The regular meeting of the South Kingstown School Committee was held on April 13, 2010 at the South Kingstown High School Cafeteria at 7:00 PM, following Executive Session at
6:00 PM
MEMBERS PRESENT: Anthony Mega (Chair), Kevin Jackson (Assistant Chair), Maureen Cotter, Scott Mueller, Frederick Frostic, Elizabeth Morris.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Richard Angeli
ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT: Kristen Stringfellow, Superintendent; Mary Kelley, Assistant Superintendent; John Ritchotte, Director of Administrative Services.
Dr. Mega called the April 13, 2010 School Committee Meeting to order at 6:00 PM
MSV (1) move to recess to Executive Session under Title 42, Ch. 46, Section 5 of the General Laws of Rhode Island for Collective Bargaining, Litigation at 6:00 PM. Mueller, Frostic (6-0-0)
MEMBERS PRESENT: Anthony Mega (Chair), Kevin Jackson (Assistant Chair), Maureen Cotter, Scott Mueller, Frederick Frostic, Elizabeth Morris, and Richard Angeli (arrived at 9:05 PM).
ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT: Kristen Stringfellow, Superintendent; Mary Kelley, Assistant Superintendent; John Ritchotte, Director of Administrative Services.
Dr. Mega called the April 13, 2010 School Committee Meeting back to order at 7:05 PM.
Dr. Stringfellow stated it was her pleasure to welcome Amelie Haase from Germany and Constanza Salas from Chile, who shared their experience in the U.S. while in the AFS (Foreign Exchange Student) program. Both students thanked the host families and sponsors for allowing them into their homes and sharing a fabulous educational and cultural experience.
1) Meeting Calendar:
Dr. Stringfellow reviewed the meeting calendar.
a. School Committee Meeting – April 13, 2010, 7:00 PM, South Kingstown High
School Cafeteria.
b. SELAC Meeting – April 14, 2010, 7:00 PM, Administration Building.
c. Public Budget Hearings – April 14 & April 15, 2010, 7:00 PM, Town Hall – Town
Council Chambers.
d. School Committee Meeting – April 27, 2010, 7:00 PM, South Kingstown High
School Cafeteria.
e. School Committee Meeting – May 11, 2010, 7:00 PM, South Kingstown High School
Cafeteria.
f. SELAC Meeting – May 12, 2010, 7:00 PM, Administration Building.
g. School Committee Meeting – May 25, 2010, 7:00 PM, South Kingstown High School
Cafeteria.
h. School Committee Wellness Subcommittee Meeting – May 27, 2010, 4:00 PM,
Administration Building.
i. School Committee Meeting – June 8, 2010, 7:00 PM, South Kingstown High School
Cafeteria.
j. SELAC Meeting – June 9, 2010, 7:00 PM, Administration Building.
k. Senior Honors Night – June 10, 2010, 5:30 PM, South Kingstown High School.
l. Athletic Banquet – June 13, 2010, 5:00 PM, Quonset O Club.
m. Senior Prom – June 14, 2010, 7:00 PM, Officer’s Club-Newport.
n. Graduation – June 18, 2010, 6:00 PM, Ryan Center.
2010-2011 Calendar Discussion:
Dr. Stringfellow addressed the issue of the 2010-2011 school calendar. At the last meeting the School Committee asked for feedback on two items. One item was the changing of placement of professional development days from mid-week to Monday or Friday. Feedback from parents and members of the public informed us that mid-week professional development days were very inconvenient for them. Information from teachers and administrators gave a history as to why those days were originally chosen, and their impact on Parent/Teacher conferences and the student exhibitions at the high school. Dr. Stringfellow asked Mrs. Kelley to review the work she has done with the community to find out the preference for professional development days. Mrs. Kelley reported that preference indicated Friday for professional development days.
In addition to that there is the question of when school will start next year. Former Superintendent Bob Hicks had designed a survey asking the community their preference regarding a start before Labor Day versus a start after Labor Day; the results from the community were to start before Labor Day. He didn’t realize last year that there would be a budgetary implication of approximately $15,000 in making that change, as the 10-month employees in the SKESP bargaining unit would be paid for an additional holiday. Mr. Ritchotte met with the SKESP leadership to let them know that it is the preference of the community to start before Labor Day. SKESP leadership were asked if they would agree for one year to enter into memorandum of agreement to forego holiday pay for Labor Day, giving the district an opportunity to recapture that $15,000. The leadership chose not to bring the matter to their members. Dr. Stringfellow stated that, based on this monetary consideration and uncertainty of revenues for this year, we may have to start after Labor Day.
Dr. Mega expressed concern that the calendar be adopted this month if possible. He also expressed concerns about starting school on September 7th, the impact of weather during the year and its impact on the end of our school year. Dr. Mega asked School Committee permission to draft a letter to SKESP leadership asking them to bring this matter to their membership.
