NORTH KINGSTOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Wednesday, May 19, 2004

6:00 pm Reception to Honor Kathleen Mellor, National Teacher of the Year

Central Administration Building 100 Fairway Drive, North Kingstown

“Challenging Student Excellence”

Minutes

I. Meeting Organization

A. Call to Order Pledge of Allegiance

Don DeFedele called the meeting to order at 7:08 pm.

B. Roll Call

Present: Chairperson Don DeFedele; Carol Hueston; Bill Mudge; Barry Martasian; Kevin Mulvey; Pat Watkins; and Cathy Kaiser, Jamestown School Committee Representative

Absent: Vice Chairperson Dr. Denise Coppa

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; Joseph F. Quinn, Jr., Director of Administrative Services; William J. Daly, Director of Human Resources and Maureen Buck, Controller

C. Calendars Dr. Halley went over the important dates in May with the School Committee.

1. Kevin Mulvey suggested scheduling a special meeting if the referendum does not pass on June 12, 2004 to discuss budget cuts. This meeting will be held on Monday, June 14^th at 6:30 pm in the Administration Building. Should the referendum pass, and there is no need for the meeting, the School Committee will meet with the Town Council at their meeting in the Town Hall at 7:30 pm. This meeting, as well as the KeyWorks meeting, will be advertised in the NE Independent.

D. Presentations

1. School Modernization Advisory Committee Update given by: Dave Burnham and Glenn Stinson

A. Mr. Burnham presented the first report of the advisory committee to the School Committee. This report is attached to the minutes (Appendix A).

1. Mr. DeFedele and Mr. Burnham discussed the process of bonding for the project.

2. Mr. Mudge asked if there was a Minority Report for this project. Mr. Burnham replied that there was no Minority Report, however the Asset Management Commission did have a different view and recommended a $9,000,000.00 bonding for upgrades and life safety issues at all of the elementary schools. Mr. Burnham stated that Joe Kochhan voted against the proposal.

3. Mr. Mudge said that he does not question the need to upgrade the schools, but he does question the necessity for further space or an additional school unless it is in the southern end of town where the population is expanding.

4. Mr. Burnham said that the enrollment projections did not show a need for a new school, nor was there money for land acquisition or town water available in the southern area of town. The property at Wickford Middle School will handle the addition as will the septic system and is cost effective to upgrade. Davisville Elementary School is the only elementary school that is not serving an entire elementary population which is why it is prioritized for improvement.

5. Bill Mudge stated that he felt that there was nothing to support the hypothesis that there is a lack of elementary school space.

6. Mr. Martasian took exception to this statement, and stated that there is a capacity problem at Davisville Elementary and Quidnessett Elementary School.

7. Mr. Mudge replied that the data does not support that. He then asked of Mr. Burnham if any critical life safety issues were identified.

8. Mr. Burnham stated that the committee went by the RGB report and accepted what they had identified. They also went through the phasing and felt that Davisville Elementary should be on the top of the list. More useable space such as a gymnasium is valuable for the community.

9. Pat Watkins asked about funding the School Capital Reserve Fund for Phase II projects. Mr. Burnham replied that he is not optimistic as the fund was set up in 1989 and had not received funds until 1994. The $500,000 that is currently in the fund allows the School Department to react to problems as opposed to taking care of issues before they turn into problems.

10. Barry Martasian asked how much it will cost the taxpayers in town to increase the School Capital Reserve Fund to $1.5 million. Mr. Burnham responded that it would cost approximately 29 cents per thousand.

11. Mr. Mudge asked what the academic space deficiencies were in the elementary and middle schools. Mr. DeFedele stated that RGB had that information in their report. Mr. Burnham stated that the committee spent time with RGB and reviewed Davisville Elementary and WMS and how their recommendations dealt with program issues and how good the investment is physically.

12. Kevin Mulvey stated that there is a problem with terminology regarding “space deficiency.” Currently, when one renovates a school one must remodel to today’s standards. Under a new construction one must build under a new set of criteria.

13. Mr. DeFedele agreed, “Once they touch a bathroom, they have to make it handicapped acceptable.” If they had never touched it, the new standards do not apply.

