NORTH KINGSTOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Wednesday, August 13, 2003

6:30 PM Executive Session for a Student Appeal Pursuant to RIGL 42-46-4 and 42-46-5 (1) and (2)

7:00 PM Worksession

Central Administration Building                                                                                                                                                                                                                      100 Fairway Drive, North Kingstown

“Challenging Student Excellence”

 

Minutes

 

 

                                               I.      Pledge of Allegiance

                                             II.      Call To Order The meeting was called to order at 7:14 PM.

                                           III.      Roll Call                          Present:  Chairperson Don DeFedele, Vice Chairperson Dr. Denise Coppa,

                                              Carol Hueston, Barry Martasian, Bill Mudge, Kevin Mulvey, Pat Watkins, and

                                              Cathy Kaiser, Jamestown School Committee Representative

                                                                               

                                                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

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

   

 

                                           IV.      Presentation   Pupil Personnel Services Improvement Plan Executive Summary: Dr. Daniel McGregor

Dr. McGregor presented the Improvement Plan Summary to the School Committee and answered questions put forth by the committee.

·         Dr. Coppa was interested in knowing how the School Committee would know when and if goals were met.  Dr. McGregor replied that he could supply reports.  If goals are not met, they would be carried over to the following year.

·         Mr. DeFedele wanted to know if the Pupil Personnel Services Improvement Plan was included in the School Improvement Plan.  Dr. McGregor replied in the affirmative.

·         Mr. Mudge wanted to know the metrics for measuring success.  Dr. McGregor said that he would have to request that information from each department for Mr. Mudge.

·         Denise Coppa was curious if there was any mention about staffing being inadequate. “Two social workers seem inadequate.”  Dr. McGregor responded that guidelines require one social worker for every 2500 students, and “we do fall within those guidelines.”

 

                                             V.      Open Forum – No audience member participation

 

 

                                           VI.      Routine Items

 

A.                  Correspondence and Good News

·         Pat Watkins mentioned the thank you notes received from the school department retirees; and the letter received regarding the May 21 and May 28 meetings and the difficulty with the sound.

·         Bill Mudge would like to make sure that the Suglia reassignment is heard.

·         Don DeFedele mentioned that he attended a banquet honoring Eagle Scout Matt Welesko.

 

B.                   Calendars – Dr. Halley and Don DeFedele went over the calendars for the next two weeks with the School Committee

 

Pat Watkins/Carol Hueston motioned to end the meeting at 9:45 pm for Comments, so that the meeting could adjourn to Executive Session.  Vote on this motion 6/1, Bill Mudge abstaining.

 

Bill Mudge amended this motion to include the Suglia appeal prior to the end of the Worksession.  Vote on the amendment: 7/0.

 

 

 CONSENT AGENDA

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

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

Withdrawn or Tabled Items from the consent agenda are marked with *** as indicated immediately following the item.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

 

C.                   Personnel Items

1.        Appointments, Certificated Staff:

 

a)                   Brian Garrepy, 1.0 FTE 5th Grade Teacher, 1 Year Only at Quidnessett Elementary School, Step 1, with an annual salary of $ 32029 plus any negotiated increases; effective August 25, 2003. ** Exempted by Bill Mudge with a question regarding length of service.  Motion to approve by Pat Watkins/Carol Hueston; vote 7/0.

 

b)                   Christine Keefe, 1.0 FTE 5th Grade Teacher, 1 Year Only at Stony Lane Elementary School, Step 2, with an annual salary of $33,885, plus any negotiated increases; effective August 25, 2003. ** Exempted by Bill Mudge with a question regarding length of service.  Motion to approve appointment by Pat Watkins/Carol Hueston; vote 7/0.

