NORTH KINGSTOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Wednesday, March 27, 2002

7:00 PM Business Meeting

Central Administration Building                                                                                                                100 Fairway Drive

“Challenging Student Excellence”

Minutes

           I.          Pledge of Allegiance

 

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

Roll Call                Present:  Chairperson Lynne Haft, Vice Chairperson Karin L. Forbes, Denise Coppa, Dr. Janice DeFrances, Carol H. Hueston, Michael R. Northup and Patricia E. Watkins

                                Absent:  Cathy Kaiser, Jamestown School Committee

 

                                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

                      Absent:  Joseph F. Quinn, Jr., Director of Administrative Services

       III.          Recognition                Recognition of the Computer Team and their Co-Advisors- Harry Aharonian and Tina Laferriere

Seniors Jason Resch, Shaun Russell, and Juniors Eric Goulet and Thaddeus Koehn comprise the NKHS Computer Team.  For the past 17 years, NKHS has competed in the Association of Computing Machinery Computer Programming Competition at Providence College.  This year, the team competed against 18 other schools from southeastern New England and placed third.  They were the only Rhode Island school to finish in the top three this year.  Harry Aharonian presented certificates to the team.  Tina Laferriere proudly displayed their trophy.  The team has been invited to participate in the next round of the computer programming competition, which will be held May 17th.  Everyone wished the team well.

 

       IV.          Presentation                Parents as Teachers Presentation by Donna Thompson  clock counter (cc) 8:36

 

The North Kingstown PAT Program has been operating for four years and services families district wide from all socio-economic and education levels.  All parent educators are certified and receive regular in-service and update their certifications and knowledge on an ongoing basis.

·         Pat Programs operate on the concept that parents are their child’s first and best teacher.

·         Improving a child’s school readiness skills links directly to improving and strengthening parents’ skills and knowledge of child development.

·         With the parent, home visitors perform in-home child development assessments yearly, answering parent concerns and questions, and identifying areas to watch.

·         PAT’s earliest involvement with kids and families allows special needs to be identified and serviced earlier, improving a child’s chances for school success.

·         PAT curriculum contains the latest brain study research and child development information, providing parents with parenting “best practices” for daily use.

·         PAT kids come to school “more ready to learn”, and PAT parents stay involved in their child’s education longer and more actively.

 

Parent Educators Brenda Potter and Kathy Walsh gave examples of the types of observations they make during a home visit.  Maryanne DeBatista, a parent and Reading Specialist said that PAT helps alleviate reading problems.  Three parents spoke strongly in support of the program and how much it has helped them.  Dr. Halley supports the program.  Ms. Thompson said that COZ administers the program and that funding from the Governor’s Office is in jeopardy.  Ms. Haft thanked everyone for the good work they do and for their enthusiasm.

 

 

 

 

 

         V.          Open Forum  cc  46:56

·         Barry Martasian representing Quidnessett Elementary School SAC, PTO, parents and children, supports kindergarten in the elementary schools and welcomes any others that may be relocated to the school.  The SAC, PTO and principal brainstormed ideas for the movement of Davisville Elementary grades 4 and 5.  A suggestion was made that families be moved rather that students in order to ease the transition and build a stronger community.  Has Forest Park Elementary School been considered as a destination for relocated students?  Three year rolling average test scores may change greatly with a major change in enrollment.  With Quidnessett being an open classroom school, there is some concern regarding overcrowding and a desire to not exceed 325 students.  Quidnessett wants more input into solutions.  They need to know scenarios so they can go to the parents.

·         Maureen Gauster of West Main Street wants to know the ramifications of moving kindergarteners out of Fishing Cove School before a decision is made.  Two school committee members weren’t present two weeks ago and they need to hear what was said.  Ms. Gauster requested an open forum on this issue.

·         Christine Stevens, Davisville Elementary School PTO, wants to know what the Davisville Elementary School Advisory Committee letter says.

·         Lisa Johnson, Fishing Cove PTO and representing the teachers and PTO, said that parent involvement is overwhelming at Fishing Cove; teachers are 100% in support of staying at Fishing Cove, requested an open forum and suggested that an independent party study Fishing Cove School.

·         Sharon Shubert of Annaquatucket Road wants to know what will happen to the special education students.

·         Robert Sullivan, President of the NEANK and also a taxpayer, asked if the school committee could take a vote to suspend the rule and make this a worksession.  This was denied due to the meeting being advertised as a business meeting.

