NORTH KINGSTOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Wednesday, October 22, 2003

6:00 PM Executive Session for a Level III Grievance

Pursuant to RIGL 42-46-4 and 42-46-5(a) (1) (2) and (4)

 

7:00 PM Business Meeting

     Central Administration Building                                                                                                                                                           100 Fairway Drive, North Kingstown

“Challenging Student Excellence”

 

Minutes

 

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM.  Don DeFedele made a motion to move to executive session for the purpose of discussing a Level III Grievance.  The motion was seconded by Carol Hueston.  The vote was unanimous.

 

The meeting was moved to open session at 7:06 PM.

 

 I.   Pledge of Allegiance

 

II.  Roll Call               Present:   Chairperson Don DeFedele; Vice Chairperson Dr. Denise Coppa; Carol Hueston, Barry Martasian, Bill Mudge, Kevin Mulvey, Pat Watkins

                                    Absent:    Cathy Kaiser, Jamestown School Committee Representative

 

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

 

III. Open Forum

  • Bob Sullivan, President of NEANK, announced that the North Kingstown teachers had ratified the tentative agreement with the North Kingstown School Committee with an approval vote of 85%.
  • Chris Emerson asked why the Butternut Drive area seemed to be the exception in the southern end of town in regard to busing children to Fishing Cove School.  He questioned why the Committee doesn’t consider building a new school in the southern end.

Don DeFedele explained that the schools have already been redistricted and that area was designated as Fishing Cove School.

Dr. Halley stated that a study group had looked at the districting lines over a year’s time period and this districting was the recommendation of the group so there would be a long term lasting impact.

Don DeFedele said that it was never intended to isolate a neighborhood.  With regard to building a new school, that will require much more discussion and will go through the long process with the feasibility study.

  • Kathy Brown asked if any new documents regarding school modernization would be distributed that evening.  She then questioned the meeting procedure of the night about the public addressing any new discussion based on new documents.  She was informed that there was nothing new available.*  

Don DeFedele answered that this was a Business Meeting and open forum and ending comments are the time for public input.

Ms. Brown commented that the bond issues needed time to be discussed.

 

She suggested that money be diverted to schools that need it now instead of waiting for a bond.  She

commented that Davisville Elementary needs space, and Wickford Middle School

needs work for a large sixth grade population coming in next year.

 

      Don DeFedele suggested moving item number V - New Business, Ratification of the 

      NEANK Contract – to this point in the agenda.  There were no objections.

·        Pat Watkins made a motion to ratify the NEANK teachers’ contract with the School Committee.

Carol Hueston seconded the motion.

Vote – approved 6/0 with Bill Mudge abstaining.

 

IV. Routine Items

A.     Disclosure of Executive Session Votes – no votes taken.

B.     Correspondence

Pat Watkins reported being notified of the SORICO Keyworks meeting scheduled for

November 3, 2003.

Don DeFedele pointed out the letter from the Auditor General concerning RI law 44-5-2 which states that a town may levy a tax in excess of 5.5% under emergency conditions.  This is important to remember when the budget is being discussed.  It was suggested that Cindy Olobri, town Finance Director, be invited to speak to the Committee at the next worksession about these conditions.

Bill Mudge has attended a meeting with the Auditor General who stated there is legislation that requires line items over $100,000 to be identified.

C.     Calendar

Dr. Halley review the upcoming events with the School Committee.

 

Consent Agenda:

 

Approved items on the consent agenda are marked with * on a motion by Pat Watkins 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.

 

D.     Approval of Minutes of Prior Meetings

                              1.  January 29, 2003 Executive Session*

2.  June 5, 2003 Executive Session**

3.  August 26, 2003 Executive Session**

4.  August 28, 2003 Executive Session**

5.  September 3, 2003 Executive Session**

6.  September 4, 2003 Executive Session**

7.  September 5, 2003 Executive Session – typo, September 9, 2003**

8.  September 13, 2003 Executive Session**

9.  September 18, 2003 Executive Session**

10. September 22, 2003 Executive Session**

11. September 23, 2003 Executive Session**

12. September 24, 2003, School Committee Business Meeting*

13. October 8, 2003, School Committee Worksession*

14. October 15, 2003 Special Meeting*

            Bill Mudge requested exemptions of items 2-12.

