NORTH KINGSTOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Wednesday, January 21, 2004

7:00 PM Business Meeting

North Kingstown High School                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     150 Fairway Drive, North Kingstown

“Challenging Student Excellence”

Minutes

 

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM at the Central Administration Building.  Don DeFedele made a motion to move to executive session for the purpose of discussing a Level III Grievance.  The motion was seconded by Pat Watkins.  The vote was unanimous.  The meeting was moved to open session at 7:03 pm.

 

I.      Pledge of Allegiance    Mr. DeFedele asked for a moment of silence to recognize High School senior Maegan Harpool who passed away in an automobile accident on Saturday, January 17, 2004.

 

II.      Call To Order            The meeting was called to order by Don DeFedele at 7:08 pm.

Roll Call                Present:  Chairperson Don DeFedele, Vice Chairperson Dr. Denise Coppa, Carol

Hueston, Barry Martasian, Bill Mudge, Kevin Mulvey, Patricia Watkins, and Cathy Kaiser, Jamestown School Committee Representative

                               

                                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; and Maureen Buck,

                Controller; Joseph F. Quinn, Jr., Director of Administrative Services, joined the meeting

                7:15 pm.

                                               

III.      Contract Signing            NEA/NK and the North Kingstown School Department

 

IV.      Open Forum

• David Meegan felt that more attention should be paid to the Adult Education program by the School Department.  He claimed it is a wonderful program, and he was concerned that the program’s director, Gail Burda, has chosen to leave because she feels that she has not received support from administration.
• Parent, Julie Rishworth, submitted a letter to Don DeFedele regarding full day kindergarten and the “grandfathering” in of children who would turn 5 between September 1^st and December 31^st.
• Kathy Brown stated that her husband is still questioning why the trophies that were taken down from the old “Wall of Fame” outside the previous boys’ gym are still not on display at the new High School.
• Muriel Cammara asked questions regarding the budget subcommittee.  She would like to see listed on the agenda who is on the subcommittee, and when they meet. She questioned if Mr. Mulvey created a charge for this subcommittee.  

 

V.      Routine Items

 

A.                  Disclosure of Executive Session Votes:  At the January 7, 2004 Executive Session a Level III Grievance was heard, and a motion was made by Mrs. Watkins and seconded by Ms. Hueston, to uphold the administration’s position that the issue heard did not reach the level of a grievance.  The motion passed unanimously.  Present at this Executive Session for the School Committee were: Don DeFedele, Denise Coppa, Carol Hueston, Barry Martasian, Kevin Mulvey, and Pat Watkins.  Absent:  Bill Mudge

Present for the Administration:  Dr. James Halley, and Mr. Bill Daly

 

B.                   Correspondence and Good News

·         Barry Martasian received emails regarding the high school colors: one person was for changing them, and one was against.

·         Pat Watkins received the same, and she stated that the appreciated the public input.  She also mentioned the School Committee received an invitation to the Mentor Appreciation Banquet which is going to be held in the Central Administration Building on Friday January 30^th at noon, all School Committee members will be in attendance except for Bill Mudge and Kevin Mulvey.

·         Cathy Kaiser thanked Mr. Foley from the Jamestown community for the high school’s sensitivity and empathy in helping students cope with Maegan Harpool’s fatal accident.

·         Bill Mudge requested that he be allowed to submit a document regarding “safe schools and roof work” as an appendix to these minutes.  Pat Watkins called a “Point of Order” as “safe schools and roof work” is not on the agenda.  Don DeFedele agreed, and did not allow the document at this time.

·         Don DeFedele mentioned an invitation regarding RI Healthy Schools on February 24^th.

·         Dr. Halley discussed email from RIASC they would like School Committee legislative proposals sent to them by January 23.  Also, email from RIDE regarding the length of the school day and from SORICO discussing the grant parameters.  Dr. Halley’s Good News was about Teacher of the Year, Kathy Mellor.  She has recently been chosen as one of the four finalists for the National Teacher of the Year award.  Ms. Mellor is the first RI teacher to be so honored.

