NORTH KINGSTOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Wednesday, June 12, 2002

7:00 PM Worksession

Central Administration Building                                                                                             100 Fairway Drive, North Kingstown

“Challenging Student Excellence”

Minutes

 

The following school department 2001-02 retirees were honored for their many years of dedicated and faithful service at a reception held before the worksession.

 

Deborah A. Anderson                        Fishing Cove School Kindergarten Teacher

Ruth Elaine Blaser                                North Kingstown High School English Teacher

Beverly S. Blitzer                                  District Art Teacher

Sharon Capwell                                    Quidnessett Elementary School 1st Grade Teacher

Joyce A. Coady                                    Hamilton Elementary School 2nd Grade Teacher

Joseph N. Cormier                                Quidnessett Elementary School Custodian

Ellen C. D’Agnenica                            Stony Lane Elementary School Principal

Jennifer L. Davis                                  Wickford Middle School 6th Grade Teacher

Carol J. DeCoster                                 Wickford Middle School 6th Grade Teacher

Diana L. Funke                                     Davisville Middle School Mathematics Teacher

Walter D. Kettelle                                District Transportation Supervisor

Angelina C. Lawton                             Wickford Middle School Cafeteria - Head Cook

Lois P. May                                           Stony Lane Elementary School Special Education Teacher

Nancy S. Meyer                                   Hamilton Elementary School 3rd Grade Teacher

Donna J. Neary                                     North Kingstown High School Reading Teacher

George A. Nyman                                Davisville Middle School Custodian

Romilda (Millie) Ruggieri                    North Kingstown High School Cafeteria - Food Service Worker/Cashier

Thomas P. Sandham                            North Kingstown High School Science Teacher

Christine A. Sirr                                    Davisville Middle School Mathematics Teacher

Karen S. Stenhouse                             District Speech /Language Pathologist

John W. Woodruff                              North Kingstown High School Physical Education Teacher

 

           I.          Pledge of Allegiance

 

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

 

Roll Call Present:  Chairperson Lynne Haft, Vice Chairperson Karin L. Forbes, Dr. Denise Coppa, Dr. Janice DeFrances (present at 10:50 pm), Carol H. Hueston, Patricia E. Watkins, and Cathy Kaiser, Jamestown School Committee

                                                Absent:  Michael R. Northup

 

                                                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

 

         II.          Presentation                         Presentation of GEMS-Net Awards by Betty Young and Ed Ferrario, Teacher in Residence.

GEMS-NET Award Recipients are Sally Beauman, Lynne LaStarza, Pam Ellis, Stephanie Ha, Cheryl Buck, Ellen Grennan, Jill Vitko, and Dena Chamberland.  The GEMS-NET professional development program provides and opportunity for participants to take a leadership role.

 

Special note:  Ms. Haft had received a request to add an agenda item tonight.  After the agenda has been published, an item can be added only if it has emergency status.  At 10:00 PM, the committee will recess for an executive session and then return to open session to discuss the items on the agenda not covered as of 10:00 PM.

 

           I.          Open Forum  clock counter (cc) 605

§         Sharon Schubert’s concerns regarding the special education preschool program continue.  Moving the special education preschool program has had a ripple effect on the rest of the preschool programs within the district.

§         Marion Holland gave binders to the school committee of information that she has been looking at.  The need for a southern end school is still a need.  Requested the school committee to contact RIDE and provide an enrollment report.

 

         II.          Routine Items

 

A.                  Correspondence  cc  1933

§         A memo from Dr. McGregor was at the desks of the school committee for their information and is printed here.

 

To:          School Committee

From:      Daniel J. McGregor, Ph.D.

Date:       June 12, 2002

RE:          Delivery of Special Education Programs

 

                There have been many requests to review the location of the pre-school classrooms for September ’02:

 

1.                    Davisville Elementary community

2.                    Letters from pre-school parents

3.                    SELAC

 

I spoke with Pam Weiger, parent representative, and Lynn Bushoven, pre-school coordinator, about possible classroom placements for the pre-school and selected staff about the need for an additional K-2 self-contained classroom.  The elementary schools were visited by Lynn Bushoven and by me, and the principals were asked to identify classrooms to be used for various special education programs.  When classrooms were identified, the principals met with Drs. Halley and McGregor to discuss in more detail the specifics of each placement in their schools.