 

c)                   Stephanie St. Laurent, 1.0 FTE 5th Grade Teacher at Quidnessett Elementary School, Step 2, with an annual salary of $33,885 plus any negotiated increases; effective August 25, 2003.*

 

d)                   Tara Agneta, 1.0 FTE Special Education Teacher – Resource at Quidnessett Elementary School, Step 1, with an annual salary of $32,029 plus any negotiated increases; effective August 25, 2003.*

 

e)                   Jacqueline DiPrete, 1.0 FTE Special Education Teacher – Resource at Davisville Elementary School, Step 1, with an annual salary of $ 32,029 plus any negotiated increases; effective August 25, 2003.** Bill Mudge’s exemption was withdrawn; Pat Watkins/Barry Martasian motioned to approve appointment; vote: 7/0.

 

f)                    Andrew Propatier, 1.0 FTE English Teacher at the North Kingstown High School, Step 3, with an annual salary of $36,242 plus any negotiated increases; effective August 25, 2003.*

 

g)                   Laurie Deignan, .6 FTE Reading Teacher at Davisville Middle School, Step 6 with an annual salary of $26,095 plus any negotiated increases; effective August 25, 2003. ** Bill Mudge exempted with a question regarding benefits for this level of employment.  Pat Watkins/Carol Hueston motioned to approve appointment; vote: 7/0.

 

h)                   Nathaniel Blaser, 1.0 FTE 6th Grade Teacher at Davisville Middle School, Step10 + a Masters, with an annual salary of $60,784 plus any negotiated increases; effective August 25, 2003. *

 

i)                     Carol Gannon, 1.0 FTE Media Specialist at Quidnessett Elementary School, Step 2 + a Masters with an annual salary of $36,508 plus any negotiated increases; effective August 25, 2003. *

 

j)                     Jane Carr, 1.0 FTE Itinerant School Nurse Teacher, Step10 + a Masters, with an annual salary of $60,784 plus any negotiated increases; effective August 25, 2003. *

 

k)                   Kristen Rhodes, 1.0 FTE Dance/Drama Teacher at Quidnessett Elementary School, Step 1, with an annual salary of $32,029 plus any negotiated increases; effective August 25, 2003. *

 

l)                     Caroline Monti, 1.0 FTE Itinerant Special Education Teacher, Step 3, with an annual salary of $36,242 plus any negotiated increases; effective August 25, 2003.*

 

m)                  Kevin Gormley, 1.0 FTE Business Teacher at the North Kingstown High School, Step 4 + a Master’s, with an annual salary of $40,893 plus any negotiated increases; effective August 25, 2003.*

 

n)                   Sean Lane, 1.0 FTE Social Studies Teacher at Wickford Middle School, Step 3 + a Master’s, with an annual salary of $38,865 plus any negotiated increases; effective August 25, 2003. *

 

o)                   Leslie Bowers, 1.0 FTE Science Teacher at the North Kingstown High School, Step 3, with an annual salary of $36,242 plus any negotiated increases; effective August 25, 2003. *

 

p)                   Alicia Biros, 1.0 FTE Mathematics Teacher at the North Kingstown High School, Step 1, with an annual salary of $32,029 plus any negotiated increases; effective August 25, 2003. ** Bill Mudge exempted with questions regarding new positions created at the high school.  Motion to approve appointment made by Pat Watkins/Carol Hueston; vote 7/0.

 

q)                   Erin Improta, .8 FTE Science Teacher at the North Kingstown High School, Step 1, with an annual salary of $25,623 plus any negotiated increases; effective August 25, 2003. ** Bill Mudge exempted with questions regarding benefits for this level of employment.  Pat Watkins/Carol Hueston motioned to approve appointment; vote: 7/0.

 

r)                    Katie Arthur, 1.0 FTE English Teacher at the North Kingstown High School, Step 1, with an annual salary of $32,029 plus any negotiated increases; effective August 25, 2003. * (Exemption withdrawn)

 

s)                   Paula Schiavone, 1.0 FTE Foreign Language Teacher at the North Kingstown High School, Step 1, with an annual salary of $32,029 plus any negotiated increases; effective August 25, 2003. *

 

t)                    Mary Manning, 1.0 FTE Media Specialist at Hamilton Elementary School, Step 2 + a Masters, with an annual salary of $36,508 plus any negotiated increases; effective August 25, 2003. *

