NORTH KINGSTOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Wednesday, December 19, 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 7:09 PM.

 

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

                                Absent:  Patricia E. Watkins

 

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

                                                                Absent:  Daniel J. McGregor, Ph.D., Director of Pupil Personnel Services

 

       III.          Open Forum- None

 

       IV.          Presentations

 

A.                 COPS Program Presentation by Chief of Police Steve Fage  (clock counter) cc  142

 

With a good relationship between the North Kingstown Police and School Departments, the COPS Program has been developed with a four-year plan to have three veteran police officers in the high school and middle schools.  The uniformed officers will serve in a variety of roles such as teacher of different presentations on health and history, mentor to students, and informal counselor.  A memorandum of understanding will be developed that will address how the program will be evaluated and quarterly progress reports will be written.  Chief of Police Fage and Dr. Halley were thankful to the many agencies that have worked cooperatively.  This program is a natural continuation of DARE and the curriculum that is in place, and shows the unity of structures in the community.

 

B.                  Full Day Kindergarten Presentation  cc  1247

The Full Day Kindergarten Committee presented their report and recommendations to the school committee.  Karen McKenzie, chairperson, answered questions regarding cost projections for three pilot program scenarios, a lottery selection process, and the gift of time in terms of any analysis of the curriculum.  A self-study and NAEYC accreditation were briefly discussed.

 

Full Day Kindergarten Advisory Committee Summary and Recommendations-excerpt from the report.

The Full Day Kindergarten Advisory Committee began meeting in late spring of 2001 on the charge given to them by the North Kingstown School Committee.  The committee was comprised of teachers, administrators, and parents.  Meeting monthly, the committee began to gather data from other districts, to review the research relating to current practice and the impact of full day kindergarten programs, to review reports of visits to full day programs carried out by Fishing Cove staff, and to consider the financial impact of both a pilot program and full implementation.  Discussions were broad-based and informative leading to the following recommendations:

1.        A pilot program for full day kindergarten should be instituted in the Fall of 2002.  Three scenarios have been presented.  The committee recommends those scenarios in the following order of preference:

A.      Two full day classrooms located in the northern part of town and two full day classrooms located in the southern part of town; or

B.       Two full day classrooms located at Fishing Cove School; or

C.       Two full day classrooms located in a single neighborhood school.

2.        Student selection for a full day program should be based on a lottery using recommendations outlined above.  Many details will have to be worked out but a gender balance and a proportional representation of children with special needs should be included.

3.        Work should be continued (either by this committee or another) to plan for evaluation of the pilot program; and to make recommendations for continuing or expanding the full day option in the future.

 

We hope these recommendations meet with the School Committee’s approval and that a full day kindergarten pilot program will be a reality for the school year 2002-03.

 

The report in its entirety may be viewed in the superintendent’s office.  The school committee thanked the Full Day Kindergarten Advisory Committee for their work, the report, and the presentation.

 

         V.          Routine Items

 

A.                 Correspondence  cc  2227

¨         Lynne Haft received DARE Graduation invitations, an invitation to Forest Park Elementary School’s Festival of Lights, and a thank you note from Penny Hall.

¨         Dr. Halley received a letter of resignation for the purpose of retirement from Dewey Kettelle, Transportation Supervisor, effective December 29, 2001.  With thirty years of dedicated service, Dewey is a keystone in our district and will be missed.  Also, Debra D’Amico was named R.I. Paraprofessional of the year.

¨         Members of the school committee will be attending the various PTO meetings held in March to discuss the budget.  The superintendent’s budget is expected the second meeting in January with budget hearings to be held in February.

 

B.                  Calendar  cc  2700

1.                    Review of upcoming meetings- The superintendent reviewed the calendar for the next two weeks with the school committee.  DARE Graduations were noted: Davisville Elementary on January 16; Quidnessett Elementary on January 24; and Stony Lane Elementary on January 29.  All DARE Graduations will begin at 1:45 PM.  Also, a Policy Subcommittee meeting will be held on January 30 at 4:30 PM in the Central Administration Building.