                $5,000 – Time out room at Hamilton

                $5,000 – Sensory Integration room at Forest Park

                $6,000 – Playground (fence and equipment) at Forest Park

                $1,000 – Bathroom renovation at Forest Park

 

Based on all the information cited above, this is the best fit for the students’ needs and the availability of classrooms at the elementary schools.

 

                The Special Education Programs will be delivered in the following manner for 2002-2003:

                                Forest Park- Two pre-school classrooms located in Rooms 1 and 2.

                                Stony Lane- One program for developmentally delayed students located in the room adjacent to the library.

                                Hamilton- One program for BD students located in Room 20.

                                Davisville El- One program for self contained (K-2) students in Room 1.

                                Quidnessett- Current self-contained class (Gr. 3-5) stays at Quidnessett.

 

§         The committee received many invitations to school events.

§         Pat Watkins received emails regarding the preschool, a letter from Mrs. Kondon in which a parent complimented a teacher at DMS, and letters regarding legal matters- one from the Attorney General and two from the attorneys for the school department.

§         Lynne Haft received a letter from the Attorney General on the topic of design and implementation to construct the new high school- there is no information to indicate criminal behavior on the part of anyone involved in the project.  The open meetings violation was dismissed.  Received legislation information.  Congratulations to the DARE graduates.

 

 

 

 

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

       III.          Unfinished Business

A.                  2001-02 School Budget- None

B.                   2002-03 School Budget

Proposed adjustments to the 2002-2003 School Committee Budget in order to

bring it into conformance with the Town Council Budget as of May 1, 2002

 

Clerical error correction

$67,669

17415625-525001

 

 

Principal Salary

78,681

17421506-511001

 

 

Certificated retirement for Principal

5,453

17421506-522001

 

 

FICA for Principal

6,019

17421506-524001

 

 

Health for Principal

9,404

17421506-525001

 

 

Clerk Salary

20,602

17421506-515001

 

 

FICA for Clerk

1,576

17421506-524001

 

 

Health for Clerk

9,404

17421506-525001

 

 

Paraprofessional Salary (1 4 hr)

7,384

17421506-519001

 

 

FICA for Paraprofessionals

565

17421506-524001

 

 

Health for Paraprofessionals

6,898

17421506-525001

 

 

Custodian Salary (1.0)

24,294

17414806-518001

 

 

FICA for Custodian

1,859

17414806-524001

 

 

Health for Custodian

10,452

17414806-525001

 

 

Librarian Salary (.5)

20,448

17235306-513201, 17235406-513301

Certificated retirement for Librarian

1,418

17235306-522001, 17235406-522001

FICA for Librarian

1,566

17235306-524001, 17235406-524001

Health for Librarian

1,308

17235306-525001, 17235406-525001

 

$275,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Town Council reduction

$275,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Difference

---

 

 

 

 

Discussion:  Can we use the .5% State Aid that was allocated to North Kingstown schools over and above what is budgeted?  Dr. Halley has requested the town manager to take action on this.

Public comment:

§         Did you look at any other areas to make cuts?

§         What are the school transportation savings?  Response: The busing expense is substantially the same.

§         Question regarding renovation costs from moving kindergarten and preschool.  Response: It will cost $17,000 to renovate four elementary schools to accommodate our special needs program.  This will come from the Maintenance Budget.

§         How much space does the PTRC need?  The school committee accepted closing Fishing Cove School to save $275,000.  If you keep two aspiring principals and a third assistant principal, this represents $250,000 in costs.

 

The proposed adjustments will be on the 6/26/02 business meeting agenda for approval.

 

C.                   2001-02 School Department Goals and Objectives- None

D.                  2002-03 School Department Goals and Objectives

A separate meeting, possibly in a “retreat” setting, will be held to discuss goals and objectives during the third week in August.  A suggestion was made to invite school committee candidates. 