 

u)                   Sandra Petrucci, 1.0 FTE Special Education Teacher at Forest Park Elementary School, Step 2 plus a Masters, with an annual salary of $36,508 plus any negotiated increases; effective August 25, 2003. * (Exemption withdrawn)

 

2.                    Change of Assignment, Non-Certificated Staff:

 

a) Evelina Quinn, from .5 Clerk, Buildings & Grounds + .5 Account Clerk, Business Office to 1.0 Account Clerk, Building & Grounds; effective August 15, 2003. ** Bill Mudge exempted this item because of the timing of the request for the position.  He felt that this position should have been petitioned for when the budget was submitted.  Kevin Mulvey/Pat Watkins moved to accept the appointment; vote: 6/1.

 

3.                    Appointment, Administrator:

 

a) Kathleen Mort, Interim Principal at Wickford Middle School for the 2003/2004 school year, with an annual salary of $84,298 plus any negotiated increases; effective August 1, 2003. ** Bill Mudge exempted this appointment due to the timing of the request.  Pat Watkins/Denise Coppa motioned to accept the appointment; vote 6/1.

 

4.                    Appointments, Non-Certificated Staff:

 

a)                   Steven Sironen, Roving Custodian for the North Kingstown School Department, Step 2 @ $11.93 per hour; effective July 7, 2003. *

 

b)                   Robin Luz-Goggins, Head Clerk at Fishing Cove School, Step 2 @ $11.56; effective July 14, 2003. *

 

c)                   Christopher Hannon, 2nd Shift Custodian at the North Kingstown High School, Step 1 @ $11.58 per hour; effective June 23, 2003. *

 

d)                   Rhonda Barner, Food Service Worker and Breakfast Coordinator at Fishing Cove School, 3 hours Food Service Worker + 1 Hour Breakfast Coordinator per day for a total of 4 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 20 hours per week, Step 1 @ $8.02 per hour; effective August 25, 2003. ** Bill Mudge exempted this item with a request for information regarding benefits.  Pat Watkins/Carol Hueston motioned to accept the appointment; vote 7/0.

 

e)                   Judy May, Food Service Worker at Davisville Elementary School, 3 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 15 hours per week, Step 2 @ $8.25; effective August 25, 2003 ** Bill Mudge exempted this item with a request for information regarding benefits.  Pat Watkins/Carol Hueston motioned to accept the appointment; vote 7/0.

 

f)                    Derek Noel, 2nd Shift Custodian at the North Kingstown High School, Step 1 @ $11.58; effective August 11, 2003. *

 

5.                    Appointments, Department Chairpersons: *

 

North Kingstown High School

 

Mary Gardiner                      Social Studies                                                       $1,066.00

Barbara Morse                      Mathematics                                                         $1,066.00

 

6.                    Appointments, 2003/2004 Intramural Coaches: *

 

Wickford Middle School

 

Lynne Huber                         Intramural Coordinator                        $1,034.00

Lynne Huber                         Session 1                                               $   411.00

Colleen Pickering                 Session 1                                               $   411.00               

Lynne Huber                         Session 2                                               $   411.00

Colleen Pickering                 Session 2                                               $   411.00

Lynne Huber                         Session 3                                               $   411.00

Colleen Pickering                 Session 3                                               $   411.00

Lynne Huber                         Session 4                                               $   411.00

Colleen Pickering                 Session 4                                               $   411.00

 

(Plus any negotiated increases)

 

7.                   Appointments, 2003/2004 Interscholastic Coaches: ** Bill Mudge exempted this item with questions regarding the timing of the request for approval.  Pat Watkins/Barry Martasian motioned to accept the appointment; vote: 7/0.

 

North Kingstown High School

 

Jason Shabo                         Weight Training Coach – Summer    $3,238.00

 

 

 

8.                    Appointments, 2003 Summer School Staff:  ** Bill Mudge exempted this item with questions regarding the timing of the request for approval.  Pat Watkins/Barry Martasian motioned to accept the appointments; vote: 7/0.

