NORTH KINGSTOWN SCHOOL
COMMITTEE
Wednesday, December 5, 2001
6:00
PM Special Session for a Parent Transportation Appeal
7:00 PM Worksession
Central
Administration Building- Margaret Jones Room 100
Fairway Drive, North Kingstown
“Challenging Student Excellence” |
I. Call To Order The Special Session for a Parent Transportation Appeal was called to order at 6:08 PM.
Roll Call Present: Chairperson Lynne Haft, Vice Chairperson Karin L. Forbes, Denise Coppa, Carol H. Hueston, Michael R. Northup, Patricia E. Watkins, and Cathy Kaiser, Jamestown School Committee
Absent: Dr. Janice DeFrances
Administration Present: James M. Halley, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools, Walter Kettelle and Karin Pierson, Transportation Office.
Parent Transportation Appeal: Kathleen Haggerty spoke on behalf of herself and all the parents of the sixty-seven families whose one hundred seven children attend Our Lady of Mercy (OLM). Our Lady of Mercy is located 1.6 miles from North Kingstown and legally, transportation by the North Kingstown School Department to OLM for North Kingstown residents is not required. Ms. Haggerty requested that an exception to the law be made and out of district transportation be provided to OLM students who live in North Kingstown.
The School Committee had a question about whether they are allowed to make an exception or is this decision something that the Commissioner of Education needs to rule upon. Concerns regarding tight bus schedules, the additional approximate expense of $100,000 for two buses, and the possibility that this decision could be precedent setting were voiced.
Motion by Pat Watkins and seconded by Denise Coppa: Pending legal clarification of the school committee’s ability to decide, move to deny this appeal. The motion passed with 5 yes votes and 1 no vote (Northup).
A
break was taken at 6:57 PM, Clock counter (cc) 49:07.
II.
Call to Order The worksession was
called to order at 7:03 PM.
Roll Call Present: Chairperson Lynne Haft, 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
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, and William J. Daly, Director of Human Resources
Absent: Joseph F. Quinn, Jr., Director of Administrative Services
III.
Pledge of Allegiance
IV.
Presentations
A. Centore Learning Academy Presentation by Davisville Middle School cc 5347
The Centore Learning Academy is now operating at Davisville Middle School with the following program goals and objectives.
1. Provide a Center (Learning Academy) for students to go to which will foster a support a climate of academic excellence and achievement.
2. Help all DMS students improve their academic performance.
3. Form a partnership between DMS and the surrounding community aimed at improving academic performance.
Jane Kondon, Kathy Goulding, Anne Bianchi, and Marcia Sahagian described the development of the program. Donald Babbitt is the Learning Academy’s Coordinator. Enthusiasm and awareness of the program is growing with fifty-two students seeking assistance in the last five days alone. With each student having their own particular way of “being reached”, Mr. Babbitt and a volunteer army of community members that includes senior citizens, high school students, parents, business partners, teachers, staff and administrators are quite dedicated to helping any student improve at the Centore Learning Academy.
B. Saratoga Presentation by Mr. Frank Lennon cc 12956
The U.S.S. Saratoga Museum project proposed for Quonset is a vision to enhance the education of children by providing direct applications to the classroom. The museum would generate questions as well as provide vocational training.
Programs
at Quonset could include:
· Weekend Science: workshops in physics, chemistry, and biology.
· Family Science Night: participation workshops to involve the whole family.
· Teacher Workshops: professional development courses for educators.
· Staff Development: Units for recertification of teachers.
· Distance Learning: interactive audio/visual telecasts over a statewide network.
Mr. Lennon thanked Dr. Halley and the North Kingstown School Department for being very supportive and asked the School Committee to support this vision of the children’s future. A Statement of Endorsement for the Saratoga Museum Project will be on the December 19 business meeting agenda.
V.
Open Forum
¨ Barry Martasian commented regarding high school diplomas for veterans.
¨ Dr. DeFrances noted that the school committee has been very open and very supportive of listening to information regarding veterans.
VI.
Routine Items
A. Correspondence cc 21837
¨ Lynne Haft received a telephone call regarding uniforms; there is a Tuba Concert at the high school auditorium on December 15 at 7:30 PM, and a request for past minutes and the upcoming agenda.
¨ Dr. McGregor received a letter commending the teachers for the care and education their child is receiving at Fishing Cove School and an update on the progress of the Transition Room at Davisville Middle School.
