NORTH KINGSTOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Wednesday, October 24, 2001

7:00 PM Business Meeting

Central Administration Building                                                                                                                               100 Fairway Drive

“Challenging Student Excellence”

 

Minutes

 

           I.          Pledge of Allegiance

 

         II.          Call To Order                      The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM.

 

A.            Roll Call                 Present:  Vice Chairperson Karin L. Forbes, Denise Coppa, Dr. Janice DeFrances, Carol H. Hueston, Michael R. Northup, Patricia E. Watkins and Cathy Kaiser, Jamestown School Committee Representative

                                                Absent:  Chairperson Lynne Haft

 

                                                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, Joseph F. Quinn, Jr., Director of Administrative Services, William J. Daly, Director of Human Resources, and Maureen Buck, Controller.

 

       III.          Open Forum- None

 

       IV.          Presentations

 

A.                  NKHS Envirothon Team Presentation

Lynn Sironen and Lynn Wolslegal (absent), co-advisors of the NKHS Envirothon Team, introduced Ryan Arruda and Emily Troiano, who are two members of the five-member team.  Last spring, the team won the state competition for their Solution to the Green Hill Pond Problem.  From there, the team went to the national competition in Mississippi in July.  Both students have obtained paid internships with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the University of Rhode Island.  Ms. Sironen thanked the school department and the school committee for their support of the program that seeks to make citizens environmentally aware.  Dr. Halley thanked the co-advisors for their support of the program and for “going beyond the basic learning.”

 

B.                   Summer School Report by Donna Thompson  clock counter (cc)  1146

Donna Thompson submitted a Summer School Annual Report and was available to answer questions.  Ms. Thompson said that enrichment courses are quite successful and that remedial courses at the elementary level should be patterned after them.  There is a possibility that the program at the middle school level will be expanded.  At the high school level, enrollment decreased due to the ‘D’ grade.  All levels will be looked at to determine a direction for the future.  A “collaborative or regionalization concept” for the program was also discussed.  The Summer School Report can be viewed in the Superintendent’s Office.

 

         V.          Routine Items

 

A.                  Correspondence  cc  2208

¨       Karin Forbes received information from RIASC regarding KEYWORK, a memo from Peter McWalters, Department of Education, regarding employee receipt of gifts, and a district electronic policy guide from RIASC.

¨       Dr. Halley mentioned that Jim DiPrete, Chairperson of the Board of Regents will tour the high school tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

B.                   Calendar  cc  2445- Dr. Halley reviewed the calendar for the next two weeks with the School Committee.  A NKSELAC meeting will be held on November 13 at 7:00 PM at Davisville Elementary School.  The next school committee meeting on November 14 will possibly be held at the NKHS Decision Center.  The meeting will start at 6:00 PM.

 

CONSENT AGENDA  cc  2931

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

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

 

C.                   Approval of Minutes of Prior Meetings*

1.                    September 24, 2001 School Committee Business Meeting

2.                    October 10, 2001 School Committee Worksession

3.                    October 10, 2001 School Committee Executive Session

 

D.                  Quarterly Security Report 7/1/01-9/30/01**

**Denise Coppa exempted the Quarterly Security Report(7/1/01-9/30/01) for a concern regarding security at the high school.  Dr. Halley said that there is decent security in high-risk areas.  The Quarterly Security Report was then approved on a motion by Pat Watkins/Carol Hueston (6/0).

 

E.                   Financial Reports*

1.                    Financial Narrative from the Director of Administrative Services

2.                    NKSD Revenue Comparison Report- First Quarter as of 9/30/01

3.                    NKSD Year-To-Date Expenditure Report as of 9/30/01

 

F.                   Bids and Awards*

1.             Purchase of Video Editing System for the North Kingstown High School

G.                   Personnel Items

1.                    Appointments, Certificated Staff:*

 

a)                   Keith Higgins, .8 FTE Adaptive PE Teacher at the North Kingstown High School, Step 3 with an annual salary of $27,878, pro-rated in the 2001/2002 school year for 15 days at .4 FTE and 156 days at .8 FTE with a total salary of $24,374.73, effective October 15, 2001.

 

b)                   Lisa Durgin, .4 FTE Reading Teacher at Davisville Middle School, Step 6 + a Masters with an annual salary of $17,736, pro-rated for 154 days in the 2001/2002 school with a total salary of $14,607, effective October 15, 2001.