  • Mr. Mudge felt that the minutes should state the action taken and specify items that

            should be addressed. 

  • Don DeFedele stated that no actions were taken and no votes were taken at the negotiations sessions and finds nothing wrong with the minutes. 
  • Pat Watkins found nothing wrong with the minutes and felt that executive meeting items have the right to be kept private.
  • Kevin Mulvey would like to correct the September 9, 2003 to read that the Committee recessed at

      12:00 AM, not 12:00 PM.

 

Pat Watkins made a motion to approve the executive session minutes.  Carol Hueston seconded.

Vote 6/1 to approve with Bill Mudge voting no.

 

Pat Watkins made a motion to approve the corrected minutes of September 9, 2003.  Kevin Mulvey seconded.

Vote 6/1 to approve with Bill Mudge voting no.

 

Mr. Mudge withdrew the exemption for September 24, 2003 Worksession minutes.

 

Pat Watkins made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 24, 2003 Worksession.  Carol Hueston seconded.

Vote 6/1 to approve with Bill Mudge abstaining.

 

      E.  Financial Reports

1.      Monthly Deficit Monitoring Report***

2.      Quarterly Revenues***

3.      Expenditure Report***

4.      In$ite Certification Report

Bill Mudge requested exemptions of all financial reports.

  • Items 1, 2, and 3 were moved to the next worksession on November 5, 2003.

 

Recess was taken at 7:49 PM for the Committee to read the InSite Certification Report.

 

The meeting resumed at 8:03 PM.

 

  • Mr. Mudge felt that the InSite Report did not agree with the Financial Report letter to the School Committee from Joe Quinn, Director of Administrative Services.  The InSite Report accounts for State Aid in 2004 in the amount of $11,122,659.  Mr. Quinn’s letter reports State Aid in the amount of $10,848,027.  He requested clarification.

Mr. Quinn responded that the higher figure includes general state aid and literacy set-aside targeted funds that are not reported in his letter. 

Mr. Mudge would like to know what the surplus was in item #5 in InSite.  Item # 5 states “If there were a school department FY 2003 surplus (from state or local dollars), did the school committee retain the surplus for either FY 2004 or FY 2005 (as opposed to turning the surplus back to the municipality)?

Dr. Halley explained that the town did not retain it.  That money is put into our own account and used as the base for the start of next year.

  • Mr. Mudge asked about item #4 - $10,652 unexpended budget appropriation.

Joe Quinn explained that the money is returned to the town.  That money is then earmarked for the schools in the following year.

  • Mr. Mudge asked about a $257,000 surplus this year.

Mr. Quinn explained that this figure comes from revenues.   Excess revenues are received but not spent because they have not been budgeted as appropriated.  We received more revenues than were budgeted as appropriated, mostly from Jamestown tuitions.  We can’t spend over our appropriations.

 

Kevin Mulvey made a motion to accept the InSite Report.  Carol Hueston seconded.

Vote to approve 6/1 with Bill Mudge voting no.

 

F.  Bids and Awards

1)      Remittance for $119,873.00 to SERVPRO for Mold Removal and Containment at various locations throughout the School Department.*

 

F.                  Personnel Items

 

1.                  Appointments, Non-Certificated Staff:

 

a)                  Howard Gyba, 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, Step1 @ $11.58 per hour, effective October 6, 2003. Budgeted.*

 

b)                  Michael Petteruti, Special Education Paraprofessional at Wickford Middle School, 6 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 30 hours per week, Step 1 plus a Bachelor’s Degree @ $9.51 per hour, effective September 22, 2003. Non-Budgeted.*

 

c)                  Susan Erb, Special Education Paraprofessional at Stony Lane Elementary School, 6 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total pf 30 hours per week, Step 2 @ $10.04 per hour, effective September 25, 2003. Budgeted.*

 

d)                  Constance Easdon, School Paraprofessional at Hamilton Elementary School, 5.2 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 26 hours per week, Step 1 @ $9.51 per hour, effective October 6, 2003. Budgeted.*

