NORTH KINGSTOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE    

                                                                                            March 22, 2006                                                                        Approved 4-12-06                                                 

6:00 pm Executive Session for Level III Grievance

 Pursuant to RIGL 42-46-4 and 42-46-5 (9)

7:00 PM Business Meeting

   Central Administration Building                                                                 100 Fairway Drive, North Kingstown

“Challenging Student Excellence”

Minutes

 

                             I.      Meeting Organization

A.      Call to Order; Pledge of Allegiance

1.        Chairperson Don DeFedele called the meeting to order at 7:10pm.

 

B.      Roll Call              

        Present:  Chairperson, Donald DeFedele; Vice Chairperson, Denise Coppa; Renee Cockerill; Janice DeFrances; Bill

        Mudge; Barry Martasian; Melvoid Benson, and William Brennan, Jamestown Representative           

       Administration Present: James M. Halley, Ed.D, Superintendent of Schools; William J. Daly, Director of Human

       Resources; and Maureen Buck, Director of Administrative Services

Absent:    Daniel J. McGregor, Ph.D., Director of Pupil Services; Barbara Fitzsimmons, Ed.D, Director of Curriculum and Lee Rabbitt, Director of Information Technology

                                 Legal Representative: Kelly Fracassa, Esq.                                    

 

C.       Calendars

1.        Important dates were reviewed with the Committee:

a.   There is a professional development day on 3/28/06 – no school for grades 6 – 12 only

b.  There will be a Start Time Committee meeting on March 28th at 7:00pm in the Admin Building

c.   The Commissioner’s review of Secondary Regulations will be held at SORICO on March 30th at 2:30.

d.   There will be an Asset Management meeting on March 30th at 7:00pm in the Admin Building for the  

      continuation of the WMS modernization discussion.

e.   The high school will host Spirit Day on April 1st.

f.   Elementary report cards will be distributed on April 5th.

g.  There will be a high school band concert on April 6th at 7:00pm at the high school.

h.  Four School Committee members will be attending the NSBA conference from April 8 - 11.  It was

     suggested that those members attending the conference bring back materials to the full committee.

i.   All members received an invitation to visit the 5th grade dance/drama class at Quidnessett on March 31,

     April 6, or April 13 from 12:10 – 12:50pm.

 

D.      Ground Rules

A list of ground rules was to read to the Committee by Mr. DeFedele to approve and abide by at this meeting.

Motion to accept the ground rules was made by Denise Coppa.  Seconded by Renee Cockerill.

Vote:  6 to 0 to approve, Bill Mudge abstained.      

 

                           II.      Citizen’s Comments on Agenda Items:

A.   Kathy Brown asked about the Foreign Language Report and if the public would be able to comment.  Don DeFedele replied that the public would have input if the Committee moved to take any action on the report.

Mrs. Brown also commented that she would like the 3/8/06 minutes to reflect that she had asked to address the consent agenda item G but the chairman denied the request.  This item concerned two amended policies that were not discussed during a worksession for the public to comment.  Mrs. Brown requested the vote to be reversed and the policies placed on another agenda for discussion.

Motion was made by Bill Mudge that Mrs. Brown’s comments be reflected in tonight’s minutes.  Seconded by Melvoid Benson.

Mr. DeFedele suggested that Mr. Mudge exempt the March 8th minutes from tonight’s consent in order to request a change to that meeting minutes.

Vote:  Unanimous to approve.

 

                         III.      Routine Items :

A.  Correspondence:

      1.  Don DeFedele congratulated the following students representing North Kingstown in the 3rd  biannual John Philip Sousa Junior National Honors Band: Brianna Cain, Alex Cox, Christopher Croteau, Stephanie Gardner, Loura Gilli,

 

Samantha Kerr-Vanderslice, Thomas Mulligan, Tyler Pickering, Machayla Fortin, Jaqueline Hurteau and Kaitlyn Armstrong. 

      2.  Mr. DeFedele congratulated the following students representing North Kingstown High School in the Senior division of the RI Science and Engineering Fair:  Britney LeBelle, William Marcley, Audrey Armstrong, Orion Wholean, and Tyler Chesher.

      3.  Samantha Turner was also recognized for winning the Al Neuharth Free Spirit Award.  Samantha is also in the running for a Free Spirit of the Year $50,000 scholarship. 

