NORTH KINGSTOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Tuesday, May 13, 2003

6:00 PM Executive Session for a Level III Grievance Hearing

Pursuant to RIGL 42-46-4 and 42-46-5 (1) and (2)

7:00 PM Worksession

I. Pledge of Allegiance

II. Call To Order: Roll Call: The meeting was called to order at 7:05 PM.

Present: Vice Chairperson Dr. Denise Coppa; Carol Hueston; Barry Martasian; Bill Mudge; Kevin Mulvey; Patricia E. Watkins; Cathy Kaiser, Jamestown School Committee Representative, arrived at 7:17 PM.

Absent: Chairperson Don DeFedele

Administration Present: James M. Halley, Ed.D, Superintendent of Schools; Daniel J. McGregor, Ph.D., Director of Pupil Personnel Services; William J. Daly, Director of Human Resources; and Maureen Buck, Controller

Absent: Barbara A. Fitzsimmons, Ed.D, Curriculum Director; and Joseph Quinn, Director of Administrative Services

Prior to the commencement of the meeting, Dr. Denise Coppa swore in Carol Hueston as the replacement School Committee member for the resigned Lynne Haft.

III. Contract Signing North Kingstown Bus Contractors Association

· Pat Watkins/Barry Martasian moved to accept the North Kingstown Bus Contractors Association contract agreement covering the period of July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2006. The motion passed 6/0.

· The contracts were then signed by Dr. Denise Coppa, for the School Committee, Dr. Halley for the School Department, and Paul Mumford, for the Bus Contractors Association.

IV. Open Forum:

· Parent, Joseph Avenzato, who has asked the school department in the past to list in the budget how the Medicaid Reimbursements are spent each year, suggested that a disclosure statement be included in the budget that indicates that the school department expects to receive Medicaid funds each year, but cannot estimate in advance what those reimbursements will be.

· Dr. Halley felt that this was indeed a workable idea, and asked that Mr. Avenzato send this to him in writing.

· Parent, Sharon Schubert presented the School Committee with an article from the paper regarding a bill before the State Senate regarding the establishment of a Special Education Statewide Mean Supplemental Fund to provide additional funding to school districts that receive special needs students during the school year. This article is appended (Appendix A). The fund allows for a one-time grant, per student, which could not exceed $50,000. Mrs. Schubert agrees with Mr. Avenzato in that the taxpayers need to know which programs were funded by Medicaid, and would appreciate a list in the budget.

· Parent, Kathy Esposito is concerned that there will not be enough time to make the improvements necessary to Fishing Cove to have the school ready for the upcoming school year. Also, will there be reconfigured maps finalized for the upcoming Reconfiguration meeting; as well as a transportation plan in place; and bell times?

V. Routine Items:

A. Correspondence and Good News

· Barry Martasian, Good News: After school field trip with DMS to the Russian submarine in Providence. 8^th graders a credit to faculty and Ms. Kondon. Proud of the students. Last Thursday and Friday night, Quidnessett 4^th and 5^th graders put on the Wizard of Oz. It was a Los Vegas production; the music was wonderful. Also went to Appreciation Reception honoring all Volunteers – a lot of people over at High School. Correspondence: Received a letter from Mr. Foley regarding class day, graduation, etc.; a letter from Mr. Paul White regarding the budget process; a letter from Amgen regarding the 2003 Amgen Award for Science Teaching Excellence in Rhode Island. They awarded $10,000 to Forest Park’s teacher Mr. Edward Ferrario. He also received emails from parents supporting K-5 redistricting plan and Mt. View staying at Forest Park.

· Pat Watkins received something from RIDE regarding the I-PLAN and MENTOR SHOWCASE; email from Providence School Committee regarding level funding; an invitation from Forest Park for the Soaring Eagle Luncheon; and the annual 5^th grade track meet at the High School.

· Bill Mudge: emailed the Committee his SELAC minutes and would like them added to the minutes of this meeting. (Appendix B)

· Dr. Halley: Workshop on “Capstone Project” a senior project at the High School that was also attended by Carol Hueston. Capstone Project is a culmination of school career; student goes before a committee and presents a portfolio of work.

B. Calendar – Dr. Halley reviewed the calendar for the next two weeks with the school committee.

C. Bids and Awards

1. Accept bid of RGB for inspection and analysis of Wickford Elementary, Wickford Middle, Forest Park, Davisville Elementary, and Fishing Cove Schools

Motion

v Kevin Mulvey/Pat Watkins motioned to accept the bid from RGB.

Discussion

· Bill Mudge did not feel that the bid fell under the “purview of capital expenditures”. He felt that the funding was “questionable”, and was concerned about the list of work not specifically included within the scope of work set out to bid.

· Those items listed in question were discussed and it was determined that it was a list of work that would be done on an “as needed” basis; and, therefore, was not included in this bid.

Public Comment

· Kathy Brown queried whether or not the School Committee was aware that Wickford Middle School was built on top of an old dump. She has apprehensions about run off from what could be underneath.

Vote on this item: 4/1/1; Bill Mudge against, Denise Coppa abstained

A 15-minute break was taken at 8:30 pm. The meeting resumed at approximately 8:45 pm.