14. Dr. Halley stated that “Mr. Mudge’s contention is overridden by the Department of Education’s approval”. They have “used their standards and they’ve approved this project.” “They’ve done that in spite of Mr. Mudge’s contention that it was wrong.”

15. Mr. Mudge replied that the Board of Regents did not review the project in accordance with the necessity of construction. He also stated that he believed “that we have a surplus of space in town” with respect to the schools.

16. Joe Quinn stated that if this report is accepted and executed as recommended, the North Kingstown community would finally be able to “pay as you go” when it comes to school modernization, and it is a real possibility that the school department may not have to ask the citizens to approve bonding for school repairs and upgrades in the future.

17. Mr. DeFedele asked what the committee needed to do this evening to move this project along.

18. Mr. Burnham suggested a vote on the report and then scheduling a meeting with the town council to discuss the bonding.

19. Mr. DeFedele asked for and received a consensus from the committee to place this item on the May 26, 2004 Business Meeting for a vote. Mr. Mudge did not give his consent.

20. Dr. Halley wanted to clarify some items in terms of the School Modernization Committee:

a. All members of the Asset Management Commission were invited to be on the committee, three members agreed. One member, Joseph Kochhan, is in opposition to the report.

2. School Committee Liaison to the Asset Management Commission, Eric Seabury

Because of employment commitments, Mr. Seabury could not attend this meeting. Upcoming meeting dates were emailed to Mr. Seabury for him to select a date that would be more convenient to his schedule.

II. Routine Items

A. Correspondence

Mr. DeFedele introduced the following correspondence into the record:

1. A few emails regarding the start times at the high school.

2. April 24^th WMS and DMS participated in the RIMEA Jazz Festival. Both received a “Superior” rating; both received an “A” from all three judges.

3. Email regarding the outstanding performance by NKHS History Department at State History Day. The following students are going to Washington DC: David Marshall, David Leibovitz, Alex Sherry, Andrew Da Silva, Chris Simeone, Sarah Thompson, Caitlin Young, and Rebecca Hartford.

4. NKHS AP Art Student, Kerrie Hoban won 1^st Place in Congressman Langevin’s “Artistic Discovery” Art Competition. She and her family will be flying to Washington SC on July 14^th to represent RI at a ceremony of the hanging of her artwork. Her work, as well as pieces from all the other states, will be on display for a year in the hallway entrance to the Capital Building. She also receives a scholarship to the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia. The other students who participated were Nathan Christy – grade 9, Lydia Troiano – grade 12, and Ted Leary – grade 10.

5. Letter from Peter McWalters regarding the regulations on graduation by proficiency a new component of High School regulations.

6. Flyer announcing the National League of Cities Summit on Federal Education Policy at North Providence High School, June 5^th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. The flyer states that the goal of the summit is “to create an exchange of ideas between educators and federal, state and local elected officials.”

7. Annual Grade 5 Track Meet at the High School on June 3 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.

8. An email regarding the March 3, 2004 minutes, requesting a correction.

9. Email to remove a parent from the school’s ListServ. Dr. Halley responded that this will be taken care of.

10. Meeting at CCRI: Financial Management for Elected Officials on Monday, June 07, 2004 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

11. RIASC Collective Bargaining Seminar at the Radisson Airport Hotel in Warwick on June 12^th, from 8:30 am to 11:30 am.

Dr. Halley introduced the following correspondence into the record:

1. DMS has been again designated as a Regents School

Don DeFedele resumed listing correspondence:

12. Links annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on June 2, 2004

13. Invitation to a Retirement Celebration for Jolene Polidoro on Friday, June 11^th at 7:00 pm at the Quonset O Club.

14. Wickford Middle School SAC Memo requesting that School Committee institute a policy regarding the process of selecting administrators. This was sent to the policy subcommittee by the chair.

15. Letter from Forest Park SAC regarding change of start times dated March 22^nd.

16. 18^th Annual ESL Picnic at DMS on June 5, 2004

B. Bids and Awards: Bus Contracts requested by:

1. Paul and Toni Mumford

2. Joseph Peck

3. John Gibbons, Jr.; John Gibbons, III; and Edith Dutra

a. Kevin Mulvey motioned to move these items to the May 26, 2004 Business Meeting. Pat Watkins seconded the motion; all were in agreement.

