May 24, 2006
6:00 pm Reception for: High School -
Guidance RAMP Award, Regents Commended School
Larry Verria – RI History Day Teacher
Elizabeth Martin & Journalism Students – Current Wave Newspaper
Awards
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 7:02 pm.
B. Roll Call:
Present: Chairperson
Janice DeFrances, Bill Mudge, Melvoid
Benson and William Brennan,
Absent: Renee Cockerill
Administration Present:
Legal Representative: David Reilly
Don DeFedele recognized the recipients of awards received at a reception that was held before this meeting:
1. The high school has been chosen as a Regent’s Commended School for significantly and continuously improving on the state assessment in English Language Arts and Mathematics for two years in a row.
2. The high school has also been awarded a National RAMP award for guidance. The award is given to schools that are committed to delivering a comprehensive, data-driven school counseling program and an exemplary educational environment. The high school is one of only twenty one schools to achieve this status since the program’s inception, the first on the East Coast and only the seventh high school nationwide to be honored.
3. The journalism students of The Current Wave student newspaper were awarded Rhode Island’s best high school
newspaper for the third year in a row by the Providence Journal. “Highest Achievement” award was also
received from the New England Scholastic Press Association as well as a first class rating from the National
Scholastic Press Association.
4. Larry Verria, high school history teacher, was named RI History Day teacher. This award is presented to a
teacher who has consistently supported the History Day program. Mr. Verria is also a former RI Teacher of the
year.
Congratulations were given to all.
C. Calendars:
Dr. Halley went over the dates of interest with the Committee:
1. On May 25th there will be a SORICO Annual Meeting at 5:30pm.
2. May 29th is Memorial Day and there will be no school.
3. On June 1st there will be a Strings Concert with the high school, middle schools, Quidnessett and Hamilton students at 7:00pm in the high school.
4. On June 4th the high school will host Awards Night at 6:30pm.
5. There will be a Band Awards Concert on June 6th at 7:00pm in the high school.
6. There will be a DMS Band Concert on June 7th at 7:00pm at DMS.
7. A high school and middle school Choir Concert will be held on June 8th at 7:00pm in the high school.
8. June 13th is the last day of school for seniors.
9. There will be a School Committee Worksession at 7:00pm on June 14th following a 6:00pm executive session.
10. High School graduation will be held on June 17th at URI’s Ryan Center at 11:00am.
11. June 20th is the last day of school for grades 6 – 11.
12. June 23rd is the last day of school for grades K-5 with the exception of Hamilton Elementary.
13. June 26th is the last day of school for Hamilton Elementary.
14. There will be a School Committee Business Meeting on June 28th at 7:00pm following a 6:30pm reception for school department retirees.
D. Ground Rules:
Don DeFedele referred to a list of ground rules for the Committee to approve and abide by at the meeting.
Motion to approve the Ground Rules was made by Don DeFedele. Seconded by Denise Coppa.
Vote: Don DeFedele Yes Bill Mudge Abstain
Denise
Coppa Yes
Barry
Martasian Yes
Janice
DeFrances Yes
Melvoid
Benson Yes
E. Presentation:
Sharon Schubert, co-chair of the SELAC, distributed the SELAC quarterly report to the Committee (Appendix A)
Don DeFedele requested that the written report be submitted to the Committee in its packets prior to the meeting in order for members to read it ahead of time and prepare questions if necessary.
· Mrs. Schubert reported that a special education parent survey is being tabulated and will be presented to the
Committee at the end of June.
· SELAC is working with Lee Rabbitt to display their meeting minutes on the website.
· SELAC hosted a presentation concerning sexual assault on special needs children.
· Mrs. Schubert suggested forming a sub-committee on the issue of special needs bus transportation.
· SELAC would like to see collaboration between SELAC and the School Committee addressed.
· Mrs. Schubert reported that a letter was sent to Dr. McGregor regarding the pre-school being moved to Fishing Cove
school and asked that all considerations be addressed.
Mrs. Benson commended Dr. McGregor for being involved in all of SELAC’s meetings and volunteered to serve on
the transportation committee.
Janice DeFrances stated that the focus of the report was transportation and the pre-school program and asked about the special needs at the high school.
Mrs. Schubert stated that there are no high school parents on the SELAC committee but the survey should help with needs at the high school. John Lalli and special needs teachers have presented the high school program to the SELAC.