 

e)                  Nancy Ciminelli, School Paraprofessional at Fishing Cove School, 4 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 20 hours per week, Step 1 plus a Bachelor’s Degree @ $9.51 per hour, effective October 1, 2003. Budgeted.*

 

f)                    Lori McKay, School Paraprofessional at Fishing Cove School, 4 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 20 hours per week, Step 1 plus a Bachelor’s Degree @ $9.51 per hour, effective October 1, 2003. Budgeted.*

 

g)                  Carrie Phaneuf, Food Service Worker at Wickford Middle School, 3 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 15 hours per week, Step 1 @ $8.02, effective October 14, 2003. Budgeted.*

 

h)                  Brenda Walsh, School Paraprofessional at Davisville Elementary School, 5 hours per day 5 days a week for a total of 25 hours per week, Step 1 plus an Associates Degree @ $9.51 per hour, effective October 9, 2003. Budgeted 4 hours; non-budgeted 1 hour.*

 

i)                    Jigisha Pathak, Special Education Paraprofessional at Forest Park Elementary School, 4 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 20 hours per week, Step 1 plus a Bachelor’s Degree @ $9.51 per hour, effective October 14, 2003. Non-Budgeted.*

 

j)                    Elizabeth Cote, Special Education Paraprofessional at Forest Park Elementary School, 4 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 20 hours per week, Step 1 plus an Associates Degree @ $9.51 per hour, effective October 6, 2003. Budgeted.*

 

k)                  Claire Pope, Special Education Paraprofessional at Wickford Elementary School, 4 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 20 hours per week, Step 1 plus a Bachelor’s Degree @ $9.51 per hour, effective October 6, 2003. Non-Budgeted.*

 

l)                    Eileen Murphy, School Paraprofessional at Wickford Elementary School, 4 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 20 hours per week, Step 1 plus a Bachelor’s Degree @ $9.51 per hour, effective October 6, 2003. Budgeted.*

 

m)                Nancy Ciccone, School Paraprofessional at Fishing Cove, 4 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 20 hours per week, Step 1 plus a Bachelor’s Degree @ $9.51 per hour, effective October 14, 2003. Budgeted.*

 

n)                  Amy Abramson-Denoff, School Paraprofessional at Wickford Elementary School, 4 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 20 hours per week, Step 1 plus a Bachelor’s Degree @ $9.51 per hour, effective October 7, 2003. Budgeted.*

 

o)                  Lynn McVety-Barone, School Paraprofessional at Davisville Elementary School, 4 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 20 hours per week, Step 1 plus a Bachelor’s Degree @ $9.51 per hour, effective October 15, 2003. Budgeted.*

 

p)                  Linda Rose, Special Education Paraprofessional at Davisville Elementary School, 6 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 30 hours per week, Step 1 plus a Bachelor’s Degree @ $9.51 per hour, effective October 16, 2003.  Non-Budgeted.*

 

b.                  Increase in Hours, Non-Certificated Staff:

 

                                                                     i.                        Paula Hurd, Paraprofessional at Forest Park Elementary School, 6 hours per day (5 hours school paraprofessional + 1 hour special education paraprofessional), 5 days a week for a total of 30 hours per week, Step 2 @ $10.04 per hour, effective September 22, 2003. Budgeted 5 hours; Non-budgeted 1 hour.*

 

c.                   Appointments, 2003/2004 Curriculum Coordinators:

(plus any negotiated increases) Budgeted In Accordance with the NEA/NK contract.*

 

Jay Walsh                     Co-Social Studies Coordinator $1749.50

Michelle Sandham        Co-Social Studies Coordinator $1749.50

Suzanne Barry              Mathematics Coordinator                     $1166

Jean Larson                  Art Coordinator                                    $1166 

Adrian Poland              Reading Coordinator                            $1166

Audrey Friedman          Language Arts Coordinator                   $1166

Ed Ferrario                   Science Coordinator                             $3499

Judy O’Brien                Co-Media Specialist Coordinator         $583

Martha Baton               Co-Media Specialist Coordinator         $583

 

d.                  Resignation, Non-Certificated Staff:

 

a)                  Cynthia Plante, Food Service Worker at Wickford Middle School, 3 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 15 hours per week, effective September 22, 2003.*

 

b)                  Margaret Duffy-Stephenson, Special Education Paraprofessional at Wickford Elementary School, 6 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 30 hours per week, effective September 19, 2003.*

 

c)                  Walt Hopwood, Assistant Boys Volleyball Coach at the North Kingstown High School, effective September 1, 2003.*

 

5.                  Approval of Advanced Degree Increment Award, Certificated Staff: Budgeted In Accordance with the NEA/NK contract.