¨ Bob Carniaux, a member of the North Kingstown Taxpayers Organization, asked that dollars be linked to goals and objectives and that financial stewardship and fiduciary responsibility be demonstrated during this budgeting season.
B.
Calendar- The
superintendent reviewed the calendar for the next two weeks with the school
committee. On December 19, Commissioner McWalters and James DiPrete,
Chairman of the Board of Regents, will visit Davisville Middle School from 9:30
AM to 12:00 PM. On January 7, there
will be a joint meeting with the town council regarding the budget at 7:30 PM
at the Town Hall. There will be a
Policy Subcommittee meeting on January 23 in the Central Administration
Building.
VII.
Unfinished Business
A. Honorary High School Diplomas for Veterans
The senior class wrote a letter stating “we sincerely hope that the School Committee will grant the graduating class of 2002 the privilege of receiving our diplomas with these veterans.” Ms. Haft considers this a wonderful opportunity for the graduating class. The students have taken up the task of locating the veterans. Senators Lenihan and Sheehan, Representatives Murphy, Henseler, and Benson, and Mr. Sullivan representing the teachers of North Kingstown, spoke positively to the issue of awarding full diplomas to veterans who left high school to enlist in the Armed Services. The senior class was commended and the school committee was thanked for their anticipated action. There was unanimous consensus by the school committee to place High School Diplomas for Veterans on the 12/19/01 business meeting agenda for approval.
B. 2001-02 School Budget- None
C. 2001-02 Enrollments- Deferred to the 12/19/01 business meeting.
D. 2002-03 School Department Goals and Objectives- This is a continuing item.
E. Recommendations from the Policy Subcommittee
1. Tobacco Use on School Property (JICG/GBED) for amendment- This policy is being reviewed by the attorney.
2. Weapons Use/Possession on School Property (JICI) for amendment- This policy will be on the 12/19/01 business meeting agenda for approval.
3. School Districting/Redistricting (JCAA)- Fourth Reading- This policy will be on the 12/19/01 business meeting agenda for adoption.
4. Student Policy on Sexual Harassment (JBA) for amendment- This policy is being reviewed by the attorney.
5. Technology Acceptable Use Policy (IJNDB) for amendment-This policy will be on the 12/19/01 business meeting agenda for approval.
VIII.
New Business
A. Family and Consumer Science Curriculum and Textbook Adoption
Background: The Family and Consumer Sciences division of the Career/Vocational Education Curriculum area has completed work on most of their curriculum and has selected textbooks to support these courses. They would like to proceed with textbook adoption in order to have new materials in their classrooms for the coming semester.
The remainder of the Family and Consumer Sciences curriculum will be completed during the remaining year and materials will be selected for purchase before the end of the fiscal year.
Recommendation: Recommend accepting the curriculum and approving textbook adoption. The listing of proposed textbooks, materials, and the curriculum can be viewed in the Curriculum Office in the Central Administration Building.
Family and Consumer Science Curriculum and Textbook Adoption will be on the 12/19/01 business meeting for adoption.
B. Development of Discussion Items for Meeting with Legislators
The following items will be on the agenda when the school committee meets with the legislators at their annual meeting in January.
1. Funding formula for state aid
2. Kindergarten entrance age
3. Funding for full day kindergarten
4. Saratoga support
5. Statewide health benefits plan
6. Modification of legislation prohibiting work stoppage in order to eliminate the need to demonstrate irreversible harm.
7. Use of life experience to qualify for substitute teaching.
8. State mandated education costs by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families.
IX.
Comments
¨
Denise Coppa
asked that a Statement of Endorsement for the Saratoga be placed on the
12/19/01 business meeting agenda.
¨
Karin Forbes is
proud of the senior class and the project that they are taking on regarding
diplomas for veterans.
¨
Dr. Halley
commented that the press does a good job.
X.
A motion to
adjourn to executive session
pursuant to RIGL 42-46-4 and 42-46-5 (1) and (2) for personnel issues* and
contract negotiations was made by Pat Watkins/Mike Northup (7/0) at 9:18
PM. *At the election of the employee,
the personnel matter may be heard in public.
After the executive session, the school committee will return to open
session; however, no further business will be conducted.
Respectfully
submitted,
_______________________________________
Donna
F. Keough
School
Committee Secretary