Bill Mudge asked about the flow of the special ed grades.
SELAC would advocate for pre-school and K-3 to stay together.
II. Citizen’s Comments on Agenda Items
A. April Brunelle spoke about the middle school Foreign Language/Literacy program and stated that she would agree that we need literacy improvements, but asked not to hurt Foreign Language. At the middle school level, Spanish I is designed as a two year program. The students can then move to Spanish II at the high school. In the new program, if Spanish I is offered in 8th grade there will be an increase in rigor similar to the high school. Mrs. Brunelle was concerned if the students can keep up and felt that fewer students would qualify for foreign language.
Mrs. Brunelle also commented on adding benefits to the Superintendent’s contract. She stated that after the Town Council meeting, she suggested holding off on adding any benefits and recommended not voting tonight.
B. Kathleen Brown stated that she would like an opportunity for the public to speak after the first two items under
Unfinished Business.
III. Routine Items
A. Correspondence:
1. Dr. Halley referred to a letter from Stony Lane requesting funding for a storage shed.
2. There was a RIPEC property tax burden review included that compares tax rates of towns. North Kingstown falls
approximately in the middle of the state.
3. There was a memo from the Town Manager concerning the capital improvement debt service.
4. Bill Mudge submitted a letter from Koch Eye Associates and requested that it be passed on to our lawyer.
(Appendix B)
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/Denise Coppa with a vote of 6 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. May 10, 2006 School Committee Worksession*
2. May 10, 2006 Executive Session*
E. Financial Items:
1. Monthly Financial Update**
Mr. Mudge stated that the cafeteria deficit is not reported on this update.
Don DeFedele referred to the second page of the report that states food service is $110,000 over budget.
Mr. Mudge questioned where this money would come from.
Mr. DeFedele stated that the total budget is currently $60,577 under budget, so we seem to be in decent shape.
Bill Mudge also requested data on the special ed tuitions projected to be $202,000 under budget and asked if Medicaid was picking up those costs.
Maureen Buck stated that we are $100,000 short in Medicaid revenues.
Mr. Mudge asked who authorized the expenditure of Medicaid money.
Dr. Halley responded that it is budgeted as special revenues for tuitions and is in the budget that the School Committee approved.
Mr. Mudge submitted a Medicaid summary spreadsheet that he had created. (Appendix C)
Recess was taken at 7:47pm
Meeting resumed at 7:55pm
Motion was made by Denise Coppa to approve item E-1, the Monthly
Financial Update. Seconded by Barry
Martasian.
Vote to approve 5 to 1 with Bill Mudge voting no.
It was felt that Mr. Mudge made offensive remarks to other School Committee members and administration.
Motion was made by Don DeFedele that there would be no more personal
attacks against School Committee members or the administration. Seconded by Barry Martasian.
Vote to approve 5 to 0 with Bill Mudge abstaining.
2. Year-To-Date Budget Report**
Bill Mudge questioned how the money came into accounts 32205, 32206 and 32211.
Maureen Buck explained that we budget tuitions in two accounts - on page three Medicaid special ed tuitions, and account 32209 at the bottom of the first page. We budget those two amounts for projected needs. We are not sure exactly where the need will be and it is moved accordingly.
Mr. Mudge asked if the $653,000 of Medicaid is used for tuitions.
Mrs. Buck replied that it is except for what is paid for Compuclaim Medicaid billing services. The $653,000 is what was budgeted, but we expect a shortfall.
Mr. Mudge asked if Worker’s Compensation was included in our total budget of $50,713,000.
Mrs. Buck answered that it was added later from the self insurance fund and is included in the $50,978,000 figure.
Mr. Mudge feels that we did not tell the Town Council and this violates the Town Charter.
Mrs. Buck stated that the Town Council tells us that amount.
Mr. Mudge questioned the $68,000 in grant account #240 and asked if it were in the budget to start with or if it were a carryover.
Mrs. Buck stated that this was a carryover from the prior year.
Mr. Mudge asked if we were taking school fund revenue to supplement grants and how much would we save in the 117 fund if we had no grants.
Don DeFedele stated that on the bottom of the Monthly Financial Update it states to ask questions in advance to avoid confusion and save time.
We have already had the grant discussion in the past and the Committee is fully aware that we supply money for support personnel. If all people were put into the grants, there would be less money for grant programs.