 

2.                Meetings to be scheduled

a.                Meeting with the Legislators- Scheduled for January 14 at 7:00 PM in the Central Administration Building.

b.                Capital Improvement Plan Hearings- Not scheduled.

c.                Budget Hearings- Tentatively scheduled for February 6 and February 20.

 

CONSENT AGENDA  cc  4300

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

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

Withdrawn items from the consent agenda are marked with *** as indicated immediately following the item.

 

C.                  Approval of Minutes of Prior Meetings*

1.                    November 28, 2001 School Committee Business Meeting

2.                    December 5, 2001 School Committee Worksession

3.                    December 5, 2001 School Committee Executive Session

 

D.                  Financial Reports*

2.                    Financial Narrative from the Director of Administrative Services

3.                    NKSD Year-To-Date Expenditure Report as of 11/30/01

 

E.                   Textbook Adoption

1.                Textbook for Technology and Career Readiness I, II*

 

F.                   Personnel Items

 

1.                    Appointment, Certificated Staff:*

a)                   Ingrid DeGrooth, .5 FTE Itinerant Speech Teacher, Step 7 plus a Masters, pro-rated for 75 days in the 2001/2002 school year with a total salary of $9379.75, effective February 25, 2002.

b)                   Patricia Jutras, 2nd Grade Elementary Teacher at Quidnessett Elementary School, Step 3, pro-rated for 110 days in the 2001/2002 school year with a total salary of $20,498.50, effective January 2, 2002.

 

2.                    Appointment, Non-Certificated Staff:

 

a)                   Catherine Monaghan, 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 November 29, 2001.*

b)                   Charles Smith, 1st shift custodian (10:00 am to 6:00 pm) at the North Kingstown High School, 8 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 40 hours per week, Step 9 @ $13.55, effective December 10, 2001.***

***Item V.F.2.b. was withdrawn from the consent agenda by William Daly.

 

3.                    Appointment, 2001/2002 Interscholastic Coaches:*

North Kingstown High School

Judy Hummel                                Asst. Girls Soccer Coach                                                $2434

 

4.                    Appointments, 2001/2002 Advisors:*

Wickford Middle School

Susan Murphy                                Newspaper                                                                $702

 

5.                    Request for Leave of Absence, Non-Certificated Staff:*

a)                   Francesca Morrell, School Paraprofessional at Stony Lane Elementary School, 4 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 20 hours per week, from January 18, 2002 through January 18, 2003.

 

6.                    Request for Extension of Unpaid Leave of Absence, Certificated Staff:*

a)                Terri Mirandou, 1.0 FTE Elementary Teacher at Quidnessett Elementary School, from January 21, 2002 through April 19, 2002.

 

7.                    Request for Unpaid Parent Leave of Absence, Certificated Staff:*

a)                   Jennifer Febles, Guidance Counselor at Wickford Middle School from December 24, 2001 through March 1, 2002.

b)                   Joy Laprade, Speech Teacher at Fishing Cove School from January 16, 2002 through February 22, 2002.

 

8.                    Increase in Hours, Non-Certificated Staff:*

a)                   Donna Beneduce, School Paraprofessional at Davisville Elementary School from 4 to 5 hours per day with a total of 25 hours per week, Step 2 @ $9.01 per hour, effective November 28, 2001.

 

9.                    Resignation, Non-Certificated Staff:*

a)                   Donna Cole, Custodian at Wickford Middle School, 8 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 40 hours per week, effective November 28, 2001.

b)                Lester Cole, 2nd Shift Custodian at Stony Lane Elementary School, 4 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 20 hours per week, effective November 30, 2001.

END OF CONSENT AGENDA

       VI.          New Business

A.            Family and Consumer Science Curriculum and Textbooks for Adoption  cc  4450- The Family and Consumer Science Curriculum and Textbooks as presented at the 12/05/01 worksession was adopted on a motion by Karin Forbes/Mike Northup (6/0).

B.                  High School Diplomas for Veterans-  The following motion was submitted by Mike Northup, seconded by Carol Hueston and approved unanimously.