      4.  Congratulations were also given to the high school guidance department for receiving the RAMP award.  The high school is one of only 21 high schools to receive this national award.

      5.  Dr. Halley referred to a letter from DEM concerning a complaint filed by Mrs. Avanzato and Mr. Mudge regarding disposal of wastewater at the high school.  DEM found no violations regarding this case.

 

Motion was made by Bill Mudge to put the subject of the DEM letter on the next agenda for discussion.  Seconded by Melvoid Benson.

Vote:        Denise Coppa             No                                          Melvoid Benson     Yes

                 Renee Cockerill          No                                        Bill Mudge              Yes

                 Barry Martasian        No

                 Don DeFedele             No

                 Janice DeFrances       No

                William Brennan        No    

Motion fails 6 to 2.

 

B.  Disclosure of Executive Session Votes:

There was a 6:00 PM executive session for a level three grievance attended by Denise Coppa, Renee Cockerill, Barry Martasian, Don DeFedele, Janice DeFrances and Melvoid Benson. A motion was made to deny the grievance. The vote passed unanimously six to zero.

 

                                                                          CONSENT AGENDA

 

Approved items on the consent agenda are marked with * on a motion by Denise Coppa/Janice DeFrances with a vote of 6 to 1 with Bill Mudge voting no.

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.

 

Mr. Mudge requested to rescind the previous vote of the consent agenda in order to exempt an item that he did not previously state that he would like exempted.

 

Motion was made by Don DeFedele to rescind the previous vote of the approval of the consent agenda. Seconded by Bill Mudge.

Vote to approve 6 to1 with Denise Coppa voting no.

 

                C.   Home Schooling Requests*

   

D.   Approval of Minutes of Prior Meetings:

       1.  March 8, 2006 Worksession Meeting*

               Motion was made by William Brennan to move the minutes of March 8, 2006 to item ten under New Business. 

                 Vote:  Unanimous to approve.  

 

              E.   Financial Items:

      1.  Monthly Financial Update**

           The statement was questioned under Year-To-Date Budget Report that read, “We will have some funds to offset the Athletic and Article 31 unbudgeted increases”.  (Appendix A) More specifics were requested. Using this money to purchase buses was also questioned.   

It was pointed out that there is a policy that requires specific approval of this body to spend money from one account for the purpose of another account. Don DeFedele will review the policy.

It was explained that the Article 31 increase is restricted funds. We received an increase in revenue from the state and that was restricted.  That money must go to the schools. We have no choice in how it is spent and no vote is required.  Article 31 is part of state aid and part of the 117 general fund. This is simply information in this report.  There is not a request to go out to bid for buses.  If the

 

money holds true by the end of the year, it is a suggestion to buy buses.  This will be a School Committee decision.  This is to inform the Committee that we might go out to bid just in case, because by the end of the year it will be too late to go to bid.  The intent was to keep the Committee informed.

There was a concern with the deficit in the cafeteria fund and a concern that if the enterprise fund has a deficit it must be reported to the Attorney General.

 The last page of the deficit report states that if you have a deficit in an area that will cause a deficit in the school fund it must be reported.   There is enough money to cover the cafeteria fund and it will not cause a deficit in the school fund.  This was discussed with Cindy Olobri and she agreed that there is no need to report it since there will not be a deficit in the school fund.

 A list was requested of where the money would be taken from to cover the cafeteria deficit. The Committee was referred to the first page of the year-to-date budget report where it was explained in paragraph two and paragraph four of the Monthly Financial Update.

 

Motion was made by Denise Coppa to approve the financial update. Seconded by Janice DeFrances.

Vote:  Unanimous to approve 7 to 0.

 

              2.  Year-to-Date Budget Reports*

 

          3.  Monthly/Quarterly Report*  

 

F.        Bids and Awards:

1.         Architect 49 million dollar bond – door and window replacement*

2.        DMS projection and microphone bid*

           

G.       Personnel Items:

1.        Appointment, Non-Certificated Staff – non-budgeted**

a)                   Kathleen Morin, Special Education/School Paraprofessional at Davisville Elementary School, 6.5 hours per day, 5 days a week for a total of 32.5 hours per week, Step 6 @ $13.67 per hour, effective March 13, 2006.

 

It was questioned what fund will pay for this unbudgeted position. This will come out of the school fund under the personnel account. It would be less than $4,000.00.  This is a 117 account. 

