MIDDLETOWN/NEWPORT SCHOOL COMMITTEE
MIDDLETOWN, RHODE ISLAND
October 27, 2022
The meeting was called to order by Chair Theresa Spengler at 5:32 p.m.
Middletown School Committee Members Present:
Theresa Spengler, Chair
Douglas Arnold, Vice-Chair
Liana Fenton
Tami Holden
William O’Connell
Newport School Committee Members Present:
Rebecca Bolan
James Dring
Sandra Flowers
Stephanie Winslow
Also In Attendance:
Rosemarie Kraeger, Middletown School Superintendent
Colleen Jermain, Newport School Superintendent
Mario Carreno, R.I. Department of Education
Lisa Wood, President NEAM
Jennifer Hole, President, Teachers Association of Newport
Objectives of the Meeting:
Mrs. Spengler explained the meeting format, which will not be a debate or political forum, but an informational meeting.
Both Superintendents have worked to create the following list of possible educational benefits which would be derived from Regionalization:
· Create Educational Fund to Allow for Predictable Funding
· Universal Pre-K
· Expand Arts and Music
· Expand Sports Opportunities
· Expand Career and Tech Offerings/Create Internships
· Expand Pathway Programs (Computer Science, Engineering and Bio-Medical)
· Develop Agriculture/Aquaculture Programs
· Spanish Immersion Program (Grades 1 -8)
· Unify Special Education Services
· Expand Professional Development and Career Opportunities for Teachers
· Create an International High School Exchange Program
· Assess and Create High Quality Athletic Fields and Recreational Spaces
ROLE, MAKE-UP AND TASKS OF THE TRANSITION TEAM
The following are suggestions for the role, make-up and tasks of the Transition Team.
| ROLE | MAKEUP | TASK |
| Navy/Military | | |
| Higher Education – Salve, CCRI, Roger Williams | | |
| Students | | |
| A member of the General Assembly from the Education Committee | | |
| RIDE Representation | | |
| | | Creating the blueprint for the Transitional Team to consider. |
| Former School Superintendents who have knowledge of the district. | | |
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. It sounds like the new sources of reimbursement/efficiency savings can be used to expand school programs – wouldn’t that help our students and teachers?
2. If regionalization doesn’t pass, what is Plan B for Middletown?
3. How many of you would run for the Regional School Committee if regionalization passes?
4. In 2019, Newport proposed many of the same things that are now listed as potential opportunities. Newport was offering a combined high school. The offer was rejected. What changed?
5. Will the buildings be Net Zero?
6. How do you weigh the possibility of losing your current School Committee seat, the significant tax savings from State reimbursements and the potential educational benefits of a regional district?
7. Directed to Mario @ RIDE…If the bonds do not pass, will RIDE still work with both towns on alternatives, including reimbursements?
8. Please confirm reimbursement rates if the bonds fail; 67% for remodel and 64% for new construction.
9. Will RIDE offer reimbursements later if the referendum does not pass?
10. Where are RIDE educational staff/reps? Only Mr. Carreno has been present.
11. Newport has a $5.5 million surplus. Middletown has a $2 million deficit. Will Newport have to pay Middletown’s deficit?
12. What are the guaranteed savings? Will these guaranteed savings be used solely for education?
13. Is the 80.5% reimbursement a one-time deal? If the ballot questions don’t pass, what is the likelihood of getting another 80% reimbursement rate?
14. Has the “leadership team” during this ballot question evolution, considered the impact of lost CTE tuition from both Middletown to Newport and Newport to Middletown on each town’s cost per student?
15. What do you mean when you say “education is not a right in R.I.”?
16. The contract with Wolpert group stated there were to be listening sessions in September and October. Why were those not scheduled?
17. The legislation changed from “at least 80%” to “up to 80%”. Why, and what does that mean for reimbursement?
18. What is the 80.5% needed for? In Middletown…In Newport?
19. Is this process in compliance with Title XIV?
20. Does this regionalization proposal put students from both communities in a building together or is this regionalization proposal combining administration functions only?
21. Since the schools will be separate and Newport children and Middletown children will not be in the same buildings, please explain how the proposal in front of us constitutes regionalization.
22. The possible educational benefits sound great for our students. How many of these can realistically be implemented, however? The cost savings mentioned on Monday night included transportation savings and savings from more efficient heating systems. This feels like the excited child who circle all the toys that they want in a Christmas Wish Book.
23. To Superintendents: Do you believe the consultants identified operational cost savings, (their comparisons were to districts with 1 high school) are real? What would you think the operational savings might be annually?
24. There has been conversation for the middle and high schools to actually merge students in a single middle school & high school, respectively. Neither town is building for that combined student population. Will the taxpayers then have to pay more for buildings?
25. If the extra-curricular programs currently offered to Newport students (ex. Sail Newport) are to be offered to all students in this new district, how can we expect these community partners to double their efforts? Do we have a commitment from those partners? It would be a huge loss to our neediest students if these programs could not handle the added population.
26. At the forum this week at CCRI, officials stated that in the future, there may be one Newport/Middletown High School and Middle School. Where would this be housed since the new Newport High School is being built for under 800 students and the new MHS plan is also for under 800 students and combined high school enrollment now exceeds 1200 students?
27. Monday night, Lynn Ceglie said that RIDE will not come back to the table if this fails. Is this true? We have heard this, that if we don’t do this now, regionalization is dead. Is this true?
28. Why is there a School Committee and a Finance Committee? Wont the Finance Committee have more power? (and they are unelected).
29. To Superintendents…After review of the educational suggestions you have put forth, would you speak to annual operational costs and increasing of teaching staff needed to add each of these suggestions. On new curriculums, please tell us what each school has chosen for English, Math and Science. If different, how would this be managed?
30. At budget time, will each community agree to the requested increases for the school budget? Will the Regional Committee and Finance committee have to plead their cases to both councils?
31. The benefits in education and extracurricular are very general. Has any part of the educational vision been specified definitively and specific to Newport and Middletown students or is the list applicable to any community?
32. New School Committee is voted in November 2023 but only starts work in July 2024. Correct?
33. Are the teachers’ unions 100% behind regionalization and how are they going to be involved?
34. How do you feel about losing current staff/ due to potential redundancy. Still same number of children so still same number of teachers.
35. Will high school and middle school students be on the same busses? 11 and 18 year-olds together is concerning.
MOTION: 1) Rebecca Bolan, 2) Theresa Spengler. To adjourn from the meeting at 7:35 p.m. Unanimous vote.
Respectfully Submitted,
Theresa Spengler, Chair