NORTH KINGSTOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Wednesday, December 18, 2002

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 7:01 PM.

Roll Call Present:  Chairperson Don DeFedele, Vice Chairperson Dr. Denise Coppa, Lynne Haft, Barry Martasian, Bill Mudge, Kevin Mulvey, Pat Watkins, and Cathy Kaiser, Jamestown School Committee Representative

                                                                               

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

                                                Absent:  Daniel J. McGregor, Ph.D., Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Barbara A. Fitzsimmons, Ed.D, Curriculum Director

 

       III.          Presentation                         Data Driven Reform – Presented by Dr. Halley

 

Mission: To build state and local capacity to acquire, integrate, disaggregate, distribute and use data to support education reform and meet reporting/accountability requirements

Ú      Projects:  Build a Data Warehouse (OLAP/ETL)

Ú      Integrate District SIS Data

         RINET Centralize SIS Option

Ú      NEXT STEPS

             Develop Web Based Resource

             On-going Integration of Assessment Tools and Results

             Integrate Financial and

         Geographical Information System Data

 

OLAP Benefits

OLAP improves access to timely, useful and user friendly student, school and district data and facilitates:

Ú      Monitoring student performance over time

Ú       Informing educators

         Building understanding of educational issues

         Sharing success

Ú      Providing multifaceted information about student performance

Ú      Connecting assessment data with other programmatic and fiscal data

Ú      Provides resources to allow districts to best utilize data to improve teaching and learning

Ú      Provides the infrastructure for next steps

Ú      Leverages RI school districts buying power through an aggregated purchase

Ú      Improves grant funding attractiveness as a collaborative project

 

Integrate District SIS Data

Ú      Creating a Statewide Student ID

Ú      Defining Standard Data Dictionary Elements and Cleaning Data

Ú      Implementing a Data Extraction Tool

Ú      Creating Additional Report Templates

 

Integrate District SIS Data Benefits

Ú      Support for administrative decision making

         Multi-level profiles

State, district, school, grade, subject,  student

Ú      Support for instructional decision making

         Timely, multifaceted data

         Aggregated, disaggregated

Ú      Standardize data elements collected by districts

         Minimize duplication / manual intervention for state reporting

         Create unique student identifier

Ú      Compliance with NCLB and other Federal/State reporting requirements

 

Integrate District SIS Data Requirements

Ú      Professional Development

         Data Entry

         Data Analysis

Ú      Technical implementation plan for data extraction

Ú      Standardize data elements collected by districts

         Create unique student identifier

         “Clean” accurate and consistent data from Districts

Cost analysis is offered in appendix (a)

 

       IV.          Open Forum

 

·         Pam Weiger was interested in knowing if the concept of Data Driven Reform was developed because of the No Child Left Behind act.  Dr. Halley responded positively, and added that there was a need for immediate feedback.

 

         V.          Routine Items

 

A.                  Correspondence and Good News

·         Barry Martasian: a rather positive article in the Northeastern Independent regarding the three schools named Regent Schools: Davisville Middle School, Forest Park, and Hamilton Elementary.

·         Pat Watkins received invitations to the DARE graduations to be held at Quidnessett and Stony Lane and recommends that School Committee members who are able to, attend this worthwhile venture; also would like to mention the awful tragedy of the child killed in the traffic accident at the West Greenwich High School and please drive carefully over the Holiday Season.

·         Kevin Mulvey had a great luncheon at Davisville Middle School to celebrate their Regency nomination.

·         Don DeFedele would like to mention the great time he had at the Holiday Entertainment at Davisville Elementary School; and an email from a resident regarding the dissemination of information.

 

B.                   Calendar – Dr. Halley reviewed the calendar for the next two weeks with the school committee.

 

CONSENT AGENDA   

Approved items on the consent agenda are marked with * on a motion by Pat Watkins and seconded by Lynne Haft (6/0/1).

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.