Public comment:

§         A list of the 2002-03 goals and objectives needs to be made available.  Goals and objectives seem to be changing.

§         Include the public in the process.  Run the Decision Center for the parents.

§         If you involve the parents in long-range planning, we would support you.  Need more concrete goals.  Dr. Halley responded that the Mission Statement did involve the public.  It serves as a blueprint.  School improvement plans are tied to it.  Dr. Coppa said that the committee does strategic planning.

 

       IV.          New Business

 

A.                  Curriculum Coordinators Report-  The committee accepted the report and thanked all the teachers for their hard work.  The Foreign Language Department was asked to review the curriculum for students going from Spanish III, Phase III to Spanish IV, Phase IV.

 

B.                   Summer School Proposal- 2002

There was consensus for Donna Thompson to go ahead with the Policies, Programs, and Calendar for 2002 Summer School Programs as presented.  The Program will be on the June 26, 2002 business meeting agenda for approval.

 

C.                   Neighborhood Schools  cc  11320

Elementary School K-5 Organization Committee

 

Be it resolved that the school committee appoints representatives of the school community to a committee to study the issue of offering Kindergarten through grade five instruction in seven elementary schools.  This committee will be composed of a representative nominated by the School Advisory Committee of each school supplemented by volunteers representing various constituencies of the school community to include parents, teachers, staff, administrators, community members, town officials and students.  The committee will consist of no more than twenty members and will elect its chair from among the members.  The task of the Elementary School K-5 Organization Committee will be to propose and implement a reorganization of the current elementary schools into seven elementary schools serving distinct areas of the town.  A final report detailing the attendance areas and the detailed budget to support the proposal will be presented to the school committee no later than the Work Session of November 2002.  An interim report detailing the attendance zones proposed will be presented to the school communities for review during the month of October 2002.  The detailed budget presented will utilize the same criteria and format that the Director of Administration uses in developing the Annual School Budget.  Assistance in developing this budget will be provided by school department employees as necessary.  The committee will then be responsible for presenting the elementary portion of the school department budget to the school committee for approval as well as advocating the budget to the voters of the town if necessary.

 

                Dr. Halley will present the budget to the school committee in January.  The school committee agrees that the Elementary School K-5 Organization Committee should be formed.  The charge for this committee will be on the June 26, 2002 agenda for approval with the understanding that application to be on the committee will begin now.

 

Public input:

§         Problem with the timeframe.  I think you’re forcing us to do in a short length of time what you have tried to do in a short length of time.  Summertime is a big obstacle.

§         You never had a budget with your plans; you should put together a budget.  We don’t have the ability to look at the entire budget and look at areas to possibly cut.  It will only look like a big addition and it won’t fly. Can we make “budget cut” suggestions?  Response:  You would have to sell it to the school committee because the school committee makes the final decision on the budget.  It would also increase your knowledge base.  It is not the school committee’s intention to set you up to fail.

§         Last year’s budget is a seven school budget.  The budget is almost impossible to decipher.  It is almost mandatory to have a liaison from the school committee.  I would like to see this work.  Comments made by the school committee put people on the defensive.

§         Must have a member of the school committee on the Elementary School Committee.  Need to get rid of two words- us and them.  Response:  We need to start mending fences.  The school committee needs to be met halfway.

§         This is a daunting task.  I don’t think it’s the job of parents to put together a budget.  People need time to process trust.  I think you need an advisory council.

§         Budgeting is a series of decisions about tradeoffs.

 

D.                  Davisville Elementary and Forest Park Elementary Facilities Improvements  cc  21735

Capital improvements for the schools are incorporated into the five year Asset Management Town Plan.  Additions to Davisville Elementary, Forest Park, and Wickford Middle Schools are slated to build additions in the out years.  This is a program driven process, not a population driven process since we have an excess of seats.  A charge will be prepared for this committee composed of SAC members, community members and possibly a school committee liaison.  Project costs will need to be determined to support the programmatic needs of these schools and be presented to the school committee and town council by November.  By January, the plans should be submitted to the Board of Regents.  This will increase taxes.  The biggest hurdle will be to convince the taxpayers.