Dr. Halley stated that we will supply the amount for support.
Motion was made by Denise Coppa to approve item E-2, Year to Date
Budget Reports. Seconded by Barry
Martasian.
Vote to approve 5 to 1 with Bill Mudge voting no.
3. Monthly Deficit Monitoring Report**
Motion was made by Denise Coppa to accept item E-3, Monthly/Quarterly
Report FY 06. Seconded by Barry
Martasian.
Vote to approve 5 to 1 with Bill Mudge voting no.
F. Bids and Awards:
1. Wickford Middle School Elevator Maintenance*
2. High School Water Treatment Plant**
It was questioned if this $50,000 was to maintain the septic system at the high school. It is.
There was one bid received. This will cover everything we need for this treatment plant. Grey water pumping is not included as that is not part of the water treatment system.
Motion was made by Denise Coppa to approve item F-2, High School Water
Treatment Plant. Seconded by Barry Martasian.
Vote to approve 5 to 1 with Bill Mudge voting no.
3. High School Window Cleaning – no bids submitted
This bid will go out again.
Mr. Brennan asked why we did not get any bids and questioned if it is how the bids were written.
Mrs. Buck explained that this is for the high school. Special equipment is required and it is expensive.
4. High School and Davisville Middle School Gym Floor Refinishing*
G. Personnel Items:
1. Appointment, 2005/2006 Paraprofessional Mentoring Coordinator – budgeted*
Karen Evans Co-Mentoring Coordinator $250
Diane Jolicoeur Co-Mentoring Coordinator $250
2. Request for Extension of Unpaid Parental Leave of Absence, Certificated Staff:
a) Paula Schiavone, 1.0 FTE Foreign Language Teacher at the North Kingstown High School, from May 1, 2006 through the remainder of the 2005/2006.*
3. Request for Approval of Unpaid Leave of Absence – Non-Certificated Staff:
a) Joao Fidalgo, 3rd Shift Custodian at the North Kingstown High School for up to 30 days, beginning May 1, 2006.*
4. Request for Approval of Unpaid Parental Leave of Absence-Certificated Staff:
a) Robyn Cook, 1.0 FTE Elementary Teacher at Stony Lane Elementary School, from May 23, 2006 through the remainder of the 2005/2006 school year.*
5. Request for Extension of Unpaid Leave of Absence – Certificated Staff:
a) Keith Kenyon, Director of Athletics/Student Activities, from March 31, 2007 through the balance of the 2006/2007 school year.**
There was discussion if this position should be extended through the end of the year.
If approved, it will allow administration to hire a person for this position for a full year next year which will not limit the pool of applicants as it would if the job is only applicable through March. This position is an administrative position in order to assign additional duties other than just athletics. This does not preclude anyone from within from applying for the job.
Motion was made by Melvoid Benson to request that Mr. Kenyon’s
extension be denied. Seconded by Janice
DeFrances.
Mr. Brennan stated that he has been involved in a similar situation previously without great success. Once a person is out, things change. This is an important position to fill and he would suggest not extending, getting a new person, and moving on.
Mr. Martasian felt it would be easier to fill this position if the time is extended which would avoid having to fill it a second time.
Dr. Halley stated that if this is not approved, we would have to hire a temporary person until March 31 and would not get the best person for the job.
Motion was made by Denise Coppa to end debate. Seconded by Barry Martasian
Vote to approve 5 to 1 with Bill Mudge voting no.
Vote on main motion to deny request:
Melvoid Benson Yes Barry
Martasian No
Janice DeFrances Yes Denise
Coppa No
Bill Mudge Yes Don DeFedele
No
Tie vote: Motion fails.
William Brennan voted yes.
Recess was taken at 8:47pm
Meeting resumed at 9:00pm
6. Appointment 2005/2006 Interscholastic Coach (Correction from School Committee Meeting of February 8, 2006, Agenda Item II.F4.) – budgeted*
Davisville
Middle School:
William Donnelly Head Boys Baseball Coach $2575
H. Request for Renewal of 7 Year Bus
Contract*
END OF CONSENT AGENDA
IV. Unfinished Business
(For Discussion and
Action)
Item B – Middle School Foreign language/Literacy Program Changes – was moved to this point in the agenda.
Motion was made by Bill Mudge that the
middle school Foreign Language program be placed on the next worksession so
that the public can discuss this issue.