·         Kathy Brown, a Wickford Elementary parent, asked if options to go to another school due to overcrowding is still an option.  Also, what does the Davisville Elementary School letter say?

 

A break was taken at 8:13 PM, clock counter 1:09:51.  The meeting resumed at 8:20 PM.

 

                Mike Northup moved that the issue of closing Fishing Cove School be tabled until after an advertised public hearing can be held on the issue.  The motion did not receive a second.  Clock counter 1:10:13.

 

                A fire official declared that the audience must leave a path in the hallway.  The open forum time was extended to 9:00 PM.

 

·         Dianne Henault, Davisville Elementary first grade teacher, said that the school will need the freed up space.  Please do not add new programs.

·         Christine Amore loves Fishing Cove School and wants to know what is the educational problem.

·         Many parents requested an open forum and a comprehensive plan for the district before voting takes place.

·         Glenn Hall-Stinson read the following position statement dated 3/18/02 and addressed to the members of the North Kingstown School Committee and Dr. Halley.

 

Davisville Elementary School Advisory Committee Position Statement

for Reconfiguration of Davisville Elementary School

 

Members of the Committee and Dr. Halley:

On Thursday, March 14th a school-wide meeting was held at Davisville Elementary School to discuss the issue of overcrowding and respond to the district’s directive that the student population be reduced next year.  Approximately 60 parents and staff members attended the session, which lasted about 3 hours.

 

As you can imagine, the discussion was animated and emotional.  Everyone in attendance agreed that the overcrowding needs to be addressed before the beginning of the next school year, but the options are not appealing and will, for some of us, be very difficult to embrace.  We were, however, able to reach consensus on several points which, when taken together, present clear vision for the long-term future of the school.

 

We believe our recommendations address the current overcrowding problem, emphasize the need to use regained space to strengthen our existing instructional and support programs, reaffirm the importance of a strong elementary school program within the Davisville neighborhood, and express our determination to significantly improve the facility in the near future.  Specifically, we agreed on the following points:

 

·         Our preferred short-term solution to the problem of overcrowding is for both grades 4 and 5 at Davisville to be relocated to Quidnessett Elementary.  The debate revolved around several issues, including the desire for fewer transitions for the younger students, providing a genuine opportunity for those children being reassigned to integrate into their new surrounding successfully, the ability to focus Title I and family support programs at a single site and the general perception that the physical resources at Quidnessett are better matched to the needs of our 4th and 5th graders.

·         Regardless of whether the kindergarten program at Fishing Cove School ends this year, we request placement of Davisville area kindergarteners at Davisville Elementary next year.  We believe that entering students and their families will benefit from the support program in place at Davisville, and that some children will undoubtedly benefit from the ability to participate in morning classes.  We also believe that students entering first grade in September 2003 will benefit from better communication among teachers and the elimination of a transition between schools following kindergarten. 

·         As of today, our preferred future for Davisville Elementary is as a K-5th grade school.  That said, we appeal to the superintendent and the school committee to conduct an open, professional assessment of other grade level configurations in the elementary schools and to adopt a long-term facility use plan that reflects best educational practice.  If, as a result, the district leadership articulates a compelling case for a district-wide elementary school reconfiguration in which Davisville Elementary, for example, might emerge as a primary school with an early childhood educational component, we would support that decision.  However, in the absence of such a plan, we expect that the 4th and 5th grades will be returned to Davisville within three to five years and that planning for the capital improvements necessary to accomplish this will go forward as soon as possible, with the full support of the superintendent and the school committee.

·         As we accept the assignment of the 4th and 5th grades to Quidnessett, we renew our appeal for renovations and an addition that will support the successful delivery of the district’s curriculum – including the arts, physical education and Title I programs, and provide adequate space for the COZ programs.  We believe this can be completed within 3-5 years.  Regardless of whether Davisville Elementary re-emerges as a K-5 school or as a primary school, the building requires substantial improvements, as well as an expansion of its instructional and mixed-use spaces.

·         We are adamantly opposed to the possible placement of Pre-K and/or other new classroom programs at Davisville next year.  With the introduction of kindergarten classes at Davisville, the movement of the 4th and 5th grades to Quidnessett will free 3 classrooms.  We strongly urge that these classroom spaces be used to relieve the overcrowding which currently exists and which precipitates this move, and not for the introduction of new students.

·         We also direct the attention of the committee members to the recent work that has been completed on the Davisville Neighborhood Revitalization Plan, and specifically to the significant role of the school within that plan.  We suggest that opportunities may exist to secure financial assistance for either capital improvements or for programming that could complement the efforts of the district and the town as we move forward.