Public input: 

§            Will this push off the southern end school again?  Dr. Halley replied that you would have to trade off an elementary school to get a school in the southern end of town.

§            You need to look at the budget in its entirety.  Is this the first step in solving the long-term problem?  Response:  We’ll be discussing goals and objectives.

§            It seems like the two committees suggested should be combined.

 

The charge for the committee to improve school facilities will be on the 6/26/02 business meeting agenda for approval.

 

E.                   Letter regarding Proposed Development off School Street for approval  cc  24653

A letter was drafted regarding the Proposed Development off School Street to:

Ms. Pamela J. Shupp

AICP, Home Program Coordinator

Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance Corporation

 

Dear Ms. Shupp,

 

I am writing this letter in response to your Memorandum of May 7, 2002 on the subject of Proposed Project for Plat 155, Lots 1 and 4, off School Street, North Kingstown, RI.  You have asked me to comment on the impact of the proposed development on the school district and the district’s ability to provide educational services to the residents.

 

Assuming that each of the twelve units might have three elementary aged students the maximum impact on Davisville Elementary School would be thirty-six students.  Davisville Elementary School is a small elementary school that serves a high percentage of students within walking distance of the school.  The school has limited capacity.  For School Year 2002/3, the fourth and fifth grade students from Davisville Elementary School will attend Quidnessett Elementary School due to a shortage of space at Davisville Elementary School.   The addition of housing units to the Davisville Elementary School attendance area would have a negative impact on that school.  There would be no negative impact on either Davisville Middle School or North Kingstown High School.

 

In spite of the comments in the previous paragraph the impact of the proposed housing on the entire North Kingstown School district would not be negative.  The district as an entity has more than adequate space and programs to provide quality educational services to the residents of the proposed project.  The North Kingstown School Department is committed to efforts to insure that our community provides opportunities to a cross section of demographic, cultural and economic diversity that is representative of the population at large.  Our students benefit by being a part of a diverse community.

 

James M. Halley

Superintendent of Schools

 

The superintendent was asked to add a paragraph to the above letter requesting that the units not be started for one to two years and that the project should be phased in.  The revised letter will be on the June 26, 2002 business meeting agenda for approval.

Dr. Halley was asked to write a letter to the Town Council asking them to not remove the impact fee for Habitat for Humanity for Rhode Island, South County, Inc. to develop Lots 1 and 4 off School Street in North Kingstown, more specifically located off Ellis Road (a private roadway).  The following represents the proposed Project Description:

 

                This site is located in the Davisville section of North Kingstown, an area targeted for neighborhood revitalization.  Sixty percent of the households in the neighborhood are in the low to moderate-income range.  The Site is a vacant 24-acre parcel, previously the home of a gravel removal operation.

 

                Twelve units in duplex configuration  are planned, with an average of 3 bedrooms per unit.  Access to the property is by a private gravel road, which will be owned and maintained by Habitat, abutters, and the habitat homeowners.  A community septic system will serve all units.  Municipal water and electricity are available from School Street via Ellis Road and Eldredge Avenue.

                               

                                In accordance with 24 CFR Part 58, Rhode Island Housing is reviewing the project for environmental impact on the physical and social elements of the specific site and the community.

 

                                As part of that review, we are assessing the effect on educational facilities and would appreciate knowing what, if any impact the proposed development might have on the school district and your ability to provide educational services to the residents.  Any other information or comments you have regarding the proposed project are also welcome.

 

                                Public comment:

§         Davisville Elementary School is at 51% poverty.  At what point is too much?  I think it’s very unfair.

§         Comment regarding a zoning change currently before the town council that will add more housing to the Davisville area.