 

a)                  Tina LaFerriere, 1.0 FTE Mathematics Teacher at the North Kingstown High School, Master’s Degree + 15 credits, total annual increment of $3034 plus any negotiated increases.*

 

b)                  David Hoffer, 1.0 FTE Science Teacher at Davisville Middle School, Master’s Degree, total annual increment of $2623 plus any negotiated increases.*

 

c)                  Kenneth Duva, 1.0 FTE Special Education Teacher at Quidnessett Elementary School, Bachelor’s Degree plus 15 credits, total annual increment of $965 plus any negotiated increases.*

 

d)                  Lynda Fortin, 1.0 FTE Elementary Teacher at Wickford Elementary School, Maser’s Degree plus 15 credits, total annual increment of $3034 plus any negotiated increases.*

 

e)                  Caroline Monti, 1.0 FTE Special Education Teacher at Fishing Cove School, Bachelor’s Degree plus 30 credits, total annual increment of $1517 plus any negotiated increases.*

 

f)                    Andrea Pisani, 1.0 FTE Mathematics Teacher at the North Kingstown High School, Master’s Degree, total annual increment of $2623 plus any negotiated increases.*

 

g)                  Jason Shabo, 1.0 FTE PE/Health Teacher at the North Kingstown High School, Bachelor’s Degree plus 15 credits, total annual increment of $965 plus any negotiated increases.*

 

h)                  Aaron Thomas, 1.0 FTE Video Technology Teacher at the North Kingstown High School, Master’s Degree, total annual increment of $2623 plus any negotiated increases.

 

i)                    John Ward, 1.0 FTE Social Studies Teacher at the North Kingstown High School, Master’s Degree plus 30 credits, total annual increment of $3448 plus any negotiated increases.*

 

j)                    Kimberly Wilson, 1.0 FTE Elementary Teacher at Wickford Elementary School, Master’s Degree, total annual increment of $2623 plus any negotiated increases.*

 

k)                  Paula Schartner, 1.0 FTE Elementary Teacher at Quidnessett Elementary School, Master’s Degree, total annual increment of $2623 plus any negotiated increases.*

 

l)                    John Daneau, 1.0 FTE Science Teacher at the North Kingstown High School, Master’s Degree plus 15 credits, total annual increment of $3034 plus any negotiated increases.*

 

m)                Kerri Ferrario, 1.0 FTE Elementary Teacher at Quidnessett Elementary School, Master’s Degree, total annual increment of $3034 plus any negotiated increases.*

 

n)                  Patricia Farri, 1.0 FTE Elementary Teacher at Quidnessett Elementary School, Master’s Degree, total annual increment of $3034 plus any negotiated increases.*

 

o)                  Jo-Ann Walsh, 1.0 FTE Elementary Teacher at Quidnessett Elementary School, Bachelor’s plus 30 credits, total annual increment of $1517 plus any negotiated increases.*

 

p)                  Rose Boyle, 1.0 FTE Guidance Counselor at the North Kingstown High School, Master’s Degree plus 15 credits, total annual increment of $3034 plus any negotiated increases.*

 

q)                  Charlene Vallante, 1.0 FTE Elementary Teacher at Hamilton Elementary School, Master’s Degree plus 15 credits, total annual increment of $3034 plus any negotiated increases.*

 

r)                   Janice Strain, 1.0 FTE Art Teacher at Wickford Middle School, Master’s Degree plus 15 credits, total annual increment of $3034 plus any negotiated increases.*

 

s)                   Serena Mason, 1.0 FTE Social Studies Teacher at the North Kingstown High School, Bachelor’s Degree plus 30 credits, total annual increment of $1517 plus any negotiated increases.*

 

6.                  Appointments, 2003/2004 Intramural Coaches: Budgeted In Accordance with the NEA/NK contract.*

(plus any negotiated increases)