Scott Mueller asked if there are fiscal implications of ending the school year in July. Dr. Stringfellow agreed, stating we cannot run into two budget years in one school calendar. Scott expressed disappointment that leadership would not even raise this with their members. He suggested that the membership of the union be apprised of what the request is so it is the membership that speaks rather than a limited few.
Dr. Stringfellow discussed:
Scott Mueller shared his experience from the flood. As a person who had an immediate flow of information from the RI Emergency Command Center at National Guard headquarters, he had no reservations as to the decisions that were made for South Kingstown. The South Kingstown Administration was absolutely responsive and on target to the state of emergency in South Kingstown.
Kevin Jackson asked Dr. Stringfellow about pursuing a waiver for making up the flood days. Dr Stringfellow is pursing that request with RIDE. Currently the last day of school is a Thursday, June 24th.
URI Discussion:
At the previous request of School Committee member Frostic, a collaborative meeting was held on April 1, 2010 between South Kingstown School Department administrative staff and administrative staff from the University of Rhode Island.
In attendance were:
· URI President Dr. David Dooley
· Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Donald DeHayes
· Vice President for University Advancement Dr. Robert Beagle
· School Committee Member Fred Frostic
· Superintendent Kristen Stringfellow
· Assistant Superintendent Mary Kelley
· Director of Administration John Ritchotte
· Joe Iacoi, South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce
The group discussed opportunities for collaboration between the University of Rhode Island and the South Kingstown School Department.
Fred Frostic shared that we would like to go on with fostering opportunities with URI. Dr. DeHayes will be responsible at URI and Mary Kelley here, to look for more ways to leverage opportunities between URI and South Kingstown Schools. Most importantly, we will take a look at informational technology to revolutionize the ways kids learn and are educated. Fred Frostic shared that Joe Iacoi, South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce was instrumental in coordinating this meeting between URI and South Kingstown School Department.
MSV (2) move to accept and place on file the Superintendent’s report. Cotter, Frostic (6-0-0).
Dr. Mega briefly reviewed the by-laws regarding the time allowed for comments.
Stacy Bodziony said she had sent an e-mail to the School Committee and Administration requesting that specific items be put on tonight’s agenda and she doesn’t see them there. She had requested a model of what the school re-configuration would look like in the event that any of the elementary schools were to be closed. Ms. Bodziony addressed Kevin Jackson saying they spoke and she expected these items would be on the agenda tonight. Dr. Stringfellow shared that her timeline that will be presented this evening will probably answer most of the questions about when and where we are in the discussion.
Roland Benjamin discussed the Governor’s Supplemental Budget. He asked about implications for South Kingstown. Dr. Stringfellow, John Ritchotte and Scott Mueller shared that we hadn’t received anything official yet, but should receive information from RIDE in the morning as to how the supplemental budget would impact South Kingstown.
Jonathan Daly-LaBelle shared he is an advocate of South Kingstown schools. He is concerned with moving the 5th graders out of the elementary schools. By doing this “it is forcing kids to grow up too quickly.” There have been major parties, with kids age 14 to 18. A fifth grader is 10. Where do they start to learn those things? They are exposed to it at a young age in his opinion. By taking 5th graders out of their elementary setting, they grow up too soon.
Michael Chappell of Wakefield agreed, saying as a police officer, he sees the difference between fifth and sixth graders. Putting the fifth with the sixth is making the fifth grow up too fast; he stated that this was his professional opinion.
Raissa Mosher of Peace Dale had e-mailed a Duke University study to Kevin Jackson and Liz Morris. The Duke University study showed sixth graders more likely to be disciplinary problems when they are in middle school. She said those students would be better served in elementary schools than in a middle school. She urged the School Committee to establish kindergarten to Grade 6 schools and a junior high, which would remove common planning time and team teaching.
Chairman Mega and Mary Kelley have analyzed this Duke study. Mary Kelley presented qualitative and quantitative information on South Kingstown’s data. The Duke study focuses entirely on grade configurations with no attention to the implementation of the middle school model itself. Within the Duke study, there is no reference to teaming, advisory or common planning time. A 2007 study of middle schools in New York offers results that differ from the Duke study. Research done by Wilcox and Angela show that teaming and personalization act as the first line of intervention for students with academic, social, emotional behavior or other challenges. South Kingstown’s data presents a very different picture. Data submitted annually to the Rhode Island Department of Education shows that when compared to the state in the two largest areas of discipline, only 0.4 percent of South Kingstown students have been suspended for disorderly conduct at the middle school, and 1 percent for disrespect. At the elementary level, 0.4% had been suspended for fighting, the largest area of discipline at that level.
We are able to ascertain the culture and level for our students from the students themselves. Using the 2009 InfoWorks we can see that 70% of our students report feeling they can talk to a teacher or other staff members about academic issues, or personal or family problems. South Kingstown middle schools rank fifth in the state in this area.