 

Barbara Sweeney, Clerk                                                      $1,368.00

Pamela Bilodeau, Paraprofessional                                   $   792.00

Diane Henault, Elementary Teacher                                  $   360.00

Kim Johnson, Elementary Teacher                                    $1,057.50

Stephanie St. Laurent, Elementary Teacher                     $   720.00

Jane Robbins, Elementary Teacher                                   $   360.00

Kevin Dubois, Elementary Teacher                                  $   337.50

Kay Gibson, Elementary Teacher                                      $   360.00

David Hoffer, Elementary Teacher                                    $   360.00

Lucy West, Elementary Teacher                                       $   720.00

Jennifer Gamble, Elementary Teacher                               $   382.50

Helene Zelenka, Elementary Teacher                                $   360.00

Maria Festa, Elementary Teacher                                      $   360.00

Jennifer Babcock, Elementary Teacher                             $   360.00

Andrea Pisani, Math Teacher                                            $   382.50

Alicia Biros, Math Teacher                                                $   945.00

Leah LaPorte, Spanish Teacher                                         $   742.50

Bill Rapp, Study Skills Teacher                                          $1,080.00

Sarah Wojciechowski, Math Teacher                               $   360.00

Kim Rmos, Red Cross Teacher                                          $   360.00

Savas Synodi, Middle School Teacher                            $1,125.00

Nikki Pekrul, Middle School Teacher                                $1,125.00

Matthew Blaser, Middle School Teacher                         $   540.00

Sarah Wojciechowski                                                          $   315.00

 

9.                    Appointment, 2003 Extended School Year Certificated Staff: ** Bill Mudge exempted this item with a question regarding benefits for part-time employees. Pat Watkins/Carol Hueston motioned to approve the appointment; vote: 7/0.

 

a) Lauren Cohen, Speech Therapist for the Elementary Special Education Program at Quidnessett Elementary School, from July 7, 2003 through August 15, 2003, up to 20 hours per week, $22.50 per hour.

 

10.                 Resignation, 2003 Summer Sports Camp Coach: *

 

a) John Klitzner, Baseball Summer Sports Camp II Coordinator, from July 28, - August 1, 2003, total salary $686.40.

 

11.                 Resignation, Certificated Staff: *

 

a)                   Lynn Bushoven, Special Education Pre-School Coordinator; effective July 3, 2003.

 

b)                   Maryann DiBattista, .6 FTE Language Arts Teacher at Wickford Middle School; effective May 13, 2003

 

c)                   Susan Pfeil, 1.0 FTE Elementary Teacher at Davisville Middle School; effective August 31, 2003.

 

d)                   Barbara Baum, 1.0 FTE Home Economics Teacher at the North Kingstown High School; effective August 1, 2003.

 

e)                   Pamela Dillon, 1.0 FTE Media Specialist at Hamilton Elementary School; effective July 28, 2003.

 

12.                 Request for Approval of Unpaid Leave of Absence, Certificated Staff:

 

a) Michelle Ouhrabka, 1.0 FTE Music Teacher at Hamilton Elementary School for the 2003/2004 school year. *

b) Sandra Makielski, 1.0 FTE Social Studies Teacher at Davisville Middle School for the 2003/2004 school year. *

 

c) Tyler Page, Principal at Wickford Middle School, for the 2003/2004 school year. ** Bill Mudge exempted this item due to the timing of this request.  Pat Watkins/Carol Hueston motioned to approve the request for unpaid leave of absence; vote 6/1.

 

d) Marcia Voccio, 1.0 FTE 6th Grade Teacher at Wickford Middle School from August 25, 2003 through January 2, 2004. *

 

e) Susan Schwab, 1.0 FTE Special Education Teacher at Wickford Middle School from August 25, 2003 through November 24, 2003. *

 

13.                 Retirement, Non-Certificated Staff: *

 

a) Shirley Woodward, Special Education Paraprofessional at Fishing Cove School, 6 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 30 hours per week; effective August 24, 2003.

