NORTH KINGSTOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE APPROVED 3-8-06
February 15, 2006
6:00 pm Executive Session for Negotiations
with the Principal’s Association - CANCELLED
Pursuant to RIGL 42-46-4 and 42-46-5 (2)
Executive Session for the Continuation of
the Superintendent’s Evaluation – CANCELLED
Pursuant to RIGL 42-46-4 and 42-46-5(1)
7:00 PM Business Meeting
Central
Administration Building
“Challenging Student Excellence” |
I.
Meeting
Organization
A. Call to Order; Pledge of Allegiance; Don DeFedele called the meeting to order at 7:08pm.
B. Roll Call:
Present: Chairperson
Melvoid Benson (arrived at 7:30pm), Vice-Chairperson Denise Coppa (arrived at 8:05pm)
Absent: Janice DeFrances, William Brennan, Jamestown Representative
Administration Present:
Administration Absent: Daniel J. McGregor, Ph.D., Director of Pupil Personnel Services; Barbara A. Fitzsimmons, Ed.D, Curriculum Director
Legal Representative: David Reilly
C. Calendars:
1. Dr. Halley announced that there will be a special budget worksession on February 16th.
An additional budget worksession has been scheduled for February 27th, however the School Committee’s budget is due into the Town on the morning of February 27th. Dr. Halley has requested an extension, but this was denied because it would be in violation of the charter.
D. Ground Rules:
Don DeFedele referred to a list of ground rules for the Committee to approve and abide by at the meeting.
Bill Mudge requested to make an addition to the Ground Rules.
Motion made by Bill Mudge to include two items from a handout entitled
“Governance Process” which state:
(2.1c.) Exercise honesty in all written and interpersonal interaction, never
intentionally misleading or misinforming each other.
(2.1e.) Make every reasonable
effort to protect the integrity and promote the positive image of the district
and one another.
Seconded by Barry Martasian.
Vote: Unanimous to approve 4 to
0.
Motion to approve the Ground
Rules as amended was made by Renee
Cockerill. Seconded by Barry Martasian.
Vote: Unanimous to approve 4 to
0.
II. Citizen’s Comments on Agenda Items
A. Muriel Cammara stated that she recently attended a RIPEC meeting in which the group extends predictions for RI into 2010. The focus was on how the financial “pie” was going to be divided in the future. Welfare will take 45% of every dollar collected in RI. Schools will be getting less and less money. RIPEC predicts a 27% decrease of population in the 39 – 45 age bracket, who are the prime earners in the state. This will have an impact on the amount of taxes that are collected. A possible goal will be to put a cap on expenditures equal to CPI plus 1.5% to apply to the whole state. Mrs. Cammara offered to bring any comments of the School Committee to RIPEC. She stated that we need to be leaders and not just react. We have to be reasonable. Something everyone can live with has to be found.
B. Sharon Schubert stated that the high school band room bid resulted in six responses. Tower Construction did not mention the model of the lift to be installed and questioned if it would be using a comparable model and if the bid included widening of the risers.
Maureen Buck
responded that the specs requested the Pegasus lift model and one foot would be
added to widen each of the risers to five feet wide.
III. Routine Items
A. Correspondence:
Dr. Halley referred to a confidential memo from the Transportation Office and stated that he would be available to talk with any member concerning this topic outside of the meeting.
There was a press release issued that the Committee had received by e-mail.
Motion to include the transportation incident on a future agenda or
executive session was made by Bill Mudge.
Seconded by Renee Cockerill.
Vote: Unanimous to approve 4 to
0.
B. Disclosure of Executive Session Votes –
none to disclose.
CONSENT
AGENDA
Approved items on the consent agenda are marked with * on a motion by Barry Martasian / Renee Cockerill with a vote of 4 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.
C. Home Schooling Requests – none submitted
D. Approval of Minutes of Prior Meetings:
1. Executive Session 1/11/06**
Renee Cockerill was not in attendance at this meeting and requested that her name be removed from the minutes.
It was requested that Dr. Halley record more content in the minutes in regard to discussions that took place at this meeting.
Motion not to approve the executive session
minutes of 1/11/06 and that they be resubmitted for more
information was made by Bill Mudge. No second.
Motion to approve the executive session
minutes of 1/11/06 as amended was made by Renee Cockerill.
Seconded by Barry Martasian.
Vote:
Approved 3 to 1 with Bill Mudge voting no.
Melvoid Benson arrived at 7:30pm.
2. Executive Session 1/25/06*
3. Executive Session 2/8/06*
It was suggested that any requested changes to any minutes be put in writing.
