NORTH KINGSTOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Wednesday, August 8, 2001

7:00 PM Worksession Meeting

 

Stony Lane Elementary School Library                                                                                       825 Stony Lane, North Kingstown

“Challenging Student Excellence”

Minutes

 

 

           I.          Pledge of Allegiance

 

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

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

 

                                                Administration Present:  James M. Halley, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools, Barbara A. Fitzsimmons, Ed.D., Curriculum Director, and William J. Daly, Director of Human Resources

                                                      Absent:  Daniel J. McGregor, Ph.D., Director of Pupil Personnel Services and Joseph F. Quinn, Jr., Director of Administrative Services

 

 

       III.          Open Forum

 

Ø       Robert Sullivan, representing the teachers, requested that he be allowed to voice concerns regarding the opening date of school and the proposals for the high school in terms of the advisory component and school lunch at the appropriate time during the meeting.

 

       IV.          Presentation                         Presentation of North Kingstown High School Opening Ceremony and Dedication by the High School Community Liaison Committee

 

The North Kingstown High School Community Liaison Committee has planned a great Opening Ceremony and Dedication during Homecoming Weekend (October 12-14).  With an official dedication, many tours, special entertainment on Friday evening, a homecoming parade, football game, performances by civic groups, and refreshments, an opportunity will be presented to thank taxpayers for their commitment and for the public to watch the educational process at work.  The Liaison Committee intends to create a Scholarship Fund in honor of the school dedication and will raise funds by selling auditorium seats at $100 each.  Plaques with the buyer’s name will be installed to recognize their contribution.  Dr. Halley and the School Committee thanked the Liaison Committee for their work in promoting the project and keeping the community informed over the past four years. 

 

A motion to extend a vote of confidence to go forward with the planning of the Opening of the High School was made by Denise Coppa/Pat Watkins (8/0).

 

         V.          Reports

 

A.                  Adult Education Report by Ms. Gail Burda

 

Ms. Burda reported that the program now offers thirty-two online classes.  Adult Education is also accepting credit card payment for courses.  A professional ad on COX CABLE is being planned.  As the tenth year is being celebrated, attendance averages five hundred students per session.  Ms. Burda requested support from the North Kingstown School Department to either receive clerical help or funding to hire a part-time secretary/clerk.

 

 

       VI.          Routine Items

 

A.                  Correspondence

Ø       Pat Watkins received a brochure to attend a workshop on Educational Leadership on August 20, the Curriculum Guides for Kindergarten through Fifth Grade, and SORICO Real Estate Holding Corporation Annual Meeting Minutes.

Ø       Karin Forbes received an e-mail from Mr. Mudge regarding the “A” Building, and an NSBA letter regarding Special Education Funding.  It was requested that Dr. Halley write a position paper to legislators in support of Special Education Funding. 

Ø       Lynne Haft received a thank you note from a recent retiree, and a letter accepting the proposal for a North Kingstown School District Team to participate as facilitators in a Key Work roundtable discussion during the 62nd NSBA Annual Conference.

 

B.                   Calendar

The Superintendent reviewed the calendar for the next two weeks with the School Committee.  Mr. Sullivan, Mrs. Fournier, and Ms. Rowland asked questions regarding a possible delay in the opening of the high school.  Dr. Halley said that the first day of school for grades 1-9 is August 29.  Grades 10-12 will start August 30.  When and if the start date changes, notification will be made by every means available. 

 

CONSENT AGENDA

Approved items on the consent agenda are marked with * on a motion by Karin Forbes and seconded by Mike Northup (7/0).

Approved items that were exempted from the consent agenda are marked with **  as indicated immediately following the item.

C.                   Personnel Items*

1.                    Appointment, Administrator:

 

a)                  Ruthanne Hienerwadel, Principal at Wickford Elementary School with a salary of $74,641, effective August 1, 2001.

 

b)                  Michael J. Donahue, Director of Guidance at the North Kingstown High School, with an annual salary of $73,191, effective August 1, 2001.

 

c)                  John E. Lalli, Assistant Principal at the North Kingstown High School with an annual salary of $72,864, effective August 1, 2001.

