NORTH KINGSTOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Thursday, February 13, 2003

6:30 PM School Budget Worksession Meeting

Central Administration Building 100 Fairway Drive

“Challenging Student Excellence”

Budget/Reconfiguration Worksession Minutes

I. Pledge of Allegiance

II. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 6:33 PM.

Roll Call Present: Chairperson Don DeFedele, Vice Chairperson Dr. Denise Coppa (arrived at 6:50), Lynne Haft, Barry Martasian, Bill Mudge, and Kevin Mulvey

Absent: Cathy Kaiser, Jamestown Representative

Administration Present: James M. Halley, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools, William J. Daly, Director of Human Resources, Joseph F. Quinn, Jr., Director of Administrative Services (arrived at 6:40), and Maureen Buck, Controller

Absent: Daniel J. McGregor, Ph.D., Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Barbara A.

Fitzsimmons, Ed.D, Curriculum Director

III. Open Forum

¨ Gina Lawson read a letter from her son Greg regarding his support for the Hockey team and his enjoyment playing for the team. He asks the School Committee to also give their support to the Hockey team in this year’s budget.

¨ Glenn Scott, a parent of a freshman on the Hockey team, also voiced his support for the team and coaching staff, and would like the School Committee to do the same by showing their support for the team with the budget.

¨ Don DeFedele spoke of a phone conversation he had with a parent of a Hockey player regarding this issue, and asked for a show of hands of how many were in the audience in support of the team. The count showed at least 25 hands were raised.

¨ Bob Curley stood to speak up for the coaching staff and state how they stress academics.

IV. Budget Discussion

¨ Discussion began with questions concerning unbudgeted positions and if they were added to the total numbers in the Confidential Personnel Document handed out by Maureen Buck at the last meeting.

¨ Don DeFedele continued going over the budget page by page with the committee. Administration answered the questions of the School Committee and the Public.

¨ Discussion ensued regarding Special Education and an increase in paraprofessionals. A spreadsheet will be forthcoming from Dr. McGregor with a cost analysis.

A 15 minute break was taken at7:50 pm, cc: 1:19:26. The meeting resumed at 8:05 pm.

¨ Bill Mudge began the discussion with a request for information regarding “Child Find” and Title XVIIII. He would like a breakdown of where funds are spent. Dr. Halley, Maureen Buck, and Joe Quinn explained that Title 19 funding is spread throughout the budget and cannot be broken down to line items.

¨ Bill Mudge made a motion requesting a breakdown of funding that has been budgeted in 2003-2004 to support Title XVIIII. This motion failed for lack of a second.

¨ Discussion continued to the Athletic Department. Denise Coppa/Pat Watkins motioned a request for Coach Keith Kenyon to provide a line by line budget of the Athletic Department, particularly the Hockey program. This motion passed with a vote of 5 in agreement, Bill Mudge voting “No” and Don DeFedele abstaining from voting.

¨ Questions continued regarding bus replacements, unbudgeted maintenance, and increases in technology.

V. Reconfiguration Discussion

¨ Concern was expressed by Committee members that changes should not be made that could place the district’s Title I school in jeopardy of losing funding.

VI. Motion to Adjourn

A motion was made by Denise Coppa/Barry Martasian (6/0/1, Don DeFedele abstained from voting) to adjourn at 10:05 pm, cc 3:15:55

Respectfully submitted,

_______________________________________

Konnie M. Mazur

School Committee Secretary