcommittee Recommendation Duplicate Policies for Rescission* Accepted with
the Consent Agenda
1.
Standards
of Conduct – BBF
2.
Biennial
Organization Meeting – BCA
3.
Officers
of the School Committee – BCB
4.
Duties
of the Chairperson of the School Committee – BCBA
5.
Duties
of the Clerk of the School Committee – BCC
6.
Superintendent
as Executive Officer for the Board – BCD
7.
Permanent
or Standing Committees – BCE
8.
Special
Education Advisory Committee – BCF
9.
Advisory
Committee Resources – BCF.1
10.
Counsel
– Town Solicitor – BCG
11.
BDA
12.
Special
Meetings – BDB
13.
Executive
Sessions/Closed Sessions – BDC
14.
School
Committee Meeting Operations – BDD
15.
Notice
of Regular and Special Meetings – BDDA
16.
Order of
Business at Regular Meetings – BDDB
17.
Quorum –
BDDD
18.
Parliamentary
Procedure – BDDE
19.
Public
Participation at School Committee Meetings BDDH
20.
Regular
Meetings – BEA
21.
Policy
Development –BF
22.
Review
of Administrative Decisions – BFE
23.
Channels
of Communication – BG
24.
School
Committee Reimbursement Policy – BHD
25.
Administrative
Regulation/School Committee Reimbursement Policy – BHD-R
VII.
Unfinished
Business
A. Discussion
Only on Issue Papers Regarding Proposed Policies – Moved to
1. Home
Schooling - IHBG
2. School Volunteers -IJOC
C.
2002-03
Budget
VII Reports
A. Enrollment Report - None
B. Food
Services Report – Accepted with high praise for Betty Prairie for the excellent
job that she does. Motion by Carol
Hueston/Karin Forbes (6/0)
D.
Grant
Status Report – The Committee’s interest was high in this report, and it was
accepted with a unanimous vote on a motion by Karin Forbes/Pat Watkins.
E.
Local
Advisory Committee – Lynn Bushoven presented an oral report to the School
Committee regarding the Preschool Program. She mentioned key elements of
developing portfolio assessments of each child, and an integration committee to
offer 50/50 ratio from the YMCA and The Compass School.
F.
Policy
Subcommittee
G.
RIASC
and other Legislative Activity
IX Comments
·
Lynne Haft would like to commend all of the schools
for their wonderful open houses. She was
greatly impressed with the presentations by each grade. She heard positive feedback from a great many
parents.
·
Karin Forbes did hear from one parent, however, that
there was political literature left in a school. She is aware that it is probably just parents
leaving the pamphlets lying around and not disposing of them properly, but she
would request that the school committee candidates be more mindful of the
possibility of this occurring when passing out literature on school property in
the future.
·
Joe Quinn, Director of Administrative Services,
would like the following read into the record: High School and the
“Shall an act, passed at the 1996 session of
the General Assembly entitled ‘AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE TOWN OF NORTH KINGSTOWN
TO FINANCE NEW CONSTRUCTION, EXPANSION, REMODELING, DEMOLITION, RENOVATIONS,
ADDITIONS, IMPROVEMENTS AND/OR RELATED EQUIPMENT FOR THE NORTH KINGSTOWN HIGH
SCHOOL AND THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION BUILDING AND TO ISSUE NOT MORE THAN $33,
000,000 BONDS AND NOTES THEREFOR’ be approved?”
This is in response to Bill Mudge questioning the specific approval of
monies for a sprinkler system for the athletic fields.
·
Mr. Mudge insists that there is a specific 1996
referendum allocating funds for an irrigation system. He is not referring to the referendum that
allowed for the building of the new high school.
·
April Brunelle, Barry Martasian would like to refer
to the changes in the curriculum for the kindergarteners. Why are they now only allowed library every
other week when in the past at Fishing Cove they were allowed library every
week? They are referred to Dr. Halley’s email responses to Bob Curley and Barry
Martasian and Dr. Fitzsimmons’ email response.
·
Don DeFedele would like to comment that the school
committee has not taken a proactive stance in this matter and the parents are
only reacting to what is going on. A
letter should have gone out to kindergarten parents explaining the administration’s
position that may have negated parents getting upset.
· Janice DeFrances reminded the audience that the school committee is a policy making body and does not micromanage schools. The school committee is there to listen to the community and work with the school administration to better the education of the children of the community.
·
Kathy Brown is concerned that the some of the
school committee’s statements regarding the high school colors did not make it
into the record of
VIII.
X.
A motion to adjourn, as there was only one Home Schooling
Request, was made by Michael Northup/Carol Hueston at
Respectfully
submitted,
_______________________________________
Konnie
M. Mazur
School Committee Secretary