6:00
pm Reception to Celebrate North Kingstown High School NEASC Accreditation and
Davisville Middle School and Hamilton Elementary Schools’ Exceptional SALT
Reports
7:00 PM Business Meeting
Central
Administration Building
“Challenging Student Excellence”
|
I.
Meeting
Organization
A. Call to Order Pledge of Allegiance
B. Roll Call
Present: Chairperson
Bill Mudge, Kevin Mulvey, and Cathy
Kaiser,
Administration Present:
Absent: Daniel J. McGregor, Ph.D., Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Barbara A. Fitzsimmons, Ed.D, Curriculum Director
C. Calendars
1. Dr. Halley went over the dates of interest with the committee.
2. Bill Mudge suggested that meetings be scheduled with the associations to discuss the letters requesting that district employees accept a 1% decrease in their raise this year. Don DeFedele responded that it was premature as there were no substantive responses to the letters as of yet.
D. Presentations:
1.
a. Rene Cockerill of the Wickford Middle School SAC described for the committee plans to begin trimester report cards at the school. She stated that the school administration and teachers are “all on board” with the preparations, and look forward to utilizing the new system.
b. Don DeFedele asked Dr. Halley if there was any action required by the committee at this time, and Dr. Halley responded negatively.
c.
Denise Coppa asked if the
d. Mr. DeFedele informed the Wickford Middle School SAC that the committee was pleased to see the changes that they were making for the future needs of the students.
2. Instrumental Update ~ Michael Thibodeau
a. Musical Instrument Advisory Committee Final Report’s Recommendations:
· Continue the string program and re-evaluate in 6 years.
· Increase contact time for the 5th grade instrumental program to 45 minutes per week or 30 minutes twice a week.
· Increase funding to replace aging school owned instruments and adding to the current instrument inventory.
b. Barry Martasian was curious which instruments were provided by the schools. Mr. Thibodeau responded that most students rent, except for the tuba, bassoon, baritone sax, and marching percussion instruments because they are too costly to rent.
c. Bill Mudge stated that he was concerned about the request for financing. He asked Mr. Thibodeau if he puts in a budget.
d. Kevin Mulvey interjected a “Point of Order” and stated that Mr. Thibodeau was presenting information, and yet Mr. Mudge was “lecturing him about how to put forth a budget”.
e.
f. Curriculum Director, Barbara Fitzsimmons said that the evaluation of the strings program would need to be much sooner than 6 years due to the curriculum cycle. Mr. Thibodeau responded that the object was to follow the students in this case, and not the strings curriculum, to see if the program is successful.
g. Dr.
Fitzsimmons then suggested that the music department restructure their budget
and see what is needed at the beginning of the year as opposed to the end of
the year.
II.
Citizen’s
Comments on Agenda Items
A.
David Layman, resident and
B.
Joseph Avenzato agreed with Mr. Layman stating that
there were many reasons not to vote to extend the superintendent’s contract at
this time, and the committee should wait to see how certain “investigations”
resolve themselves before they do take their vote.
III.
Routine
Items
A. Correspondence
Mr. DeFedele introduced the following correspondence into the record:
1.
An email received regarding the environmentally safe replacement
of Septic Systems at Davisville Elementary and
2. Letter from the office of the Auditor General
3. Emails regarding full day kindergarten
4.
An invitation to the reception being held to honor
Wickford Middle School’s former coach, the late
5. This week is Reading Week, and members of the committee and school department have been reading at the elementary schools.
6.
Mr. DeFedele extended his, the committee’s, and the
school department’s condolences to Pat Watkins on the death of her mother-in-law,
Mrs. Doris Watkins.
CONSENT
AGENDA
Approved items on the consent
agenda are marked with * on a
motion by Pat Watkins/
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.
B.
Disclosure of Executive Session Votes – No items, discussion, nor action taken.
C.
Approval of Minutes of Prior Meetings
1.
·
Mr.