 

Motion was made by Melvoid Benson to approve item G1.  Seconded by Janice DeFrances.

Vote: unanimous to approve.

 

2.        Appointment, Certificated Staff – budgeted*

a)     Michelle Rosen, .6 FTE Language Arts Teacher at the North Kingstown High School, Step 1, 

        pro-rated for 92 days in the 2005/2006 school year for a total salary of $10,462.24, effective

        January 26, 2006.

 

3.                    Appointments, 2005/2006 Interscholastic Coaches – budgeted*

North Kingstown High School

Walter Feeney                      Asst. Girls Track & Field Coach                        $2335

 

Davisville Middle School

David Hoffer                         Track & Field Coach                                            Volunteer

 

4.                    Appointment, 2005/2006 Advisor – budgeted*

North Kingstown High School

David Lopes                         Project Close-Up                                                  $720

 

5.                    Request for Approval for Unpaid Parental Leave of Absence, Certificated:*

a)                   Karee Anderson, 1.0 FTE Itinerant PE/Health/Adaptive Teacher, from April 10, 2006 through the remainder of the 2005/2006 school year.

 

6.                    Retirements, Certificated Staff:*

a)                   Marguerite Giroux, 1.0 FTE Business Teacher at the North Kingstown High School, effective at the end of the 2005/2006 school year.

 

7.                   Resignation, 2005/2006 Advisor:**

North Kingstown High School

Sarah Rawlinson                  Project Close-Up                                                  $810

 

Barry Martasian withdrew his exemption to number seven stating that his question had been answered.

Motion was made by Denise Coppa to approve item number seven under personnel items. Seconded by Barry Martasian.

Vote: unanimous to approve.

 

8.                    Resignations, Non-Certificated Staff:*

a)                   Tracy Bienenstein, Food Service Worker, 3 hours per day and Breakfast Coordinator, 1 hour per day for a total of 4 hours per day @ Fishing Cove School, effective March 17, 2006.

 

9.                    Resignations, Certificated Staff:*

a)                   Lisa Moreno, 1.0 FTE Elementary Teacher on Leave of Absence for the 2005/2006 school year, effective at the end of the 2005/2006 school year.

 

10.                 Resignation, 2005/2006 Interscholastic Coaches:*

North Kingstown High School

Clement Soscia     Asst. Girls Track & Field Coach                                        $2785

 

H.      Approval of  the 2006 –2007 School Calendar**

It was questioned if the Good Friday holiday and the spring break should be together.

The reply was that they are not always grouped together.

Motion was made by Renee Cockerill to approve the 2006-2007 school calendar. Barry Martasian seconded.

Vote: unanimous to approve.

                    

I.         Approval of2006 – 2007 School Committee meeting schedule*

 

Motion was made by Denise Coppa to approve the remainder of the consent agenda. Seconded by Janice DeFrances.

Vote: unanimous to approve.

 

     END OF CONSENT AGENDA

         IV.   Unfinished Business

                   (For Discussion and Action)

A.      2006-2007 School Budget:

Don DeFedele apologized for not attending the joint meeting with the Town Council. He was working that night.

Before that meeting, Mr. DeFedele had requested that Dr. Halley put a list together of suggestions for budget discussions. That was the origin of the document that was submitted to the School Committee. Mr. DeFedele apologized for not being able to explain that at the joint meeting with the Town Council. It was requested that signatures be put on submitted documents in the future.

 

Dr. Halley had five suggestions that would bring the budget into compliance with the Town Council’s cap. (Appendix B)  He also provided the School Committee with a motion to request an exemption from the cap.

 

Item number two was referred to which would reduce the funding for the increase in retirement contributions. This year the Governor’s budget includes money to help offset the pension increase. This is an item in which we could request the Town

Council to exempt from our spending cap. If this money comes in after our budget is passed it won’t come into our budget to offset this expense.  Our budget will already be passed before the General Assembly passes their budget. 

If the Town Council exempts this money from the cap, it would give us another half million dollars and we wouldn’t have to cut other items. 

 

Right now there is $11,200,000 in state aid to education.  If it comes in at $11,700,000 it will not be in our FY 07 operating budget.  Mr. DeFedele asked audience member Paul Dion if this was correct.

Mr. Dion stated that the $500,000.00 is not a guarantee from the state. It would not go into the surplus account, it would go into the school budget.