 

We hope that these comments provide a clear picture of our preferred future for Davisville Elementary.  On behalf of the parents and staff members of Davisville Elementary School, we want to thank you for your consideration.

 

Respectfully,

 

Chris Stevens, PTO Co-Chair

Melissa Croteau, PTO Co-Chair

Glenn Hall-Stinson, SAC Chair

Pamela Weiger, SELAC Chair

Donna Thompson, COZ Coordinator

Diane Henault, Staff

Joni Power, Principal

 

       VI.          Routine Items

A.                 Correspondence  cc  2:43:42

·         Lynne Haft received a telephone call from a parent regarding the transportation of kindergarteners and walking distances; letters concerning the benefit of having the preschool transitional program housed in one location; a question from the Sunshine Center regarding transportation to daycare, an e-mail from Robert Sullivan requesting that the school committee have another open forum before taking action; a letter from a parent supportive of relocating kindergarten to neighborhood schools; a telephone call from a resident asking the school committee to defer the issue to another open forum; a letter from SODEXHO regarding the breakfast program and in appreciation for the t-shirts from Wickford Middle School; a letter from a parent requesting Spanish 3, Phase 4 at the high school, and a letter regarding Chemistry and Chemistry labs.

·         Pat Watkins received a letter from the Valley School, an alternative learning school.

·         Denise Coppa received a letter from a student at the high school regarding the lack of a recycling program there, a letter from a parent regarding Spanish 3, Phase 4 at the high school and one telephone call and one conversation in support of bringing kindergarten back.  Spanish Course Offerings were requested to be on the next agenda.

·         Karin Forbes received two telephone calls supporting kindergarten at the elementary school.

·         Carol Hueston spoke with a Stony Lane parent who is in favor of kindergarten in the elementary schools.

B.                  Calendar- None

CONSENT AGENDA  cc  1:35:20

Approved items on the consent agenda are marked with * on a motion by Denise Coppa and seconded by Dr. DeFrances (7/0).

 

C.                  Approval of Minutes of Prior Meetings*

1.                    February 27, 2002 School Committee Business Meeting

2.                    March 13, 2002 School Committee Worksession

 

D.                  Financial Reports*

1.                    Financial Narrative from the Director of Administrative Services

2.                    NKSD Year to Date Expenditure Report as of 02/28/02

 

E.                   Bids and Awards*

1.                    North Kingstown Wastewater Treatment; Operation and Maintenance Of

Background:  The NKHS Waste Water Treatment Plan has been installed and is now in service.  The Smith & Loveless manufactured and installed system is the latest in design and technology.  Smith & Loveless built the system, while J & R Engineered Products installed the system.  Both highly recommend that a knowledgeable and qualified firm be retained to operate and maintain the system.  The only firm in the region is Connecticut Water from Clinton, CT.  This firm is highly recommended. 

Cost:                 01-02  -  $12,860

02-03     -  $34,800

Funding Source:  School Operating Fund

Beginning Date of Program/Project:  Upon Approval

Ending Date of Program/Project:        6/30/03

Recommendation:  It is highly recommended that this unique yet fully qualified firm, be awarded a service contract through June 30, 2003.  All of the concerned parties have endorsed this recommendation.  These funds will be provided from the school operating maintenance funds in each of the respective fiscal years.

 

2.                    Bus Contractor Awards

a.              New School Bus Contracts

1.                    It is recommended that in accordance with the Agreement between the North Kingstown School Committee and the North Kingstown Bus Contractors’ Association, that Margaret Lyle Cranston be awarded a new 7-year contract with 5-year renewal option subject to the terms of said Agreement.  July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2009 + extension June 30, 2014.

 

2.                It is recommended that in accordance with the Agreement between the North Kingstown School Committee and the North Kingstown Bus Contractors’ Association, that Lorraine Billings and Cheryl Billings be awarded a new 7-year contract with 5-year renewal option subject to the terms of said Agreement.  July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2009 + extension June 30, 2014.

 

 

b.             Extension of School Bus Contracts

1.                It is recommended that in accordance with the Agreement between the North Kingstown School Committee and the North Kingstown Bus Contractors’ Association, that the existing contract of JoAnne C. Corey be extended 5-years subject to the terms of said Agreement.  July 1, 2002-June 30, 2007.

2.                It is recommended that in accordance with the Agreement between the North Kingstown School Committee and the North Kingstown Bus Contractors’ Association, that the existing contract between Fenwick G. Gardiner, Jr. and M. Arlene Gardiner be extended 5-years subject to the terms of said Agreement.  July 1, 2002-June 30, 2007.