DeFedele asked that item #8 on page 2 be reworded to indicate that the email
from the individual show that the person was merely interested in the proposed bike path at
2.
3.
4.
5.
·
D. Financial Items*
1.
Financial Reports Overview
2.
Year to Date Expenditure Report
3.
Monthly Deficit Monitoring Report
E.
Bids and Awards: Bus Contracts requested by: *
1. Ms. Jane Wilson
·
Requested to replace her current contract for
Bus 9 with a new contract seven years (with a five year renewal option) by
purchasing a new bus. This request is
submitted in accordance with
F.
Personnel Items
1.
Appointments, 2003/
·
·
Bill Daly
responded that the appointments were made by the schools, and were approved for
payment by the committee when the year was over because sometimes the clubs do
not continue.
·
After
discussion, Mr. DeFedele advised Mr. Daly to come to the committee with the
names of the advisors on the consent agenda in the fall, and have the salary
amounts for payment approval when ready.
·
Melissa Comerford Chess Club $378
Karen Kouttab Academic
Decathlon $546
Elizabeth Martin Students Against $168
Destructive
Decisions
(SADD)
Melissa Waterman Students Against $168
Destructive
Decisions
(SADD)
2.
Appointments, 2003/
3.
Appointments, Non-Certificated Staff:*
a)
Kerri Phaneuf, 2nd
Shift Custodian at the
b)
Peter Ladd, 2nd Shift Temporary Custodian at
4.
Appointments, 2004 Summer Sports Camp Coaches –
budgeted.*
Aaron Thomas
Kevin Harrington Volleyball 1,
Kevin Harrington Volleyball 2,
Kevin Gormley Basketball 1,
Michael Kelley Basketball 2,
Kevin Gormley Baseball 1,
John Holmes Lacrosse,
July12-16, 2004 Volunteer
Julie Maguire Field Hockey,
Steve Froberg Soccer,
5.
Approval of Unpaid Parental Leave of Absence,
Certificated Staff:
a)
Lynda Fortin, 1.0 FTE Elementary Teacher at
b)
Rachel Santa, 1.0 FTE Special Education at the
Motion to accept this correction
was made by Pat Watkins and seconded by Carol Watkins. The vote on this motion was unanimous.
c)
Paula Schartner, 1.0 FTE
Elementary Teacher at
d)
Elizabeth Neronha, 1.0 FTE
Elementary Teacher at
6.
Approval of Unpaid Family Medical Leave Absence,
Certificated Staff:*
a)
Susan Vogel, 1.0 FTE Mathematics Teacher at
7.
Approval of Unpaid Leave of Absence, Certificated
Staff:*
a)
Patrissa Luzzi,
1.0 FTE Language Arts Teacher at the
b)
Pamela Ellis, 1.0 FTE Elementary Teacher at
8.
Appointments, 2004 Extended School Year Program,
Non-Certificated Staff – budgeted.*
a)
Elizabeth Cote, Paraprofessional for the 2004 Pre-School
ESY Program, July 6, 2004 – August 13, 2004, Monday – Friday, 8:45 am – 11:15
am @ $9.51 per hour.
b)
Elizabeth Morander,
Paraprofessional for the 2004 Pre-School ESY Program,
c)
Meredith Roy, Paraprofessional for the 2004 Pre-School
ESY Program, July 6, 2004 – August 13, 2004, Monday – Friday, 8:45 am - 11:45
am @ $9.51 per hour.
d)
Beatriz Hone, Paraprofessional for the 2004 Pre-School
ESY Program, July 6, 2004 – August 13, 2004, Monday – Friday, 8:45 am- 11:45 am
@ $9.51 per hour.
e)
Debbie Peck, Paraprofessional for the 2004 Transition
ESY Program, July 6, 2004 – August 13, 2004, Tuesday & Thursday, 8:45 am –
11:45 am @ $9.51 per hour.
