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

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2022 AT 6:30P.M.
VIRTUAL - OPEN SESSION

 

The regular meeting was called to order at 6:31 pm with a roll call of members

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

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

Absent: Councilor Bradley

Also present—Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter; Town Clerk Sandra M. Giovanelli; Outreach Coordinator Sarah King
                       

School Committee Chairperson Karen Freedman called the School Committee meeting to order at 6:33pm

 

Committee members present: Amy Rogalski, Paul DiModica, Denis Collins

Also present - Superintendent Philip Thornton, Assistant Superintendent Antonio DiManna, Business Manager Alex Prignano

 

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 Philip Thornton and Assistant Principal Antonio DiManna gave a joint Powerpoint presentation, indicating where they had been pre-pandemic and how to recover from the impact of the pandemic and move forward with a trajectory of growth.

 

Business manager Alex Prignano reviewed his budget actuals and projections presentation.

 

The Council and Mayor asked several questions regarding the needs for teachers and staff and funding plans for salaries.  

 

Chairperson Freedman commented about losing students to ELA proficiencies and the math side. We need to address that as quickly as we can.

 

Mayor Mutter gave a presentation outlining property revaluations, the tax levy and debt service going forward, the tax levy, past budget increases, COVID impact, balancing the budget, pulling from the general fund.

 

Conversation ensued on bus transportation.

 

Chairperson Friedman stated there was still much work to be done, challenging discussions to be had. She asked if there were any questions or comments from the public.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Ted Vecchio, 584 Bound Road, Woonsocket asked Assistant Principal DiManna about a discussion regarding where the ratio of counselors to students stood.

 

Mr. DiManna provided details on guidance positions already in place. Superintendent Thornton is conversing with the principals at the individual schools about their needs now, and an assessment should be completed soon.

 

Chairperson Freedman asked for a motion to adjourn the School Committee portion of the meeting.

 

MOTION BY MEMBER PAUL DIMODICA, SECONDED BY MEMBER AMY ROGALSKI, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN AT 8:11PM. VOTE 4/0

 

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN AT 8:11PM. VOTE 6/0

 

 

 

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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.