It was stated that the town has already put this money into their budget.  The Town has reduced the tax impact by that money. If the School Committee asks the town to exempt this money, or if it comes in restricted, it will come to us.  Otherwise, it will be used to offset the tax dollar.

 

It was pointed out that the town has already included what the Governor’s budget states. Our state aid is listed at $11,717,000 in the town budget.

 

Mr. Dion cautioned about the $547,000.00 of revenue. He was unaware that the Council had estimated that as part of revenue.  If the money does not come in as state aid – for example if it went directly into the pension fund – the money would not show in the school coffers.    The Town would have to come up with $11,700,000 that they allocated.  They cannot retract the money after the fact.  Mr. Dion suggested that the Committee look at this item and request an exemption from the cap.

 

It was noted that the problem is that we are trying to meet a cap that doesn’t cover our fixed costs. We have fixed costs that equal 5.18%.

 

A suggestion was made to cut the Special Ed decrease in half.

It was explained that this figure is reasonable and we expect the savings will be higher than the $185,000 decrease that is recommended. The line item is now $1.2 million and this would be reducing it to a little over $1 million.

 

Mr. Mudge prepared his own set of budget documents. Mr. DeFedele asked him again that when he was going to submit documents to do so before the meeting so that the Committee could have the opportunity to review them.  Mr. Mudge stated that he had finished them late today.

 

Recess was taken at 8:35 PM

Meeting resumed at 8:50 PM

 

Don DeFedele stated that at the joint meeting, the Town Council was not confident that an exemption request came directly from the School Committee. He wanted to honor what the Town Council wanted.

 

Motion was made by Don DeFedele to request an exemption from the cap for the increase in spending as a result of retirement contributions for professional personnel that are being supported by increases in state aid to education. Seconded by Barry Martasian.

 

It was stated that the Town Council has already included the $500,000.00 in the budget and this will have to come out of taxpayers’ money.  More specifics on our expenditures were requested.

 

It was asked that if we request the exemption, will it raise the tax rate.

It was explained that right now the state aid to education is being used to reduce the tax rate by 15˘. On page one of the Town budget it states that the increase in the municipal budget is 6.6% and the increase in the school budget is 4.7% which includes an increase in the capital reserve fund.

In order for the Town to balance their budget to 4.6% they are using the debt service which is mostly school money –the high school bond money. The debt service was previously used for operational costs. We gave this back to the Town with the understanding that they would give it back to the capital reserve fund.

This year the town has a 6.6% increase in their budget which is 2% above the cap they imposed. The Town took a 5% decrease in the capital improvement fund which reduced this fund by $278,000.00.  They moved this money to the municipal fund.  The Town budget states that the tax rate per thousand is 21˘ on the municipal side 37˘ on the school side and 2˘ for the increase in debt service. The money appropriated for the high school is being used to lower the tax rate. State aid for retirement is actually going to the town. 

 

It was noted that according to the Town budget on page 153, the only ones that was asked to reduce the budget were the schools and it makes sense to ask the Town Council for an exemption.

We are only asking the Town Council to fund our fixed costs.

 

Motion was made by Denise Coppa to curtail debate on the subject of requesting an exemption. Seconded by Janice DeFrances.

Vote:       Denise Coppa                yes                                     Renee Cockerill      no

                Barry Martasian           yes                                   Melvoid Benson      no

                Janice De Frances         yes                                   Bill Mudge              no

                Don DeFedele                yes

Motion fails - 2/3 vote needed

 

It was felt that the Committee needs to look at budget items before going to the Council with a request.

 

Vote on motion to request exemption from the cap:

                       Barry Martasian       yes                                    Melvoid Benson      no

                       Don DeFedele            yes                                     Bill Mudge               no

                    Janice DeFrances      yes                                      Renee Cockerill       no

                       Denise Coppa            yes

Motion passes 4 to 3.

 

Motion was made by Denise Coppa to decrease special education expenses by $185,000. Seconded by Renee Cockerill.

Vote:   Barry Martasian              yes                 Melvoid Benson - no              Bill Mudge – abstain

            Don DeFedele                   yes

            Janice De Frances            yes

            Denise Coppa                    yes

            Renee Cockerill                yes

Motion passes 5 to 1, 1 abstain.

 

Motion was made by Don DeFedele to accept the Superintendent’s recommendation to reduce the funding for 8.8 unbudgeted teachers for $601,000. Seconded by Barry Martasian.