f)
Ann Marie Breslin, Paraprofessional for the 2004
Transition ESY Program, July 6, 2004 – August 13, 2004, Tuesday & Thursday,
8:45 am – 11:45 am @ $9.51 per hour.
g)
Sarah Reynolds, Paraprofessional for the 2004
Transition ESY Program, July 6, 2004 – August 13, 2004, Tuesday & Thursday,
8:45 am – 11:15 am @ $9.51 per hour.
h)
Casey Hardie,
Paraprofessional for the 2004 TIP ESY Program,
i)
Lori McKay, Paraprofessional for the 2004 TIP ESY
Program,
j)
Kristen O’Neil Paraprofessional for the 2004 TIP ESY
Program,
k)
Diane Jolicoeur,
Paraprofessional for the 2004 TIP ESY Program,
l)
Jean Hogan, Paraprofessional for the 2004 Elementary
ESY Program, July 6, 2004 – August 13, 2004, Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 11:00
am @ $9.51 per hour.
m)
Sally Heaney, Paraprofessional for the 2004 Elementary
ESY Program,
n)
Debbie Hammond, Paraprofessional for the 2004
Elementary ESY Program, July 6, 2004 – August 13, 2004, Monday – Friday, 8:00
am – 11:00 am @ $9.51 per hour.
o)
Linda Rose, Paraprofessional for the 2004 Elementary
ESY Program, July 6, 2004 – August 13, 2004, Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 11:00
am @ $9.51 per hour.
p)
Teri Wolff, Paraprofessional for the 2004 Elementary
ESY Program, July 6, 2004 – August 13, 2004, Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 11:00
am @ $9.51 per hour.
q)
Joanne Rollinson,
Paraprofessional for the 2004 Elementary ESY Program, July 6, 2004 – August 13,
2004, Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 11:00 am @ $9.51 per hour.
r)
Carol Welesko,
Paraprofessional for the 2004 Elementary ESY Program,
s)
Karen Knight, Paraprofessional for the 2004 Elementary
ESY Program, July 6, 2004 – August 13, 2004, Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 11:00
am @ $9.51 per hour.
t)
Martina Tregaskis,
Paraprofessional for the 2004 Elementary ESY Program, July 6, 2004 – August 13,
2004, Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 11:00 am @ $9.51 per hour.
u)
Kathleen Morin, Paraprofessional for the 2004
Elementary ESY Program, July 6, 2004 – August 13, 2004, Monday – Friday, 8:00
am – 11:00 am @ $9.51 per hour.
v)
Donna Supancic,
Paraprofessional for the 2004 Middle School ESY Program, July 6, 2004 – August
13, 2004, Monday – Friday, 8:30 am - 11:30am, @ $9.51 per hour.
w)
Rhonda Barner,
Paraprofessional for the 2004 Middle School Language Arts ESY Program, July 6,
2004 – August 13, 2004, Monday, Wednesday & Fridays @ $9.51 per hour.
x)
Sylvia Brown, Paraprofessional for the 2004 High School
ESY Program, July 6, 2004 – August 13, 2004, Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 11:30
am @ $9.51 per hour.
y)
Susan Baggesen,
Paraprofessional for the 2004 ESY Program, July 6, 2004 – August 13, 2004 @
Trail Blazer, Monday – Friday, 3.5 hours per day @ $9.51 per hour.
9.
Appointments, 2004 Extended School Year Program,
Certificated Staff – budgeted.*
a)
Holly Mather, Teacher for the
2004 Pre-School ESY Program, July 6, 2004 – August 13, 2004, Monday – Friday,
8:45 am -11:15 am @ $22.50 per hour.
b)
Leslie Maymon, Teacher for
the 2004 Transition ESY Program, July 6, 2004 – August 13, 2004, Tuesday &
Thursday, 8:45 am – 11:15 am @ $22.50 per hour.
c)
Amy Messerlian, Teacher for the 2004 TIP ESY Program,
d)
Kenneth Duva, Teacher for the
2004 TIP ESY Program,
e)
Cathleen Dowd, Teacher for the 2004 Elementary ESY
Program, July 6, 2004 – August 13, 2004, Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 11:00 am @
$22.50 per hour.