 

14.                 Increase in FTE, Certificated Staff:

 

a) Jeannine Martins, from .6 FTE to 1.0 FTE Itinerant Speech Therapist for 1 year only; effective August 25, 2003. *

 

b)                  Diane Grinnell, from .6 FTE to 1.0 FTE Language Arts Teacher at Wickford Middle School; effective August 25, 2003. *

 

c) Joy Laprade, from .6 FTE to 1.0 FTE Itinerant Speech Therapist; effective August 25, 2003. *

 

d)  Evelyn Byrne, from .4 FTE to 1.0 FTE Foreign Language Teacher at the North Kingstown High School; effective August 25, 2003. ** Bill Mudge exempted this item to discern which language was being taught by this teacher. Pat Watkins/Carol Hueston motioned to approve the appointment; vote: 7/0.

 

15.                 Approval of Additional .5 Account Clerk, Business Office ** Bill Mudge exempted this item as he felt that it could be put off until next year.  Kevin Mulvey/Pat Watkins motioned to approve the position; vote 6/1.

 

16.                 Decrease in FTE, Certificated Staff: *

 

a) Donna Noonan, Itinerant Occupational Therapist, from .6 to .4 FTE; effective August 25, 2003.

 

17.                 Approval of Layoff Notice, Certificated Staff: ** Bill Mudge exempted this item to discern the reason for the layoff.  Kevin Mulvey/Carol Hueston motioned to approve the item; vote: 7/0.

 

a) Karee Anderson, 1.0 FTE Physical Education Teacher at Davisville Elementary School; effective June 21, 2003.

 

 

D.                  Bids and Awards

1.        Award New School Bus Contract: Joseph Cox and Susan M. Lyons-Cox are requesting a new 7-year School bus Contract with a 5-year extension. *

 

 

 

 

2.        Art Classroom Equipment Bid ** Bill Mudge exempted this item to request that the bid’s particulars be added to the minutes.  Pat Watkins/Carol Hueston motioned to approve the item; vote: 7/0

 

“There was only one response to the Art Classroom equipment bid.  The equipment is necessary to upgrade current equipment and meet the increased enrollment.  It is recommended that the $13,518.00 be awarded to Sheffield Pottery, Inc. for the specified art equipment as the lowest qualified bid.”

 

E.  Textbook Adoption – Business Education ** Bill Mudge exempted this item to request that the information regarding the cost of the textbooks be included in the minutes.  Kevin Mulvey/Carol Hueston motioned to approve this item; vote: 7/0.

 

1. Preparing for Certification Microsoft Office XP – Cost per copy:  $45.00 / Number needed: 25

2. Microsoft Office Projects for the Entrepreneur – Cost per copy:  $40.00 / Number needed: 25

Funding Source:  Curriculum Budget and NKHS

 

Worksession Agenda Addendum - Pat Watkins/Carol Hueston moved to accept the addendum to the consent agenda; vote 7/0

V.C.3.b.

                                3.  Appointments Certificated Staff *

b)  Kenneth Wood, Interim Assistant Principal at the North Kingstown High School with an annual salary of $75,779 plus any negotiated increases, effective August 18 2003. 

 

Note:  ** Bill Mudge’s questions concerning benefits were regarding the benefits for part time teachers, how much is paid by the school department and how much by the teacher; and also whether or not other part time employees were entitled to health benefits.  Bill Daly responded with the percentage paid by the school department and part time teachers for health benefits; and that no, other part time staff do not receive paid health benefits.

 

END OF CONSENT AGENDA

 

A ten-minute break was taken at 8:05 pm.  The meeting resumed at 8:15 pm.

 

 

VII.  New Business

 

A.                  Amendment to SAC – Proposal that the School Committee add another member to the School Advisory Committee to include a parent representative for Special Education. Pat Watkins/Denise Coppa motioned to move this item to the Business Meeting for Approval.

·         Bill Mudge stated that he felt that the spirit of the amendment is excellent; however he would like this item to be sent to SELAC for discussion.  Dr. McGregor responded that this item was already discussed and approved at the last SELAC meeting.

·         Sharon Schubert stated that SELAC felt that it was a good idea because they don’t know what is going on in SIT and SAC meetings as it is.

·         Pat Watkins remarked that this might accomplish what SELAC is hoping for.

·         Dr. Halley suggested writing up an amendment to the SAC policy and regulations that will include this proposal.

Vote: 7/0

 

B.                   Policies

1.                  Standing Orders – Policies and Procedures for Emergencies, First Aid, Medications, and Infectious Diseases – JLCE – Denise Coppa brought to the committee’s attention the fact that on pg 13, under Routine Stock Items, the item BENADRYL was omitted and the Standing Orders should be amended to include this item.  Denise Coppa/Kevin Mulvey motioned to approve the Standing Orders as amended. Vote: 7/0.

 

C.                   Enrollment Reports – The committee went over the Enrollment Reports dated August 13, 2003.  Dr. Halley mentioned that the numbers on this report were still fluid, and changed hourly, as the out-of-district placements were not included.

 

 

VIII.        Unfinished Business

 

A.                  School Security – Denise Coppa stated that she wanted the issue discussed because of the break ins at Davisville Middle School.  She questioned if any changes were made to the school alarm systems, if there were cameras installed at the exits of the high school or if the district was maintaining the status quo.  Dr. Halley responded that the problems that the school department has with security does not require an investment in additional hardware.  The police have been able to catch the individuals involved.

·         Bill Mudge stated that the district should do an assessment of its vulnerabilities, and be proactive and not reactive.

·         Pat Watkins mentioned that the school department “has a valuable resource to give us that information: the police at the middle schools and high school.  We should ask them what benefit they’ve been and whether or not they have been effective.”

·         Bill Mudge stated that the administration should have a discussion with the police chief about the district’s strengths and weaknesses.

·         Kevin Mulvey suggested that that report be kept confidential.

·         Dr. Halley reiterated that the largest vulnerability to the district the community use of the buildings.

 

B.                   Discussion:  School Support Report – Dr. Daniel McGregor went over RIDE’s report with the School Committee.  A copy of the report can be found in each school, the town library, and the Administration Building.

·         Denise Coppa was interested in the compliance issues, and when the deadlines were being met.  Dr. McGregor stated that some had already had been met, and he assured the committee that all compliance deadlines would be met on time.

·         Bill Mudge requested a monthly report on when these target dates were met.  Dr. McGregor agreed to send the committee a copy of the report that he submits to RIDE regarding these issues.

 

C.                   Reconfiguration Implementation – Bill Mudge/Denise Coppa motioned to accept and approve the Suglia’s request for relief as stated in their memo dated August 5, 2003 (Appendix A)

·         Barry Martasian recused himself from the proceedings due to a conflict of interest.

·         Bill Mudge asked Don DeFedele for an immediate vote on the topic, as the Suglias were not present for the discussion.

·         Pat Watkins stated that she would be interested in the Administration’s viewpoint prior to voting, and asked if the parents filed for out-of-district placement.  Dr. Halley responded that the Suglias did file for a transfer, and stated, “I imagine that it will be approved, but they also want transport which will be costly, and set a precedent, and I would recommend not accepting this.” 

·         Pat Watkins clarified, “So the issue before us is approving transportation.”

·         Bill Mudge cited School Committee Policy JCAA which states: “Wherever possible, and where classroom space can be made available, 5th grade students will be given the choice to remain at their current school with bussing provided.”

·         Denise Coppa replied that “where ever possible” can also refer to bussing, and applying undue budgetary strain on transportation.

·         Don DeFedele asked Dr. Halley what happened when numerous children who were in the same areas of town were approved out-of-district placements: were busses provided.   Dr. Halley responded in the affirmative; however, because of the amount of 5th graders that would require transportation in this reconfiguration it is not possible to comply with each request.

·         Bill Mudge questioned “What does ‘where ever possible’ mean then?”

·         Denise Coppa replied that it was budgetary – how many students in a class, etc.

·         Pat Watkins responded that it also allows each case to be decided individually.

The vote revealed:  Bill Mudge voting “Yes”, Don DeFedele, Denise Coppa, Carol Hueston, and Pat Watkins voting “No”, Kevin Mulvey abstaining and Barry Martasian recused.

 

D.                  School Modernization Implementation – A report is due from RGB architects at the Worksession on September 10, 2003.

 

E.                   2002-03 School Budget – No discussion

F.                   2003-04 School Budget – Dr. Coppa spoke of email she received from a teacher at the High School regarding communications classes.

 

G.                   2002-03 School Department Goals and Objectives – No discussion

H.                  2003-04 School Department Goals and Objectives – KeyWorks meeting scheduled for August 20, 2003 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.

 

  IX.         Comments

·         Pam Rowland suggested that the amendment to add another member to the SAC to include a parent representative for Special Education not actually add another member, but instead appoint one of the parents already on the committee to be the Special Education representative.  She said that there would be problems with voting because to add a member will make the SAC an even number of members.

 

 

X.                  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 Pat Watkins/Carol Hueston at 9:50 pm. No clock counter available as tape recorder was turned off due to electrical storm interference. *At the election of the employee, the personnel matter may be heard in public.

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                                                                _______________________________________

                                                                                                Konnie M. Mazur

                                                                                                School Committee Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix A

 

 

August 5, 2003

 

Don DeFedele, Chairperson

North Kingstown School Committee 100 Fairway Drive

North Kingstown, RI 02852

 

RE:

 

Appeal of Elena R. Suglia

 

Dear Mr. DeFedele:

 

The appeal of Elena R. Suglia from her re-assignment to Fishing Cove Elementary School is scheduled before the School Committee for its meeting of AuguS1 13, 2003. Due to longstanding vacation plans, we are unable to attend that meeting. However, given the time constraints imposed by the School Committee's meeting schedule, we are requesting that this matter go forward as scheduled.

 

Enclosed is a written Request for Relief in support of Elena's request for assignment, with bus transportation, to Quidnessett Elementary School. Elena has been re-districted 4 times during her 5 years of elementary school. There is no possible educational justification for these multiple reassignments. For the reasons set forth in the attached Request, the School Committee should vote to grant the relief requested.

 

Thank you for your attention and consideration of this matter.

 

Sincerely,

 

Robert P. and Cheryl A. Suglia

 

Enclosure

 

cc:

 

Peter Olsen, Esq.

Konnie M. Mazur, School Committee Secretary School Committee Members (via email only)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix A page 2

 

REOUEST FOR RELIEF ON BEHALF OF ELENA R. SUGLIA

 

This is a request filed on behalf of Elena R. Suglia seeking relief from her assignment to Fishing Cove Elementary School for the 2003-2004 school year. Her request is that she be allowed to remain at Quidnessett Elementary School (QES), with transportation provided by the School Department. Her assignment to Fishing Cove represents Elena's fourth new school assignment out of five elementary school years. There is no educational justification for the School Committee's multiple re- assignments for this student.

 

Student Placement History: Elena began 1st grade at Stony Lane Elementary School in 1999. Following that year, Elena was redistricted and reassigned to Quidnessett Elementary School to begin 2nd grade. Although we were quite pleased with the educational experience at Stony Lane, we recognized that on occasion redistricting may be necessary to accommodate shifting population, and accepted that move without complaint. Elena completed 2nd and 3rd grade at QES. Following 3rd grade, the School Committee approved another redistricting as part of a plan to close Fishing Cove for kindergarten and to reduce to the grades offered at Davisville Elementary School. Under this plan, Elena would have been moved to Wickford Elementary School.

 

Believing then (as we do now) that transition to another elementary school was not in Elena's best educational interest, we filed a request with the School Department to permit Elena to continue her 4th grade education at QES. That request was granted by the administration on a space available basis, without transportation. An appeal was then filed with the Board of Education. On the eve of hearing on that appeal, the Administration agreed to assign Elena to QES for the entire year, and provide bus transportation.