Current policy states that any information that any member of the Committee requests be included in the minutes
must be submitted in writing.
That policy will be coming before the Committee at a future meeting.
E. Financial Items:
1. Monthly Financial Update**
Renee Cockerill asked about the SmART program breaking out into its own cost center.
Maureen Buck explained that the budget advisory group asked to isolate this program in order to clarify information although we don’t report individual amounts to the state.
The budget group and Mrs. Buck were congratulated for completing this task.
Motion to approve the Monthly Financial Update was made by Barry
Martasian. Seconded by Renee Cockerill.
Vote: Approved 4 to 1 with Bill Mudge voting no.
2. Year-To-Date Budget Report*
3. Monthly Deficit Monitoring Report*
F. Bids and Awards:
1. Architect for $9 million School Bond – Remove at this time**
It was asked why this item was being removed for approval.
It was explained that there was a need for clarification in the proposal and a new one has been requested.
Additional discussion was started on this item.
David Reilly stated that this item has been removed and is not officially on the agenda. It can be put on an agenda for future discussion.
2. Change Order for GZA (ISDS Contract)**
This item was originally estimated at $6,000 - $12,000. The exact amount is now $9,920.
There was discussion of who is responsible for the bond money – the Town or the School Department.
It was requested that our attorney research the legality of who has the authority to spend bond money for school projects.
It was also requested that Dr. Halley submit information on this issue. Dr. Halley referred to the letter that the Committee received from Mr. Bergeron explaining the exact details of this project and asking for a recommendation from the School Committee.
Motion was made by Barry Martasian to approve the change order for GZA
with the change of the cost to $9,920.
Seconded by Renee Cockerill.
Vote: Unanimous to approve 5 to 0.
3. High School Band Room**
There was discussion concerning who is responsible for the repair to the band room – the Town or the School Department.
Motion to put the High School Band Room
Repair on the next agenda was made by Renee Cockerill.
Seconded by Barry Martasian.
Vote: Unanimous to approve 5 to 0.
Motion to approve the High School Band Room
bid was made by Renee Cockerill. Seconded
by Barry
Martasian.
Vote:
Unanimous to approve 5 to 0.
G. Personnel Items:
1. Resignation, Non-Certificated Staff:
a) Barbara Bowen, Superintendent Clerk, 4 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 20 hours per week, effective February 3, 2006.*
b) Lori Blass, Custodian at Stony Lane Elementary School, 4 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 20 hours per week, effective February 17, 2006.*
H. Policies:**
1. Student Fund Raising – Policy and Regulation – Approved on 2/8/06
2. Staff Policy on Sexual Harassment – Approved on 2/8/06
3. Student Automobile Use on School Property – Second Reading
Questions were raised concerning the amount that students pay for a parking pass, how passes are issued – rewarded by grades received, etc. – and if students are required to prove that the car is properly registered and insured.
It was stated that the policy is followed up by an administrative regulation that would get into these specifics.
The Town Council authorizes town revenue rates and expenditures, and it was requested of legal counsel to advise if it is the responsibility of the School Committee to approve these parking fees.
It is not unusual for schools to charge students for parking and the money goes into the high school general activity fund.
It was suggested to look into the age limit of the student drivers. Some members disagreed, stating that it is was not the responsibility of the high school to police students. The age a student drives follows state law.
Denise Coppa arrived at 8:05pm.
Melvoid Benson stated that we are giving students this privilege and we should be sure everything is in order.
It was requested that the administrative regulations also be provided along with the policy.
The topic of all policies being put on the website will be on a future agenda.
The Student Automobile Use on School Property will be sent back to the policy sub-committee for review.
4.
School Districting/Redistricting – Approved on
2/8/06
END OF CONSENT AGENDA
Recess was taken at 8:11pm.
Meeting resumed at 8:22pm.
The Committee was reminded that the meeting policy requires an
adjournment time of 10:30pm and the members
should keep items to a reasonable amount of time.
IV. Unfinished Business
(For Discussion and
Action)
Items A and B will be combined for this discussion.
A. Budget and Personnel Standards:
Budget assumptions and personnel standards were referred to on pages 20 – 25 of the budget. This is the updated version that reflects the 06-07 budget.
The School Committee set up a process to define what the standards would be in order to define the budget. Some standards are RI law, such as you must have a Superintendent, Curriculum, Administration Director, etc. Others are professional standards, such as school principals and guidance counselors. North Kingstown also sets their own standards of how the school department should be organized. This is the equivalent of the Town’s zero-based budget.