C.                   Approval of Minutes of Prior Meetings

 

1.        October 23, 2002 Executive Session Minutes*

2.        November 13, 2002 Executive Session Minutes*

3.        November 13, 2002 Worksession Meeting Minutes*

4.        November 20, 2002 Business Meeting Minutes*

5.        December 2, 2002 Executive Session Minutes*

6.        December 2, 2002 Biennial Organizational Meeting Minutes***

7.        December 4, 2002 Worksession Minutes***

*** These items had wording that required revision per Bill Mudge, and will be resubmitted for approval at the next Business Meeting on January 22, 2003.  On a motion by Pat Watkins/Bill Mudge (6/0/1)

 

D.                  Financial Reports*

 

E.                   Textbook Adoptions - none

 

F.                   Bids and Awards - none

 

G.                   Personnel Items

 

1.                       Appointments, Non-Certificated Staff:*

 

a)                   Matthew Maynard, Itinerant Weekend Custodian, 20 hours per week, Step 1 @ $11.31 per hour, effective November 23, 2002.

 

b)                   Jill Mongeon, Paraprofessional at Davisville Middle School, 6 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 30 hours per week, Step 1 + a Bachelor’s @ $9.29 per hour, effective November 19, 2002.

 

c)                   Gloria Greene, Paraprofessional at Stony Lane Elementary School, 4 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 20 hours per week, Step 1 @ $9.29 per hour, effective December 2, 2002.

d)                   Lisa Bennett, Paraprofessional at Stony Lane Elementary School, 6 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 30 hours per week, Step 1 @ $9.29 per hour, effective December 3, 2002.

 

e)                   Barbara Burns, Paraprofessional at Davisville Middle School, 4 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 20 hours per week, Step 1 + a Bachelor’s  @ $9.29 per hour, effective December 11, 2002.

 

f)                    Lou McCann, Paraprofessional at Wickford Elementary School, 5 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 25 hours per week, Step 7 @ $12.65 per hour, effective January 6, 2003.

 

g)                   Pedro Rivera, Custodian at the North Kingstown High School & Quidnessett Elementary School, 8 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 40 hours per week, Step 1 @ $11.31 per hour, effective December 16, 2002

 

2.                    Increase in FTE, Certificated Staff:*

 

a)                   Jeannine Martins. From .5 FTE to .6 FTE Itinerant Speech Teacher, Step 5 + a Master’s, pro-rated for 123 days in the 2002/2003 school year with a total annual salary of $17,043.00, effective December 2, 2002.

 

3.                    Request for Unpaid Parental Leave of Absence, Certificated Staff:*

 

a)                   Bethany LaBelle Pratt, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, from October 12, 2002 to January 3, 2003.

 

4.                    Retirement, Non-Certificated Staff:*

 

a)                   Alize Gantz, Bus Paraprofessional, effective December 19, 2002.

 

b)                   Adele Edgerton, Paraprofessional at Wickford Elementary School, effective December 20, 2002.

 

5.                    Request for an Extension for Unpaid Parental Leave of Absence, Certificated Staff:*

 

a)                   Pamela Dillon, 1.0 FTE Media Specialist at Hamilton Elementary School, extend leave from January 3, 2003 to February 26, 2003.

 

6.                    Request for an Extension for Unpaid Educational Leave of Absence, Non-Certificated Staff:*

 

a)                   Jane Robbins, Paraprofessional at Quidnessett Elementary School, 6 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 30 hours per week, extend leave from January 28, 2003 through the end of the end of the 2002/2003 school year.

 

 

7.                    Increase in Salary, Non-Unit Personnel:*

a)                   Russell Hryzan, Network Specialist, annual salary of $41,958.00, effective January 1, 2003.

 

b)                   Ronald Verdi, Senior Technician, annual salary of $36,826.00, effective January 1, 2003.

 

c)                   Stephen Antonelli, Senior Technician, annual salary of $38,667.00, effective January 1, 2003.

 

8.                    Approval of Technology Salary Plan***

*** Tabled by Barry Martasian due to a lack of information regarding the qualifications required per individual.  Per Don DeFedele: possibly may need to be discussed in executive session.  Bill Daly, Director of Personnel, is to get back to School Committee with more information regarding the qualification requirements.  To be discussed at the January Business Meeting.

 

END OF CONSENT AGENDA

       VI.          New Business

 

A.            Open Meetings Law – Peter Olsen went over the Open Meetings Law with the School Committee and was available for questions.                            

