NORTH KINGSTOWN SCHOOL
COMMITTEE
Wednesday, January 9, 2002
7:00 PM Worksession
Central
Administration Building 100 Fairway Drive, North Kingstown
“Challenging Student Excellence” |
I.
Pledge of Allegiance
II. Call To Order The meeting was called to order at 7:05 PM.
Roll Call Present: Chairperson Lynne Haft, Vice Chairperson Karin L. Forbes, Denise Coppa, Dr. Janice DeFrances, Patricia E. Watkins, and Cathy Kaiser, Jamestown School Committee
Absent: Carol H. Hueston, and Michael R. Northup
Administration Present: James M. Halley, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools, and William J. Daly, Director of Human Resources
Absent: Daniel J. McGregor, Ph.D., Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Barbara A. Fitzsimmons, Ed.D., Curriculum Director, and Joseph F. Quinn, Jr., Director of Administrative Services
III.
Open Forum
¨ Robert Sullivan, President of NEANK, commented regarding the changeover of administration at Fishing Cove School.
¨ Harold Koehn, North Kingstown resident, commented regarding full day kindergarten and the increase in kindergarten eligibility age.
IV.
Routine Items
A. Correspondence cc (clock counter) 930
¨ Karin Forbes received an invitation to a RIASC meeting regarding school ranking on January 26.
Dr. Halley described that the Rhode Island Department of Education will place schools into three distinct categories: high performing schools, moderately performing schools, and low performing schools. Once schools are classified as such, they will be further divided into either an improving school or a non- improving school. These designations will be based on the New Standards Test Scores. The superintendent noted that this is a move toward a broad range of assessments. In low performing districts, a plan will be developed by the state and the school district for increasing student performance.
¨ Pat Watkins noted a letter from NEARI naming Debra D’Amico as the 2002 NEARI Educational Support Professional of the Year; Ms. D’Amico will be honored at a school committee reception on February 13 at 6:30 PM in the Central Administration Building, and a letter to Mr. Foley commending him and members of the staff at NKHS.
¨ Denise Coppa received an e-mail regarding Latin that was forwarded to the school committee.
¨ Lynne Haft received a letter from the Jamestown School Committee regarding a Business Education Roundtable statewide insurance pool for public school employees feasibility study, and a memo from Richard Kerbel regarding a revenue update and Fiscal Year 2003 Projections that was discussed on Monday night.
B. Calendar cc 2830
The superintendent reviewed the calendar for the next two weeks with the school committee. Budget hearings/worksessions will be held on January 30 and February 6 at 7:00 PM. A business meeting to adopt the budget will be held immediately following the worksession on February 13.
V.
Re-evaluation of
2001-02 School Department Goals and Objectives cc 3800
While discussing current goals and objectives, Dr. Halley referenced the Board of Regents High School Committee’s possible areas for recommendation, requirements, and regulations. One priority area is literacy where districts/schools will be required to create Literacy Learning Plans (LLP) for high school students significantly (to be determined) below grade level in English Language Art and Math i.e.: LLP for all students below proficiency in Reading, Writing and math at Grade 5. Another priority is graduation requirements where districts will be required to revise graduation requirements to include demonstration of proficiency. The last priority area noted is school designs with adolescent learning in mind where districts would be required to create school designs that are personal and focused on improved literacy and demonstrated proficiency i.e.: personalized environments, flexible scheduling, senior year agreements with industry clusters and a comprehensive guidance system. This replaces block scheduling. Dr. Halley expressed that the Board of Regents are serious about the possible requirements and that the next high school summit will take place on March 8.
The advisory period has an 85% approval rating by the high school students. Patty DiCenso will be preparing a report on the advisory period, training, and recommendations for the future.
2001-02 Goals and Objectives and their current status was given by Dr. Halley:
1.
The high school will establish a Block Scheduling
program – not this year.
2.
Address individual needs- should be replaced with Create
school designs to create personalized environments.
3. Increase the graduation requirements to reflect the broad educational background necessary to be successful- this is still a viable option.
4.
The graduation and academic success rate of high school
students will be increased by providing alternative learning programs and options
to students both within and outside of the school day- still a viable option.
5.
The Program Improvement Process will be utilized in the
health and social service programs of the school department- there has been a
lot done in this area and it’s going quite well. People will begin to report out in the social health service
areas in terms of improvement plans, action plans, and identification of
actions by program and by individual.
6.
Capital Improvement- no action here.
7.
Kindergarten Program Development- an impact study is
being done regarding the return of kindergarten to the elementary school. School configuration will be adjusted. The accreditation process is beginning to make
progress.
VI.
Position Papers
A. State Financial Support of Education- This item will be placed on the 1/23/02 business meeting for adoption.
B. Full Day Kindergarten and Increase in Eligibility Age- This item will be placed on the 1/23/02 business meeting for adoption.
C. Support for the establishment of the Saratoga Museum at Quonset- This position paper was approved at the 12/19/01 business meeting and is attached to the minutes.
D. Statewide Health Benefits Plan- None
E. Limitations on obtaining injunctions to prevent a work stoppage- This item will be placed on the 1/23/02 business meeting for adoption.
F. Use of life experience to qualify for substitute teaching- None
VII.
Comments cc 12650
¨ Denise Coppa commented that Latin could be introduced as a club to see if there is any interest. Participation in the club could be noted on the transcript.
¨ Barry Martasian of Waterwheel Lane commented regarding Standards in Teaching, teaching to “learn”, and the roof at Quidnessett Elementary School.
VIII. Motion to adjourn was made by Mike Northup/Karin
Forbes (6/0) at 8:51 PM, clock counter 1:46:10.
Respectfully
submitted,
_______________________________________
Donna
F. Keough
School
Committee Secretary