Budget assumptions are summarized as per student expenditures by school level on page 25.
Motion was made by Denise Coppa to add a
column to the Personnel Standards page to state the actual number
of personnel we have per item. Seconded by Bill Mudge.
This would be mixing different parts of the budget. The standards are what the Committee wants to accomplish. This is a philosophical statement.
It was suggested that current staffing could be listed on a page after the Standards page.
It was suggested to make a comparison of the current number of 05-06 personnel and the budgeted number of 06-07 personnel.
Vote:
to approve 5 to 1 with Don DeFedele voting no.
Motion was made by Renee Cockerill to have
the Superintendent’s Budget Advisory Group make a presentation to
the School Committee. Seconded by Melvoid Benson.
It was stated that this group was a advisory committee to the Superintendent, not the School Committee and there is a deadline to present this budget to the Town. The School Committee needs to deal with the content of the budget, not the format. The budget needs to go to the Town by February 27th.
A report was received by Tom Sgouros who was on the advisory committee, and it was felt a presentation was not necessary.
Some members would like to see additional information provided.
It was suggested that the budget should be discussed first, then the format.
Amendment to the motion was made by Bill
Mudge to add a timeframe to hear the presentation within the next
two months.
Seconded by Renee Cockerill.
Vote: Renee Cockerill Yes Don
DeFedele No
Bill Mudge Yes Denise
Coppa No
Melvoid Benson Yes
Barry Martasian Yes
Motion was made by Denise Coppa to end
debate. Seconded by Barry Martasian.
Vote:
Unanimous to approve 6 to 0.
Vote on motion for the Budget Advisory
Group to make a presentation:
Renee Cockerill Yes Don
DeFedele No
Bill Mudge Yes Denise
Coppa No
Melvoid Benson Yes
Barry Martasian Yes
Motion was made by Melvoid Benson to issue
a thank you to the members of the budget advisory committee.
Seconded by Bill Mudge.
It was stated that this committee is not finished.
Mrs. Benson withdrew her motion.
Motion was made by Melvoid Benson to have
Dr. Halley inform the School Committee when the Budget
Committee is finished with their work.
It was stated that this is not the School Committee’s committee.
Mrs. Benson withdrew her motion.
Motion was made by Barry Martasian to limit
the Budget Advisory Committee’s presentation to 10-15 minutes.
No second.
Melvoid Benson requested to ask a question and was denied.
B. 2006-2007 School Budget:
Dr. Halley submitted a school budget for 2006-2007 of $54,657,107 which is an increase of 7.87% in operational expenses.
The format of the budget is broken down into six sections: the introduction, executive summary, program section, personnel section, capital section and technical section.
Increases in the budget, such as negotiated salaries, step increases, retirement costs and additional personnel were reviewed as explained on page 4 and 5 of the budget.
North Kingstown spends $700 less per pupil than the next closest district to us in Washington Count, which means that all districts in Washington County spend at least $700 more per pupil than North Kingstown. That results in a $3.2 million difference compared to the next closest district. North Kingstown schools are under funded and have been for the past three years. We are doing an injustice to the students.
An important component is illustrated on pages 44-45 which compares per pupil expenditures of the other districts in the state. North Kingstown is now spending $300 per pupil below the state average.
Recess was taken at 9:14pm.
Meeting resumed at 9:20pm.
The 25% decrease in Information Technology in the total “other” category on page 96 was questioned.
The technical supplement explains details. Information Technology is located on page 213 and “other” is explained as
dues and fees that were $2000 last year and are budgeted for $1500 this year. These are not decreases in what was
actually spent, but a decrease in what was budgeted from last year.
The bottom of the technology budget shows an increase, not a decrease. It was suggested that another column is needed to show the actual difference from last year. It was felt that this could be shown if there was unlimited access to information.
It was stated that all Committee members received the exact same information.
Motion was made by Bill Mudge to
put dissemination of information to School Committee members on the next
agenda.
Seconded by Melvoid Benson.
Don DeFedele ruled the motion out of order
as it was not related to this topic.
The Plant and Maintenance district wide account on page 215 was explained as a holding account until the money is
dispersed into the specific schools.
Starting on page 66 it is shown exactly what is spent on personnel, utilities, etc. per school.
It was pointed out that on page 25 science kits were not included in assumptions. Correction will be made.
Page 38 shows a summary of changes from FY06 to FY07. If the School Committee supports this budget and
forwards it to the Town, it will make a statement to the Town Council that the Committee believes that the schools are
under funded and we need to make these changes.
There was a discussion concerning whether possible additional state aid will be included in our budget for this year.
