NORTH KINGSTOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Wednesday, September 10, 2003

7:00 PM Worksession

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 7:05 PM.

                                        III.      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:  Pat Watkins

                                                           

                                    Administration Present:  James M. Halley, Ed.D, Superintendent of Schools; William J. Daly, Director of Human Resources; Joseph F. Quinn, Jr., Director of Administrative Services

                                    Absent: Daniel McGregor, Ph.D, Director of Pupil Personnel        Services; Barbara Fitzsimmons, Ed.D, Director of Curriculum

   

 

                                        IV.      Presentation           Robinson Green Beretta Architects

Joseph Quinn, Director of Administrative Services introduced the RGB Architects.  The School Committee approved going forward with the feasibility study and the report is now complete.  This presentation is a working document in order for the committee to go forward.  This same presentation will be given to the Asset Commission on September 11, 2003.  After input from both the School Committee and Asset Commission, the recommendation can be brought to the Town Council.

Denise Coppa asked about a specific timeline to be followed.  Mr. Quinn suggested that a decision be made by the School Committee Business Meeting in October.  A request must go to the Department of Education by November 1, 2003, approval will be granted between January and March of 2004, then the Town Council must approve a referendum for November or order a special referendum in June.

Mr. Steve Hughes and Mr. David DeQuattro of RGB Corporation presented a detailed comprehensive facility feasibility analysis to the committee.  The report concentrated on five schools – Davisville Elementary, Forest Park, Fishing Cove, Wickford Elementary and Wickford Middle School.  In comprising their report, emphasis was placed on flexibility, creative use of existing space, meeting educational standards, dedicated space to the arts, possible full day kindergartens and the recent redistricting.

They stressed that this report is a roadmap or guideline for the committee to use.  If preferred, work can be done in stages with priorities being done first.

The full report is available in the Superintendent’s Office in the Central Administration Building.

 

                                           V.      Open ForumDon DeFedele addressed the committee and audience before the start of open forum.  He explained that at the last school committee meeting the NEANK contract negotiations was not a published agenda item, therefore the school committee was unable to respond to questions or discuss this topic.  This meeting has negotiations as an agenda item and could be discussed by the committee and community. 

He provided the community with some background information about the progress of negotiations.  Negotiations between the NEANK and the School Committee have been going on since March, 2003.  In June, 2003, after ten meetings with little progress, the School Committee requested mediation.  This process took five weeks.  On August 6, 2003 negotiations resumed with mediator John Harrington.  Full day meetings were held August 7, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 23 and 24.  Evening meetings were conducted on August 26, 29, September 3, 4, and 9.

Issues still not resolved are salary increases, number of days in the teacher work year, contributions to health insurance coverage, kindergarten class size, professional responsibilities, time off for the union president and maintaining certifications.

A handout was available titled Current Status of Negotiations in which the School Committee addressed both the union leadership position and the School Committee position on each of the seven issues as of September 9th.

On Monday night the union leadership implemented a “contract compliance” position.  The School Committee embraces the concept that all parties adhere to the provisions of the current contract.  The School Committee was notified by the union leadership that teachers are being advised not to attend open houses, chaperone dances, or work on the pending accreditation of the high school.  It is the position of the School Committee that attendance at open houses and other activities that support students are in the spirit of being contract compliant.  It is the School Committee’s expectation that the leadership and members of NEANK will continue to honor all provisions of the current negotiated agreement until a new agreement is finalized.

Carolyn Coppolino – After reading the School Committee website and letter mailed to taxpayers, she felt that only one item seemed important to the committee and administration, and that was the healthcare co-pay issue.  She felt that teachers were being asked to balance the budget for the whole town and with the healthcare co-pay, teachers would only receive a one-half percent increase in pay in the third year.

Joseph Avanzato – He felt that the negotiations have been bogged down.  He stated that the teachers have taken a bold step in returning to work and it is time for the School Committee to bring about a resolution to the contract.  Mr. Avanzato stated that the public looks to elected officials to solve problems.  He suggested putting “cards on the table” and felt the teachers would compromise with them.