f)
Jennifer Babcock, Teacher for the 2004 Elementary ESY
Program, July 6, 2004 – August 13, 2004, Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 11:00 am @
$22.50 per hour.
g)
Emily Wilson, Teacher for the 2004 Elementary ESY
Program, July 6, 2004 – August 13, 2004, Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 11:00 am @
$22.50 per hour.
h)
Vinessa Petisce,
Teacher for the 2004 Elementary ESY Program, July 6, 2004 – August 13, 2004,
Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 11:00 am @ $22.50 per hour.
i)
Terena Hogan, Teacher for the
2004 Elementary ESY Program, July 6, 2004 – August 13, 2004, Monday – Friday,
8:00 am – 11:00 am @ $22.50 per hour.
j)
David Hoffer, Teacher for the
2004 Elementary ESY Program, July 6, 2004 – August 13, 2004, Monday – Friday,
8:00 am – 11:00 am @ $22.50 per hour.
k)
Jaime George, Teacher for the 2004 Middle School ESY
Program, July 6, 2004 – August 13, 2004, Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 11:30 am @
$22.50 per hour.
l)
David Stepka, Teacher for the
2004 Middle School Language Arts ESY Program, July 6, 2004 – August 13, 2004,
Monday, Wednesday & Fridays, 8:30 am – 11:30 am @ $22.50 per hour.
m)
Marcia Snell, Teacher for the 2004 High School ESY
Program, July 6, 2004 – August 13, 2004, Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 11:30 am
@$22.50 per hour.
n)
Bethany Pratt, Occupational Therapy Assistant for the
2004 ESY Program, July 6, 2004 – August 13, 2004 for up to 20 hours @ $22.50
per hour.
o)
Diane Luciano-Linnane,
Occupational Therapy Assistant for the 2004 ESY Program, July 6, 2004 – August
13, 2004 for up to 20 hours @ $22.50 per hour.
p)
Jeannine Martins, Speech Therapist for the 2004 ESY
Program, July 6, 2004 – August 13, 2004 for up to 20 hours @ $22.50 per hour.
q)
Jackie Walton-Williams, Speech Therapist for the 2004
ESY Program, July 6, 2004 – August 13, 2004 for up to 20 hours @ $22.50 per
hour.
r)
Lauren Renzi, Speech
Therapist for the 2004 ESY Program, July 6, 2004 – August 13, 2004 for up to 20
hours @ $22.50 per hour.
s)
Sandra Petrucci, Speech
Therapist for the 2004 ESY Program, July 6, 2004 – August 13, 2004 for up to 20
hours @ $22.50 per hour.
t)
Donna Noonan, Occupational Therapist for the 2004 ESY
Program, July 6, 2004 – August 13, 2004 for up to 2 hours @ $22.50 per hour.
10.
Resignation, Certificated Staff:*
a)
Michelle Ouhrabka, 1.0 FTE Music Teacher at
*
11.
Retirement, Non-Certificated Staff:
Patricia Pannone,
Media Clerk at the
END OF CONSENT AGENDA
IV.
Unfinished
Business
A.
World Language Curriculum and Textbook Adoption
1.
Pat
Watkins motioned to accept the World Language Curriculum and Textbook Adoption
and
2.
Because
the committee did not wish to discuss the topic further, Mr. DeFedele asked for
a vote on the issue: the committee voted 6 to 1 with Mr. Mudge opposing.
B.
School
Modernization Implementation
1.
Dr. Halley
stated that the committee approved the School Modernization Advisory
Committee’s three phased plan and requested the Town Council seek a bond referendum
for $22million. Instead, the Town
Council, at their last meeting, “substituted” the Asset Management Commission’s
suggestions, and suggested a $9 million dollar referendum addressing only
maintenance and repair at two specific schools, Davisville Elementary, and
a.