Vote:      Denise Coppa               yes                    Melvoid Benson     no

               Barry Martasian          yes

               Renee Cockerill            yes

               Don DeFedele               yes

               Janice DeFrances         yes

               Bill Mudge                    yes

Motion passes 6 to 1.

 

Melvoid Benson stated that the reason she voted no was because she wanted more information.

Don DeFedele stated that he asked before taking the vote if there was any discussion and there was none requested.

 

Motion was made by Don DeFedele to reduce the funding for health care insurance by $250,000 for the last third of  2007. Seconded by Janice DeFrances.

 

Bill Mudge asked legal counsel to look at who signs the health care contract– the Town Council or the School Committee.

There was concern that next year we could have a deficit of $250,000.00 if we don’t budget for this item.

It was explained that this was a contingency to pay for health care during the last months of the contract if there is an increase.  There is an assumption that this cost could remain the same. Competition between health care providers could force no increase in costs. 

 

Vote:      Don DeFedele            yes                                       Bill Mudge       no

               Janice DeFrances      yes

               Barry Martasian       yes

               Renee Cockerill         yes

               Denise Coppa             yes

               Melvoid Benson         Did not vote

Motion passes 5 to 1.

 

It was asked if kindergarten classes at Davisville Elementary were covered by a grant.

The increase in kindergarten is due to additional classes that were added this year. The Committee added two kindergarten classes and 8.8 teachers.  The grant money covers two half-day kindergarten classes.  The two additional kindergarten teachers are out of the 8.8 teachers.  They were added because of the student population and were approved by the Committee in September.

 

Bill Mudge stated the Davisville Elementary had $102,000 budgeted for kindergarten in 2005.  This year there is $289,000.

Denise Coppa asked Mr. Mudge to show the Committee where that was in the budget.  She wanted verification in the budget.

It was stated that Mr. Mudge was combining grant money with the general fund.

Mr. Mudge loudly denied that statement as a lie and said that the grant account has another $80,000 in it.

Don DeFedele suggested that Mr. Mudge reread the ground rules because he had violated at least a half a dozen of them tonight.

 

Recessed was taken at 9:40 PM

Meeting resumed at 9:50 PM

 

Motion was made by Denise Coppa to reduce the funding for increased retirement contributions by $541,274.00 to $0. Seconded by Janice DeFrances.

 

Vote:   Melvoid Benson         yes                          Bill Mudge – not in attendance

            Denise Coppa             yes

            Renee Cockerill         yes

            Janice DeFrances      yes

            Barry Martasian       yes

            Don DeFedele            yes

Motion passes 6 to 0. 

 

Motion was made by Don DeFedele to decrease the principals’ compensation as recommended by the Superintendent in this budget by $48,000.00.  Seconded by Denise Coppa.

 

It was noted that we have to stay competitive in this market. The principals’ compensation can be phased in over two years.

Renee Cockerill stated that she considered the principals valued employees and she appreciates their work, but she doesn’t see the value of them being full time employees.  There is no benefit to students.  She would like to be able to support this increase, the principles deserve it, but when we are cutting programs for kids she can’t justify it.

 

Bill Mudge felt that there is not enough time to consider this. The principals didn’t come in with a packet to present to the School Committee, the Superintendent did it.  They are requesting many other benefits in their policy that haven’t been agreed on and they would only be working five extra days.

Bill Daly corrected that statement – the principals would be working fourteen days extra each year.

 

Janice DeFrances noted that there are two issues here.  Number one is a salary increase over a two year span. This is addressing the concerns of a high rate of 10-12% increase. Number two is the principals policy which the Committee has not had a chance to reviewed thoroughly yet.  The decrease will be cutting in half what was originally talked about. This is not out of reach for administrators.  In comparing salaries across this state this is a reasonable request.

 

Bill Mudge stated that the Committee would be making a decision without knowing other information.  He would like to see the policy revised and suggested postponing the decision for a year.

 

Mrs. Benson stated that we’re voting to ask the Town Council for more money. She feels the principals don’t make enough, but we just keep spending and we are not showing anything to justify to the Town Council why they should grant our exemption. She suggested coming up with the all of the administrative salaries, including Dr. Halley, before making any decision.

 

Amendment to the motion was made by Don DeFedele to decrease the principals’ compensation as submitted by the Superintendent in this budget. Seconded by Denise Coppa.