The meeting recessed for five minutes.

III. Unfinished Business

A. Senior Project Update: John Lalli, Patti DiCenso Mia Conti and Richard Hartman

1. Four Components of the Senior Project include

· Project: Design a product, Improve a system, or Plan an event

· Research Paper

· Portfolio

· Presentation

2. Students are already doing these types of projects

3. The Senior Project will be required of the Class of 2008

4. All students will:

· In grade 9: Complete a Health Portfolio

· Complete in Earth Science: Research, Project, and Presentation similar to a science fair project

· Tech Readiness: Microsoft Technology

· English: writing

· Math: Geometry – scale model and reflective writing

· In Grade 10: In-Class History Day – Process paper, oral presentation

· Tech Readiness if not completed as a Freshman

· English: writing

· Math: Geometry – scale model and reflective writing (if not yet completed)

· e-Choices: career exploration

· In Grade 11: Health Portfolio

· English: writing

· Math: Geometry – scale model and reflective writing (if not yet completed)

· Career exploration

· In Grade 12: Research Paper

· Project/Product/Event

· Portfolio

· Senior Project Presentation

5. “By the time all students become seniors they ALL will have had experience at each grade level doing smaller elements of what is required for the Senior Project”

6. Mr. Lalli is asking the School Committee to make the Senior Project a mandatory requirement for graduation for all students.

7. Mr. Mulvey questioned the consequences of not passing the Senior Project, and wanted to know the time frame requirements for having the project completed.

8. Mrs. DiCenso replied that there were well established rules at the other communities that have completed their rubrics for their Senior Projects, and steering committee will get the information to Mr. Mulvey.

9. This item was moved to the May 26, 2004 Business Meeting for action.

10. Dr. Halley announced that while the members of the High School Faculty were still at the meeting he wanted to congratulate them on the high school receiving the NEASC accreditation with 21commendations. The letter is very complementary of the school and the faculty.

At this point, Kevin Mulvey motioned to approve the Home Schooling requests, so that there would be no need for an Executive Session at the end of the meeting. Pat Watkins seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

B. School Modernization Implementation – no further discussion because of the presentation.

C. 2004-05 School Budget

1. Mr. DeFedele stated that in light of the Town Council cut of $600,000.00, Dr. Halley had requested that the committee bring forward areas that they may need information about to make informed decisions should cuts need to be made.

2. Mrs. Watkins was concerned about the Referendum on the Capital Improvements. If it doesn’t pass what is the impact on bringing the buildings identified up to where they need to be and what is it going to do to the timeline?

3. Mr. DeFedele replied that his response refers back to the original “Phase I, II, III Report” which in the Phase II section made mention of increasing the capital improvement funding for improvements to the identified schools’ septic systems and fire safety, “if that does not happen, we are seriously going need to look at some other ways of having that happen.”

4. Pat Watkins stated that the school department has spent many years deferring maintenance on the buildings in light of budget cuts. She would hate to see the school department go back into that pattern.

5. Don DeFedele said that the community is going to have to give the committee direction on that. “We can’t do it without the funding.”

6. Dr. Halley replied that he felt that the committee needed to explain this more fully to the public; he did not think that they understand the need. Perhaps the committee could develop a position paper about the topic.

7. Kevin Mulvey offered a list of information about which he requested further information:

a. Looked at charging for transportation but not possible per RIDE

b. Is it possible to charge for sports? Dr. Halley responded that schools must offer basic sports, it might be possible to cut back, and those that are cut could continue as “pay to play”. Mr. DeFedele was interested in how to cut by determining which were in a “Basic Sports Program”, and Dr. Halley suggested offering one sport per season.

c. Mr. Mulvey also suggested retreating from the Full Day Kindergarten Program. School Committee budgeted for 12 kindergarten teachers, and he sees the need for 18. If only ½ day kindergarten is offered, there is only a need for 9 teachers.

d. Increase fee for building use by 50%. Mr. Quinn stated that this is not going to help the budget as this is revenue. The committee agreed to look at this item for increase in income.

e. Increase YMCA rent. Mr. Quinn stated that this is also revenue and there are tradeoffs and services that are offered to students and the schools.

f. Lower legal fees if Mr. Mudge would “discontinue filing claims that are not necessarily valid.

g. Put off adding another school to the SmART program.

h. Mr. Mulvey would like a detailed list of the $100,000.00 earmarked for technology.