 

            Davisville Middle School

 

Marcia Sahagian           Intramural Director                               $1034

Dennis Brown               Recreational Games                              $411

Marcia Sahagian           Basketball                                            $411

David Hoffer                Lawn Games                                        $411

Ann Bianchi                  Walking for Fitness                               $411

Savas Synodi                Touch Football                         $411

David Hoffer                Table Tennis                                         $411

Marcia Sahagian           Volleyball 1                                          $411

Dennis Brown               Volleyball 2                                          $411

Savas Synodi                Team Sports                                         $411

Marcia Sahagian           Tennis                                                  $411

 

7.                  Increase in FTE, Certificated Staff:

 

a)                  Michelle Webber, Music Teacher at Forest Park Elementary School, from .6 FTE to .7 FTE, Step 1 with an annual salary of $22,420 plus any negotiated increases, effective August 29, 2003. Budgeted - .6; Non-Budgeted .1.*

 

b)                  Kristine Graham, PE/Health Teacher at the North Kingstown High School, from .9 FTE to 1.0 FTE, Step 5 with an annual salary of $40,794 plus any negotiated increases, effective August 29, 2003.  Budgeted  - .9; Non-Budgeted .1.*

 

ADDENDUM TO THE AGENDA

 

Consent Agenda

 

D.                 Approval of Minutes of Prior Meetings

            Corrections:

5.  September 3, 2003 Executive Session - Ms. Watkins was not present.*

6. September 4, 2003 Executive Session

    Ms. Watkins was present.*

 

 

F.                  Bids and Awards

 

2.      Design and Build a Grinder Pump Connection from the C/D Building to the New High School ISDS.*

 

G.                Personnel Items

 

5.      Approval of Advanced Degree Increment Award, Certificated Staff:  Budgeted in accordance with the NEA/NK contract.*

 

t)        Nancy Voght, 1.0 FTE Mathematics Teacher at Davisville Middle School, Master’s Degree plus 15 credits, total annual increment of $3034 plus any negotiated increases.*

 

End of Consent Agenda

 

VI.              Unfinished Business

A.     Adoption of Handwriting Program for Elementary

o       Bill Mudge asked is this would be implemented in every school.

Dr. Halley replied that all schools would use this program which will begin in second grade after the return from February vacation.

 

                        Pat Watkins made a motion to approve the Handwriting Program.

                        Carol Hueston seconded.

                        Vote to approve 7/0.

 

B.     School Modernization Implementation

o       Dr. Halley distributed a recommendation of priorities of modernization implementation based on the RGB report and Asset Management Committee’s suggestions. (Appendix A)

The proposal separates the RGB report into three phases considering the highest priorities to be applied first.

a.)  Phase I would include the modernization of Davisville Elementary School for a cost of $7.4 million, and new construction of Wickford Middle School for a cost of $18.0 million.  Total cost for Phase I would be $25.4 million.

                        This would require bonding in the fall of 2004.

b.)  Phase II would be funded through Capitol Improvement funds requesting $1.0 million per year from the town over six years.  This phase would include minimum repair costs to existing facilities.  Fishing Cove would require $1.7 million, Forest Park would need $2.0 million and Wickford Elementary would cost $2.4 million, for a total of $6.1 million.

c.)  Phase III would require bonding in the fall of 2008.  This phase would complete the modernization of Fishing Cove at $5.6 million, Forest Park at $4.8 million and Wickford Elementary at $4.3 million, for a total of $14.7 million.

o       Barry Martasian asked if inflation costs have been built in.

Dr. Halley responded that we need to wait until we are closer to 2008 to have a more accurate inflation cost.

Mr. Martasian asked if Capitol Improvement money could be used to get started with Davisville Elementary improvements.

Dr. Halley explained that the minimum repair to bring Davisville Elementary up to code would require $1.6 million, but that doesn’t make the school larger.  Grades four and five returning cannot be addressed without the modernization of the school.