 

C.                   Calendars – Dr. Halley went over the calendar for the next two weeks with the School Committee

 

 CONSENT AGENDA

Approved items on the consent agenda are marked with * on a motion by Pat Watkins and seconded by Carol Hueston (7/0).

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.

 

D.                  Approval of Minutes of Prior Meetings**

 

1.        November 19, 2003 Business Meeting Minutes** Motion to approve as amended was made by Kevin Mulvey and seconded by Carol Hueston.  This motion passed unanimously.

**To amend these minutes, Bill Mudge would like the following sentence added to item VII b on page 7 regarding School Modernization Implementation:  “He also does not feel that the School Committee has the authority to select the people to be on this committee, or to change the committee itself.”  This was added to the third bulleted item on the page.

 

1.        December 3, 2003 Worksession Minutes*** Tabled until written statements can be confirmed with voice recording.

 

2.        December 17, 2003 Business Meeting Minutes*** Tabled until written statements can be confirmed with voice recording.

 

3.        January 7, Worksession Minutes*  Motion to accept the minutes was made by Don DeFedele and seconded by Carol Hueston, vote on this motion was 6/1 – Bill Mudge voting “No”.

 

 

E.                   Financial Reports**

 

1.        Financial Reports Overview

2.        Monthly Deficit Monitoring Report

 

·         Bill Mudge stated certain items in this report are not in compliance with the auditor general and particular state regulations.  He specifically questioned a $185,000 surplus in the school budget, and inquired about $496,000 in Medicaid reimbursements. Joe Quinn took exception to Mr. Mudge’s statements and emphatically held that the School Department was in compliance with all state regulations, and to date, no audit taken has gone against the School Department.

·         Don DeFedele requested some clarification from Mr. Quinn as to whether or not this was a Town prepared report.  Mr. Quinn responded that yes, indeed it was a Town prepared report, with some input from the School Department.

 

3.        Revenue Comparison Report – as of December 31, 2003

4.        Year to Date Expenditure Report – as of December 31, 2003

 

·         Kevin Mulvey/Carol Hueston motioned to accept the financial reports, vote on this motion was 6/1 – Bill Mudge voting “No”.

 

F.                   Bids and Awards – None

 

G.                   Policy – NSBA #EBC:  Responding to an Emergency or a Crisis Situation*  (Appendix A)

 

IX.                Personnel Items

 

1.                    Appointments, Non-Certificated Staff:**

 

a)                   Michael DeLillo, 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 plus an electrician’s license @ $13.38 plus an hourly stipend of $1.00 for a total hourly rate of $14.38 , effective January 5, 2004 – budgeted.

 

·         Bill Mudge questioned if this position was advertised as applicant needing an electrician’s license to obtain the job.  Mr. Daly responded that the position was advertised that an electrician’s license was preferred.  The person who retired from the position had an electrician’s license, and one likes to keep a balance.

 

b)                   Adrienne Claros, School Paraprofessional at Fishing Cove School, 3 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 15 hours per week, Step 1 plus an Associate’s Degree @ $9.51 per hour, effective January 12, 2004 – non-budgeted.

 

·         Bill Mudge would like the non-budget tally for this year, and Kevin Mulvey objected with a “Point of Order” as the question has no bearing on this person obtaining this position.

·         Motion to approve these two items was made by Pat Watkins and seconded by Carol Hueston.  The motion passed with a vote of 6 to 1, Bill Mudge opposed.

 

2.                    Approval of Increase in Hours, Non-Certificated Staff:**

 

a)                   Elizabeth Cote, Special Education Paraprofessional at Forest Park Elementary School, from 4 to 5 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 25 hours per week, Step 1 @ $9.51 per hour, effective January 12, 2004 – 4 hours budgeted – 1 hour non-budgeted.

 

·         Bill Mudge questioned this person’s one hour of non-budgeted time, and Bill Daly explained that she is part of the Behavior Support Staff and may be required to assist a teacher with students between classes.