VI. New Business

A. North Kingstown School Department Position Paper on Reimbursement of Medicaid Expenses

For reference purposes, appended to these minutes:

1. Position Paper on Reimbursement of Medicaid Expenses (Appendix C)

2. Guidance from RIDE regarding such Reimbursement (1992) (Appendix D)

3. Medicaid Reimbursement vs. Special Education Expenditures for FY 2001-02 (Appendix E)

4. South Kingstown School Fund Summary for the SK 2003-04 School Budget (Appendix F)

Regarding this agenda item, the School Committee decided to seek guidance from its legal counsel, as well as the counsel for the Town, as to how to proceed. This item will be moved to the June 11, 2003 Worksession.

Bill Mudge would like to include the following RI State Law with this agenda item, as well as a copy of page 2 of the In$ite Report filed for the year FY 2001-2002, and a copy of an email from South Kingstown Town Manager, Stephen A. Alfred to North Kingstown Town Manager, Rich Kerbel which was forwarded to Dr. Halley:

B. Policies – Policy Subcommittee meeting scheduled for May 28, 2003.

VII. Unfinished Business

A. Revisit High School Program of Studies

Discussion

· High School Principal, Gerry Foley, continued the topic of dissolution of class rank from elective studies.

· Kevin Mulvey stated that the School Committee had heard from plenty of students who were troubled about the thought of losing class rank from elective classes, and he was interested in knowing if Mr. Foley was aware of any students who were in favor. Mr. Foley did state that he had heard positive comments from students who may not have taken certain elective classes in the past because they were afraid of the degree of difficulty. Now that class rank will be removed, these students are more willing to try new things.

· Cathy Kaiser suggested that since class rank is such a self-esteem issue, why not report only top 50 students.

· Bill Mudge questioned whether or not RIDE had weighed in on this topic.

Public Comment

· David Brynn suggested allowing students to declare a major. Students who are serious art or music students would then feel as though those subjects that are no longer ranked are still a vital part of their education.

· Dr. Halley felt that both Cathy Kaiser and David Brynn had excellent suggestions and asked that Mr. Foley take the ideas back to the High School for consideration.

Motion

v Pat Watkins/Kevin Mulvey moved to place Ranking of Elective Courses at the High School Level for Discussion and Action on the Business Meeting agenda of May 28, 2003. Vote: 5/1/0 Denise Coppa abstained.

B. 2002-03 School Budget – no discussion

C. 2003-04 School Budget

D. Discussion

· Kevin Mulvey opened the discussion by questioning Dr. Halley regarding his thoughts on whether or not 7 elementary schools was still a viable option after the Town Council adopted its budget which included over $500,000 in cuts for the 2003-04 School Budget. Dr. Halley responded positively and stated that the School Department can afford to open 7 elementary schools because 17 teachers had retired saving the district $250,000. He also expected a savings of $100,000 in out-of-district special education tuition. He plans to utilize $50,000 for the improvement of Fishing Cove’s kitchen from the Capitol Improvement fund in the budget.

· Pat Watkins questioned Dr. Halley as to the step that teachers would be hired to replace those who had retired in order to assure the $250,000 savings. Dr. Halley and Maureen Buck informed Mrs. Watkins that replacement teachers would be hired at a step 5.

Public Comment

· Kathy Brown suggested that instead of spending money to upgrade Fishing Cove’s computer lab, why not use money to fund laptops on carts as they have in Wickford Elementary School.

Motions

v Kevin Mulvey/Carol Hueston motioned to ask Dr. Halley to restate the budget to reflect the changes he had stated in the meeting. Vote on this motion: 6/0

v Bill Mudge/Barry Martasian motioned to restate the budget to reflect reopening of Fishing Cove as a K-center as it was at the end of school year 2002. Mr. Martasian supports Mr. Mudge’s motion because he believes the tax payers want to know the cost of a K center. Vote on this motion: Bill Mudge, Barry Martasian, Denise Coppa voting “Yes”; Pat Watkins, Carol Hueston, Kevin Mulvey voting “No”. The motion did not pass.

Discussion

· Pat Watkins stated that she would not vote for any motion that would take Kindergartens away from neighborhood schools.

· Bill Mudge reiterated the statement from the decision of the Commissioner of Education in the dispute against the School Department that was resolved in February which stated on page 13 that “there was no scholarly research which validated their decision” to return the Kindergartens to neighborhood schools. This statement was footnoted and Dr. Halley requested that the footnote be added to these minutes. The footnote reads: “There was no scholarly research which supported the isolation of kindergarten students in an educational program from other primary grades.”

Public Comment

· Sharon Schubert stated that there was also no scholarly research to isolate special needs students either.

· Kathy Brown asked if there is any such research available, and could it be made ready for the Reconfiguration Meeting of the 21^st?

E. 2002-03 School Department Goals and Objectives

F. 2003-04 School Department Goals and Objectives} to await KeyWorks meeting in June

G. School Modernization Advisory Committee – deferred to Reconfiguration Meeting of 5/21/2003

H. Elementary K-5 Organization Advisory Committee – deferred to Reconfiguration Meeting of 5/21/2003

A motion to move to Comments at 10:30 pm and to give each person two minutes to speak was made by Kevin Mulvey/Pat Watkins (5/0). The motion was amended by Bill Mudge/Barry Martasian to include School Committee members who may wish to speak after the public had their say. (5/0)

VIII. Comments

· Joseph Avenzato agreed to comply with Dr. Halley’s request to submit in writing his proposals regarding the budgetary Medicaid Reimbursement disclosure.

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, and Home Schooling Requests was made by Kevin Mulvey/Pat Watkins at 10:38 PM. 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