NORTH KINGSTOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Wednesday, August 27, 2003

7:00 PM Business Meeting

North Kingstown High School                                                                  150 Fairway Drive, North Kingstown

“Challenging Student Excellence”

 

Minutes

 

 

                                               I.      Pledge of Allegiance

                                             II.      Call To Order The meeting was called to order at 7:07 PM.

1.        Roll Call                                Present:  Chairperson Don DeFedele, Vice Chairperson Dr.     

                                                Denise Coppa, Carol Hueston, Barry Martasian, Bill Mudge

                                                Kevin Mulvey, and Cathy Kaiser, Jamestown School

                                                Committee Representative

                                             

                                              Absent:  Patricia Watkins

                                                                               

                                                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; Karin Pierson, Director of Transportation

                                                               

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

               

                                           III.      Open Forum

·         Andrew Lombardi, Westmorland Lane, questioning the School Committee policy regarding bus stops, read a statement (Appendix A) to the committee in which he requested that a school bus be brought into the Westmorland Farm development.

·         Lisa Mansfield also from Westmorland Farm is looking for the School Committee to be proactive instead of reactive when it comes to making a decision on this issue.

·         Tony Amore, Westmoreland Farm, stated that Chief Fage has deemed the current bus stop unsafe.  Mr. Amore would appreciate the School Committee rectify that which the Administration seems unwilling to do, i.e., move the bus stop into Westmorland Farm development.

·         Timothy Schick would like to challenge the position paper put out by the Administration on the contract negotiations currently taking place between the NKSD and the NEA/NK.  He feels as the spouse of a teacher, and a union leader who has experience negotiating media contracts, that the current situation is provoked by management.  Mr. Schick also stated that there is misleading information in the position paper that is being disseminated to the public.  He would like the School Committee to advise the Administration to “stop fighting with the teachers for the betterment of the children.”

·         Bob Sullivan, NEA/NK President, stated that he is sympathetic with the families of Westmorland Farm.  He feels that the Superintendent “has the most influential position to insure success or failure.”  NEA/NK is here at this meeting in a show of solidarity. Union leadership did not dictate the necessity of their being at the meeting.  Mr. Sullivan stated that he expected more of a turnout by parents who would be dissatisfied with the current work stoppage by the teachers.  He stated that the NEA/NK has felt that “they have had no audience since March.”  They did not want to “play the bargaining game,” and came very close to settling in June.  The teachers’ union did not want to pay health insurance co-pay, but acknowledge that the town wants this changed.  They offered an introductory co-pay, but found this not to be enough.  The NEA/NK thought that the fact that they offered to pay a co-pay should have meant something.  “Do you really want to put a price tag on every single solitary thing that we do?”

·         Harvey Waxman, North Kingstown taxpayer, concerned about teacher contract negotiations, stated that he feels that municipal employees and administrators must become partners.  He is “aware that teachers have difficult jobs, but that is no excuse to hold students hostage.”  Mr. Waxman continued by offering this data:  RI teachers’ salaries are the 4th highest in the nation; NK teachers’ salaries are in the top 2% in RI; NK teacher/student ratio is among the lowest in RI; RI property taxes are the 8th highest in the US; and yet RI SAT scores in 2001 among the lowest in the nation. “The School Department needs to examine itself and do what is right for the community.”

·         Joseph Avanzato commented that no one likes to see teachers and the Administration “at loggerheads with each other”, but the teachers supported parents during the reconfiguration of schools, and now he would like to return the favor by supporting the teachers.

·         Linda Tisdell, told the School Committee that they represent the youth of the town and not just those who are fiscally conservative.  “Do what you can to end the strike.”

·         Representative Melvoid Benson reminded everyone that her 16-year-old son was killed in a motor vehicle accident at the Westmorland Lane/Tower Hill Road intersection.  “Please don’t have children waiting for the bus on Tower Hill Road.”  She offered her services with RI state offices to help the School Committee and Administration in their endeavor to move the Westmorland Farms bus stop, and road construction difficulties that may occur, to ensure the safety of the bus and school children as the bus enters and exits the development.

 

                                             V.      Routine Items

 

A.                  Correspondence and Good News

·         Cathy Kaiser, Jamestown School Committee Representative, informed the North Kingstown School Committee and Administration that the Jamestown teachers voted to ratify their contract.

·         Barry Martasian mentioned that he had received emails regarding the Westmorland Farms bus stop and the teachers’ strike.

·         Bill Mudge received the same

·         Carol Hueston stated that she received the same

·         Kevin Mulvey also received the same

·         Denise Coppa received the same and would like everyone to know that because of the computer virus situation at URI she was unable to respond.