That the North Kingstown School Committee direct the Superintendent of Schools to award a North Kingstown High School diploma to any and all veterans who withdrew from North Kingstown High School after September 9, 1940 without having completed the requirements for graduation, and who subsequently enlisted in any branch of the Armed Services in order to serve this country during World War II.  No other requirement shall exist other than to demonstrate withdrawal from North Kingstown High School and service during World War II.

C.            Authorize Expenditure of $180,000 from School Funds to the High School Construction Account for the Movement and Installation of Furniture- Due to the increased costs for the purchase of furniture for the North Kingstown High School, it is requested that $180,000.00 for part of these costs be charged to the 2001-02 School Operating Fund.  The Town Council has reviewed and approved this adjustment.  This expense will be offset by the decrease in budgeted retirement funds.  A motion to approve this expense adjustment was made by Mike Northup/Karin Forbes (6/0).

D.            COPS Program Memorandum of Understanding between the North Kingstown Police Department and North Kingstown Public Schools- This item will be continued on the 1/23/02 agenda.

E.                   Saratoga Statement of Endorsement – The North Kingstown School Committee Position Paper to Support the establishment of the Saratoga Museum at Quonset was approved on a motion by Mike Northup/Carol Hueston (6/0).

F.                   Policies

1.              Weapons Use/Possession on School Property (JICI) for amendment-  Approved on a motion by Carol Hueston/Karin Forbes (6/0).  This policy is appended to the minutes.

2.              School Districting/Redistricting (JCAA)- Fifth Reading- Approved on a motion by Karin Forbes/Denise Coppa (6/0).  This policy is appended to the minutes.

3.              Technology Acceptable Use Policy (IJNDB) for amendment- Approved on a motion by Karin Forbes/Carol Hueston (6/0).  This policy is appended to the minutes.

 

     VII.          Unfinished Business

A.                2001-02 School Budget- None

B.            2002-03 School Department Goals and Objectives- Dr. Halley will list the goals and objectives in the format of a table with key points and sub-points.  This item will be continued on the 1/23/02 business meeting agenda.

 

   VIII.          Reports

A.                 Enrollment Report  cc  10000- Enrollments were discussed in terms of projected declining numbers at the elementary level and a declining trend in kindergarten enrollments over the past six to seven years.  Also, according to the superintendent, Davisville Elementary School is “packed”.  The school committee will address these issues further at the January 9 worksession when 2001-02 goals and objectives will be re-evaluated.

B.                  Policy Subcommittee Report- Additional policies will be on the February 13 worksession agenda.

C.                  Special Education Local Advisory Committee Report- None

D.                  RIASC and other Legislative Activity- The school committee will discuss various position papers before the legislative meeting that will be held on January 14.

E.                   School Based Health Center Community Committee- Denise Coppa reported that based on a thirty-five percent return of the survey, the public would use a school based health center for mental health, as an athletic training facility, and for primary healthcare.  Generally, the community was in favor of the concept.  At this time, there is no money in the state legislature for new centers.  The committee has not met recently.

 

       IX.          Comments

¨         Dr. DeFrances commented that the professional development that is taking place as part of the SmART initiative is very powerful, exciting to see, and of great value to the district.

¨         Dr. Halley said that Davisville Middle School’s visit today by Commissioner McWalters and Jim DiPrete of the Board of Regents went well and was very positive.  The Board of Regents will visit the high school in March.

¨         Happy and safe holidays to all.

 

         X.          A motion to recess to executive session pursuant to RIGL 42-46-4 and 42-46-5 (1) and (2) for the discussion of deliberations regarding a NEANK Level III grievance hearing and personnel issues was made by Mike Northup/Carol Hueston at 8:40 PM, cc 1:30:56.  A roll call vote yielded unanimous approval.  Following the executive session, the school committee will return to open session; however, no business will be conducted. 

 

                                                                                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

                               

 

                                                                                                                                                                _______________________________________

                                                                                                                                                                Donna F. Keough

                                                                                                                                                                School Committee Secretary