He felt an important issue is the relationship with the teachers and administration and urged the School Committee to take the lead because there is too much at stake.

Bob Sullivan – Mr. Sullivan also summarized negotiations.  He stated that there had been ten contract negotiation meetings from March through June, 2003.  At the ninth meeting only three representative of the School Committee team attended and they were not empowered to make decisions.  At the tenth meeting, only two were going to be available but then the union was informed that all members would attend.  On June 25, the School Committee left negotiations and filed for mediation which resulted in a five week hiatus.  The NEANK felt that the School Committee and administration did not intend to settle the contract.  The union agreed to healthcare co-pay and expected concessions from the School Committee.  The union feels that the School Committee’s

proposal of $1200 co-pay in the third year with a $500 step increase results in a payment of $700, which is what the union has proposed.

He compared negotiation talks to a burned spaghetti sauce which leave a bitter taste that you can’t get out of your mouth.  He doesn’t want this to happen and wants a fair contract soon.

 

                                        VI.      Routine Items

 

A.                  Correspondence and Good News

·        Bill Mudge has received e-mails about the teachers not going to open houses and the community is disappointed with not being able to talk with them on those nights.

·        Kevin Mulvey has had correspondence about a student on the wrong school bus.

·        Denise Coppa has had correspondence about contract negotiations and the school buses.

·        Don DeFedele received an anonymous letter about the reward system in place at Davisville Middle School involving releasing students a few minutes early from class.  The issue is being referred to the Davisville Middle School SAC.

 

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

 

 CONSENT AGENDA

Approved items on the consent agenda are marked with * on a motion by Kevin Mulvey and seconded by Carol Hueston (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)                  Celestino Marsocci, .2 FTE Industrial Arts Teacher at Davisville Middle School, Step 10 plus a Masters + 30 credits with an annual salary of $12,321.80 plus any negotiated increases, effective August 29, 2003.*

 

2.                  Appointments, Non-Certificated Staff:

 

a)                  Judy Fry, Special Education Paraprofessional at Forest Park Elementary School, Step 1 @ $9.29 per hour, effective September 2, 2003.*

 

 

 

b)                  Rose Crandall, Food Service Worker at Davisville Middle School, 3 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 15 hours per week, Step 1 @ $8.02, effective September 8, 2003.*

 

3.                  Request for Unpaid Parental Leave of Absence, Certificated Staff:

 

a)                  Kathleen Lalonde, 1.0 FTE 5th Grade Elementary Teacher @ Fishing Cove School, from September 10, 2003 through January 5, 2003.*

 

b)                  Lisa Giorganni, 1.0 FTE Itinerant Music Teacher from August 29, 2003 through January 5, 2003.*

 

4.                  Increase in FTE, Certificated Staff:

 

a)                  Maria Festa, from .5 to .7 FTE (.6 @ Forest Park and .1  @ Hamilton) Itinerant Art Teacher, Step 2 plus a Masters with an annual salary of $25,556 plus any negotiated increases, effective August 29, 2003.*

 

b)                  Janet Blair, from .5 to .6 FTE Art Teacher at Davisville Middle School, Step 3 plus a Bachelors + 30 credits with an annual salary of $22,655 plus any negotiated changes, effective August 29, 2003.*

 

5.                  Resignation, Non-Certificated Staff:

 

a)                  William Monti, 2nd Shift Custodian at the North Kingstown High School, effective September 2, 2003.*

 

Addendum to Worksession Agenda:

 

V.C.6.              6.         Salary Index, Non-Unit Personnel

 

Increase salary index for all Non-Unit Personnel in the amount of 3% effective 7/1/03.*

 

V.C.7               7.         Medical Insurance Co-Pay, Non Unit Personnel

 

                                    Implement medial insurance co-pay of 5% of the medical insurance premium,

                                    maximum of $500 for family plan and $200 for individual plan for all Non-Unit

                                    Personnel effective 7/1/03.*

 

V.C.8               8.         Salary Index, School Administrators

 

                                    Increase salary index for all School Administrators by 3% effective 7/1/03.*

 

V.C.9               9.         Medical Insurance Co-Pay, School Administrators

 

                                    Implement medical insurance o-pay of 5% of the medical insurance premium,

                                   maximum of $500 for family plan and $200 for individual plan for all School

                                   Administrators effective 7/1/03.*

 

 

END OF CONSENT AGENDA

 

 

VII.  New Business

           

            A.        NEANK Contract NegotiationsBill Mudge recommended canceling open houses at the

                        schools if the teachers will not be attending. 