                               

B.            Elementary PE Curriculum: For Adoption – Approved on a motion by Lynne Haft that was seconded by Pat Watkins with a vote of 6/0/1.

 

C.            High School Pre-Calculus Class: Add an Additional Teacher – For Vote – Motion for approval was sought by Denise Coppa with a second by Bill Mudge.  The vote was not in favor.  Lynne Haft, Barry Martasian, Bill Mudge, Kevin Mulvey, and Pat Watkins voted no; Denise Coppa and Don DeFedele abstained from voting.

 

D.            School Modernization Advisory Committee: Authorize Comprehensive Study of   Facilities Upgrade – A motion to seek a competitive bid and the development of a scope of work was put forth by Pat Watkins and seconded by Lynne Haft.  This motion carried with a vote of 5/1/1.  Bill Mudge voted “No” because he felt that “there was not enough collective wisdom to make a decision”, Don DeFedele abstained from voting.

 

E.                   Elementary K-5 Organization Advisory Committee - none          

 

F.                   Housekeeping

 

1.  Discussion of Televising the School Committee meetings was undertaken, and more information, such as logistics and cost, was determined necessary.  To be further discussed at the January Worksession.

2.   Motion Submission Forms and Comment Submission Forms were presented for use so that the School Committee members can write their motions and comments for the recording secretary.

 

G.                   Subcommittees

1.  Budget Subcommittee

a.        Bill Mudge

b.       Kevin Mulvey

c.        Pat Watkins

2.  Community Relations Subcommittee

a.        Denise Coppa

b.       Lynne Haft

c.        Barry Martasian

3.  Jamestown Subcommittee

a.        Bill Mudge

b.       Pat Watkins

4.   Negotiation Subcommittee

a.        Don DeFedele

b.       Lynne Haft

c.        Barry Martasian

5.  Policy Subcommittee

a.        Denise Coppa

b.       Kevin Mulvey

6.  School Committee Liaisons

       a.      Child Opportunity Zone (COZ) - Pat Watkins

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

               - Kevin Mulvey

                     c.        LINKS ~ Laymen in North Kingstown Schools – Barry Martasian

      d.       NEANK ~ National Education Association North Kingstown – none yet

      e.       {NKAPP ~ North Kingstown Association of Paraprofessionals} - Lynne Haft

                                   f.           {NKESP ~ North Kingstown Educational Support Personnel} - Lynne Haft

      g.       Southern RI Regional Collaborative (SORICO) – Pat Watkins is chair of holding committee; Lynne Haft is liaison

                    h.         Special Education Local Advisory Committee (SELAC) - Bill Mudge

 

H.                  Dissemination of Information and Requests for Information – Don DeFedele informed the School Committee that all requests for information regarding items on the agenda or items of interest should come either through him or Dr. Halley.  If School Committee members have information to impart to other members about items on the agenda, they must first give the information to Mr. DeFedele or Dr. Halley; they will then disseminate the information. Discussion was held on this matter.

 

VI.           Unfinished Business

 

A.                  2002-03 Budget – None; however Dr. Halley was charged with completing a budget plan for the 2003-2004 School Year utilizing the final reports of the Elementary K-5 Organization Advisory Committee, the School Modernization Advisory Committee, and including seven K-5 elementary schools.

 

B.                   2002-03 School Department Goals and Objectives - none

 

VII.         Reports

 

A.            Cafeteria Report – none

 

B.            Policy Subcommittee – none

 

C.                   RIASC and other Legislative Activity – none

 

IX.                Comments

 

X.            Motion to Adjourn

A motion to adjourn, to executive session pursuant to RIGL 42-46-4 and 42-46-5 (1) and (2) for Personnel Issues* negotiations, and Home Schooling requests, was made by Pat Watkins /Kevin Mulvey at 11:15 PM, clock counter 3:46:40.  A vote yielded unanimous approval. The school committee will return to open session following the executive session; however, no business will be conducted.  *At the election of the employee, the personnel matter may be heard in public.          

 

                                               

                                                                                               

                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                                                                _______________________________________

                                                                                                Konnie M. Mazur

                                                                                                School Committee Secretary