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.
Council President Paul M. Rodrigues, Presiding
Vice President Thomas P. Welch, III
Councillor Christopher M. Logan
Councillor Emily M. Tessier
Councillor Dennis B. Turano
Councillor Barbara A. VonVillas, Members Present
Councillor Peter D. Connerton, Sr., Absent
POSTED – July 19, 2023
SPECIAL MEETING – July 24, 2023
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 Monday, July 24, 2023 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: 827 3311 2791 or on the web at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82733112791.
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
An Ordinance of the Town of Middletown (First Reading)
An Ordinance in amendment to the ordinances of the Town of Middletown General Fund, Parks and Recreation Fund, Sewer Fund, Refuse and Recycling Fund, Appropriating revenues for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024.
Said meeting will be held at the Middletown Town Hall, 350 East Main Road, Middletown, Rhode Island 02842 on Monday, July 24, 2023 at 6:00 P.M.
____________________________________
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 July 19, 2023 at Middletown Town Hall, Middletown Public Library, Middletown Web Site and Secretary of State Web Site.
Also present were the Town Administrator Shawn Brown, Finance Director Marc Tanguay, Deputy Finance Director Patrick Guthlein and Town Solicitor Peter B. Regan to answer Town Council inquiries.
Present representing the School Department were Superintendent of Schools Rosemarie Kraeger, School Attorney Lori Miller, and Business Manager Theresa Gomes to answer Town Council inquiries.
Present representing the School Committee were School Committee Chair Theresa Silveira Spengler, Vice Chair Tami E. Holden and members Wendy E. Heaney, Gregory M. Huet and William R. O’Connell to answer Town Council inquires.
1. Public Hearing (Advertised)
An Ordinance of the Town of Middletown (First Reading)
An Ordinance in amendment to the ordinances of the Town of Middletown General Fund, Parks and Recreation Fund, Sewer Fund, Refuse and Recycling Fund, Appropriating revenues for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024.
Public hearing was declared open.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the FY2024 Budget First Public Hearing power point, entered below.
Discussion centered around the Town appropriation to the School Department (page 8 of the powerpoint), there is approximately a 10% increase in the proposed budget to the schools, the certified non-tax revenues (page 6 of the powerpoint), process for exceeding the tax cap and the state approved $484,864.00 in monies exceeding the tax cap.
Councillor VonVillas suggested the following to the School Department:
I would like to suggest a specific use for this additional funding. I have spent the past 4 weeks doing research and getting feedback from a variety of people in a multitude of meetings regarding the educational challenges facing the schools.
Relative to the School Department’s presentation several weeks ago, I was shocked and dismayed by the proficiency ratings, especially at the Grades 3 – 8 level.
The RICAS student proficiency rating in Grades 3 - 8 was 38.4 % in the area of English/Language Arts, in other words, reading and writing.
The RICAS student proficiency rating in Grades 3 – 8 was 29.7% in the area of Math.
In both areas, the proficiency ratings had increased slightly from the previous year, but I find it hard to get much pleasure in the new ratings because of what they reveal about the current level of educational success in Middletown.
The research took me to the RIDE and Middletown Public Schools web sites where I found curriculum documents dated as far back as 2014.
From the perspective of an educator with a multitude of teaching and administrative experience at all levels in 3 states – including 18 years at MHS and 6 years on the Middletown School Committee – I did not see anything that promised educational improvement, never mind help students overcome losses from the pandemic.
Based on my expertise in the area of K-12 curriculum development, I began to draw conclusions about what could be done most quickly to boost proficiency. I developed a step-by-step proposal for the coming school year and began a series of meetings in order to get feedback regarding its validity and viability. All the feedback was positive.
Then I decided to follow my own advice and ASK THE TEACHERS. Knowing that the success (or failure) of older students is based on what they learned (or didn’t learn) in the early stages of their education, I met with a group of experienced elementary teachers who opened my eyes to a different perspective.
Without boring you with the details, I was told that the school dept had purchased 3 different math programs, one for each level, based on the teachers’ choice. This did not seem to be the best approach since the programs are different, but what’s done is done.
Asking about professional development led me to a different premise than the one I was proposing.
I was told that what was most needed was a Math Coach, but the teacher suggestion gained momentum when the teachers also strongly recommended that a detailed Job Description be developed so the recruit would completely understand the responsibilities and could actually be a support to the teachers who, by the way, were currently feeling overwhelmed.
This recommendation evolved from the issues teachers connected with the existing Literacy Coach who was described as a positive person, willing to provide support but having no guidelines regarding expectations or responsibilities of the position.
Following the meeting with the teachers, I researched the web for math and literacy coach job descriptions, which were readily available.