Seconded by Melvoid Benson.
Don DeFedele stated that this was discussed at the last worksession.
Mrs. Benson noted that there was a presentation by Dr. Fitzsimmons and she expected additional questions to be
answered.
Dr. Fitzsimmons stated that she requested the Committee to contact her if there were questions, and she answered
those received by Renee Cockerill but did not receive any others.
Mr. Martasian asked that if this decision was delayed, would it hurt the process.
Dr. Halley responded that it would, as the middle school principals are now making schedules and assignments for next year. There has been community discussion, e-mails and a presentation on this subject.
Vote to place on next agenda:
Bill Mudge Yes Don
DeFedele No
Melvoid Benson Yes Denise
Coppa No
Janice
DeFrances No
Barry
Martasian No
Motion fails 4 to 2.
The middle school principals were asked to address the Committee:
Kathy Mort, principal of Wickford Middle School, stated that parents are aware of the program. She whole-heartedly supports this program and feels it meets the needs of all students. People were well informed including the SAC, PTO and general population. Information was sent out on listservs of both middle schools. The SAC is supportive. The PTO did not vote but asked many questions and had them answered.
The literacy program will not be a repetition of previous programs. It will involve a high order of reading and writing skills and provide more time for analysis. There will be no time lost in Foreign Language. Putting Foreign Language into one year instead of two will involve greater rigor, but will not deny any student from having an introduction into languages. Students will be gaining by being allowed to experience higher skills with this change of delivery.
This will also support the required portfolios and senior projects. The World Language course looks at three languages which will help students make informed decisions on a language in high school.
Dr. Halley stated that there are two literacy coaches budgeted for the middle schools. Their job will be to work with every teacher so students are successful in literacy. They will occasionally also work directly with students. The high school has moved from students not making the standard to making the standard, and moved from a low performing school to a high performing school by using literacy coaches.
Ruthanne Logan, principal of Davisville Middle School, stated that grades six and seven will have 85 minutes of literacy instruction every day and grade 8 will have 43minutes of literacy class. Every teacher will be supported by a literacy coach and trained in the content area. Every grade 8 student that is below grade level will be identified and have more intensive support. Ms. Logan supports the delivery of Foreign Language in one year. This program will not be excluding any student, unlike the current program.
Bill Mudge stated that he doesn’t like the process and we are making the change too quickly. He stated that he believes in the 10% rule that 3% of the people in this world are no good and 1% are in jail. He was making an analysis that all kids are not the same and asked what percentage of kids in our system need specialists and how are we measuring kids so they are not continuing with deficient reading skills. He asked if it is mandatory that all kids take a semester each of Spanish, French and German.
Ms. Logan explained that it is not mandatory for all kids. All eighth graders will take an entire year of either French I, Spanish I or a World Culture class that is exposure to all languages. The double block of literacy in sixth and seventh grade should result in less students in eighth grade who need extra literacy help.
Mr. Mudge asked if this were a curriculum change.
Both principals felt it is not.
Kathy Mort stated that the two teachers who will be doing the literacy program next year are thrilled. They are looking forward to the extended time with students next year. They want to bring students to a higher level and are enthusiastically embracing this program. The reading specialists are also whole-heartedly embracing this.
Mr. Mudge asked about limiting the parents’ choice to choose other programs.
Barbara Fitzsimmons replied that we have many mandatory programs such as keyboarding, art, and music. It is our job as educators to make decisions. She supports students speaking out, but it has to be up to the educators to make decisions in the best interest of the children.
Don
DeFedele stated that we are now using coaches at the high school. He stated that he had questions that were already
answered such as how will this help meet state assessments, No Child Left
Behind and prepare students going to high school. If we had not approved the delivery of the
program at the high school, it might not be high performing now.
Motion was made by Don DeFedele to approve
the middle school Foreign Language changes.
Seconded by Barry Martasian.
Bill Mudge stated that he is not convinced this would help kids on the low end who need to develop reading skills.
Denise Coppa stated that she did her own research and talked with other districts that follow this program and found more students were getting benefits. This will now add a seventh grade block of uninterrupted instruction on literacy. Literacy is not just reading, but recognizing, comprehension and application. This approach will give benefits to all students. This program was not just sprung on the Committee.
Literacy coaches are certified in Language Arts or Reading and have coaches training. Positions are selected by joint committees.