Carol Hueston disagreed.  She felt some teachers may choose to attend, but the principals also have important information about each school to convey to parents.

                        Bob Sullivan stated that the teachers would like to be there but they do not have a

contract yet.  He feels that a hard line has been taken with the teachers.  This is a   stressful, uncomfortable situation and they feel they are being made to feel guilty about the healthcare issue.  Teachers have decided to devote their energies to the students in the classroom.  Open houses have always been voluntary and no letters of reprimand have been issued in the past if teachers missed an open house.  He would only like to

postpone participation in the open houses and the teachers will attend when they have a  contract.

April Brunnelle – She stated that the parents go to open houses to meet the teachers.  She recommended postponing the open houses for a week or two.

Kevin Mulvey stated that there are people hurt by canceling open houses.  The members of PTO, SELAC and LINKS all address the parents to seek volunteers for committees.  He agreed that teachers are important at open houses, but these groups are looking for volunteers now, not weeks from now.

An acting PTO president recommended a vote against having the open houses.  She felt that parents go to meet the teachers and asked the committee to please resolve the contract issues.

Laurie Viner – She asked for a clarification in the issue of the teachers maintaining two certifications.

Don DeFedele gave an example of a teacher hired today with three certifications is being asked to maintain two of them.  He also stated that the step 11 salary increase is intended to help with the co-pay. 

Mrs. Viner asked the committee to resolve the issue and the relationship with the teachers.

John Ward – As a teacher at NK high school, he stated that to maintain a certification, three courses are required every three years at a cost of $1,000 per course.  He doesn’t feel that the School Committee’s offer to pay $100 for the certification fee is adequate.

Don DeFedele explained that it was requested of the School Committee to pay that fee and they agreed. 

Mr. Ward would like to know what the administrators’ salaries are and feels that those figures should be made public.  He also does not want taxpayer money used for mailing information to the public.

Don DeFedele informed Mr. Ward that the information is available in the Personnel Office.

Toni Silveira – As a music teacher at the high school, she was concerned about the issue of teachers’ unassigned time.  Teachers spend that time doing school work and now could be assigned to different duties.  She feels teachers need this time to complete their work.

 

 

 

B.         School RoofsBill Mudge questioned what the School Committee vote was in regard to the authorization to repair the school roofs.  He stated that in a June 25 phone vote there was a contract to repair the roofs for $767,000.   He feels the specifications in the contract were changed after the vote was taken and would like a technical breakdown of the contract.

Don DeFedele stated that there were enough votes to approve the contract and ask the School Committee members if they wished to revisit this subject and rescind their vote.  Members declined to put the roofs up for discussion so the vote stands.

Mr. Mudge requested that the administration submit a report on the history of the school roofs.

Don DeFedele asked the School Committee if they would like to request a report.  Members declined.

Denise Coppa asked if the work is currently being done.

Joe Quinn responded that there has been some delay, but work will begin next week and is expected to be complete within approximately six weeks.  He will keep the committee informed of the progress.  Mr. Quinn also reported that the change made to the roof contract was an addendum only and that the specs were not 100% changed.  All specifications have been approved by the Town.

           

VIII.                Due to the lateness of the hour, Kevin Mulvey motioned to approve the home school requests without going into executive session and adjourn the meeting.  Motion was seconded by Carol Hueston.  Vote carried 7/0.

 

                        Meeting adjourned at 10:45 PM.

           

                       

 

 

 

 

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                                        _______________________________________

                                                                        Karen A. Nutini

                                                                        Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent