NORTH KINGSTOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Wednesday, January 8, 2003

7:00 PM Worksession

Central Administration Building                                                                                    100 Fairway Drive, North Kingstown

“Challenging Student Excellence”

Minutes

 

           I.          Pledge of Allegiance

         II.          Call To Order:                     Roll Call: The meeting was called to order at 7:03 PM.

 

                                                Present:  Chairperson Don DeFedele, Vice Chairperson Denise Coppa, Lynne Haft, Barry Martasian, Bill Mudge, and Kevin Mulvey.

                                               

                                                Absent:  Patricia Watkins and Jamestown Representative, Cathy Kaiser.

                                               

                                                      Administration Present: Daniel J. McGregor, Ph.D., Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Barbara A. Fitzsimmons, Ed.D., Curriculum Director, and William J. Daly, Director of Human Resources

 

Absent: James M. Halley, Ed.D, Superintendent of Schools Dr., Joseph Quinn, Director of Administrative Services

 

       III.          Presentation:  Dr. Kathleen Mort:  Program of Studies – The School Committee asked Dr. Mort to institute a change in wording so that seniors must pass 5 courses out of 7 earlier than 2007 as outlined in the Program of Studies; and rework the adjusted transfer grade to remove the 75% adjustment requirement currently set. Sent to January 22, 2003 School Committee Business meeting for adoption if these revisions are met.

 

       IV.          Open Forum

·         John Owens, a Resource Teacher at the High School, is concerned about increasing the requirements for math for special education children and increasing class sizes.

·         Marion Holland is concerned that High School Students no longer have the option of VocTech since it was done away with in 1999.  Would like the School Committee to reconsider this option for students who are not planning on a college career.

 

         V.          Routine Items

 

A.                  Correspondence and Good News

·         Barry Martasian received an email from a parent concerned about reconfiguration.

·         Bill Mudge reviewed his meeting with SELAC for the committee; and submitted for the record his Facilities Assessment.  (Appendix A)  He also submitted for the record emails to and from Dr. Halley regarding the roof at Hamilton Elementary School.  (Appendix B)

·         Kevin Mulvey received a letter from Anne Maack with an article he intends to share with the Committee.

·         Don DeFedele received a letter recognizing teacher Edward Ferrario, and would like the Community Relations Committee to set up a way of formally recognizing teachers when something like this comes in from parents or the community at large. He also received a letter from the guidance counselors of the schools regarding the Comprehensive Guidance Support Plan K-12 which was presented to the School Committee at the October 9, 2002 Worksession, and approved at the October 23, 2002 Business Meeting.  They wished that their letter be read into the minutes of this meeting.  It is appended for the record.  (Appendix C)

 

B.                   Calendar – Don DeFedele reviewed the calendar for the next two weeks with the school committee.

C.                   Bids and Awards – none

 

 

At 9:12 pm a 5 minute break was taken; cc: 2:09:41

 

       VI.          Unfinished Business

 

A.                  2002-03 School Budget – None, however a meeting to discuss the 2003-2004 budget was set for 6:30 pm, January 29, 2003.

 

B.                   2002-03 School Department Goals and Objectives

C.                   2003-04 School Department Goals and Objectives - A full day meeting to discuss 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 Goals and Objectives was tentatively set for February 5, 2003.

 

D.                  School Modernization Advisory Committee

E.                   Elementary K-5 Organization Advisory Committee - A time for a Special Meeting, to discuss these two committee reports, will be discussed at the Budget Worksession on January 29, 2003.

 

     VII.          New Business

 

A.                  K-12 Art Curriculum – Tabled to the February 12, 2003 Worksession.

B.                   Placement of a Student on the School Committee: Discussion – To the Community Relations Subcommittee to draw up a plan for the School Committee to discuss.

 

C.                   Proposed Administrative Regulation:  Procedures Regarding Prevention and Intervention/Physical Restraint – JICD-R2 – To the January 22, 2003 Business Meeting for adoption.

 

D.                 Policies - None

 

   VIII.          Comments

·        Bill Mudge mentioned a school bus accident involving a special needs bus and that there was some question about parents not being notified.  Pam Weiger (Special Education Local Advisory Committee Chairperson) advised the School Committee that this situation had been resolved.

·        Bill Mudge would like information from the Administration detailing what is given to the draft board about students because of the “No Child Left Behind” Act.

 

       IX.          A motion to adjourn to Executive Session pursuant to RIGL 42-46-4 and 42-46-5 (1) and (2) for Personnel issues*, negotiations, discussion and Home Schooling Requests was made by Lynne Haft/Kevin Mulvey at 10:53 pm, clock counter 3:48:47.  A vote yielded unanimous approval.   The school committee will return to open session following the executive session; however, no business will be conducted.  *At the election of the employee, the personnel matter may be heard in public.

 

                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                                _______________________________

                                                Konnie M. Mazur

                                                School Committee Secretary