Don DeFedele stated that we cannot start any construction without the bond being approved by the taxpayers.

o       Kevin Mulvey agrees with this approach and would like to see beginning and ending dates applied to each phase.

o       Bill Mudge distributed a chart to the Committee suggesting the Capitol Project Requirements/Planning Matrix that should be completed for each school.  Mr. Mudge stated that this would address safety issues, or deficiencies that we have today, and we can repair facilities keeping in mind upgrades and additions to be done in the future.

o       Don DeFedele stated that we have asked these issues of RGB and they have reported that there are no deficiencies now, but there will be things we have to be aware of in the near future.  RGB has identified these items which are included in the minimum repair costs.

o       Denise Coppa does not agree with the chart Mr. Mudge distributed.  Dr. Coppa stated that we just spent $90,000 to have the experts from RGB give us a report based on what we need now.  If we use that chart based on old reports, we will be going back to a different perspective of how things were done in the past.

o       Bill Mudge questioned the list that we send to the Department of Education last year has things on it that were never accomplished and asked why they were not on the list again this year.

o       Don DeFedele stated that when we make the submission to the Board of Education, we need to include everything we would like to do to the district facilities.  An unlisted project will not be subject to any reimbursement.  If there is not enough money approved, the item doesn’t get done.  He used the example of the roofs this year.  If they were not on our list, we wouldn’t have receive any reimbursement.

o       Bill Mudge urged the Committee to read the Necessity of Construction document.  He reiterated that this is a very important, serious document.

o       Pat Watkins asked if the Town agrees to a $1.0 million Capitol Improvement fund, would we allot a portion of that money for general emergencies throughout the district.

o       Dr. Halley explained that we allocate priorities in terms of the Capitol Improvement Plan and general emergencies for all schools are taken out of this fund 

o       Joe Quinn stated that projects come out of the Capitol Improvement fund unless they are bonded.  The School Committee decides what to prioritize.  Bonding funds are used for major projects.

o       Bill Mudge asked how much surplus was in the Capitol Improvement fund.

o       Joe Quinn stated that it is approximately $400,000 - $500,000.  This money has only been available since July 1st, and roofing, septic and other emergency bills have not been deducted from this fund as of yet.

o       Denise Coppa asked for a clarification on new construction versus modernization of Wickford Middle School.

o       Don DeFedele explained that we are asking for funds for new construction because if the renovation of Wickford Middle School is not possible, we would be able to go forward with a new school.

o       Barry Martasian asked if the price of land was included in the cost.

o       Kevin Mulvey stated that it is not but the town owns land in the southern end.

o       Bill Mudge asked if the submittal to the state has to be approved by the Town Council

o       Dr. Halley explained that they approve the concept, not the paperwork.

 

 

Pat Watkins made a motion to accept the Superintendent’s recommendation to submit the prioritized modernization report to the Town Council.  Carol Hueston seconded.

 

Kevin Mulvey moved to amend the motion to include the adjustment to include a timeline in the report.

Carol Hueston seconded.

Vote to approve as amended 6/1 with Bill Mudge voting no.

 

Bill Mudge felt that documents that have previously been submitted to the state had errors.

Joe Quinn disagreed and felt all have been correct.

 

Bill Mudge made a motion for the School Committee to approve all documents for review before submission to the state.

The motion was not seconded.

 

C.     School Security – no discussion.

 

D.     2003-04 School Budget – no discussion.

 

E.      2003-02 Goals and Objectives

The staff development meeting will include a discussion about assessment/accountability.

 

VII.           Reports

A.     Subcommittee Reports – none

B.     RIASC and other Legislative Activity – none

 

VIII.        Comments

o       Denise Coppa attended the About Face Graduation last Thursday.  Thirty students received certificates after a twenty two week session.  She stated that this was a great project with community and corporate support.

o       Bill Mudge stated that the look on the kids’ faces from this project was great.  They had confidence and a tremendous amount of self esteem.

o        Don DeFedele thanked Kevin Gorman for working with the Little League this year.  He did a great job.

o       Dr. Halley suggested that the School Committee needed to deal with a major ethical problem that had to do with Standards of Conduct by a member.

o       Bill Mudge stated that Dr. Halley was referring to him.

o       Dr. Halley confirmed that it was Mr. Mudge.  Dr. Halley stated that the School Committee acts as a whole, not individually.  Mr. Mudge undermines what the School Committee wants to accomplish even though he is of the minority opinion.  His unethical behavior both at meetings and out in public is something that the School Committee needs to deal with.

