NORTH KINGSTOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE APPROVED 11/2/05
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
6:00 pm Executive Session for the
Superintendent’s Evaluation
Pursuant to RIGL 42-46-4 and 42-46-5 (a) (1)
7:00 PM Business Meeting
Central
Administration Building
“Challenging Student Excellence” |
The Executive Session scheduled for this
evening was cancelled.
I.
Meeting
Organization
A. Call to Order; Pledge of Allegiance
Don DeFedele called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm.
B. Roll Call
Present: Chairperson
Absent: Vice Chairperson Dr. Denise Coppa (arrived 8:00pm); Janice DeFrances (arrived 7:45pm); William
Brennan, Jamestown Representative
Administration Present:
Legal Representative: David Reilly
C. Calendars
1. Dr. Halley went over the dates of interest in November with the committee. A special executive session meeting will be scheduled on November 15, 2005 at 6:00 pm to hear level III grievances from the NEANK.
D. Ground Rules
In order to ensure the committee can complete agenda items, give everyone opportunity to speak and change the tone of the meetings, Don DeFedele suggested a list of Ground Rules for the committee to approve and abide by (Appendix A).
Motion to approve the Ground Rules was made by Barry Martasian. Seconded by Renee Cockerill.
Vote: Melvoid Benson Yes Bill Mudge No
Renee
Cockerill Yes
Don
DeFedele Yes
Barry
Martasian Yes
Motion passes 4 to 1
II. Citizen’s Comments on Agenda Items
A. Kathy Brown stated that if new business was to be included on the Business Meeting agenda, the public should be able to speak to those subjects.
B.
Mel Benson asked for a legal opinion concerning school
committee members asking questions of a citizen when they speak.
III. Routine Items
A. Correspondence:
1. Dr. Halley stated that there were two letters from Kelly Fracassa clarifying legal questions that were brought up at the last school committee meeting.
2. An informational pamphlet on the RI Diploma System was included in members’ folders.
3. Bill Mudge submitted the following material to the chairperson:
a. Commissioner’s Decision regarding a transportation issue (Appendix B)
b. Reimbursement of expenses incurred by Mr. Mudge (Appendix C)
c. Letter from Dr. Halley to Joanne Naumann regarding the use of WES (Appendix D)
d. E-mail from Mrs. Naumann concerning fire code violations at WMS (Appendix E)
e. E-mail from Keith Kenyon concerning a girls swim team at the high school (Appendix F)
f. E-mail from Dave Wrenn concerning computer equipment (Appendix G)
g. E-mail from Joanne Naumann concerning vandalism at WMS (Appendix H)
h. E-mail from Dianna Siahpush concerning NK elementary schools (Appendix I)
4. Mr. DeFedele stated that he will review the submissions but felt that some of the above items were not
correspondence to the school committee.
5. Mr. Mudge requested that items be added to the agenda. Mr. DeFedele stated that Mr. Mudge could
make a motion and receive a consensus of the committee to add an item to the agenda. No motion was
made.
CONSENT
AGENDA
Approved items on the consent agenda are marked with * on a motion by Barry Martasian/Melvoid Benson with a vote of 5 to 0..
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. Home Schooling Requests*
C. Disclosure of Executive Session Votes – no votes to disclose
D. Approval of Minutes of Prior Meetings:
1. October 12, 2005 Worksession*
2. October 12, 2005 Executive Session*
E. Financial Items:
1. Monthly Financial Update**
a. Bill Mudge asked for clarification of the monthly financial update. Mr. DeFedele explained that it was the entire front page of the financial report
Motion to approve the
Monthly Financial Update was made by Barry Martasian. Seconded by Renee Cockerill.
Vote: Unanimous to approve 5 to 0
2. Year-to-Date Budget Report**
a. Bill Mudge asked for the report title to match the agenda title.
b. Mr. Mudge asked who authorized transfers of funds within the budget. Mrs. Buck answered that the budget was approved last month and the transfers were done to cover the changes that were approved by the school committee.
c. Mr. Mudge asked about the miscellaneous account. Mrs. Buck explained that this account is used to balance the budget. This is money that was not allocated at the end of the year.
d. Don DeFedele stated that this was approved as a committee. When the school committee votes tonight, the transfers in this report are approved. Any member can always ask a question when they receive this report before the meeting.
e. Bill Mudge requested a revised budget to reflect changes.
f.
Mr. Mudge stated that the school committee has not
authorized any Medicaid revenue or grant funds to be spent. Mr. DeFedele stated that those actions were
approved when the budget was approved.
Motion
to approve Year-to-Date Budget Report was made by Barry Martasian. Seconded by Melvoid Benson.