Public Comment:
Kathleen Brown stated that there has been confusion on where to turn and asked if this is vetted with the staff. Mrs. Brown asked if common time could be used to give more literacy to the seventh grade students.
Ruthanne Logan responded that this has been considered but because of the teachers’ contract, this is not considered instructional time.
Mrs. Brown asked if there would be the same size teams and was told that the program would have no impact on teams.
Mrs. Brown questioned the proposed budget cuts including a cut of a literacy coach.
Dr. Halley explained that this is a cut of the district literacy coach who is a supervisor of all literacy coaches.
Mrs. Brown asked about the current seventh graders having exposure to world culture languages possibly after school or if offering one year of French next year at WMS is doable.
Dr. Halley replied that it would depend on how many students sign up for a class.
Kathy Mort offered to discuss this with Mrs. Brown separately.
April Brunelle was concerned with the number of students who qualify for 8th grade language in a one year program, and how a student would qualify.
Kathy Mort explained that student would choose what class they want to take and sign up.
Mrs. Brunelle asked about using half of the space in the WMS shop class.
Dr. Mort explained that they at looking at accessing space in the shop but it is not being cut in half. WMS is in dire need of space and they will still need it even if they do not adopt this program.
Dr. Halley stated that the Foreign Language teacher now floats and uses the music room. They are trying to give that teacher permanent space.
The shop program is not changing. The shop teacher has submitted a design to accommodate the needs of the students. A wall will be put up to use part of the shop as a classroom. This will happen even without the change in delivery of Foreign Language. Now we are loosing instructional time while the Foreign Language teacher has to set up and break down the shared room.
Motion was made by Denise Coppa to end
debate. Seconded by Barry Martasian.
Vote:
Denise Coppa Yes Janice
DeFrances No
Barry Martasian Yes Bill
Mudge No
Don DeFedele Yes Melvoid
Benson No
Tie vote, motion fails.
Bill Mudge questioned how much it would cost to modify the shop room.
Dr. Mort responded that she did not have that information at hand.
Motion was made by Janice DeFrances to end
debate. Seconded by Bill Mudge.
Vote:
4 to 1 to approve with Bill Mudge voting no and Melvoid Benson
abstaining.
Mr. Mudge then stated he would vote to end
debate.
Vote on main motion to approve the middle
school Foreign Language changes:
Approve 4 to 2 with Bill Mudge and Melvoid Benson voting no.
Dr. Halley thanked the middle school principals for coming to address the Committee.
Motion was made by Don DeFedele to adjourn
the meeting. Seconded by Denise Coppa.
Vote:
4 to 0 with Bill Mudge and Melvoid Benson not voting.
A. Superintendent’s Contract – Restructuring of Compensation Package – no discussion or action taken
B. Middle School Foreign language/Literacy Program Changes – previously discussed in meeting
C. 2006-2007 School Budget – no discussion or action taken
D. Bond Issue Update – no discussion or action taken
E. Discussion of Issues Pertaining to the Physical Limitation of Wickford Middle School as Related to
Current Middle School Programs – no discussion or action taken
F. 2005-2006 School Budget – no discussion or action taken
G. 2005-2006 School Committee Goals and Objectives – no discussion or action taken
V. New Business- no discussion or action taken on any New Business item
(For Discussion and Action)
A. New Policy #GBEB - Standards of Employee Conduct
B. Strategic Plan
C. Southern RI Legislative Coalition
D. Building Feasibility Study of Wickford Elementary School by RGB
E. Return of Wickford Elementary School to the Town of NK
F. Governing Style Policy/Committee Self-Assessment Policy
G. Consider Letter to Town Regarding High School Band Room Repair
H. Consider School Committee Policies on Website
I.
Legal Representation at School Committee Meetings and
Contract Between Law Firm/School Department
VI. Reports – no discussion or action taken on reports
(For Discussion and Action)
A. Special Reports:
1. Quarterly Security Report
2. Enrollment Report
B. Standing Committee Reports – none submitted
C. Ad hoc Committee Reports – none submitted
Committee Member/Citizens’ Comments: no comments from Committee members or Citizens
VII.
Adjourn
Meeting adjourned at 10:20pm.
Respectfully
submitted,
___________________________
Karen A. Nutini
Administrative Assistant
to the Superintendent/School Committee