 

2.                  Appointment, Certificated Staff:

 

a)                  Elizabeth Parvo, 1.0 FTE Science Teacher at the North Kingston High School, Step 2 + a Bachelors plus 30 credits with an annual salary of $34,040, effective August 27, 2001.

 

b)                  Mary Elizabeth Clarke, Speech Teacher for the Extended School Special Education Program, up to 15 hours per week, July 9, 2001 through August 17, 2001, $22.50 per hour.

 

c)                  Nancy Franzese, Pre-School Special Education Teacher for the Extended School Year Special Education Program at Fishing Cove School, Tuesday and Thursday, July 9, 2001 through August 17, 2001, $22.50 per hour, 9:30 am – 12:00.

 

d)                  Caylen Macera, Middle School Special Education Teacher for the Extended School Year Special Education Program at Stony Lane Elementary School, Monday through Friday, July 9, 2001 through August 17, 2001, $22.50 per hour, 8:00 am – 11:00 am.

 

e)                  Albert Wooten, High School Special Education Teacher for the Extended School Year Special Education Program at Wickford Middle School, Monday through Friday, July 9, 2001 through August 17, 2001, $22.50 per hour, 8:00 am – 11:00 am.

 

f)                    Lynda DeJesus, Occupational Therapist for the Extended School Year Special Education Program, July 9, 2001 through August 17, 2001, $22.50 per hour.

 

g)                  Bonnie Brayton-Simmons, 1.0 FTE Itinerant School Nurse Teacher, Step 1 with an annual salary of $30,797, effective August 27, 2001.

 

h)                  Heather Allaby, 1.0 FTE Science Teacher at the North Kingstown High School, Step 2 + a Bachelors plus 30 credits with an annual salary of $34,040, effective August 27, 2001.

 

i)                    Helen Johnson, .4 FTE Enrichment Coordinator at Quidnessett Elementary School, Step 10 + a Masters plus 30 credits with an annual salary of $23,696, effective August 27, 2001.

 

j)                    Keleigh Sabourin, .8 FTE Itinerant Speech Teacher, Step 7 + a Masters with an annual salary of $37,418, effective August 27, 2001.

 

k)                  Celestino Marsocci, .2 FTE Industrial Arts at Davisville Middle School, Step 10 plus a Masters + 30 credits with an annual salary of $11,848, effective August 27, 2001.

 

l)                    Nina A. Smith, .5 FTE Art Teacher at Forest Park Elementary School, Step 1 plus a Bachelors + 30 credits with an annual salary of $16,127.50, effective August 27, 2001.

 

m)                Teresa Martinez, .6 FTE Music Teacher at Forest Park Elementary School, Step 10 plus a Masters with an annual salary of $35,068, effective August 27, 2001.

 

n)                  Patrissa Luzzi, 1.0 FTE English Teacher at the North Kingstown High School, Step 7 + a Masters plus 30 credits with an annual salary of $47,565, effective August 27, 2001.

 

o)                   Linda Law, 1.0 FTE Media Specialist/Enrichment Coordinator at Davisville Elementary School, Step 2 + a Masters with an annual salary of $35,104, effective

August 27, 2001.

 

p)                   Andrea Axile, 1.0 FTE Family & Consumer Science Teacher at the North Kingstown High School, Step 10 plus a Masters with an annual salary of $58,446, effective August 27, 2001.

 

q)                   James Bray, Itinerant School Psychologist, Step 10 plus a C.A.G.S. with an annual salary of $59,505, effective August 27, 2001.

 

3.                  Appointments, Non-Certificated Staff:

 

a)                  Donna Poirier, 3rd Shift Custodian at the North Kingstown High School, 8 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 40 hours per week, Step 1 @ $10.90 per hour + an hourly stipend of $.20 for a total hour rate of $11.10, effective July 17, 2001.

 

b)                  Catherine O’Connell, Clerk at the North Kingstown High School, 7 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 35 hours per week, Step 10 @ $14.40 per hour, effective August 27, 2001.

 

c)                  Shauna Bucci, Special Education Sign Language Paraprofessional for the Summer Pre-School Special Education Extended School Year Program at Fishing Cove School, July 9, 2001 – August 17, 2001, Monday through Friday, 9:30 am – 12:00, $12.00 per hour.