Vote:
Don DeFedele Yes Bill Mudge No
Barry Martasian Yes
Renee Cockerill Yes
Melvoid Benson Yes
Motion passes 4 to 1
3. Monthly Deficit Monitoring Report**
4. Quarterly Revenue Report**
a. Mel Benson asked about item #221, 215,and 274 having no transfer or expenditure action listed. Mrs. Buck explained that we will be using that money as soon as the vocational ed grant is ready. Adult Ed will not be running this year.
Janice
DeFrances arrived at 7:45pm.
b. Bill Mudge stated that the school committee did not approve the grants in the CRP.
Dr. Halley explained that the committee approved the pursuit of grants as part of the budget
process.
Motion to approve the Monthly Deficit
Monitoring Report and the Quarterly Revenue Report was made by Barry
Martasian. Seconded by Melvoid Benson.
Vote: Renee
Cockerill Yes Bill Mudge No
Janice DeFrances Yes
Melvoid Benson Yes
Don DeFedele Yes
Barry Martasian Yes
Motion passes 5 to 1
5. InSite Certification**
a.
Bill Mudge stated that this report approves all of our
expenditures and the committee never approved the grants, etc. Mr. Mudge felt there are inconsistencies in
the figures, incorrect state aid, and literacy funds not included. Maureen Buck requested that Mr. Mudge put his
questions in writing and she will provide answers at the next meeting.
b. Mr.
Mudge questioned item #4 and asked if that money was given to the Town Council
or kept in the budget. Dr. Halley stated
that the money is not available until the audit is complete and that the school
committee decides where the money will go.
c.
Mr. Mudge stated that $682,000 of school funds were turned
over to the Town Council in FY04. Mrs.
Buck stated that Cindy Olobri sent an e-mail explaining this money. Dr. Halley stated that this went to the
school fund and was appropriated to the school in different areas. Mr. Mudge requested to bring the auditor to a
meeting to ask direct questions. Mr.
DeFedele stated that Mr. Mudge misleads the public.
Motion to approve the InSite Certification was made by Barry
Martasian. Seconded by Renee Cockerill.
Vote: Barry
Martasian Yes Bill Mudge No
– feels information is inaccurate
Don
DeFedele Yes
Melvoid
Benson Yes
Janice
DeFrances Yes
Renee
Cockerill Yes
Motion passes 5 to 1
F. Bids and Awards:
1. Backup System for Information Technology**
a. Mel Benson asked for clarification of the Backup System for Technology. Maureen Buck
explained that the failure happened in September and was not predictable. This was an emergency
that could not be budgeted for. Lee Rabbitt stated that this is a power backup for the entire system
and protects the servers from outages.
Denise Coppa arrived at 8:00 pm.
b. Bill Mudge stated that this order was placed without school committee approval. Mrs. Buck replied
that the policy states to get quotes and inform the school committee, but emergencies are permitted.
Motion to approve the
Backup System for Information Technology was made by Denise Coppa. Seconded by Barry Martasian.
Vote: Unanimous to approve 7 to 0
2. Chimney Correction at Forest Park Elementary School*
3. Expansion Tank Replacement at the High School**
a. Bill Mudge questioned why we need $6300 for a tank in the heating system. Maureen Buck
explained that it catches the water overflow and the bladder has burst three times. The warranty is
now expired and the tank needs to be replaced.
Motion to approve the
Expansion Tank Replacement at the High School was made by Denise Coppa. Seconded by Melvoid Benson.
Vote: Unanimous to approve 7 to 0
G. Personnel Items:
1. Appointments, Non-Certificated Staff:
a) Sara Stanley, Bus Paraprofessional, minimum of 4.5 hours per day, Step 1 @ $10.84 per hour, effective October 25, 2005 – unbudgeted.*
2. Approval of Payment of Stipend:
a) Karen Nutini, Stipend for School Committee meetings, $10,000, effective October 3, 2005– budgeted.**
1. Bill Mudge was concerned with overloading Mrs. Nutini with responsibility and questioned if this position reports directly to the School Committee.
2. Don DeFedele recommended that Mrs. Nutini handle the school committee business and asked if she was comfortable with this responsibility. Mrs. Nutini agreed to this position with the addition of a clerical position in the office.
3. Mel Benson asked for clarification of the stipend and of school committee secretary duties and asked if this position types letters, and other requests for members. Dr. Halley responded that policy BDC – School Committee Clerk – states that the clerk, who is the Superintendent, can delegate duties to other persons. This position was previously a stipend position, then we hired a separate person. It has been difficult to maintain this position. We will use the same total salary divided as a stipend to Karen and the remainder used to hire a clerk to help her with office duties. The stipend is for the entire job and remains the same no matter how many hours are worked. There are two meetings per month plus extra meetings including budget and others. The previous position was paid hourly.