State aid is designated for certain purposes and we can’t use it to offset other items. We have distribution by funding source listed on page 65. The school fund is one funding source and Article 31, Title 1,2 and 3, etc. are other funding sources and cannot be confused.
The Town overestimates general state aid, not set aside funds.
Page 103 shows a compilation of expenditures. Page 152 shows a compilation of revenues.
It was questioned why literacy and workman’s compensation was not listed.
There is a commitment from the Town that it will come from the self insurance fund as it did this year. It comes as an extra revenue and is then shown as an expenditure. Reference was made to page 65.
Mrs. Benson stated that last year we received state aid and additional money to offset pensions. In the Governor’s budget, that money is restricted for certain use. This proves why we need a forensic audit – to know better how to use our money.
Point of order was made that this has nothing to do with this budget. Point of order upheld.
Recess taken at 10:06pm
Meeting resumed at 10:11pm
Motion was made by Denise
Coppa to adjourn after comments.
Seconded by Barry Martasian.
Vote: to approve 5 to 1, Bill Mudge voting no.
C. Discussion of Issues Pertaining to the Physical Limitations of WMS as Related to Current
Middle School Programs – no discussion or action taken
D. 2005-2006 School Budget – no discussion or action taken
E. 2005-2006 School Committee Goals and Objectives – no discussion or action taken
V. New Business – no discussion or action taken on any items
(For Discussion and Action)
A. Strategic Plan
B. Approval of the 2006-2007 School Committee Meeting Schedule
C. Energy Guidelines
D. Fraud Policy
E. Building Code Feasibility Study of Wickford Elementary School by RGB; Return of Wickford
Elementary to the Town of North Kingstown
F. Governing Style Policy/Committee Self-Assessment Policy
G. Request to Withhold Information Forms
VI. Reports – no discussion or action taken on any items
(For Discussion and Action)
A. Special Reports:
1. SELAC Quarterly Report – Report given at 2/8/06 School Committee Meeting
2. Drug/Alcohol Report
B. Standing Committee Reports
C. Ad hoc Committee Reports
VII.
Committee
Member/Citizens’ Comments:
Muriel Cammara wished the Committee would stop bickering and think. As related to the Automobile Use by students, just state that everyone over 17 is allowed to get a sticker and bring proof of registration and insurance.
The bond is controlled through the Town Council. Their budget pays the principle and interest on the bond. You have to work together.
Kathy Brown asked about the scheduled worksession on February 27 and questioned if the budget had to be submitted to the Town on the 27th. Don DeFedele responded that the budget did have to be submitted on the 27th.
Mrs. Brown commented that last week the consent agenda was approved without discussion and felt a first reading of a policy should be under new business for discussion.
Mrs. Brown requested that the high school parking procedure be made available.
Committee Comments:
Bill Mudge stated that the United Health healthcare contract may or may not provide the same coverage as Blue Cross but feels an uninformed decision has been made and there has been a disservice done to our employees. Mr. Mudge feels that we didn’t negotiate United Health against Blue Cross, didn’t discuss concerns with the union, and didn’t have a legal opinion about going to court. He made a request on January 11th to have a legal opinion on this matter. He feels the union has a good case against us and we could have negotiated with the unions.
Renee Cockerill stated that she feels the Committee has to rush to approve the budget and requested that it be submitted earlier next year. We should examine the policy when we are finished with the budget.
Denise Coppa was pleased to see the Town Council also approve the United Health contract. Dr. Coppa is not being contrary to Mr. Mudge, but feels that is verification that the School Committee made the right decision.
Don DeFedele felt the Committee had enough information to make an informed decision on the healthcare contract. He had asked the union president before the Committee even talked about healthcare if they felt the need to negotiate. Mr. DeFedele felt the Committee made a good decision. Competition is a good thing and it was a budget cut that doesn’t directly affect students.
Melvoid Benson felt that someone should speak about the transportation incident. It is easy to make a mistake. There is no secrecy. The police read their report on the radio. She was sad to hear that the person didn’t care. She knows the family and knows they are good people who do care. The parent wanted an apology and there is nothing wrong with saying we were wrong.
Dr. Halley wanted to correct the statement that the Town pays the interest and principal on the bond. The state reimburses
us 30%.
The School Committee has a copy of the memo concerning the transportation incident. There is a lot of misinformation that was on the radio. Parents met with our staff and did get an apology. People have gone to the news media and spread misinformation about the situation.
VIII.
Adjourn
Meeting adjourned at 10:30pm.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________________
Karen A. Nutini
Administrative Assistant
to the Superintendent