So – here we are with the following proposal, identified BY teachers FOR teachers.
I make a motion that the School Department -
1. Develop clear and defined Job Descriptions for a Literacy Coach and a Math Coach
2. Dedicate a portion of the additional $143,000 to hire the Math Coach, and
3. Hold both positions accountable for the defined responsibilities identified in the new Job Descriptions.
Councillor VonVillas would like to the school department to give her suggestion serious consideration.
Antone Viveiros, Middletown, addressed the Council expressing concern about the tax increase if the school bond passes in November. Mr. Viveiros inquired what the tax rate be with the bond?
Discussion centered around there will be reimbursement for the school bond from RIDE, the first year payment for the bond is interest only and the excess OPEB payment will be used to pay the interest on the bond, there would be two separate bonds issued- one in Spring of FY2024 and one in the Spring of FY2026 and the Town will be seeking other grant funding to offset the cost of the school buildings.
Greg Huet, Middletown, Member of the Middletown School Committee, addressed the Council noting that RIDE would not accept the Town upgrading the current schools. Mr. Huet explained that it would cost more money to repair the schools than construct new schools.
Martha Koziara, Middletown, addressed the Council noting her experience working for the schools, the state and government in education. Ms. Koziara described a literacy program, which was created for the Naval War College students – a course of Foundational Knowledge. Martha Koziara explained the need for parents to get involved with their children’s education and mentor programs that help students.
Discussion centered around that teachers cannot do it all, some parents are unable to assist their children with schoolwork, the Middletown School curriculum is on the school website, all school districts have curriculum standards set by RIDE, professional development training for teachers, hiring Math and Literacy intervention teachers or coaches, Middletown receiving a high growth score across the district for the RICAS tests and the need to be creative with the Outreach Department Programs.
Paul Mankofsky, Middletown, addressed the Council requesting them to level fund the School Department. Mr. Mankofsky explained that the school department is poorly managed and low performing. Paul Mankofsky noted that denying the request of increase and need for a performance audit.
Theresa Spengler, Middletown, Chair of the Middletown School Committee, addressed the Council noting that the School Department has always had a clean audit.
Ronald Heroux, Middletown, addressed the Council noting that it is time for a change in command at the School Department. Mr. Heroux explained that a new change in command could bring in new people and new ideas. Ronald Heroux inquired about the schools working with neighboring communities to save money. Mr. Heroux also expressed concern that there are no recreational programs for children during the summer.
Theresa Spengler, Middletown, Chair of the Middletown School Committee, addressed the Council noting that the School Department had been working with Newport to share resources, but several meetings have been cancelled and the issue will be addressed in the future. Ms. Spengler explained that Middletown requested that Tiverton to extend the Special Education contract for an additional year, but Tiverton declined.
Arleen Kaull, Senior Citizens Director, addressed the Council noting she has requested a part time employee for the Senior Center and requests an increase in salary for the current full-time employee at the Senior Center.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown addressed the Council noting that the employee at the senior center discussion must take place with the union in executive session.
Antone Viveiros, Middletown, addressed the Council inquiring if the three-part math curriculum is built on each section from first to twelfth grade.
Barbara Fenlon, Middletown, Town Employee, addressed the Council noting concern with the school budget coming forward with no supporting documentation (wants to see line items). Ms. Fenlon reviewed town property rental expense used for beach overflow parking and suggests increasing campground rentals (adding monthly or two week intervals).
Discussion centered around Special Education services are set by federal and state laws, dissolution of the regional special education program and the effect on the Middletown School Department, 20 to 25% of students have special educational services, the principals in the schools have access to their budget (must be trained to use the budget program), grants sunsetting for positions within the schools, if there is a contingency fund in the budget for contracts which must be discussed in executive session, special education expense is set by student individual education plans that are set by federal and state law, special education should be state funded, big issues in the school budget are special education and transportation and School Committee member Gregory Huet will be placing an item on the next School Committee meeting agenda to discuss transportation costs.
Danuta Lamparski, Middletown, addressed the Council inquiring about how to dispose of electronics and toxic substances.
Will Cronin, Recycling Coordinator, responding to Ms. Lamparski, explained that the state has free eco-depots to drop off such items. Mr. Cronin stated there is one in Tiverton in August and one in Newport in October.
Councillor Logan requests a line-item report for the School Department budget.
Discussion centered around what the school department receives from this year’s budget will be the starting point for the following year’s budget.
Council President Rodrigues noted that the next Budget Hearing will be on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at 6:00 P.M.
There being no other persons present desiring to be heard, public hearing will remain open.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said ordinance on its first reading.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to adjourn said meeting at 8:28 p.m.
Wendy J.W. Marshall, CMC
Council Clerk