3.                It is recommended that in accordance with the Agreement between the North Kingstown School Committee and the North Kingstown Bus Contractors’ Association, that the existing contract between Katherine Moone and Raymond H. White, Jr. be extended 5-years subject to the terms of said Agreement.  July 1, 2002-June 30, 2007.

 

F.                   Personnel Items*

1. Appointment, Certificated Staff:

a)                   Jane Flood, .5 FTE Speech Teacher at Fishing Cove School, Step 10 + Masters, pro-rated for 68 days in the 2001/2002 school year with a total salary of $10,626.36, effective March 11, 2002.

2. Appointment, Non-Certificated Staff:

a)                   Susan Evans, Cook at Wickford Middle School, 5.5 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 27.5 hours per week, Step 4, effective the 1st day of the 2002/2003 school year.

3. Appointment, Administrator:

a)                   Patricia DiCenso, Assistant Principal/Director of Guidance at the North Kingstown High School with a total salary of $75,779, effective August 1, 2002.

4. Appointment, 2001/2002 Advisors:

North Kingstown High School

Tina Laferriere                Computer Science Co-Advisor                                $214.50

                                                Wickford Middle School

Nancy LaPosta-Frazier                Science Olympiad Co-Advisor                                $438.75

Colleen Pickering                                Science Olympiad Co-Advisor                                $146.25

Judd Silvia                                Youth-To-Youth Co-Advisor                                $390.00

Jessica Giguere                                Youth-To-Youth Co-Advisor                                $390.00

5.                    Appointment, 2001/2002 Advisors (Correction from School Committee Meeting of August 22, 2001.  Addendum Item VI.F.4)

Harry Aharonian                                Computer Science Co-Advisor                                $312.00

6.                    Request for Approval of Unpaid Parental Leave of Absence – Certificated Staff:

a)                   Susan Schwab, 1.0 FTE Special Education Teacher at Wickford Middle School, from February 4, 2002 through April 28, 2002.

7.                    Request for Approval of Extension of Unpaid Parental Leave of Absence – Certificated Staff:

a)                   Michelle Ouhrabka, 1.0 FTE Music Teacher, from March 18, 2002 through the remainder of the 2001/2002 school year.

8.                    Resignation, Non-Certificated Staff:

a)                   Michelle Woodward, Computer Technician for the North Kingstown School Department, effective March 13, 2002.

9.                    Retirements, Certificated Staff:

a)                   Diana Funke, 1.0 FTE Mathematics Teacher at Davisville Middle School, effective at the end of 2001/2002 school year.

b)                   Joyce Coady, 1.0 FTE Elementary Teacher at Hamilton Elementary School, effective at the end of the 2001/2002 school year.

c)                   Nancy Meyer, 1.0 FTE Elementary Teacher at Hamilton Elementary School, effective at the end of the 2001/2002 school year.

d)                   Deborah Anderson, 1.0 FTE Kindergarten Teacher at Fishing Cove, effective at the end of the 2001/2002 school year.

e)                   Christine Sirr, 1.0 FTE Mathematics Teacher at Davisville Middle School, effective at the end of the 2001/2002 school year.

f)                    Lois May, 1.0 FTE Special Education Teacher at Stony Lane Elementary School, effective at the end of the 2001/2002 school year.

g)                   Beverly Blitzer, 1.0 FTE Itinerant Art Teacher, effective at the end of the 2001/2002 school year.

h)                   Jennifer Davis, 1.0 FTE 6th Grade Teacher at Wickford Middle School, effective at the end of the 2001-2002 school year.

i)                     Sharon Capwell, 1.0 FTE 1st Grade Teacher at Quidnessett Elementary School, effective at the end of the 2001/2002 school year.

10.                 Retirements, Non-Certificated Staff:*

a)                   Joseph Cormier, 2nd Shift Custodian at Quidnessett Elementary School, 8 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 40 hours per week, effective June 21, 2002.

 

Dr. Halley welcomed Patricia DiCenso as Assistant Principal/Director of Guidance at the North Kingstown High School.  Also, the retirees will be missed.

END OF CONSENT AGENDA

     VII.          New Business

A.                 Davisville Elementary School Advisory Committee Position Statement for Reconfiguration of Davisville Elementary School

The school committee received the Davisville Elementary School Advisory Committee Position Statement for Reconfiguration of Davisville Elementary School. 