 

2.                    Appointments, Non-Certificated Staff:

 

a)                   Sally Heaney, School Paraprofessional at Davisville Middle School, 6 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 30 hours per week, Step 1 @ $8.49 per hour, effective October 1, 2001.*

 

b)                   M. Joyce Hannon, School Paraprofessional at the North Kingstown High School, 6 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 30 hours per week, Step 3 @ $9.41 per hour, effective October 2, 2001.*

 

 

 

 

c)                   Denise Slade, 6 hour Paraprofessional  (4 hour School Paraprofessional + 2 hour Special Education Paraprofessional) at Quidnessett Elementary School, 5 days a week for a total of 30 hours per week, Step 1 @ $8.49 per hour School Paraprofessional and $9.09 per hour Special Education Paraprofessional, effective October 1, 2001.*

 

d)                   Elizabeth Morander, School Paraprofessional at Davisville Elementary School, 4 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 20 hours per week, Step 1 @ $8.49 per hour, effective September 21, 2001.*

 

e)                   Patricia Hughes, School Paraprofessional at Forest Park Elementary School, 4 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 20 hours per week, Step 1 @ $8.49 per hour, effective September 10, 2001.*

 

f)                    Craig Enos, Paralegal for the Pupil Personnel Department, 7 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 35 hours per week, with an annual salary of $35,000, effective November 1, 2001**

**Dr. McGregor exempted this item to comment that this is the first time that a public school has hired a paralegal.  Agenda item V.G.2.f. was then approved on a motion by Pat Watkins/Carol Hueston (6/0).

 

g)                   Elisha Martinez, Bus Paraprofessional for the North Kingstown School Department for a minimum of 4 hours per day, 5 days a week, Step 1 @ $9.09 per hour effective October 15, 2001.*

 

3.                    Increase in hours, Non-Certificated Staff:*

 

a)                   Susan Boudreau, Truck Driver/Food Service Worker at the North Kingstown High School, from 3 hours to 4 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 20 hours per week, effective October 15, 2001.

 

4.                    Approval in Hourly Rate Increase:*

 

a)                   Donna Thompson, COZ Coordinator, 40 hours per week, 48 weeks per year @ $30 per hour, effective July 1, 2001.

 

b)                   Barbara Sweeney, Family Center Outreach Worker, 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year @ $18.00 per hour, effective July 1, 2001.

 

5.                    Increase in Salary, Non-Certificated Staff:*

 

a)                   Elizabeth Prairie, Food Service Supervisor, with an annual salary of $51,146, effective July 1, 2001

 

6.                    Increase in FTE, Certificated Staff:*

 

a)                   Robin D’Errico, from .8 FTE to 1.0 FTE Reading Teacher at Wickford Middle School, Step 8 plus a Masters with an annual salary of $49,205, effective. August 30, 2001.

 

b)                   Judith Taylor, from .8 FTE to 1.0 FTE Adaptive PE teacher at Davisville Middle School, Step 4.5 with an annual salary of $38,012, effective August 30, 2001.

 

c)                   Marea Rice, from .9 FTE to 1.0 FTE Reading Teacher at Quidnessett Elementary School and Hamilton Elementary School, Step 9 + a Masters with an annual salary of $51,639, pro-rated for 9 days @ .9 and 152 days at 1.0 in the 2001/2002 school year with a total salary of $50,673.35, effective October 17, 2001.

 

 

 

7.                    Appointment, 2001/2002 Interscholastic Coaches:*

 

Wickford Middle School

 

Paul Graham                          Asst. Cross Country Coach                               $1390

 

                Davisville Middle School

 

Mike Berndt                          Asst. Cross Country Coach                               $1390

 

8.                    Appointments, 2001/2002 Intramurals:*

 

Ella Whaley                           Tennis                                    $384

David Hoffer                         Bocce Ball                             $384

Savas Synodi                        Basketball                              $384

Marcia Sahagian                  Basketball                              $384

Ella Whaley                           Table Tennis                         $384

Marcia Sahagian                  Volleyball I                            $384

Dennis Brown                       Volleyball II                           $384

Anne Bianchi                        Walking For Fitness            $384

Dennis Brown                       Touch Football                     $384

Savas Synodi                        Outdoor Rec                         $384

Marcia Sahagian                  Irish Bocce Ball                    $384

 

9.                    Appointments, 2001/2002 Advisors:*

 

Davisville Middle School

 

Donna Berg                           After School Book Club Co-Advisor                $222

Marie Noble                          After School Book Club Co-Advisor                $222

Janice Strain                          Art Club I Advisor                                               $333

David Hoffer                         Chess Club Advisor                                            $390

Mary Barden                         Community Service Advisor                              $333

David Hoffer                         Outdoor Club Co-Advisor                                  $273

Mary Barden                         Outdoor Club Co-Advisor                                  $273

Michael Thibodeau             Student Council Advisor                                    $858

Carolyn Coppolino              Writer’s Group Advisor                                      $333

Cheryl Pierce                         Yearbook Advisor                                               $2575

Steven Enright                      Youth-To-Youth Co-Advisor                            $312.50

Bridget White                       Youth-To-Youth Co-Advisor                            $331.66

 

10.                 Advanced Degree Increment Awards, 2001/2002:*

 

a)                   Michael Iadevaia, 1.0 FTE Music Teacher at Wickford Middle School, Bachelors + 15 credits, total annual increment $927.