 

d)                  Joseph Fagan, 2nd Shift Custodian at the North Kingstown High School, 8 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 40 hours per week, Step 3 @ $11.55 per hour, effective July 17, 2001.

 

e)                  Deborah A. Gardiner, Food Service Worker at Wickford Elementary School, 3 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 15 hours per week, Step 2 @ $7.77 per hour, effective August 27, 2001.

 

f)                    Kirk MacGregor, Roving Custodian for the North Kingstown School Department, 8 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 40 hours per week, Step 3 @ $11.55 per hour plus an hourly stipend of $.25 for a total hourly rate of $11.80, effective July 30, 2001.

 

4.                  Appointments, 2001 Summer School Staff:

 

Gary Nelson                          Algebra 1                                               $1,364

Lisa Cimerol                          Math & Reading                                  $1034

Gen Meegan                         Math & Reading                                  $1034

Donna Simone                      Math & Reading                                  $1034

Denise Braum                       Computer                                               $1034

Candice Hoffer                     Hip Hop                                                 $1034

Elizabeth Bolig                      Drama                                                     $1034

Susan Birch                           Science                                                  $1034

Jessica Giguere                     Study Skills                                           $ 660

Jenny LaBreque                   Undersea A-Z                                       $ 660

Patricia Mallozzi                   Rain Forest                                            $ 594

Jane Berry                             Write Stuff                                            $ 330

Megan Padroza                    Poetry                                                    $ 397

Leah LaPorte                         Spanish                                                  $ 330

Erin Sherman                         Sign Language                                     $ 330

Trish Armstrong                  Scrapbook                                             $ 330

Pamela Bilodeau                   Paraprofessional  $                              $ 600

 

5.                  Appointment, Interscholastic Coaches:

 

North Kingstown High School

 

Jason Shabo                         Summer Weight Training Coach       $2619

Keith Kenyon                       Head Football Coach                           $4101

Art Fiore                                Assistant Football Coach                   $3175

Richard Downey                  Assistant Football Coach                   $3175

Thomas Kenworthy             Assistant Football Coach                   $3175

Robert Downey                    Assistant Football Coach                   $3175

Jason Shabo                         Fall Weight Training Coach               $2619

Jeremiah Ryan                      Volunteer Asst. Football Coach        $-----

John Resendes                     Head Boys Soccer Coach                   $3113

Keith Anderson                   Asst. Boys Soccer Coach                   $2038

Steve Froberg                       Asst. Boys Soccer Coach                   $2038

Michaela Zinno                    Head Girls Soccer Coach                    $3113

Kevin Powers                       Asst. Girls Soccer Coach                    $2434

Keven O’Neil                        Girls Cross Country Coach $2223

Julie Maguire                        Head Field Hockey Coach                  $3113

Jill Novasad                          Asst. Field Hockey Coach                  $2038

Kristine Graham                    Asst. Field Hockey Coach                  $2434

Joanne Fitts                          Head Boys Volleyball Coach             $3113

Walt Hopwood                     Asst. Boys Volleyball Coach             $2038

Melissa Kelley-Downey     Head Football Cheerleading               $1755

                                                Coach

 

Amanda Marzullo                Volunteer Asst. Cheerleading            $-----

                                                      Coach

Melissa Waterman               Head Girls Tennis Coach                    $1729

Kevin DuBois                       Asst. Girls Tennis Coach                    $1297

 

                                Davisville Middle School

Dennis Brown                       Head Cross Country Coach               $2249

 

                                Wickford Middle School

Raymond Tanguay              Head Cross Country Coach               $2249

 

6.                  Resignation, Certificated Staff:

 

a)                  Christine Pierce, .6 FTE Itinerant Music Teacher, effective August 27, 2001.

 

b)                  Robin Kravitz, Principal at Wickford Elementary School, effective July 31, 2001.

 

c)                  Denise Champney, .8 FTE Speech Teacher at Fishing Cove School, effective August 18, 2001.

 

d)                  Timothy Dwyer, 1.0 FTE Itinerant School Psychologist, effective August 27, 2001.

 

e)                  Theresa Aldrich, 1.0 FTE Special Education Teacher at the North Kingstown High School, effective August 26, 2001.