If the
Town Council’s referendum is passed, the School Committee’s ultimate objective
of having the schools upgraded would be changed.
b. Dr. Halley said that he is “not sure
that it is wise to do bonding for maintenance and repairs”. The School Capital Reserve Fund is set aside
for that.
2.
Don
DeFedele said that the Town council originally agreed to the $22 million dollar
repair phase at Davisville Elementary and
3.
Bill Mudge
stated that he was in agreement with Dr. Halley regarding the School Capital
Reserve fund being the account to use for pay-as-you-go items such as
maintenance and repairs and not school refurbishing. He also said that he “resented” the Town
Council exceeding their authority.
4.
Dr. Halley
agreed and said that it was a “major issue in terms of legality.”
5.
Kevin
Mulvey was concerned with how to stop the Town Council from moving forward.
6.
Mr.
DeFedele suggested “firing off a letter” stating that the committee had already
come to them with a plan from the School Modernization Advisory Committee which
the Town Council had approved and which had received the endorsement of the
Board of Regents. He said the letter
should state that the committee is not in agreement with what the council is
considering and that the $22 million bonding is still being requested.
7.
Pat
Watkins questioned the time line before bringing the referendum to the voters.
8.
Dr. Halley
said that he believes that council would need legislative approval, although they
were discussing the possibility of not needing to obtain it.
9.
Bill Mudge
asked Mr. DeFedele to contact the council chair and have her “hold off” on this
move of the Town Council’s.
10. Mr. DeFedele replied that Mrs. Dolan
does not have the authority to circumvent a vote of the majority of the
council.
11. Kevin Mulvey motioned to draft a letter
to the Town Council to inform them of the School Committee’s opposition to
their changing the scope of the original agreed upon projects, their seeking a
bond referendum and presenting it to the voters. Barry Martasian seconded this motion.
12. Carol Hueston stated that the letter
should include that the committee hopes that the council reconsider the
original proposal that was put forth by the School Modernization Advisory
Committee and approved by the Board of Regents.
13. Dr. Halley agreed and said that the
letter should include the $22 million bond that should be put forward to the
voters.
14. Pat Watkins asked that the capital
improvements at Davisville Middle and
15. Kevin Mulvey stated that what he was
hearing from the committee was that they were not in favor this recent action
taken by the council; and, in fact, the committee was unhappy that the Town
Council did not take action on the School Committee’s specific request.
16. Dr. Halley said that the letter should
then state that fact, and that the committee feels that maintenance and repairs
should come from the School Capital Reserve Fund.
17. Kevin Mulvey made a new motion to send a
communication to the Town Council stating that the committee was not in
agreement with the action the council has taken at this time, to go out to bond
for maintenance and repairs by recommendation of the Asset Management
Commission. This motion was seconded by
Carol Hueston, and received a unanimous vote.
18. Pat Watkins motioned to further include
in the communication that the council reconsider the original Phase I proposal
of the School Modernization Advisory Committee, which was approved by the Board
of Regents, and take action on it. This
motion was seconded by Carol Hueston, and the vote was 6 in favor, Bill Mudge
opposed.
19. Bill Mudge asked Dr. Halley what the
enrollment status was for
20. Kevin Mulvey stated that he wished to
withdraw his original motion.
C. 2004-05 School Budget
1. Dr. Halley informed the School Committee that the decision was made to discontinue sports at the middle school level. This decision was made by the athletic director because area towns have also discontinued sports at that level. This budget cut was in the amount of $58,000.00. $8,000.00 was appropriated to the High School sports budget.
2.
Denise Coppa motioned that any amount over
$50,000.00 be appropriated back to the middle schools. Bill Mudge seconded that motion.
3. Bill Mudge stated that he felt it was irresponsible to unilaterally cut all of the programs from the middle schools. The middle school track program is highly successful.
4.
Kevin Mulvey said that the committee gave the option to
the athletic director to make the cuts in his budget where he saw fit.
