THIS MEETING CAN BE HEARD IN ITS ENTIRETY ON THE TOWN OF MIDDLETOWN WEBSITE WWW.MIDDLETOWNRI.COM OR THE DVD IS AVAILABLE AT THE MIDDLETOWN LIBRARY.
At a Special Meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Middletown, RI at the Middletown Town Hall, 350 East Main Road, Middletown, RI in person and by telephone conference call/webinar, on Thursday, June 9, 2022 at 6:00 P.M.
Council President Paul M. Rodrigues, Presiding
Vice President Thomas P. Welch, III
Councillor Terri Flynn
Councillor Christopher M. Logan
Councillor M. Theresa Santos
Councillor Dennis B. Turano
Councillor Barbara A. VonVillas, Members Present
POSTED – June 6, 2022
SPECIAL MEETING – June 9, 2022
The following items of business, having been filed with the Town Clerk under the Rules of the Council, will come before the Council at a special meeting to be held on Thursday, June 9, 2022 at 6:00 P.M. at the Middletown Town Hall, 350 East Main Road, Middletown, Rhode Island. Said meeting will be conducted in person, by telephone conference call/ webinar, members of the public may access and listen to the meeting in real-time by calling 1-877-853-5257 (Toll Free) or 1-888-475-4499 (Toll Free) and entering Meeting ID: 894 6640 2143 or on the web at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89466402143.
Wendy J.W. Marshall, Town Clerk
Town of Middletown
Town Hall – 350 East Main Road
Middletown, Rhode Island 02842
Dear Ms. Marshall:
Pursuant to the provisions of Article II, Section 203 of the Town Charter and in accordance with Sections 42-46-2., 42-46-4., 42-46-5., and 42-46-6., RIGL, I hereby call a Special Meeting of the Town Council to formally consider, discuss and act upon the following items of business. All items on this agenda, may be considered, discussed and voted upon.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
____________________________________
Paul M. Rodrigues, President
Middletown Town Council
cc : Town Council Public Library Finance Director
Town Administrator Town Solicitor School Committee
This meeting location is accessible to the handicapped. Individuals requiring interpreter services for the hearing-impaired should notify the Town Clerk’s Office at 847-0009 not less than 48 hours before this meeting.
Posted on June 6, 2022 at Middletown Town Hall, Middletown Public Library, Middletown Web Site and Secretary of State Web Site.
Council President Rodrigues noted this is the first official meeting with the School Committee regarding school regionalization with Newport. Council President Rodrigues explained the Newport City Council had a similar meeting with their School Committee; it is important that everyone is in step with each other and on the same page regarding regionalization.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to begin joint meeting with the School Committee to discuss School Regionalization and matters related thereto.
Present representing the Town were Town Administrator Shawn Brown, Finance Director Marc Tanguay and Town Solicitor Peter B. Regan.
Present representing the School Department were Superintendent of Schools Rosemarie Kraeger, School Committee Chair Theresa Spengler, Vice Chair Doug Arnold, School Committee Members Liana Ferreira Fenton, Tami Holden, and William O’Connell.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown noted the legislation for regionalization is on track, has passed the Senate and is currently awaiting passage by the House. Mr. Brown explained that once the legislation has passed, the Council must pass a resolution to put the question of regionalization and a bond question for the construction of new schools on the November ballot by August. Town Administrator Shawn Brown noted depending on voter outcome, the building project would start immediately.
Discussion centered around that there will be further discussion regarding regionalization between the two communities, the ballot questions must pass in both communities for regionalization move forward, the deadline to submit Stage II submission to RIDE for building plans, the deadline for submission of ballot questions is early August 2022; if regionalization passes on the ballot in November, Newport would receive an increase in reimbursement from RIDE for the construction of Pell and Rogers, the history of the proposed regionalization between Newport and Middletown, the regionalization steering committee is comprised of City/Town Managers, Council Members, Superintendents of Schools, and School Committee members, an educational committee on regionalization is being formed which will include teachers, an analysis is being completed regarding labor contracts between the 2 school districts, and upcoming community meetings regarding regionalization are being held in both communities both in person and virtually (a Spanish option is also available).
Councillor Flynn inquired if a flow chart of committees would be available.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the following:
Entered: flyer and committee handouts
Town Administrator Shawn Brown noted a central website for regionalization is being built.
Discussion centered around what evidence/data was used for the regionalization flyer 5 big reasons to regionalize (see flyer above), the importance of using credible facts that are able to be backed up with data/evidence, information used in the flyer was provided by RIDE, the timeline being used to gather information is aggressive and must move quickly, the need for accurate enrollment projections including Pre-K when planning to construct new school buildings, the length of time to complete construction on new school buildings, the need to get all information regarding regionalization to the public so they can make an informed decision at the election, what the next step for school construction would be if regionalization fails, the structure of the regionalized school board and finance committee, getting student input in the regionalization process, use of flex space within school buildings, and the need to do what is best financially and educationally for the Town.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to adjourn said meeting at 7:38 p.m.
Wendy J.W. Marshall, CMC
Council Clerk
Supporting documentation is available at http://clerkshq.com/default.ashx?clientsite=Middletown-ri