 

b)                   Colleen Bauerle, 1.0 FTE Social Studies Teacher at Davisville Middle School, Bachelors + 15 credits, total annual increment $927.

 

c)                   Serena Mason, 1.0 FTE Social Studies Teacher at the North Kingstown High School, Bachelors + 15 credits, total annual increment $927.

 

d)                   Julie Maguire, 1.0 FTE Physical Education Teacher at the North Kingstown High School, Bachelors + 15 credits, total annual increment $927.

 

e)                   Susanne Warburton, 1.0 FTE ESL Teacher at Davisville Elementary School, Bachelors + 30 credits, total annual increment $1458.

 

f)                    Patricia Farri, 1.0 FTE Elementary Teacher at Forest Park Elementary School, Bachelors + 30 credits, total annual increment $1458.

 

g)                   Marie Souza, 1.0 FTE Elementary Teacher at Stony Lane Elementary School, Masters Degree, total annual increment $2522.

 

h)                   Susan Schwab, 1.0 FTE Special Educator at Wickford Middle School, Masters Degree, total annual increment $2522.

 

i)                     Lisa Giorgianni, 1.0 FTE Music Teacher at Stony Lane Elementary School, Masters Degree, total annual increment $2522.

 

j)                     Catherine Integlia, 1.0 FTE Elementary Teacher at Quidnessett Elementary School, Masters Degree, total annual increment $2522.

 

k)                   Amos Paine, 1.0 FTE Art Teacher at Wickford Middle School, Masters Degree, total annual increment $2522.

 

l)                     Jean Bergeron-Willette, 1.0 FTE Reading Teacher at Davisville Elementary School, Masters + 15 credits, total annual increment $2918.

 

m)                  Ellen Grennan, 1.0 FTE Elementary Teacher at Fishing Cove, Masters + 15 credits, total annual increment $2918.

 

n)                   Jean Larsen, 1.0 FTE Art Teacher at the North Kingstown High School, Masters + 15 credits, total annual increment $2918.

 

o)                   Mary Anne Kwolek, 1.0 FTE Special Educator at Wickford Middle School, Masters + 15 credits, total annual increment $2918.

 

p)                   Lynn McGovern, 1.0 FTE Science Teacher at the North Kingstown High School, Masters + 15 credits, total annual increment $2918.

 

q)                   Morag Cronkite, 1.0 FTE Elementary Teacher at Wickford Elementary School, Masters + 15 credits, total annual increment $2918.

 

11.                 Appointment, Non-Certificated Staff: (Correction of School Committee Meeting of September 26, 2001, Item V.E.2.a.)*

 

a)             Carol Welesko, Special Education Paraprofessional at Quidnessett Elementary School, 6 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 30 hours per week, Step 2, $9.59 per hour, effective September 10, 2001.

 

12.                 Appointments, Certificated Staff:  (Correction of School Committee Meeting of August 22, 2001, addendum, Item VIF.3.b and e.*

 

b)                   Kim Johnson, 1.0 FTE 2nd Grade Teacher at Stony Lane School, Step 4 with an annual salary of $36,798, effective August 30, 2001 with a seniority date of February 18, 2000.

 

e)                   Susan Imshweiler, 1.0 FTE Special Education Teacher at Davisville Elementary School, Step 5 with an annual salary of $39,225, effective August 30, 2001.

 

13.                 Resignation, Non-Certificated Staff:*

 

a)                   Mary Ellen Kooshan, School Paraprofessional at the North Kingstown High School, 6 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 30 hours per week, effective September 25, 2001.

 

b)                   Todd Young, Custodian at the North Kingstown High School, 8 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total effective March 15, 2000.

 

14.                 Appointments, 2001/2002 Curriculum Coordinators:*

 

Judith O’Brien                      Co-Media Curriculum Coordinator   $840.50

Martha Baton                       Co-Media Curriculum Coordinator   $840.50

 

15.                 Decrease in FTE, Certificated Staff:*

 

a)                   Kengelin Bell, from 1.0 FTE to .6 FTE Health Teacher at the North Kingstown High School, Step 6.5 with an annual salary of $43,035, pro-rated for 31 days at 1.0 FTE and 156 days at .6 FTE with a total salary of $28,674.51, effective October 15, 2001.

