NORTH KINGSTOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Wednesday, September 11, 2002

7:00 PM Worksession

Central Administration Building                                                                                             100 Fairway Drive, North Kingstown

“Challenging Student Excellence”

Minutes

 

The following statement was read by Karin Forbes to honor the memory of those who died one year ago today in the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Flight 93 Tragedies.

 

“I would like to take time to reflect on the events that occurred one year ago.  At that time my husband lost many coworkers.  They were the flight crew on American Airlines Flight 11 out of Boston’s Logan Airport.  Many of these people were friends.  He still, to this day, vividly recalls his last conversation with Karen Martin, a flight attendant, who flew with him to Chicago the day before, and the next day tried to prevent one of the terrorists from getting into the cockpit.

 

I will always know where I was on that day.  I will always remember the relief I felt on hearing the voice of my daughter, on hearing the voice of my son, and finally hearing the voice of my husband who was flying that day.

 

President Bush has asked that we go on with our lives.  Life does go on and our memories do fade.  However, I will never forget this cowardly act of attacking our nation and killing innocent people.  My hope is that we become a stronger and more united people because of it.

 

A moment of silence was then requested before the meeting commenced.

 

           I.          Pledge of Allegiance

 

         II.          Call To Order                      The meeting was called to order at 7:04 PM.

 

Roll Call Present:  Chairperson Lynne Haft, Vice Chairperson Karin L. Forbes, Dr. Denise Coppa, Carol H. Hueston, Michael R. Northup

                                                Absent:  Dr. Janice DeFrances, Patricia Watkins, Cathy Kaiser, Jamestown School Committee

 

                                                Administration Present:  James M. Halley, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools, Daniel J. McGregor, Ph.D., Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Barbara A. Fitzsimmons, Ed.D., Curriculum Director, William J. Daly, Director of Human Resources and Maureen Buck, Controller

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

 

 

       III.          Open Forum 

§         Robert Sullivan, Item VI C. 13 on agenda - Recommendation for New Policy/Grievance Hearings at the School Committee Level (Policy GBK): Teachers Union would like conflict resolution at earliest level.  School Committee agrees many points to be considered in policy change.  Ms Haft requested that Mr. Sullivan email her his thoughts.

 

       IV.          Routine Items

 

A.                  Correspondence 

§         Lynne Haft received email about the lack of decorum in scheduling a school committee meeting on September 11; correspondence regarding Hamilton Elementary start times; RIASC September 17, 2002  meeting; Wickford Middle School Open House same night; Public Hearing regarding literacy from the Board of Regents; Business Education Roundtable regarding statewide health insurance; Workshop on How to Handle Difficult People offered on October 29; copy of email originally sent to Denise Coppa from a parent of a special education student; Lynn Bushoven will be at the next School Committee meeting (September 25, 2002); copy of letter to the editor regarding preschool program.

§         Karin Forbes also received a call from a parent about the meeting this evening; Question received from parent on whether there was a specific policy on special education placement offered in the district, as there isn’t, Karin is referring this to the Policy Subcommittee.

§         James Halley brought to the School Committee’s attention a report regarding the preschool enrollment by Lynn Bushoven, which also describes the program; an article he wrote regarding the State of North Kingstown Schools which was sent to the local newspapers and parents; Kent Novak’s, (Professional Development Coordinator) Staff Development Calendar.

 

B.                   Calendar- Lynne Haft reviewed the calendar for the next two weeks with the school committee, very busy with school open houses.  Policy Subcommittee meeting scheduled for September 25th at 5:30 pm, a reception by the School Committee for the new employees tentatively scheduled for the second meeting in October at 6:30 pm.

 

         V.          Unfinished Business

A.                  2001-02 School Budget- None (delete from next Worksession agenda)

B.                   2002-03 School Budget - None

C.                   2001-02 School Department Goals and Objectives- none (delete from next Worksession agenda)

D.                  2002-03 School Department Goals and Objectives

A separate meeting was rescheduled to October 14, 2002 to discuss goals and objectives. 

 

Public comment:

§         Barry Martasian questioned where the meeting would be held.  Dr. Halley responded that the meeting would be advertised when all was agreed upon.

§         Don DeFedele questioned whether the necessity of hiring additional teachers affected the budget at all.  Dr. Halley responded that the new teachers were hired at a lower rate than the retirees; state aid came in higher than expected which will go to next year’s general fund.

 

E.                   School Modernization Advisory Committee – Ms. Haft received an email that the committee would like more time before they could offer a report.  They should be ready for their formal report in October.

 

F.             Elementary K-5 Organization Advisory Committee – Dr. Anthony Cirrillo, the Chairperson of the committee, had emailed Dr. Halley minutes of meetings held from July 23, 2002, through August 13, 2002 (see attachment A).  These minutes were discussed, and a meeting between the School Committee and the Elementary K-5 Organization Advisory Committee was planned for September 24, 2002 at 7:00 pm.  The meeting will be advertised for the public.