·         Pat Watkins moved to approve this item and was seconded by Denise Coppa.  The motion was passed with a unanimous vote.

 

3.                    Increase in Pay, Non-Certificated Staff:**

 

a)                   Barbara Sweeney, Coordinator, COZ Family Center/Even Start, $20 per hour, 40 hours per week, 52 weeks a year, effective July 1, 2003 – budgeted.

 

b)                   Donna Thompson, Director, COZ Family Center, $33 per hour, 40 hours per week, 48 weeks a year, effective July 1, 2003- budgeted.

 

·         Bill Mudge asked if this increase was retroactive.  Mr. Daly responded affirmatively.  Mr. Mudge then asked if it had been paid, and Mr. Daly responded that no, it had not because the funding had not been approved until now.  Mr. Mudge was curious how these salaries previously had been paid and if permanent.  Mr. Daly stated that the salaries were paid at the current rate, and are paid as long as the funding is available.  Mr. Mudge also wanted to know if there were any benefits paid and Mr. Daly stated that there were none.

·         Pat Watkins reminded the School Committee that the COZ is funded by grant money and that they are primarily responsible in obtaining the grants to run the program.  She then motioned to accept the item and was seconded by Denise Coppa.  The motion was passed with a vote of 6 to 1, Bill Mudge opposed.

 

4.                    Approval of Extension of Unpaid Parental Leave of Absence, Certificated Staff:*

 

a)                   Brenda Young-Runner, 1.0 FTE Music Teacher at Davisville Middle School, extension of unpaid parental leave of absence from January 5, 2004 through February 2, 2004.

 

5.                    Resignations, Certificated Staff:*

 

a)                   Stephen DeMeo, .2 FTE Social Studies Teacher at the North Kingstown High School, effective January 22, 2004.

 

6.                    Resignations, Non-Certificated Staff:*

 

b)                   William Rich, Mini Bus Driver, effective January 30, 2004.

 

c)                   Karin Pierson, Supervisor of Transportation, effective January 30, 2004.

 

 

7.                    Retirements, Certificated Staff:*

 

a)                   Janet Hanford, 1.0 FTE Elementary Teacher at Hamilton Elementary School, effective at the end of the 2003/2004 school year.

 

END OF CONSENT AGENDA

 

IX.                New Business

 

See addendum to the agenda

 

 

VII.         Unfinished Business

 

A.            Approval NKHS Change of Colors for Graduation Gowns

 

·         Pat Watkins moved to approve the request of the High School seniors to change the colors of the graduation gowns from brown for boys and white for girls, to black for boys and white for girls, as long as the high school continues to honor the alumni brown in the graduation ceremony and throughout the school as they have been.  Barry Martasian seconded the motion.

·         Mr. Mudge stated that he planned to vote against the motion, even though he empathized with the students’ request, because of the methodology in which the change originally took place.

·         Carol Hueston held that she wrestled with this issue, but Maegan Harpool’s death put it all into perspective for her.

·         The motion passed with a vote of 6 to 1, Bill Mudge opposed.

 

B.            Approval NKHS Program of Studies

 

·         Pat Watkins moved to approve the item and Kevin Mulvey seconded the motion.  Mrs. Watkins offered her congratulations to the High School and stated that the preparation of the background for the Program of Studies was the best that she had ever seen.

·         Barry Martasian offered his appreciation to Mr. Lalli for the emailed corrections.

·         This motion passed unanimously.

 

 

A five minute break was taken at 8:20 pm.  The meeting resumed at 8:25 pm.

 

 

C.            School Modernization Implementation

 

·         Dr. Halley mentioned that an advertisement will be placed in the local papers for the School Modernization Committee and stated that there was already a great interest in the committee.  Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent, Karen Nutini, confirmed that she had already received approximately 16 names interested to be placed on the list for consideration.

·         Pat Watkins motioned to approve the charge for the School Modernization Committee that was presented at the Worksession of January 7, 2004.  Kevin Mulvey seconded the motion which passed with a vote of 6 yes, 0 no, and Bill Mudge abstaining.

·         Bill Mudge would like a clarification in the charge that a member of SELAC would be included on the committee.  Dr. Halley assured him that a member from SELAC would be considered for the School Modernization Committee.

 

 

D.            Policies

1.        #DBC: Annual Budget Formulation, Development, and Implementation

(Appendix B)

 

·         Bill Mudge stated that he disagreed with the statement in this amendment that Medicaid reimbursements could be considered grants.  He stated that Medicaid is not a grant and cannot be treated as such.  He pointed out that he had previously asked that this be reviewed.

·         Dr. Halley responded that the School Committee has a position paper on this topic.

·         Joe Quinn held that the school department spoke with the auditors and they have no problem with it.  “If the concern is with the visibility of the money, you may treat them as grants.”  Mr. Mudge asked if that could be obtained in writing.  Mr. Quinn replied that he had asked for this in writing, “for the express purpose of ‘unconfusing’ Mr. Mudge.” 

·         Bill Mudge would also like to see a requirement for a list of Capital Expenditures as was in the previous policy.

·         Dr. Halley responded that the Capital Improvement Fund is handled through the Town.

·         Pat Watkins/Carol Hueston motioned to accept this policy which passed with a vote of 6 to 1, Bill Mudge opposed.

·         Pat Watkins motioned to delete policies:  (Appendix C)

Þ      NSBA #DB Fiscal Planning

Þ      NSBA #DB-R Administrative Regulations – Fiscal Planning

Þ      NSBA # DBA The Budget as a Spending Plan

Þ      NSBA #DBJ.1 Classification of Expenditures

Þ      NSBA #DBJ.2 Policy on Maintaining a Balanced Budget

Þ      NSBA # DBK Transfer of Funds Within Budget

Þ      NSBA #KBF Utilization of Students to Disseminate Positional Statements Regarding the Proposed School Budget

·         Kevin Mulvey seconded the motion which passed with a vote of 6 to 1, Bill Mudge opposed.

 

E.             2004-05 School Budget

·         Dr. Halley presented his budget of $49,281,642.00 for the upcoming school year to the School Committee.

·         Bill Mudge objected with a “Point of Order” stating that the presentation of the superintendent’s budget was not properly advertised.

·         Don DeFedele disagreed with Mr. Mudge by pointing out that the community is well aware that the budget must be presented in January and that the School Committee has a fixed calendar to follow in budgetary matters.  He further stated that there would be no discussion on the budget this evening and that there would be meetings set up for that purpose.

·         Mr. Mudge motioned to discuss the 2004-05 budget, but did not receive a second.

·         Mr. DeFedele asked the School Committee if there was a consensus to discuss the budget at this meeting, but he did not receive the response he was looking for, and so he continued by commending Controller, Maureen Buck for the hard work and overtime she put in reformatting the budget.  The budget now looks similar to that of the Town’s and Mr. DeFedele said that he is proud of the work Mrs. Buck did in putting together a very fine product.

·         Mr. Quinn emphasized that some questions that the School Committee members may have might be answered by paying attention to italicized notations which indicate changes to the budget.  He also added his praises for Mrs. Buck’s efforts in turning out such a superior product.

·         Mr. DeFedele then scheduled February 9 and 10, 2004, at 7:00 pm for Budget Worksessions and asked that these dates be advertised as such.

 

F.             2003-04 School Budget – none

               

G.            2003-04 School Department Goals and Objectives – The next meeting is February 4, 2004 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.

 

 

IX.           Reports

 

A.    Completed Security Reports (from December 17, 2003 Business Meeting)

·         Bill Mudge requested information regarding computers that were stolen from Wickford Elementary School.  He was informed that a claim had been filed and the computers had been replaced.