 

END OF CONSENT AGENDA

       VI.          Unfinished Business

 

A.                  2001-02 School Budget  cc  3740- None

     VII.          New Business

 

A.                  Honorary High School Diplomas for Veterans  cc  3754

Jamestown Representative William Murphy said that based on a bill passed in the General Assembly, other schools have awarded honorary high school diplomas to World War II veterans.  He requested that North Kingstown go forward with awarding diplomas to veterans and offered his help if needed.  He asked the school committee to “do the right thing.”  A discussion was held and more information was requested as background.  Honorary High School Diplomas will be on the December 5 worksession agenda for continued discussion.

 

B.                   Recommendations from the Policy Subcommittee

1.                    Staff Policy on Sexual Harassment (GBAA) for approval as amended  cc  10210

A motion to approve the Staff Policy on Sexual Harassment as amended was made by Pat Watkins and seconded by Carol Hueston.  A motion to amend page 2, #3. of the policy to read “Unwelcome verbal, written or electronic comments about an individual’s body or overly personal conversation” was made by Denise Coppa and seconded by Mike Northup.  The motion to amend passed 6/0.  The original motion to approve the Staff Policy on Sexual Harassment as amended passed unanimously.  Policy # GBAA is appended to the minutes.

 

2.                    Drug and Alcohol Use by Students (JICH) for approval as amended  cc  10750

A motion to approve the policy on Drug and Alcohol Use by Students as amended was made by Pat Watkins and seconded by Carol Hueston.  A motion to amend the policy to add school-sponsored activities to the policy statement was made by Dr. DeFrances and seconded by Pat Watkins.  The motion to amend passed 6/0.  The original motion to approve the policy on Drug and Alcohol Use by Students as amended passed unanimously.  Policy # JICH is appended to the minutes.

 

3.                    Establishing School Attendance Boundary Lines (JCA-R) for approval  cc  11010-  Motion to approve by Pat Watkins/Dr. DeFrances (6/0).  Policy # JCA-R is appended to the minutes.

 

4.                    School Districting/Redistricting (JCAA)- Third Reading  cc  11050-  Motion to continue this agenda item on the December worksession by Pat Watkins/Carol Hueston (6/0).

 

5.                    Student Policy on Sexual Harassment (JBA) for approval as amended  cc  11130-  Motion to continue this agenda item on the December worksession by Pat Watkins/Carol Hueston (6/0).

6.                    Technology Acceptable Use Policy (IJNDB)  cc  11200- Motion to place this agenda item on the November worksession by Pat Watkins/Dr. DeFrances (6/0).

   VIII.          Reports

 

1.                    Policy Subcommittee Report  cc  11524- Karin Forbes reported that there are policies from the 1950s that they will be looking at in December.

 

2.                    Special Education Local Advisory Committee Report  cc  11800- Pam Weiger, President of SELAC, spoke about RIPIN Workshops, the early intervention pre-school program, the PAT program support group, the implementation of a website, and the distribution of their brochure at IEP meetings.

 

3.                    RIASC and other Legislative Activity  cc  12511- The school committee usually meets with the Legislators in January.  Topics to be discussed will be an agenda item for the December 5 worksession agenda.

 

       IX.          Comments  cc  12700

¨       Members of the School Committee commented regarding the excellent turnout for the high school’s open house.  Also, the dedication of the high school was inspiring.

¨       Karin Forbes commented about remaining frugal regarding accommodations and transportation for the upcoming NSBA Conference.

¨       Dr. Halley said that Fishing Cove School’s open house was not AM Kindergarten on one night and PM Kindergarten on another night.  Also, the SORICO committee that Dr. DeFrances and he are working on to look at relationships between the School Committee, the Town Manager, the Superintendent, and the Town Council is moving along well.  The Northeast Superintendent’s Leadership Council is looking to establish a database for monitoring student progress in a broader way, not just through testing.  A statewide database is a work in progress.

¨       Bill Daly thanked the school committee for recognizing staff members at various receptions throughout the year.

¨       Barry Martasian of Waterwheel Lane commented regarding honorary diplomas for veterans.

 

         X.          Home Schooling Requests  cc  14250 were approved on a motion by Pat Watkins/Mike Northup (6/0).

 

       XI.          A motion to adjourn was made by Pat Watkins/Mike Northup (6/0) at 8:47 PM, clock counter 1:43:06. 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                                                                _______________________________________

                                                                                                Donna F. Keough

                                                                                                School Committee Secretary