·         Don DeFedele also received phone calls and emails regarding the Westmorland Farms bus stop and the teachers’ strike.

·         Dr. Halley has Good News to mention:  Though the RI SAT scores had fallen below the National average, the North Kingstown scores were well above both: NK Verbal Scores Male/543, RI/510, NAT/512; NK Verbal Scores Female/542, RI/495, NAT/503; NK Math Scores Male/560, RI/524, NAT/537; NK Math Scores Female/527, RI/486, NAT/503.

 

B.                   Calendars – Dr. Halley went over the calendar for the next two weeks with the School Committee

 

At this time NEA/NK President, Robert Sullivan asked permission to address the School Committee, which was granted.  He informed the Committee that the NEA/NK had voted “to end the work stoppage and to go back to work tomorrow morning.”  He asked Dr. Halley if that indeed was his directive, and Dr. Halley responded positively, stating that teachers should report to school on Thursday, August 28th, and students will start school on Friday, August 29th.  Dr. Coppa thanked the teachers for coming to this vote and for keeping the needs of the students first.

 

At 8:20 pm a ten minute break was taken.  The meeting resumed at 8:30 pm.

 

 

 CONSENT AGENDA

Approved items on the consent agenda are marked with * on a motion by Denise Coppa and seconded by Carol Hueston (6/0).

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.

 

A.                  Approval of Minutes of Prior Meetings

1.                    June 25, 2003 School Committee Business Meeting**

a.)      Bill Mudge would like it noted under section “IV” Presentation: Advantage Marketing Information: Richard Nagele, that the Parent Survey reveled that having Kindergarten in the elementary schools was not an important issue to parents at this time.

b.)     Bill Mudge would like a correction made under New Business, The About Face Program runs for 20 weeks, and has a graduation date scheduled for October 16, 2003.

2.                    August 13, 2003 School Committee Executive Session*

3.                    August 13, 2003 School Committee Worksession**

Bill Mudge would like it noted on the Consent Agenda what his specific question was regarding the benefits of part time teachers and employees, and he would also like Bill Daly’s response noted.

                Carol Hueston/Bill Mudge motioned to accept the minutes as amended.  Vote: 6/0

 

B.                   Financial Reports – none

 

 

C.                   Textbook Adoptions*

 

1.  Essentials of Music Theory

2.        Musical Theater Practicum

 

D.                  Bids and Awards*

 

1.        Rental/Cleaning of Uniforms for Custodial and Maintenance Personnel

 

 

E.                   Personnel Items (including Addendum)*

 

1.        Appointments, Certificated Staff:

 

a)                   Michele Haskell, .6 FTE Music Teacher at Wickford Elementary School, Step 9 plus a Masters with an annual salary of $32,223 plus any negotiated increases, effective August 25, 2003.

 

b)                   Sarah Salazar, .6 FTE Music Teacher at Fishing Cove School, Step 10 plus a Masters with an annual salary of $36,470 plus any negotiated increases, effective August 25, 2003.

 

c)                   Annmarie Lambert, .6 FTE Art Teacher at Wickford Elementary School, Step 1 with an annual salary of $19,217 plus any negotiated increases, effective August 25, 2003

 

d)                   Tricia Barry, .6 FTE Art Teacher at Davisville Middle School, Step 1 with an annual salary of $19,217 plus any negotiated increases, effective August 25, 2003.

 

e)                   Barbara Smith, 1.0 FTE Outreach Coordinator at Fishing Cove School, Step 6 + a Master’s plus 30 credits with an annual salary of $46,940 plus any negotiated increases, effective August 25, 2003.

 

f)                    Elizabeth Reilly, 1.0 FTE Social Studies Teacher at Davisville Middle School for 1 year only, Step 1 with an annual salary of $32,029, effective August 25, 2003.

 

g)                   Michelle Webber, .6 FTE Music Teacher at Forest Park Elementary School, Step 1 with an annual salary of $19,217 plus an negotiated increases, effective August 25, 2003.

 

h)                   Kelly Gormley, 1.0 FTE Special Education Teacher at Forest Park Elementary School, 1 year only, Step 4 with an annual salary of $38,270 plus any negotiated increases, effective August 25, 2003.

 

2.                    Appointments, Non-Certificated Staff:

 

a)                   Theresa Hawkins, Account Clerk in the Pupil Personnel/Curriculum Offices, Step 10 @ $15.30 per hour plus an hourly stipend of $1.00 for a total hourly rate of $16.30, effective September 2, 2003.