 

           I.          A motion to adjourn to Executive Session pursuant to RIGL 42-46-4 and 42-46-5 (a) (1) and (2) for Personnel issues*, litigation, and the superintendent’s evaluation for discussion was made by Carol Hueston/Pat Watkins at 10:06 PM.  A roll call vote yielded unanimous approval.  *At the election of the employee, the personnel matter may be heard in public.  The committee will be returning to open session after the executive session to carry out the remainder of the agenda.  The open session resumed at 10:50 PM.  Dr. DeFrances was added to the number of school committee members present.  Clock counter 30350.

 

F.                   Policies- This agenda item will on the August 14, 2002 worksession agenda.

1.                    Request Discussion on Issue Papers regarding Proposed Policies

a.                    Home Schooling- IHBG

b.                   School Volunteers- IJOC

c.                    Deviation from Attendance Boundary Policy- Administrative Regulation- JCAC-R

2.                    Approval of Policy Amendment

a.                    Student Conduct, Behavior, and Discipline- JICD

 

G.                   Discussion of RIGL 16-38-6 Restrictions on commercial activity and fundraising in public schools- This agenda item will on the August 14, 2002 worksession agenda.

 

H.                  Placement of a Student on the School Committee for discussion- This agenda item will on the August 14, 2002 worksession agenda where the committee may talk about what route to take and how the Student Council can participate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I.                     Graduation Credit Requirements

 

Proposal from Gerald Foley, Principal of NKHS

                The incoming freshmen class (Class of 2006) will need 21 credits to graduate from North Kingstown High School.  Currently all students at NKHS need 20 credits to graduate.  We now have a seven period schedule (7x4 =28 credits).  Half of this additional credit will be made up by completing a semester course in the fine/performing arts.  The remaining half of this additional credit will be made up by taking one of our existing, elective semester courses.  We are currently reviewing in committee format the best future schedule for NKHS.  We will be making recommendations on the future schedule to the NK School Committee in the Fall of 2002 for consideration for the 2003-04 school year.  A new schedule could bring with it additional credits necessitated to graduate from NKHS.

The Graduation Credit Requirements proposal will be on the June 26, 2002 business meeting for approval.

 

J.                    High School Physical Education Report- This agenda item will be on the August 14, 2002 worksession agenda.  Administration was asked to provide specific information in the High School Physical Report.  As a result of adding a .4 teaching position, how has this affected the failure rate and participation rate?  Need numbers of students and details.

 

K.                  Sports Camps Report- Thank you to Aaron Thomas.  The committee was very pleased with his report.

 

L.                   Response to Quarterly Security Report  cc  32000

Dr. Halley has spoken to the high school athletic director.  Some of it is over-reporting where no repair is required.  The report can be broken down into two parts- one for disciplinary action and one for property damage.  The high school is making sure that restrooms are supervised.  We probably should pursue the idea of a camera system.

 

         II.          Comments

§         Dr. Coppa recommended the play Lest We Forget that can be viewed on Statewide Interconnect.

§         Ms. Watkins complimented the artwork in the Media Center.  Can the School Committee Room get a bookcase with a glass front to display the work of students?

§         Lynne Haft thanked the community for supporting the budget.  The students thank you as well.  Ms. Haft commented that the addition to Quidnessett was discussed publicly.  My vote to close Fishing Cove School was not only to save $275,000; it was the best move educationally.  The DARE graduations were terrific.  The LINKS luncheon was well attended and the food was great.

§         Dr. Halley said that this is the time of year to recognize wonderful things.  Thank you for your support of the referendum.  “We have a great community and great results in the schools.”

§         Teri Ohs would like to see community service as a credit class.

§         Cathy Brown commented regarding a lack of space and overcrowding in the elementary schools.

§         Richard Lipsitz asked about school opening times.

§         A parent commented that we’re going to lose space for these good programs.  We just don’t trust.  We’re not going to get answers until August.  I want to get the trust back.

 

       III.          A motion to adjourn was made by Denise Coppa/Carol Hueston (6/0) at 11:34 PM.

 

 

                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                                                                _______________________________________

                                                                                                Donna F. Keough

                                                                                                School Committee Secretary