 

Enrollment projections adjusted for kindergarten distribution with Davisville Elementary grades 4 and 5 moving to Quidnessett were reviewed.

 

A motion to accept Davisville Elementary School’s recommendation to move grades 4 and 5 to Quidnessett to temporarily alleviate the overcrowding until which time a permanent plan can be developed was made by Pat Watkins, seconded by Carol Hueston.  The motion passed 6/1 (Northup).  Clock counter 1:45:25.

 

Dr. McGregor spoke regarding the Special Education Preschool Program classes.

 

Pat Watkins noted that the parents and staff at Davisville Elementary have made some difficult decisions. 

 

B.                  Reconfiguration of Schools to include Kindergarten in Neighborhood Schools

The following position paper was distributed to the school committee regarding returning kindergarten classes to area elementary schools.

 

North Kingstown School Department

Position Paper of Returning Kindergarten Classes to Area Elementary Schools

March 27, 2002

 

Background:  Fishing Cove Primary School was created approximately twelve years ago to address overcrowding in the district’s elementary schools.  The benefits of an all kindergarten school were that articulation among kindergarten teachers would provide greater consistency in the kindergarten program and that variations in class size would be reduced because all kindergarten students would be distributed equally between sessions and within the building.  These benefits have been realized and continue.  However, they may be outweighed by other concerns.

 

Over the years, several negative factors to an all kindergarten school have emerged.  Separation of the kindergarten teachers from other primary teachers has led to a decrease in articulation between the two groups and has detracted from the educational transition of students from kindergarten to grade one.  Principals are required to develop a parental infrastructure each year knowing that the structure must be developed again the next school year.  The consolidation of entry-level identification services for special education creates a bottleneck in programming for students with special needs.  It has been difficult to retain continuity of leadership.  There has been a high turnover of principals at the school.   The interaction of children with their neighborhood peers is disrupted.  Children leave their neighborhood peer group to develop relationships with other children at the Fishing Cove school that cannot be maintained as the child moves on to first grade.  One half of the town is forced to attend the morning session while the other half is forced to attend the afternoon session.  After being introduced to school for the first time, children must adjust to another introduction at another school the following year.  Additionally, our youngest students are forced to make the longest daily commute.

Discussion:  There is a great deal of educational research and best practices that points to the benefit of providing children with stability and a consistent environment when they first enter school.  Primary schools, kindergarten through grades two or three, are becoming the preferred school configuration for children beginning their education.  Many of the towns surrounding North Kingstown have adopted some form of primary schools.  Dr. Fitzsimmons has provided the school committee with background materials indicating that educating kindergarten children with their peers in first and second grade is beneficial both educationally and socially.  Inclusion of the kindergarten program in elementary schools also provides for greater consistency of the program in the following grades.  With the implementation of a district wide curriculum from kindergarten through grade twelve, we have established a consistent program across the kindergarten classes and no longer need to operate them in one location.

 

Our current budget is predicated on the legislature appropriating a 4.6% or $485,612.00 increase in state aid.  The governor’s budget proposes a 1% or $121,403 increase in state aid.  Depending on the legislative appropriation for North Kingstown, the school department could be up to one half million dollars short of full support for the current budget.   Moving the Kindergarten students back to area elementary schools and closing Fishing Cove School would provide personnel savings of approximately $250,000.

 

There has been much discussion during this school year and last school year about the viability of a separate kindergarten center.  Throughout both school years the school committee has requested information from the kindergarten center that would support the viability of the program and demonstrate a dedication to continuous improvement.  Both the growth management committee and the capital improvement committee have identified the movement of the kindergarten classes back to the elementary schools as an option for improving educational program and the use of district facilities.  Principals and School Advisory Committees in each of the elementary schools have discussed the return of kindergarten to the area schools and overwhelmingly support the concept.  In spite of the letter from the PTO presidents, this issue was discussed at each elementary school and there was support for moving the kindergarten classes back to the area schools.  Adequate space exists in each elementary school except DES to accommodate kindergarten classes.  The school committee members who attended the elementary school PTO meetings discussed this issue and heard support for moving kindergartens back to the elementary school.  This issue was discussed for over two hours at the last work session.  In none of these discussions was a compelling reason presented that would conclude that the movement of the kindergarten back to the elementary schools would be a bad thing.  Most of the discussion evolved around delaying and gathering more information about an issue that has been thoroughly discussed over a long period of time.

 

Kindergarten parents need to make child care arrangements for next school year.  The district needs to make plans to reallocate and move materials from Fishing Cove to the area elementary schools if we move the children back.  We need to hire a principal if the kindergarten children are to remain.