 

B.         Subcommittee Reports

·         Pat Watkins suggested that this sitting School Committee would benefit greatly from a presentation from COZ.  She feels that her fellow members should know what the Child Opportunity Zone does and how it affects education in North Kingstown.

       

C.         RIASC and other Legislative Activity

·         Kevin Mulvey asked as Jamestown’s School Committee is very proactive in bringing items forward to their legislators, should this School Committee follow their lead and how?

·         Don DeFedele reminded Mr. Mulvey of the RIASC request for legislative proposals which was mentioned earlier in the meeting.  He also stated that this should be a future agenda item and that the School Committee must invite our legislators for a discussion of the topic and/or give them legislative proposals that might have come up.     

 

 

X.                  Comments

 

·         Pat Watkins commended the Cross Country program.  The freshmen boys made All State.  Dr. Halley stated that “we have good Track and Field people through Al Southwick’s program.”

·         Bill Mudge complimented Maureen Buck on restructuring the budget, and commended Track and Field Coach Charlie Brady for being a “very ethical coach.”

·         Carol Hueston also praised Mrs. Buck on her hard work on the budget.

·         Denise Coppa questioned if the School Department had jurisdiction over the Adult Education program.  Dr. Halley replied that the program was self funded and that the director cancelled the program without notice.  Bill Daly stated that the school department is looking for a new director.  Dr. Halley mentioned that the school department does subsidize office space, provides the building for the classes, and makes no profit from them.

·         Kathy Brown was concerned about advertising for the School Modernization Committee when it was already almost full.  Dr. Halley replied that it would be good to get more names from the community.  She also voiced her dismay over the vandalism in the bathrooms at the High School.  Dr. Halley concurred, but stated that it was difficult to supervise the bathrooms when they are in use approximately 16 hours a day.

 

 

XI      Adjourn  Motion to adjourn was made by Pat Watkins and seconded by Denise Coppa at 10:20 pm, clock counter 3:22:53.  There were no home schooling, negotiations, or personnel matters for School Committee members to attend to so they did not adjourn to Executive Session.

 

NORTH KINGSTOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE

 

Wednesday, January 21, 2004

 

ADDENDUM TO THE AGENDA

 

 

Motion to accept the addendum to the agenda was made by Pat Watkins and seconded by Carol Hueston.  The motion passed with a vote of 6-1, Bill Mudge opposed.

 

      Consent Agenda

 

H.                  1.   Appointments, Non-Certificated Staff:

 

c)       John Horan, Supervisor of Transportation, with an annual salary of $51,000, effective

      February 2, 2004 – budgeted.

 

 

 

VI.                New Business

 

A.  Fishing Cove Repairs

·         Mr. Quinn discussed the roof failure with the School Committee and explained that emergency roof repairs were needed immediately to mend a diagonal tear in a wing of the school.  Currently, special education students have been evacuated from that portion of the school, and are being sent to Quidnessett Elementary.  The YMCA was also affected and relocated their program for the time being.  The repairs will be temporary and could cost approximately $150,000 - $200,000.00.  Mr. Quinn will provide the School Committee with bids and quotes as soon as he receives them.

·         Mr. Mulvey suggested that OSHA be contacted prior to work commencing as there is a letter from them signifying that this be the proper course of action should roof work need to be done.

·         Mrs. Watkins questioned if work could begin with the cold weather snap we are having, and Mr. Quinn assured her that it could because gluing will not be a factor in the repair at this time.  Instead, the contractors will be using a mechanical fastening.

·         Bill Mudge stated that he fully supported replacing the roof of the wing, and asked if there is a contract with anyone in town to do roof work.  Mr. Quinn and Dr. Halley both replied negatively.  Mr. Mudge repeated Mr. Mulvey’s request that OSHA be contacted prior to work being started on the project.  Mr. Quinn concurred.

                       

                                                                                               

 

                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                                                                _______________________________________

                                                                                                Konnie M. Mazur

                                                                                                School Committee Secretary

                                                                                                Approved:  February 25, 2004