 

3.                    Resignation, Certificated Staff:

 

a)                   Murkje de Koe-de Vries, 1.0 FTE English/ESL Teacher at the North Kingstown High School, effective August 19, 2003

 

4.                    Resignation, Non-Certificated Staff:

 

a)                   Alka Joshi, Temporary Paraprofessional at Stony Lane Elementary School, 6 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 30 hours per week, effective August 19, 2003.

 

5.                     

6.                    Summer 2003 Sports Camp Counselor:

 

Brian Garrepy                        Volleyball 1                           $390.00

Jeff Van der Veer                  Volleyball 1                           $390.00

Michael Harrington             Volleyball 1                           $390.00

Brian Garrepy                        Volleyball 2                           $390.00

Jeff Van der Veer                  Volleyball 2                           $390.00

Michael Harrington             Volleyball 2                           $390.00

Joe Taraborelli                      Volleyball 2                           $390.00

Dan Dittman                          Lacrosse                                                $135.20

Matthew Kwolek                  Lacrosse                                                $169.00

Josh Holmes                         Lacrosse                                                $169.00

Peter Clays                            Baseball                                 $585.00

Anthony Ucci                       Baseball                                 $585.00

James Sauro                          Baseball                                 $585.00

Robert Downey                    Baseball                                 $585.00

Dave Giorgi                           Baseball                                 $292.50

Matt Kruger                          Baseball                                 $292.50

Kyle Johnson                       Baseball                                 $253.50

Chris Yole                              Baseball                                 $295.50

Oliver Palmer                         Baseball                                 $253.50

David Buckley                      Baseball                                 $253.50

Eric Misunas                         Basketball 1                           $390.00

Matt Kruger                          Basketball 1                           $292.50

Peter Clays                            Basketball 1                           $585.00

Lynn Downey                       Basketball 1                           $585.00

Tom Harrington                    Basketball 1                           $292.50

Kevin Hanrahan                   Basketball 1                           $253.50

Alex Cesearo                         Basketball 1                           $253.50

Jeff Siatti                                Basketball 1                           $253.50

Brendan McDevitt               Basketball 1                           $253.50

Greg Emerson                       Basketball 1                           $253.50

Brian Sullivan                       Basketball 1                           $253.50

Ben Aubee                            Basketball 1                           $253.50

Dave Buckley                       Basketball 1                           $253.50

Nate Fuller                             Basketball 1                           $253.50

Chris Yole                              Basketball 1                           $239.98

Nicole Campbell                   Basketball 2                           $260.00

Matt Kruger                          Basketball 2                           $195.00

James Simmons                    Basketball 2                           $312.00

Eric Misunas                         Basketball 2                           $156.00

Jake McKay                          Basketball 2                           $101.40

Kris Graham                          Field Hockey                         $390.00

Syd Culbertson                    Field Hockey                         $  33.80

Ashley Tutsch                     Field Hockey                         $101.40

Kerry McDevitt                    Field Hockey                         $101.40

Katie Bennett                        Field Hockey                         $  67.60

McKenzie Mederios            Field Hockey                         $  67.60

Keven O’Neil                        Cross Country                      $195.00

Dee Lamay                            Cross Country                      $117.00

 

 

END OF CONSENT AGENDA

 

 

                VI.           New Business

 

A.                  Transportation: Westmorland Farm Bus Stop – Dr. Halley reviewed the documents relating to the issue with the School Committee, and the committee took time to read the report from Steven Fage, Chief of Police, which was new to them that evening.

·         Denise Coppa noted that the Police Chief stated on August 13 that the Westmorland Farm bus stop on Tower Hill Road was unsafe; in this latest report he is stating that a bus can enter and leave the development safely unless there is snow.  There is also a report that states the acceleration lane is not wide enough.  Dr. Coppa asked if would be possible to get help from the Police Department to get the bus safely out of the development.

·         Kevin Mulvey wanted to know that as the road is not officially a town road could a school department bus even enter the development.

·         Dr. Halley responded by pointing out the problems that needed to be corrected with the entrance/exit to the property, and the deceleration lane.

·         Don DeFedele asked Dr. Halley if he knew the school department’s liability should a bus accident occur on Westmorland Lane.

·         Dr. Halley responded that the insurance coverage follows the bus wherever it goes, but the insurance carrier “will have a better case denying it because it is not a public road.”

·         Bill Mudge was curious if there was “any other objection to going in there?”

·         Don DeFedele asked Dr. Halley what were Administration’s major concerns.