8. Bill Mudge requested information about maximum class sizes and how many teachers can be saved at the high school. Dr. Halley stated that the administration was looking into that and yet they were also aware that some classes will go including some Advance Placement classes and Cisco Systems. It will be possible, however, to save some positions by combining some honors and college prep classes.

9. Mr. Martasian stated that he realized that this suggestion would be unpopular with the committee, but he felt that they should look at the School Committee’s expenses and categorize them all as well.

10. Don DeFedele asked for a cost of the Administration to the district. Dr. Halley asked that they keep in mind that they remember that, contractually they have to notice people before they cut positions.

11. Mr. DeFedele also asked what the impact will be on Job Fair. Bill Daly responded that it won’t be possible to hold the Job Fair until all decisions are made after the last School Committee Business Meeting on June 23, 2004.

12. Bill Mudge stated that he has previously asked for a list of anticipated expenditures or projects that would be paid for out of next year’s budget and has yet to receive one. Dr. Halley and Mr. Quinn have stated that to anticipate what they will need to spend next year is difficult to pin down. This type of spending that Mr. Mudge is referring to is actually unanticipated. Mr. Mudge demanded that Mr. DeFedele command the administration provide the committee a list of “one time expenditures” so that they can make a decision between cutting “equipment and teachers and equipment and programs”.

13. Mr. Quinn referred Mr. Mudge to page 3.03 of the budget which he felt gave a qualified explanation and proceeded to read his response. “You asked the question, I am going to give the answer.”

14. Mr. Mudge disagreed and exclaimed, “You are not giving me an answer! That is not an answer! I want a specific list of things that are being spent! This is baloney!”

15. Mr. DeFedele interrupted, “Excuse me! You will be respectful or you can leave!”

16. “Excuse me? What are you going to do, call the police?” was Mr. Mudge’s exclaim. “I’m not going anywhere!”

17. Carol Hueston offered her cell phone.

18. Mr. DeFedele forcefully reiterated that Mr. Mudge needed to “be respectful.”

19. Mr. Mudge loudly replied that he was “sick and tired of being rope-a-doped and misinformation being given to this committee.” Mr. DeFedele asked that Mr. Quinn supply the information that he was reading from the budget to the committee.

20. Mr. Mudge then vehemently stated that he was “not done.” Mr. DeFedele responded that there would be no further outbursts. Mr. Mudge replied to Mr. DeFedele that “It took you a long enough time to ask them to find out where $400,000.00 was spent!”

21. Pat Watkins requested a “Point of Order” and reminded the committee that Mr. Mudge stated earlier in the evening that he had no suggestions at that time.

22. Mr. Mudge then wanted to know what the surplus will be on this year’s budget from the Medicaid revenues. Mr. DeFedele reminded Mr. Mudge that the committee was discussing next year’s budget. He further reminded Mr. Mudge that those monies must be used specifically for those purposes, and that Mr. Mudge is well aware of that.

23. Dr. Halley responded that it will be negative $100,000.00, and further argument ensued regarding Medicaid.

24. Mr. Mudge then asked what the anticipated surplus in encumbrances will be. Mr. DeFedele was perplexed as to where Mr. Mudge was going with this question, and Mr. Mudge went on to explain: “There are always surpluses in encumbrances, because what Dr. Halley does is he encumbers a whole bunch of money and then he “unencumbers” it.

25. Pat Watkins, again, requested a “Point of Order” stating that Mr. Mudge did not need to educate Mr. DeFedele on how he understands the budget. It would be better for them to just agree to disagree so that the meeting could continue.