Vote on amendment:

      Denise Coppa         yes                Melvoid Benson – no               Bill Mudge – abstain

      Barry Martasian    yes                                                                  Renee Cockerill – abstain

     Janice DeFrances    yes

      Don DeFedele         yes

Motion passes 4 to 1, 2 abstain.

 

Don DeFedele explained that a vote of yes on this main motion would give the principals collectively $50,000.00 in this year’s budget. A vote of no would not be giving them this raise.

Vote on main motion:

                               Janice DeFrances     yes                        Melvoid Benson     no

                               Denise Coppa           yes                         Bill Mudge              no

                               Don DeFedele           yes                        Renee Cockerill      no

                               Barry Martasian      yes

Motion passes 4 to 3.

Bill Mudge asked if this vote meant that the principals were full time employees.  Don DeFedele replied that it did make them full time employees.

 

Motion was made by Denise Coppa to adjourn the meeting after comments. Seconded by Janice DeFrances.

Vote to approve 6 to 1 with Bill Mudge voting no.

 

Public Comments:

Paul Dion commented that if you voted against the principals raises you voted for giving them $98,000.00.  It was never stated what the baseline was.  If the baseline was the Superintendent’s proposal, a no vote meant giving them $98,000.00, and a yes vote meant giving them a $50,000.00 raise.

Mr. Dion felt that it is not fiscally prudent to have no health care increase budgeted. Most of the saving this year was due to administrative efficiencies on the part of United Health.  He felt we will have an increase next year. The state budget uses 7% as a possible increase.

He feels the $250,000.00 decrease is a mistake. Mr. Dion felt by decreasing 8.8 teachers there was no contingency left for teachers.

In reducing $185,000.00 from special education, the worst case scenario would be two students moving into the district with the highest cost possible which would eat up that cost.

It seems that the Committee has made $1,360,981 in reductions that are not really reductions – only budget line reductions.

There have been seven to ten FTEs added in this budget. The governor doesn’t do pension reform to add FTEs.

 

Kathleen Brown asked for clarity concerning the middle school foreign language report. Mrs. Brown asked if it will be moved to another agenda. Mr. DeFedele replied yes, that it would be talked about.

 

Doug Roth stated that the move to exempt the retirement cost was the right thing to do. Being capped is a town wide issue.  We have to make sure that all the town mechanisms are fairly administered.  If the Town is accessing school funds by dipping into debt service, the Committee can make a case that all, or at least 60%, are school dollars and you have the right to them.  He was not saying that the bottom line has to be increased, but the Town has to be held to task.  Those are school dollars and they are not going away.  You have to fix those funding mechanisms. Only the school and library have hit the cap, not the Town and we all need to fight for this.

 

Melvoid Benson referred to that sheet that was passed out at the joint meeting with the Town Council. She questioned why some of the town items had a 16% increase and the school expenses were required to be kept down. State aid is supposed to be used to reduce the tax rate except for aid to education. When money comes in after the budget is approved it should be saved for next year.

 

Renee Cockerill felt that the vote concerning the principals was confusing and she still was not quite sure about it. She cannot support raises and adding administrators when we’re cutting programs for children and telling taxpayers that we are unable t o provide a quality education for children because we don’t have money when we are adding salaries and possible positions.  Mrs. Cockerill does not see that we are in a position to add things when we haven’t determined what we have to take away yet.

 

Mr. Mudge concurred with Mrs. Cockerill.

 

Denise Coppa stated that there is a list of items in the budget to still look at and there are still areas to move around.  The Committee is not done yet.

 

Don DeFedele stated that he became a School Committee member to fight for education. In previous years, the budget has become about cutting services to students. He feels that the cuts made this year did not impact the students.  He was looking for ways to meet the budget cap for the Town Council and taxpayers as well as providing the best education that we can.  Education is not a stagnant issue – it changes year to year.  There are new initiatives and mandates that have to be met.  There are challenges that our teachers, principals and administrators face every day and they need the support of the School Committee to do that job.  He stated that he will continue to fight for education for our students in this district.  If he can cut things that don’t affect students, that is what he will do.

 

Meeting adjourned at 10:40pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                               

                                                                                       _______________________

                                                                                                Karen A. Nutini

                                                                                                Administrative Assistant

                                                                                                to the Superintendent/School Committee