 

7.                  Resignation, Non-Certificated Staff:

 

a)                  Lori Steenson, Food Service Worker/Junior Cook and Breakfast Supervisor at Wickford Elementary School, 4 hours per day (3 +1), 5 days a week for a total of 20 hours per week, effective July 6, 2001.

 

b)                  Beverly Brown, Food Service Worker at the North Kingstown High School, 5 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 25 hours per week, effective July 30, 2001.

 

c)                  Janet Romano, Food Service Worker at Forest Park Elementary School, 2 hours per day, 5 days a week, 10 hours per week, effective August 6, 2001.

 

8.                  Retirement, Certificated Staff:

 

a)                  Paul Murphy, 1.0 FTE Language Arts Teacher at the North Kingstown High School, effective July 25, 2001.

 

9.                  Retirement, Non-Certificated Staff:

 

a)                  George Ellis, 2nd Shift Custodian at the North Kingstown High School, 8 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 40 hours per week, effective July 5, 2001.

 

10.              Correction of School Committee Meeting, May 23, 2001, Item V.F.3.  Delete the below item.

 

Joanne Fitts                          Volleyball 2B                         $880

 

 

 

D.                  Portuguese Textbooks for Adoption*

1.                    Bom Dia, Book A

2.                    Bom Dia, Book B

 

This fall the Foreign Language department will add Portuguese to its language offerings.  A second year of Portuguese will be offered next year.

 

E.                   2001-2002 Standing Orders*

F.                   Approval of Minutes of Prior Meetings*

3.                    May 9, 2001 School Committee Executive Session

4.                    May 23, 2001 School Committee Executive Session

5.                    June 13, 2001 School Committee Executive Session

6.                    June 13, 2001 School Committee Worksession

7.                    June 27, 2001 School Committee Business Meeting

 

G.                   NKHS “A” Building Auditorium Used Equipment*

The North Kingstown Performing Arts Center request the donation of A Building’s used theater equipment.  They are offering $3,000.00 over three years ($1,000.00 per year) as payment for this equipment.  In addition, all labor to remove any equipment would be provided by their organization.  The following items wish to be acquired:  stage curtains rods and hardware, stage lighting complete with controls/dimmers etc., sound system, 6 vacuum vapor lights, 8 foot florescent lights, 6 square tables, 6 round tables, and 6 filing cabinets/4 drawer.

END OF CONSENT AGENDA

     VII.          Unfinished Business

 

A.                  2001-02 School Budget

Dr. Halley reported that right now there is a revenue shortfall of $340,000 based upon appropriations from the legislature.  However, reductions in local contributions to the retirement fund of 1.5% have resulted in a $300,000 reduction in expenditures.  There in no need to make adjustments or prioritize the budget.  The adopted budget should be the “blueprint” for next year.

 

   VIII.          New Business

 

A.                  Career/Vocational Curriculum and Textbooks

Background:         The Business Department of the Career/Vocational Education Curriculum area has completed work on most of their curriculum and has selected textbooks to support these courses.  They would like to proceed with textbook adoption in order to have new materials in their classrooms for the coming school year.

 

                                                                The remainder of the Career/Vocational Education curriculum will be completed during the coming year and materials selected for purchase before the end of the fiscal year.

 

                                Cost:                                       Approximately $29,000        Funding Source:                   Textbook budget

                                Beginning Date:                   September 2001

                                Ending Date:                         Per the curriculum cycle

                                Recommendation or Comment:          Recommend accepting the curriculum and approving textbook adoption.

 

                                Career/Vocational Education Curriculum and Textbook Adoption will be on the August 22 business meeting agenda for adoption.

 

 

B.                   Presentation Formats

Specific guidelines for Presentations before the School Committee were discussed at the worksession.  The following suggestions were made.

 

                                1.         Reports should be in writing and the author(s) of the report should be present at the meeting to answer questions.

2.              A time guideline should be formulated for school presentations- fifteen to twenty minutes.

3.              Any paperwork should be received before the meeting or the presentation will not proceed.

4.              Advocacy, information gathering, and recognizing great things that are happening are different types of presentations and there shouldn’t be guidelines for these.

5.              Student Presentations should be at the beginning of the agenda.

 

                                Presentation Format Guidelines will be drafted and presented at the August 22 business meeting.