26. Mr. DeFedele stated that Mr. Mudge was asking for a number that does not exist until the school year is over. Mr. DeFedele asked for another cut, but Mr. Mudge continued to insist on lists of items that were to be bought vehemently persisting that the superintendent refused to identify them.

27. Barry Martasian stated that he respectfully wished that Mr. Mudge would “pull back on the emotion” and speak to the committee “in a tone that’s not raising our blood pressure. I don’t think it’s healthy for the committee…or healthy for anybody listening to how this conversation is going if we are yelling at each other. … I find it hard to sit here through this... We are raising the level of anxiety in this room... At some points I was actually ready to walk out that door and leave this committee… Please say whatever you have to say to who ever you want to say it to, but just don’t yell at them and bang the table.” Mr. Mudge replied that he also did not enjoy what was taking place and he gets “emotionally upside down” because he feels that “we are not going through a good process”, that the committee is getting “a lot of misinformation from the administration” and it is going to come out eventually. Mr. DeFedele responded that Mr. Mudge has repeatedly stated that they were going to be embarrassed when it comes out but he has yet to see any evidence of this occurring.

28. Pat Watkins questioned Mr. Quinn about the amount of money budgeted for fuel and if the school department had contracted with any oil company because of the volatile fuel costs. Mr. Quinn responded that they were contracted along with the town, and where economies need to be made they are being done.

29. Mr. DeFedele asked Mr. Mudge if he was interested in having the committee look at the list of budget cuts that he had previously submitted. Mr. Mudge replied that he was.

a. Suspend staff training for one year – savings of $200,000

b. Eliminate recently created PR/Grants position – Mr. DeFedele questioned Mr. Mudge if he seriously believed that this was a recently created position. Mr. Mudge responded that 2/3 of it was; he had checked the job description. Mr. DeFedele disagreed stating that it was cost effective.

c. Implementation of Fishing Cove back to a K Center – savings of 1.5 million dollars/ Dr. Halley responded that he could do staffing. Mr. Mudge would like a full budget including bussing. Mr. Martasian stated that it would require redistricting. Mr. Quinn stated that if the committee is not interested in redistricting there was no sense in considering this. Dr. Halley wanted to know where Mr. Mudge got his 1.5 million dollar figure. Mr. DeFedele agreed and requested where the $200,000 figure came from for the savings of staff development. Mr. Mudge was able to explain $350,000 for staff, but could not give the additional figures. He insisted that Dr. Halley was required to provide the budget.

D. 2003-04 School Budget - no items, discussion, or action taken

E. 2003-04 School Committee Goals and Objectives - no items, discussion, or action taken

IV. New Business

V. Reports

A. Special Reports - no items, discussion, or action taken

B. Standing/Subcommittee Reports - no items, discussion, or action taken

C. Ad hoc Committee Reports - no items, discussion, or action taken

VI. Committee Member/Citizen’s Comments

A. Resident and parent, Kathy Brown was concerned that Dr. Coppa’s questions regarding the budget cuts would not be recognized as she was not in the country during this critical time. She also has concerns about the reading program changes.

B. Dr. Halley asked why Mrs. Brown did not go to the source of information for her inquires instead of waiting until the end of School Committee Meetings to ask questions to which she will not receive the detailed responses that she seeks.

C. Resident and parent, April Brunelle, suggested that the School Committee look at cutting hockey at the high school as well as administration through out the district instead of advanced placement courses.

D. Bill Mudge stated that he was discouraged to see that Dr. Halley was sending out emails stating that the School Committee was considering cutting sports programs.

E. Barbara Fitzsimmons informed the committee that today was the 6^th or 7^th Educator’s Day throughout the district. Dr. Fitzsimmons reported that the day was successful with the “culture of the excitement of professional development.”

VII. Motion to Adjourn was made by Pat Watkins/Barry Martasian at 10:55 pm. Clock counter 3:22:09:00, pursuant to RIGL 42-46-4 and 42-46-5 (1) and (2) for Personnel Issues* and negotiations. *At the election of the employee, the personnel matter may be heard in public.

Respectfully submitted,

_______________________________________

Konnie M. Mazur

School Committee Secretary

Approved June 23, 2004