 

       VI.          New Business

 

A.                  Physical Restraint Policy - Craig Enos, Paralegal of Pupil Personnel Services, presented working document regarding physical restraint.  Mr. Enos offered that there has been extensive staff training at all schools and every school now has a member on staff that is qualified in physical restraint.  The document will be referred to the Policy Subcommittee.

 

Public Comment: cc 3926

§         Bob Curley questioned whether this referred to physical restraint of a student.  He was answered in the affirmative.

 

B.                   Placement of a Student on the School Committee for discussion – After much deliberation, it was determined that further discussion was necessary.  Item was tabled to next worksession, October 9, 2002.

 

C.                   Policies cc 11230

1.             Discussion of RIGL 16-38-6: Restrictions on Commercial Activity and Fund Raising in Public Schools – DD, GBEBC – After much discussion, referred to Policy Subcommittee

 

 

 

 

2.             Standing Orders – Policies and Procedures for Emergencies, First Aid, Medications, and Infectious Diseases – JLCE – On motion by Michael Northup, seconded by Karin Forbes, Policy sent to next Business Meeting for approval by unanimous vote (5/0).

 

3.             Amendment to Student Conduct, Behavior and Discipline Policy – JICD – Motion to send to next Business Meeting for approval; Mike Northup/Carol Hueston (5/0).

 

4.             Amendment to Policy on School Committee – Charter Provision – BB – Motion to send to next Business Meeting for approval; Mike Northup/Carol Hueston (5/0).

 

5.              Amendment to Policy on School Committee Member Code of Ethics/Conduct – BCA – Motion to send to next Business Meeting for approval; Mike Northup/Carol Hueston (5/0).

 

6.              Amendment to Policy on School Committee Organization and Conduct of Business – BD – Motion to send to next Business Meeting for approval; Mike Northup/Carol Hueston (5/0).

 

7.              Amendment to Policy on School Committee Clerk – Role and Responsibility – BDC – Motion to send to next Business Meeting for approval; Mike Northup/Carol Hueston (5/0).

 

8.             Amendment to Support Committees to the School Committee – BDE – Motion to send to next Business Meeting for approval; Mike Northup/Carol Hueston (5/0).

 

9.             Amendment to Policy on School Committee Meetings – BE – Motion to send with changes to next Business Meeting for approval; Mike Northup/Carol Hueston (5/0).

 

10.           Amendment to Policy on School Committee Policy Development – BGA – Motion to send with changes to next Business Meeting for approval; Mike Northup/Carol Hueston (5/0).

 

11.           Amendment to Policy on School Committee Communication/Chain of Command – BH – Motion to send with changes to next Business Meeting for approval; Mike Northup/Carol Hueston (5/0).

 

12.           Amendment to Policy on School Committee Member Service/Compensation/Reim-

                bursement – BID – Motion to send to next Business Meeting for approval; Mike Northup/Carol Hueston (5/0).

 

13.           Recommendation for New Policy – Grievance Hearings at the School Committee Level – GBK – As stated, many points to consider regarding this policy, i.e. School Committee member should be present for entire Executive Session, limit attendees to those directly involved, there should be a statement of the issue and other points.  Item referred to Policy Subcommittee for further review.

 

14.           Request Discussion on Issue Papers Regarding Proposed Policies

 

                a)             Home Schooling – IHBG*

 

                b)            School Volunteers – IJOC*

*Lynne Haft requested that these two items be placed at the top of the next meeting’s agenda for discussion only.

 

c)             Deviation from Attendance Boundary Policy – Administrative Regulation

– JCAC – R –Discussion:  No regulation needed.  Motion to send to next Business Meeting for approval; Mike Northup/Carol Hueston (5/0).

 

D.                  2002-2003 Enrollments

 

 

 

 

  VII.          Reports

 

A.                  High School Administration Report on High School Colors – Report by Gerald Foley (Appendix B)

 

   VIII.          Comments

§         Denise Coppa stated that Quidnessett Elementary’s open house was excellent.

§         Karin Forbes mentioned that Hamilton Elementary had made a good beginning, and she noticed that the High School was showing excellent school spirit.

§         Lynne Haft commented that Quidnessett Elementary’s kindergarten Team teachers were excited with the opening of school and how things were going, and parents were thrilled at open house.  She heard many positive comments.

§         Dr. Halley said that results of state testing were in and improvements were made in all areas.  The high school increased performance in Language Arts and Reading, Math scores were moderate.  Davisville Middle School’s scores also looked pretty good.  Quidnessett Elementary, Stony Lane and Forest Park were recognized as Schools that Support the Arts.

§         Barry Martasian was very pleased with the way Mrs. Denett’s 4th Grade classroom looked in Quidnessett Elementary School.

§         Kathy Brown commented on the lovely September 11th ceremony at Wickford Elementary School.  Dr. Halley mentioned that all of the schools honored the day with ceremonies.

 

       IX.          A motion to adjourn was made by Michael Northup/Carol Hueston (5/0) at 10:16 PM.

 

 

                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                                                                _______________________________________

                                                                                                Konnie M. Mazur

                                                                                                School Committee Secretary