 

On May 28th of this year, the School Committee once again reconfigured the Town elementary schools and reassigned students in accordance with that plan. Apparently without consideration of the three prior assignments for Elena (and others in her neighborhood), the School Committee voted as part of the redistricting plan to reassign Elena to Fishing Cove, which is being reopened as an K-5 elementary school.

 

On June 3, 2003, we filed a Change In School Building Assignment Request Form on behalf of Elena for her to remain at QES for 5th grade. We have not received a response to that request. An appeal has also been filed on her behalf with the Board of Education.

 

School Committee Policy: The School Committee has a detailed policy on School Districting/Redistricting which is maintained in the North Kingstown School Committee Policy Manual. To the best of our knowledge, that Policy is the current policy of the School Committee on this topic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix A page 3

 

The Policy is very specific on the issue of requests for assignment to current schools for 5th graders who have been redistricted. Paragraph 2 of the Policy Guidelines and Expectations states as follows:

 

Whenever possible, and where classroom space can be made available, fifth grade students will be given the choice to remain at their current school with busing provided (emphasis added).

 

Were this policy to be followed as written, we would expect that Elena would be able to remain at QES for 5th grade, with busing provided.

 

However, the Superintendent of Schools has issued his own statement regarding requests for re-assignment. Dr. Halley, in a newsletter entitled Comments June 2003 has issued the following statement:

 

Because of the large scope of this redistricting plan, we will be unable to give special consideration to fifth grade students who want to remain in their current schools. ... Transportation will not be provided.

 

This statement, if applied to Elena, would result in her not being given special consideration to remain at QES as a 5th grader, and if such request were granted she would not be provided with transportation. Based on our circumstances, we are unable to accept a school assignment which does not include bus transportation. We expect that the Administration will follow Dr. Halley's direction in deciding on Elena's pending request to remain at QES.

 

On June 25, 2003, a Petition was filed with the Board of Education requesting an order that Elena be given the option of remaining at QES (with transportation) for 5th grade. This petition was filed in response to Dr. Halley's position set forth above, that lead us to believe that Elena's request for reassignment and transportation would not be granted. At the suggestion of the Hearing Officer, it was requested that the School Committee first be given the option of hearing this matter. School Department counsel Peter Olsen, Esq., arranged for this matter to be placed on the agenda for the School Committee meeting of August 13, 2003.

 

Argument: Based on the above, it is our position that the Administration should be directed by the School Committee to follow the School Committee's established policy on School Districting/Redistricting. The School Committee is directed by State law to develop educational policies to meet the needs of the community, formulate written policy for the administration of schools, and to publish policy manuals which shall include all school committee policies (R.I.G.L. Section 16-2-9, 16-2-9.1). The Superintendent of Schools is directed by law to implement School Committee policies (R.I.G.L. Section 16-2-11).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix A page 3

 

In this case the School Committee has exercised its statutory authority by developing and publishing its policy on School Districting/Redistricting. The Superintendent must implement that policy. He does not have the authority to unilaterally change the policy of the School Committee, as he has attempted to do here. The School Committee may not abrogate its responsibility by allowing the Superintendent to determine which School Committee Policies are to be followed, and which are to be ignored or modified.

 

Relief Requested: First, the School Committee should direct the Administration to apply its published School Districting/Redistricting policy in acting on the school change assignment requests filed on behalf of 5th graders, and to provide preferential assignment and transportation in response to those requests.

 

Second, applying established School Committee policy, the Administration should be directed to provide Elena with the option of staying at QES or of attending Fishing Cove, with transportation provided in either event.

 

Conclusion: There is no education justification for attempting to assign any elementary school student to four different schools to receive five years of elementary education. The relief requested above represents a fair and just resolution of this issue. The School Committee should act as requested in order to avoid a negative impact on the quality of education provided to Elena.

 

Your consideration of this petition is respectfully requested.

 

On behalf of Elena R. Suglia,

 

Robert P. Suglia Cheryl A. Suglia