·         Dr. Halley responded by stating that his major concern was when the school bus exits the plat the acceleration lane is not wide enough.  “I’ve asked the developer to accept liability for bus travelers to that area; he’s refused.”  Dr. Halley stated that the liability issue is a minor concern, however.  His major concern is having a bus pulling into the travel lane from the development and encountering vehicles traveling at speeds exceeding 50 mph.

·         Bill Mudge stated that he feels that “if the Chief of Police says that it is safe then it is.”

·         Barry Martasian would like the department responsible to stand up and assume responsibility whether it is the town, DOT, or the developer of the neighborhood.  He is not certain that it should fall on the school department’s shoulders to assume the responsibility for road safety.

·         Denise Coppa/Barry Martasian motioned to direct the superintendent to assign a bus to pull into Westmorland Farm and to request the police to patrol for a safe exit.  The superintendent is to work with the planning and police departments and whoever else, for a long term resolution of this issue.  Vote on this motion: 6/0.

 

B.                   Policies – none

 

C.                   2003-2004 Enrollments – Dr. Halley and Don DeFedele went over the enrollment report dated August 26, 2003 with the School Committee.  Student out of district placements have been made. No major anomalies detected. 

 

                VII.         Unfinished Business

 

A.                  Amendment to SAC: “To add a member/parent of a special needs student who currently attends the school” (Appendix B) – Carol Hueston/ Denise Coppa motioned to approve this item.

·         Bill Mudge felt “that the SELAC committee should see this and weigh in on it.”

·         Don DeFedele reminded Mr. Mudge that SELAC had already been made aware of the amendment and that the School Committee had, in fact, received a letter from the Chair of SELAC, Mr. Larry Cerisi, stating that the committee feels it is an excellent idea.  Mr. DeFedele read a portion of the letter out loud to the room.

·         Vote on the motion: 5/1

 

B.                   School Security

·         Denise Coppa initiated comments on this topic by stating that the security reports reveal that there is a great deal of outside use of the School Department buildings; and added that the students require a great deal of supervision in the bathrooms during the school day.

·         Dr. Halley agreed and mentioned that he stated at the last School Committee meeting that the schools are used quite a bit by the community, “but I’m not sure that the cost of the security doesn’t outweigh the problem.”

·         Don DeFedele was curious to know what the security reports looked like before the Resource Officers were in place.

·         Dr. Halley responded that there was not much of a difference, as the Resource Officers are not working when school is not in session.

 

 

C.            2002-03 School Budget – no discussion

D.                  2003-04 School Budget – no discussion

 

E.                   2002-03 School Department Goals and Objectives}

F.                   2003-04 School Department Goals and Objectives} – Next KeyWorks Meeting September 17, 2003, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm.

 

G.                   School Modernization Implementation – RGB Report expected at the September 10, 2003 School Committee Worksession.

 

 

H.                  Reconfiguration Implementation – Don DeFedele stated that he and other members of the School Committee, as well as Dr. Halley, attended the Fishing Cove Open House on August 25, 2003 at 2:00 pm.  There was still some work to be done, but the opening was impressive, and there was an overall positive attitude toward the school.  The children seemed very ready to get back.

 

                IX.           Reports

 

A.                  Overview of Special Education Services – Dr. Daniel McGregor, Director of Pupil Personnel Services, presented an overview of services and a breakdown of enrollment in special education.

·         New Initiatives:  Electronic Portfolios, Computerized IEP Program, Revision to the Policy and Procedural Manual for Special Education, Additional Professional Development Activities, Coaching Model for Resource Teachers, Self-Contained Program at High School, Middle School Transition Counselor, Changing Definition of Learning Disabilities

·         Denise Coppa was pleased with the report and congratulated Dr. McGregor for its “excellent forward thinking.”

·         Kevin Mulvey also thanked Dr. McGregor stating that he “appreciated the report.”

 

B.                   Quarterly Security Reports – Please see VII. B above  

C.                   Policy Subcommittee Reports - none

D.                  RIASC and other Legislative Activity – none

 

At this point a vote was taken to approve Home Schooling requests, as all were in favor of not adjourning to executive session for this matter.  Vote for Home Schooling requests: 6/0

 

 

 

 

X.                  Comments

·         Dr. Halley stated that it was good to be able to start school and get the students back on track.

·         Kathy Brown had concerns as to when the days spent in the work stoppage would be made up.  She would like to see it taken from the Christmas holiday vacation.

 

 

Carol Hueston/Bill Mudge made Motion to Adjourn at 10:15 pm.

                                                                                               

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

_______________________________________

Konnie M. Mazur

School Committee Secretary