5.
Denise Coppa said that
6.
Kevin Mulvey motioned to table the original
motion for the time being. Barry
Martasian seconded the motion. The vote
on this motion was 5/2.
7.
Bill Mudge motioned to request the athletic
director to come back to the committee with three different options on how to
cut $50,000.00 from the athletic budget.
8.
Pat Watkins stated that she agreed with Mr. Mulvey, the
committee allowed the athletic director to the make the necessary cuts to his
budget. What the committee should be
looking at are ways to keep athletics in the middle schools with the remaining
$8,000.00.
9.
Bill Mudge declared that the middle school sports
programs feed into the high school sports programs. He felt there are other areas that can be
cut.
10. Maureen
Buck stated that she needed a vote this evening.
11. Dr.
Halley asked the committee to request from the athletic director a proposal on
how he could use the $8,000.00. He urged
the committee to let their managers to make the decisions they need to make.
12. Don
DeFedele called for a vote on this matter: Bill Mudge in favor, the rest of the
committee opposed (1/6).
13. Kevin
Mulvey motioned to ask the athletic director how he will use the $8,000.00 if
he keeps it at the Middle School level.
Carol Hueston seconded the motion.
14. Mr.
Mulvey stated that the additional money was reallocated to the high school by
Mrs. Buck through appropriate accounting practices, and not an error of the
athletic director’s. The athletic
director cut $50,000.00 out of his budget as he was requested to do by the
committee. Mr. Mulvey said he was now
requesting how he would be able to use the remainder at the middle school
level.
15. Denise
Coppa agreed, saying that she would like to see it remain at the middle school.
16. Carol
Hueston also agreed, saying that she would like to hear how he would be able to
utilize the funds.
17. Mr.
DeFedele did not feel that there was a need for a motion.
18. Mr.
Mulvey said by demanding that the athletic director use the $8,000.00 in the
middle schools, he may feel that it is a useless way to make use of the funds.
19. Mr.
DeFedele stated that he will discuss the issue with the athletic director and
Mr. Mulvey withdrew his motion.
20. Mr.
Mulvey motioned to adopt the 2004-05 School Budget as presented. Carol Hueston seconded the motion.
21. Bill
Mudge requested the Brown Sheets which go with the budget as reference.
22. Denise
Coppa stated that she could not support the cuts that were made.
23. The
vote taken on this motion was 5 members in favor, Bill Mudge and Denise Coppa
opposed.
D. 2003-04
School Budget – No items, discussion, nor
action taken.
E. 2003-04
V.
New
Business
A.
Replacement of Septic Systems at Davisville Elementary
and
1.
Joe Quinn stated that because of bureaucracy, he must
go to the Town Council with the approval of an engineer from the School
Committee, to obtain a “blank check” from the Capital Improvement account so
that he could hire that engineer and then a contractor.
2.
Kevin Mulvey was concerned about approving something
without previously knowing its cost.
3.
Dr. Halley explained that what the committee would be
approving is the definition of the project.
4.
Pat Watkins made a motion to go forward with
the procedure. Carol Hueston seconded
the motion.
5.
Bill Mudge questioned the urgency of voting this
evening.
6.
Joe Quinn responded because of the new regulations regarding
septic systems, the schools that are mentioned must change their septic systems
by April 2005 or the school department will be cited.
7.
Bill Mudge requested a copy of the specific
regulations; Mr. Quinn stated that he would provide him with a copy.
8.
The vote on this motion was 6 in favor, 1
(Bill Mudge) against.
VI.
Reports
A.
Enrollments – No
items, discussion, nor action taken.
B.
Standing Committee Reports – No items, discussion, nor action taken.
C.
Ad hoc Committee Reports – No items, discussion, nor action taken.
VII.
Committee
Member/Citizens’ Comments
VIII.
Motion to
Adjourn: A motion to adjourn to Executive Session was made by Pat
Watkins, seconded by
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________________________
Konnie
M. Mazur