o       Don DeFedele questioned whether this matter should be held in an executive session and stated that he will consult with the School Committee attorney in relation to this concern.

o       Mr. Mudge said to have the Superintendent document his concern and stated that this is an open issue that doesn’t need an executive session.

o       Mr. DeFedele will consult with counsel about this issue.

o       April Brunelle stated that she was shocked and appalled that the prioritized plan that was voted on tonight did not have public comment.  There were not members of the PTOs or parents present to express their opinions.  This was presented at a Business Meeting with no members of the public in attendance to talk about it.  She said that this was not presented at other meetings and no one knew this would be talked about tonight.

She also stated that Mr. Mudge was the number one vote getter for a reason.  Parents were concerned about issues and wanted him to dig into things.

o       Don DeFedele strongly disagreed saying that the Committee has talked about this modernization at length.  It was on the agenda and advertised in the newspaper.  There has been a presentation by RGB architects, a special School Committee meeting just for this topic, and a joint meeting with the Town Council.  The prioritized plan is not new information.  It is the same information that RGB submitted in their report.

o       Kathy Brown asked what was voted on.

o       Dr. Halley explained that the School Committee accepted the recommended reprioritization that the Town Council requested.  Phase I will modernize Davisville Elementary and propose new construction for Wickford Middle School.  Phase II will include minimal repairs for Fishing Cove, Forest Park and Wickford Elementary.  This can be funded through the Capitol Improvement funds of $1million per year.  Phase III will require bonding in 2008 to complete modernization of Fishing Cove, Forest Park and Wickford Elementary.

o       Denise Coppa stated that the Town Council asked the Committee to submit a prioritized list of proposals.  The NK Schools Modernization Recommendations – October 22, 2003 list (Appendix B)* is just the RGB report divided into phases.  The Committee has had many meetings on this topic.  This list just helps the Town Council look at the report and know the Committee’s priorities.  These priorities had to be voted on at this meeting in order to meet the Town Council’s request to have it to them by their Monday night meeting.

o       Kathy Brown wanted copies of handouts before the meeting to be able to ask questions.  She feels there is a lot of room for dialogue.  She pointed out errors in the RGB Proposed Phasing/Priority Plan (Appendix C)* such as stating that Davisville Elementary’s fourth and fifth graders go to Stony Lane instead of Quidnessett.

o       Mr. DeFedele said that this is a minor clerical error that doesn’t change anything.  This would not have an impact on moving forward with this project.

o       Kevin Mulvey also felt that minor discrepancies will not change anything.

o       Kathy Brown disagrees that $45 million needs to be spent.  She said she will not vote for this bond issue.  She felt that the Asset Management report has not been considered.   

o       Don DeFedele felt that the Asset Management Committee’s recommendations have been taken into consideration.  The Town Council will see the recommendations from both the School Committee and the Asset Management Committee and they will make a decision after reviewing both documents.

o       Ms. Brown asked now that the teachers’ contract has been settled, will there be open houses.

o       Dr. Halley explained that open houses were never part of the contract.  Open houses have already been held.  There will be parent/teacher conferences held in two weeks.  There will be opportunity for teachers to be at school report nights to have general meetings with parents.

 

Kevin Mulvey made a motion to recess into executive session.  Seconded by Carol Hueston

Vote to approve 7/0.

 

Recess to executive session at 9:32 PM.

 

Pat Watkins made a motion to move to open session.  Seconded by Carol Hueston.

Vote was unanimous.

 

Returned to open session at 9:50PM.

 

Pat Watkins made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Seconded by Carol Hueston.

Vote was unanimous.

 

Meeting adjourned at 9:51 PM.

 

 

Please note that executive sessions are closed to the public.  Individuals requesting interpreter services for the hearing impaired must contact the School Department at 268-6402, at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting date.  Copies of all backup materials for this agenda are available at the School Department Central Office or at each school building.  For further information, please call Konnie Mazur at 268-6402.

 

 

 

 

                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                            ________________________

                                                            Karen A. Nutini

                                                            Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent

 

 

 

*Amended as required by November 18, 2003 Business Meeting vote.