4. Don DeFedele stated that this job doesn’t start with the meetings. There is extensive preparation including agendas, knowledge of the law, postings, advertising, packet materials, minutes, etc. He likes the recommendation of this position being filled by Mrs. Nutini because she has always done a good job. The School Committee Secretary duties do not include providing work for individual members, only committee work.
5. Bill Mudge stated that Karen does a good job and provides excellent support for the committee. He would like to clarify if Karen works for the school committee, not Dr. Halley and would like the policy to be reviewed with respect to who she should report to.
6. Barry Martasian stated that it is a law that the superintendent is the only employee of the school committee and Mrs. Nutini should report to Dr. Halley.
Motion to approve
payment of stipend to Karen Nutini was made by Denise Coppa. Seconded by Barry Martasian.
Vote: Unanimous
to approve 7 to 0
3. Approval, 2005/2006 Interscholastic Coaches:
North Kingstown High School
Vicky Tefft Volunteer Volleyball Coach* $0
4. Resignation, Non-Certificated Staff:
a) Lynn McVety-Barone, Special Education Paraprofessional at Hamilton Elementary School, effective October 13, 2005.*
5. Request for Approval of Unpaid Leave of Absence:
a)
David Avedisian, 1.0 FTE Social Studies Teacher at
the North Kingstown High School, from November 14, 2005 through January 27,
2006.*
END OF CONSENT AGENDA
Recess was taken at 8:30pm
Meeting returned to session at 8:40pm.
IV. Unfinished
Business
A. 2005-2006 School Budget – Bill Mudge
stated that he had submitted a letter (Appendix C) concerning purchase orders
and would like to discuss this topic after the school committee has had an
opportunity to read it.
B. New Board of Regents Regulations of Length of School Day/School Start Times:
1. Don DeFedele stated that
there was a charge for the School Starting Times Advisory Committee in the
packets. Discussion followed concerning
when the advisory committee would give the preliminary and final reports to the
school committee in order for enough time to be allocated for all issues to be
thoroughly considered.
Motion
was made by Denise Coppa to accept the charge of the School Starting Times
Advisory Committee with
the change that the preliminary report would be presented to the school
committee at the March 2006
Worksession and the final report would be presented to the school
committee in May 2006. Seconded by
Janice
DeFrances.
Amendment to the motion was made by Bill Mudge to have the Advisory
Committee present their preliminary
report to the school committee in February 2006 and the final report in
April 2006. Seconded by Denise Coppa.
Vote on amendment: Renee Cockerill Yes Barry Martasian No
Denise
Coppa Yes Melvoid Benson No
Bill
Mudge Yes Janice DeFrances No
Don
DeFedele No
Amendment fails 4 to 3
Vote on Motion: Unanimous to
approve 7 to 0
Renee Cockerill left the
meeting at 8:45pm.
2. Dr. Halley referred to the survey about
sleep and start times that was given to parents at the high school open
house.
Bill Mudge asked if this could be put on the website. Don DeFedele suggested that we check with the
high school first
because it was their survey.
C. School Modernization Implementation: Wickford Middle School, Fishing Cove Elementary School, Forest Park Elementary School, Davisville Elementary School
1. Dr. Halley suggested that the school committee needs to consider a bond issue next November. Wickford Middle School is the primary area that needs to be addressed. In order to submit Wickford Middle School as a priority to the Asset Management Committee, action needs to be taken by the school committee.
2. Bill Mudge stated that the Asset Management Committee had Davisville Elementary as the priority last year. Maureen Buck explained that the needs have changed due to reconfiguration. Davisville Elementary is no longer out of sync with the other schools. There is now a priority for Wickford Middle School.
3. Dr. Halley suggested finalizing a viewpoint on Wickford Middle School and forming a plan of action to
implement the plan. He recommended the RGB plan for Wickford Middle School.
4. Mrs. Benson suggested postponing this action. Don DeFedele disagreed, not wanting to let our buildings
disintegrate to the point of needing new construction. This project has already been approved by the Board of
Regents which allows a 30% refund of the cost.
5. Dr. Halley stated that the size of the classrooms at WMS do not meet the educational standards, the industrial
arts area is shameful, the art room is an old kitchen that you must duck under a hood to walk around, the
library has inadequate space, the cafeteria needs upgrading, and lab classes lack proper space. There is a big
discrepancy between the two middle schools which impact on programs. Wickford Middle School has been in
the Asset Management plan for eleven years.
6. Mr. Mudge stated that the state standard recommended 900 square feet for classrooms based on 30 students per
room and we do not have that number in a room.
