MINUTES OF THE JOINT MEETING OF THE CUMBERLAND TOWN COUNCIL
AND SCHOOL COMMITTEE

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2021 AT 6:30 P.M.

VIRTUAL - OPEN SESSION

 

The regular meeting was called to order at 6:36pm with a roll call of members.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

President Kinch, Councilors Metivier, Shaw, Magill, Beaulieu and Schmitt

Absent: Councilor Bradley

 

Also present— Mayor Jeffrey Mutter; Community Outreach Coordinator Sarah King; Town Clerk Sandra M. Giovanelli; Town Solicitor Kelley Morris Salvatore

 

Also present from the School Department —  School Committee Chair Karen Freedman; Vice-Chair Mark Fiorillo; School Committee members Paul DiModica; Kerry Feather; Amy Rogalski; Keri Smith; Denis Collins; School Superintendent Robert Mitchell; School Business Manager Alex Prignano

 

President Kinch stated that in accordance with Governor’s Raimondo’s Executive Order 20-25 (relaxing the Open Meetings Act requirements) this meeting will be available to the public by video or telephone conference.  All members of the Town Council will be participating remotely. Members of the public can listen and/or participate by clicking on the link posted on the agenda, or by calling any of the numbers listed on the agenda. This meeting will also be livestreamed on Clerk base by clicking on the link on the town website.

 

Comments can be emailed to publiccomments@cumberlandri.org including your name, address, and statement. Only comments including all required information will be read into the record.

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

DISCUSSION

a. Pre-Budget consultations and three-year forecasting with the School Committee pursuant to the requirements of RIGL 16-2-21 through 16-2-21.3

 

Superintendent Mitchell stated that all school principals had submitted budgets for their schools and meetings are ongoing. Two priority items are addressing the students’ learning loss due to Covid and replacing the staff they lost last year due to budget cuts.

 

Business Manager Alex Prignano reviewed the itemized topics in his budget actuals and projections presentation with commentary from Superintendent Mitchell and Mayor Mutter.

 

A brief discussion ensued with the Council on allocation of Covid money received, the replacement schedule of Chromebooks and other technology items; the loss of four counselors; and new legislation on the reimbursement allotments regarding Charter students.

 

b. COVID-related HVAC school building improvement discussion COVID-related HVAC school building improvement discussion

 

Councilor Beaulieu stated that the building committee is making some decisions based on Covid-19. When the bond was approved Covid wasn’t an issue. The changes may affect reimbursement and is there a need to go back to RIDE to discuss this? Councilor Beaulieu and Mr. Prignano held a brief discussion.

 

Mayor Mutter spoke to the lengthy conversations about this topic in the building committee meetings and stressed the importance of considering being prepared for a future pandemic, not just this one.

 

Councilor Beaulieu stated that it would be helpful for the Council to be made aware of the scope of work for projects and being made aware of any changes being made, to avoid confusion.

 

School Committee chair Karen Freedman responded that they are working to do that.

 

Mayor Mutter commented that there should be no confusion; when a project scope is to change, the building committee needs to approve that, and the funding source has to approve that change.

 

Ms. Freedman asked to return to the first item on agenda – was the town going to present something?

 

Mayor Mutter presented a budget presentation showing debt service and overall budget impact picture.

 

c. Town-engagement with School Collective Bargaining agreement

 

Ms. Beaulieu commented on this as providing the courtesy of transparency via a representative from the Mayor’s office.

 

The historical reference of having a representative from the town present during negotiations was briefly discussed.

 

Superintendent Mitchell stated he feels there is a very good working relationship between the school department and the town.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

There were none.

 

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN AT 7:58PM BY A ROLL CALL. VOTE 6/0. 

 

 

 

 

________________________________

Sandra M. Giovanelli, Town Clerk

 

 

 

FOR A FULL ACCOUNT OF THIS MEETING PLEASE REFER TO THE VIDEO RECORDING ACCESSIBLE ON THE TOWN’S WEBSITE, www.cumberlandri.org.

ADDITIONALLY, THE DVD OF THE ENTIRE MEETING IS AVAILABLE AT THE EDWARD J. HAYDEN LIBRARY.