NORTH KINGSTOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Monday, December 2, 2002

7:00 PM Biennial Organizational 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 7:03 PM.

 

A.            Roll Call                 Present:  Chairperson Lynne Haft, Vice Chairperson Karin Forbes, Denise Coppa, Dr. Janice DeFrances, Carol Hueston, Michael R. Northup, and Patricia E. Watkins

                                               

                                                Absent:  Cathy Kaiser, Jamestown Representative

 

                                                                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, and William J. Daly, Director of Human Resources.

 

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

 

B.            Recognitions:       Dr. Halley thanked the School Committee for the good job they have done for the past two years.  Lynne Haft presented the outgoing members Karin Forbes, Michael Northup, Janice DeFrances, and Carol Hueston, with citations recognizing their dedication to the school community.

 

       III.          Swearing in of Newly Re-Elected School Committee Members

 

Dr. Halley welcomed Senator James Sheehan to the meeting.  Senator Sheehan administered the Oath of Office and congratulated re-elected member Denise Coppa; newly elected members Don DeFedele, Barry Martasian, and Bill Mudge; and newly appointed member Kevin Mulvey.  All members solemnly affirmed that they will support the Constitution of the United States of America and of the State of Rhode Island and will obey the laws of the United States and of the State of Rhode Island; that they will in all respects observe the provisions of the charter and ordinances of the Town of North Kingstown, and will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of a School committee member. 

 

       IV.          Election of Officers

 

Superintendent James M. Halley called for nominations/seconds from the committee for the office of Chairperson.  Pat Watkins nominated Lynne Haft for chairperson.  Denise Coppa seconded the motion.  Bill Mudge nominated Don DeFedele for chairperson, and Barry Martasian seconded the motion.  A roll call vote elected Don DeFedele as the School Committee Chairperson (2002-2004), with Pat Watkins, Denise Coppa, and Lynne Haft voting for Lynne Haft; and Bill Mudge, Kevin Mulvey, Barry Martasian, Don DeFedele voting for Don DeFedele. 

 

Don DeFedele accepted the gavel, and called for nominations to the office of Vice-Chairperson.  Kevin Mulvey nominated Dr. Denise Coppa for vice-chairperson, and Lynne Haft seconded that motion. Don DeFedele nominated Bill Mudge, and Barry Martasian seconded that motion.  A roll call vote elected Dr. Coppa the School Committee Vice-Chairperson (2002-2004), with Bill Mudge, Barry Martasian, Don DeFedele voting for Bill Mudge; and Lynne Haft, Pat Watkins, Kevin Mulvey, and Denise Coppa voting for Denise Coppa. 

 

         V.          Appointments to Standing Committees

The new committee members would like additional information regarding each subcommittee as to the level of commitment required.  They will choose committees at a future meeting.

 

Subcommittees

Established By The

North Kingstown School Committee

As of November 22, 2002

Budget Subcommittee

Community Relations Subcommittee

Jamestown Subcommittee

Negotiation Subcommittee

Policy Subcommittee

School Committee Liaisons

Established by the North Kingstown School Committee

As of November 22, 2002

Child Opportunity Zone (COZ)

Legislative/State and Federal Programs (RI Association of School Committees ~ RIASC)

LINKS ~ Laymen in North Kingstown Schools

NEANK ~ National Education Association North Kingstown

NKAPP ~ North Kingstown Association of Paraprofessionals

NKESP ~ North Kingstown Educational Support Personnel

Southern RI Regional Collaborative (SORICO)

Special Education Local Advisory Committee (SELAC)

West Bay Area Coordinating Committee

 

 

       VI.          Designation of Authorized Signatories

1.                    Authorize the Superintendent, James M. Halley, and the Director of Administrative Services, Joseph F. Quinn, Jr., to sign all documents; and Maureen Buck, controller, to sign bills, purchase orders, vouchers and warrants.

 

a.                    Sign all official documents of the North Kingstown School Department, including but not limited to, checks, drafts, savings withdrawals, vouchers, bills, orders for payment of money, and to endorse all checks and make deposits for the School Department, and to file all necessary reports for the North Kingstown School Department.

 

b.                   Serve as purchasing agents for the School Department;

 

c.                    Serve as authorized representatives in the filing of Federal and/or State applications for the funding of School Department programs, subject to School Committee approval.

 

 

2.                    Appoint James M. Halley as School Committee Clerk, and Konnie M. Mazur as School Committee Recording Clerk. 

 

3.                    Designate Dr. Halley and Mr. Quinn signatories for any/all Special Funds including:

 

School Department Dependent Care Assistance Plan

S. Belle Hendrick Fund

Daniel B. Updike Fund

The George E. Gardiner Fund

Tennis Plaque Fund

 

Items VI. 1 through 3 were approved on a motion by Pat Watkins/Lynne Haft (6/0/1).  Bill Mudge abstained because he felt he did not have sufficient understanding of the procurement policy.

 

     VII.          Meeting Date, Time and Place

Currently meetings are scheduled twice monthly (except where noted) at 7:00 PM in the Central Administration Building, 100 Fairway, as follows:

 

                2nd Wednesday of each month - Worksession

                4th Wednesday of each month - Business Meeting

In the event of a holiday, the meeting will be held on the Tuesday preceding the holiday.

 

A.      School Committee Meetings, Policy: BE

B.       Open Meetings Law

 

Different ideas about changing dates and times; none were convenient for all concerned. Move to accept as is: Pat Watkins/Denise Coppa (7/0)

 

   VIII.          Standards of Conduct:       

A.      School Committee Organization and Conduct of Business, Policy: BD

B.       School Committee Member Code of Ethics/Conduct, Policy: BCA

C.       School Committee Clerk – Role and Responsibility, Policy: BDC

 

The standards of conduct were approved on a motion by Pat Watkins/Kevin Mulvey (7/0). 

 

       IX.          Comments

The entire School Committee expressed that they are looking forward to the next two years.  Done DeFedele and Denise Coppa were congratulated for beginning their leadership positions.  Dr. Coppa said that the School Committee needs to focus on consensus, and Mr. DeFedele thanked everyone for their vote of confidence for his election to the chair. 

 

         X.          Motion to adjourn was made by Barry Martasian/Kevin Mulvey (7/0) at 8:45 PM, Clock counter 1:34:57.

 

 

                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                _______________________________________

                                                                                Konnie M. Mazur

                                                                                 School Committee Secretary