 

Recommendation:  The administration of the North Kingstown School Department recommends to the School Committee that the kindergarten classes currently assigned to Fishing Cove be returned to the area elementary schools the students would attend in first grade.  The administration will prepare a plan for serving students enrolled in the preschool handicapped program for presentation to the school committee.

 

Dr. Halley said that the amount of increase in state aid the district will receive won’t be known until July.

 

                                In terms of transportation, the school day would be the same as the elementary school day, said the superintendent.  A midday bus would run and pick up the second session.  Very few kids walk .58 miles.  Lynne Haft said that most of the questions she heard were regarding the logistics of the bus runs.  Dr. Halley said that Hamilton Elementary and Forest Park Elementary are the preferred places for the Special Education Preschool Program.  Pat Watkins wants the educational benefits to the children of articulation and ease of transition.  The students would also benefit from SPECTRA at the elementary schools.  The committee sees the relocation of kindergarten students as a separate issue from reconfiguration.  Mike Northup pointed out that this issue entails a matter of process and it has been expressed by many that they want a full public hearing with a comprehensive plan.  Projected enrollments estimate 306 kindergarten students; 241 have already registered. 

 

                                Motion:  A motion to accept the superintendent’s recommendation with the understanding that a preschool handicapped program be presented at the next meeting was made by Karin Forbes/Pat Watkins (5/2).  Mike Northup and Dr. DeFrances were the dissenting votes.  The superintendent’s recommendation is stated here.  The administration of the North Kingstown School Department recommends to the School Committee that the kindergarten classes currently assigned to Fishing Cove be returned to the area elementary schools the students would attend in first grade.  The administration will prepare a plan for serving students enrolled in the preschool handicapped program for presentation to the school committee.  Clock counter 3:16:58.

                               

                                Dr. Halley will meet with the parents and address their concerns at the next Special Education Local Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for April 2 at Davisville Elementary School, 7:00 PM.

 

C.                  Proposed 2002-03 School Calendar- The 2002-03 School Calendar was approved on a motion by Pat Watkins/Mike Northup (7/0).  The calendar is appended to the minutes.

D.                  Curriculum Review Report-  This agenda item will be continued.

 

   VIII.          Unfinished Business-  These items will be continued at the April 10 school committee worksession.

A.                 2001-02 School Budget

B.                  2002-03 School Budget

C.                  2001-02 School Department Goals and Objectives

D.                  2002-03 School Department Goals and Objectives

 

       IX.          Reports-  These items will be continued at the April 24 school committee business meeting.

A.                 Enrollment Report

B.                  Policy Subcommittee Report

C.                  RIASC and other Legislative Activity

D.                  School Based Health Center Community Committee

 

         X.          Comments  cc  3:16:58

·         A parent commented that the school committee split the issue and is ignoring the long-term plan.

·         Barry Martasian was hoping for more discussion at the school level; the school committee involves parents in various committees and Mr. Martasian feels somewhat short-circuited.

·         Ellen Pasteur commented that the concept of a community school has changed.  Operational details need to be worked out regarding busing and the transport of students from Quidnessett to Davisville for programs- this is somewhat divisive.  Long-term issues include the COZ program, how to handle building structure and class sizes in terms of safeguarding standards with “forever collapsing walls”; is this a plan that will work for a few years?; and the need to re-address staffing of aides, psychologists, and guidance counselors.  There are many questions and Ms. Pasteur invited the school committee to attend their SAC meeting.

·         Nicole Brown, a Davisville Elementary teacher, is not happy with the plan, but had no choice.  Quidnessett is getting great kids with big hearts, and great parents.

·         Larry Sorici had questions regarding the self-contained preschool program.

·         Carol Mahoney, YMCA Wraparound Program, said that they will continue to try and wraparound and would like space at Fishing Cove School if it becomes available.

·         Louise Denette, Principal at Quidnessett, welcomes all the new students and will work to make this a positive experience.

·         Pam Carter, Quidnessett PTO Co-Chair, thanked the committee for the kindergarten vote.

·         Lynne Haft thanked everybody for their patience, hopes to address all the other issues, and thanked Quidnessett Elementary for welcoming Davisville Elementary students.

 

       XI.          A motion to adjourn was made by Mike Northup and seconded by Pat Watkins (7/0) at 11:10 PM, clock counter 4:00:11.

 

                                                                                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                _______________________________________

                                                                                                                                                                Donna F. Keough

                                                                                                                                                                School Committee Secretary