7. Barry Martasian stated that a study back as far as 1989 recommended closing Wickford Elementary School,
using Wickford Middle School for an administration building and building a new middle school.
Motion to accept the RGB report as it
related to the modernization of Wickford Middle School was made by Don
DeFedele.
Seconded by Barry Martasian.
Vote: Denise
Coppa Yes
Mel Benson No
Barry
Martasian Yes Bill Mudge No
Janice
DeFrances Yes
Don
DeFedele Yes
Motion passes 4 to 2
Member comments:
Mrs. Benson voted no because she feels and economic feasibility study has not been done.
Mr. Mudge voted no because he feels that $16 million is too much.
Mr.
DeFedele voted yes because he feels this modernization has taken too many
years.
D. 2004-2005 School Budget – no discussion or action taken.
E. 2004-2005 School Committee Goals and Objectives – no discussion or action taken.
V. New Business
A. Wellness Committee and Food/Nutrition Policy
1. The state of RI requires that the school committee establish a School Health and Wellness Committee as
well as a School Wellness Policy. A proposed policy was submitted for consideration by the policy
subcommittee.
2. The policy subcommittee will submit a recommended policy to form a wellness committee. The wellness
Committee, which will be chaired by a member of the school committee, will then recommend a
Food/Nutrition policy.
B. Return of Wickford Elementary School Building to the Town of North Kingstown – no discussion or action taken
C. Consider Sending Letter to Town Regarding High School Band Room Repairs – no discussion or action taken
D. RI High School Diploma System – no discussion or action taken
E. Forensic Audit of the School Department Finances – no discussion or action taken
F. General Welfare of the School System – no discussion or action taken
G. Disposition of Contents of Wickford Elementary School – no discussion or action taken
H. Policy DBC – Annual Budget – no discussion or action taken
VI. Reports
A. Special Reports: 2005 Sports Camp Final Report by Aaron Thomas – no discussion or action taken
B. Standing Committee Reports – no discussion or action taken
C. Ad hoc Committee Reports
VII.
Committee
Member/Citizens’ Comments
1. Kathy Brown stated that she does not like to see new business on the Business Meeting agenda because the community does not get enough opportunity to comment. Mrs. Brown would like to hear plans for Wickford Middle School discussed.
2. Muriel Cammara felt that plans for Wickford Middle School were presented for the first time two years ago. Mrs. Cammara feels that the Board of Regents support doesn’t mean anything and the school committee should revisit the middle school priority. North Kingstown has the 3rd highest bond debt in the stated and she would like to see a revision of the $16 million bond. Mrs. Cammara proposed building a new middle school and moving Fishing Cove and Davisville Elementary into Wickford Middle School.
3. Chris Prata asked if it were in the minutes that Wickford Middle School was discussed. Don DeFedele replied that the minutes are on the website. Mr. Prata does not think that an in-depth analysis has been done. Mr. DeFedele stated that $90,000 was spent on RGB for this purpose.
4. Dave Wrenn requested that the library has copies of the RGB modernization plan. Since the 2003 proposal, there have to be new considerations made such as “green building” that are safe on the environment and energy efficient. Mr. Wrenn was disappointed with the vote tonight and felt the public does not get enough comment.
Committee Member Comments:
1. Mel Benson stated that she was glad to see ground rules for the meeting because she had never voted to have a police officer at the meetings. Mrs. Benson reported glowing remarks about the school department at a breakfast meeting she attended. People remarked that North Kingstown has a good educational system and she would like to have more discussions on educational issues. Mrs. Benson asked about a library for the school committee. Dr. Halley responded that we have a professional library in this building. Mrs. Benson requested business cards. Dr. Halley responded that no other committee member has business cards. Don DeFedele stated that this has to be put on the agenda.
2. Bill Mudge stated that a contract with a law firm was never approved by the school committee. Mr. Mudge requested that it be put on the agenda to be approved annually at the first meeting of the year.
3. Janice DeFrances stated that a solar design in green environment work is important to consider.
4. Denise Coppa stated that the agendas are too long and we are not doing the public service when items are on the agenda and never get discussed. Dr. Coppa suggested that we cut back on the number of items on the agenda.
5. Don DeFedele thanked the committee for good discussions tonight. He would like to reiterate the ground rules at each meeting.
6. Dr. Halley recognized the high school as achieving the honor of a high performing/high achieving school. Two years ago the school was classified as low performing/not improving because of one subgroup. This year that subgroup not only met the standard but exceeded the general population of the school. This is an amazing job and Dr. Halley congratulated the staff, student and parents. This week the high school was being visited by school districts throughout New England.
VIII. Meeting adjourned at 10:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________________________
Karen A. Nutini
Administrative Assistant
to the Superintendent