 

C.                   2001-2002 Enrollments

The Superintendent reported that enrollments look pretty good for this time of year.  Kindergarten has a distribution problem between AM and PM and some elementary classes seem to be somewhat high; however, the numbers do not include out of district placements.  After these are incorporated, the numbers will even out somewhat and then enrollments will be further evaluated.  Dr. Halley is concerned that Davisville Elementary School is very crowded in terms of use of space.

 

D.                  Discussion of Capital Improvement Committee Report and School Committee Process/Timeline for Capital Improvement Plan Development

 

Dr. Halley impressed upon the school committee that if there is going to be a capital improvement outlay, they need to develop a request by October so that the Town Council can consider floating a bond and incorporate it into the total Town Capital Improvement Plan in November.  Any referendum next Fall necessitates a proposal to the State by November, 2001.  An agreement must therefore be reached between the school committee and the town council by November.  Public hearings will be held in September.  The Capital Improvement Advisory Committee listed the five following options.  The school committee intends to rank the options and have a philosophical discussion at the August 22 business meeting. 

 

1.                    Capital improvements to existing schools; no new school; no grade reconfiguration.

2.                    Reconfigure grades of schools through pairing.

3.                    The construction of a new elementary school at the south-end of North Kingstown.

4.                    Close an existing school in order to replace one school administration with another in the Southern end of town.

5.                    Convert Wickford Middle School to an elementary school and convert Fishing Cove School to a state of the art middle school by means of renovations and additions.

 

E.                   NKHS Committee 2002 Recommendations

 

Any implementation problems regarding the single lunch period cited at the June 27 business meeting have been resolved.  School starting time will be two minutes different and homeroom time will be moved from before first period to after first period.  Mr. Sullivan expressed his concern that teachers were not part of the process in developing the recommendations.  He also questioned whether the Advisory Period is Counseling.  Mr. Foley said the Advisory Period’s purpose is to personalize education and that they are looking to make more contact at home with parents.  In response to the propriety of the process, the principal of the high school thought that they had established a process and had followed through.  Dr. Halley assured the School Committee that professional development would take place as part of the Advisory Program.

 

The NKHS Committee 2002 Recommendations were approved on a motion by Pat Watkins/Denise Coppa (8/0).

 

 

 

F.                   Annual Agenda

In the past, the committee has heard from each curriculum coordinator and where their subject is in the curriculum cycle.  Each school presented a self-study and the effects of SPECTRA were highlighted.  A discussion was held and ideas for next year’s agenda are listed.

 

1.                    How are new concepts in education working out?

2.                    Report from Health Program; Athletic Training Report in December and June.  Process of Health Program and Evaluation

3.                    Hold the worksession at different schools each month.

4.                    NKHS Accreditation Update

5.                    Kindergarten Accreditation

6.                    Any other accreditations- SALT visitations for Wickford Elementary School, Wickford Middle School, and Davisville Elementary School

7.                    Music Program; Enrichment Program

8.                    ESL Program

9.                    Cathy Kaiser requested a presentation to the Jamestown School Committee on the topics of Accreditation, Phases I and II this year and Phases III and IV next year.

10.                 Develop a report template so that Administration knows what the committee wants when a report is requested.

11.                 Develop a framework in terms of what ways do programs enhance student achievement.  Develop a critical eye.  Use surveys and data.  Ask questions in analysis of the program.

12.                 Develop a series of essential questions regarding school improvement.  What are primary objectives of school improvement that enhances student achievement?

 

Annual Agenda will be continued at the August 22 business meeting.

 

       IX.          Comments

 

Ø       Ms. Coppa would like to make some corrections to the 2001-02 Standing Orders.  2001-02 Standing Orders as Amended will be on the August 22 business meeting for approval.

 

         X.          A motion to adjourn to Executive Session pursuant to RIGL 42-46-4 and 42-46-5 (1) and (2) for Personnel Issues*, Home Schooling Requests, and Negotiations was made by Karin Forbes/Carol Hueston (7/0) at 9:50 PM.  *At the election of the employee, the personnel matter may be heard in public.

 

 

                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                                                                _______________________________________

                                                                                                Donna F. Keough

                                                                                                School Committee Secretary