Nationally the trend to include sixth graders in middle school began in the 1970’s and now almost 80% of all middle schools include sixth grade. North Carolina (the Duke Study) began the process later but within the last 10 to 12 years has moved to almost 100% participation. It is possible the rush to change weakened the implementation of middle school model. Secondly, the administrators in South Kingstown had been in the forefront of middle school research. Michele Humbyrd has served as President of the State Middle School Association and teaches the Middle School Methods course at URI. Sheila Sullivan’s school introduced student-led conferencing to the district and is now the model used at both Curtis Corner and Broad Rock. Our middle school teachers have presented their work at state conferences. The work in South Kingstown is grounded in research and in best practice.
Dr. Mega thanked Mary Kelley for taking the time to research this study for us and presenting it to the community.
Keith Vorhaben questioned the Committee’s big picture and noted that long-term planning had not been the case in the past several years, and that’s what has brought us to these discussions of reconfiguration and possible closing of schools. Dr. Mega assured Mr. Vorhaben that in these uncertain economical times, no one could have predicted this situation and the Committee will work diligently to find the most educationally sound and fiscally sound decisions for South Kingstown Schools.
Laura LeClair asked Mrs. Cotter if NESDEC presented models of K-12 and 7-12 configurations.
Dr. Stringfellow shared she received an e-mail from Mr. Kennedy and that the flood had impacted some of his school visits but he is planning on getting back to us in a very short timeframe.
Laura LeClair continued that last year when Dr. Hicks presented his proposal to put the 6th graders at Broad Rock, at that point was it a consideration to put the 5th graders with them.
Kevin Jackson recollects that decisions had to be made quickly and time was a constraint to entertain the 5th grade moving. Considering that would have been way too much at that time.
Laura LeClair suggested Dr. Hicks discussed the issue of redistricting, where these lines would fall and where these kids were going to school. She says it is the feeling of the community that if you move the 5th graders to Broad Rock, then we are now in a position to not have four elementary schools. Isn’t that what you’re saying?
Dr. Mega shared this is not the way the Committee sees it.
Laura LeClair suggested it was the Committee’s opinion that there was a decline in enrollment.
Dr. Mega stated this is the impression of an organization that tracks and analyzes enrollment trends. She continued that last year Dr. Hicks stood before you and indicated that Wakefield was the fastest growing population in the district and he expected 200 kindergarten students to be in this year and they ended up in May with 219.
Dr. Mega suggested that we focus our attention to where we are now, our enrollment projections and our fiscal situation.
Laura LeClair asked what the kindergarten enrollment is for this year. Mary Kelley shared it is about the same, approximately 200.
Erin O’Hara asked how much weight do we put into a report.
Regina DeSalvo shared her feelings about Wakefield Elementary School and the personal interaction between students, families and staff encouraging and mentoring these students to emerge into the best adults that they can be.
Dr. Mega reviewed the Consent Agenda.
1) Approval of minutes meeting of: March 23, 2010
Approval of minutes meeting of: March 29, 2010
Executive Session Minutes of: March 23, 2010
Executive Session Minutes of: March 29, 2010
2) Personnel Action(s)
3) Bid Award(s) - Pulled
Superintendent Stringfellow shared some information about John Bilotta, District Technology Director, who is retiring this year.
John Bilotta has been employed by South Kingstown School Department since October, 1975.
Dr. Stringfellow shared how much she respected the work of John Bilotta and how he has showcased his talent as a technology person. He has shared his knowledge with other teachers and this could not have happened if he had not been a teacher. He is a rare individual and he will be missed as a wonderful member of the administrative team.
Dr. Mega shared that John is nearly irreplaceable and he will be missed by all. On behalf of the School Committee Dr. Mega wished John Bilotta the best for the future. John has served us extremely well.
Dr. Mega asked for a Motion to accept the consent agenda.
MSV (3) move to accept the Consent Agenda. Frostic, Mueller (6-0-0).
1) Expenditure(s) over $10,000: Pulled from the Agenda.
2) Resolutions: Binding Arbitration and Funding Formula.
Dr. Stringfellow said at the request of School Committee we are revisiting the Binding Arbitration Resolution that was passed on September 8, 2009. As you recall this Binding Arbitration notion was not passed in the General Assembly last year; it is in the General Assembly this year to be looked at. Dr. Stringfellow has been asked to resurrect the resolution to see if it is your pleasure to have it updated and sent to the General Assembly with a new date.
Scott Mueller made a motion to adopt this Resolution, asking the Superintendent to forward it to the Representatives and Senators representing South Kingstown with a copy to the Superintendents’ Association, the Association of School Committees and a copy to the Town Council.
MSV (4) move to accept the Resolution. Mueller, Jackson (6-0-0).
Dr. Stringfellow used the resolution approved in Portsmouth unanimously on March 23, 2010 as a template. Every district is being affected by the Funding Formula in a different way. Dr. Stringfellow and John Ritchotte updated the Portsmouth resolution with input from Alan Lord and Stephen Alfred that would impact the South Kingstown School Department.
Scott Mueller expressed satisfaction with the detail and work put into this resolution, but suggested adding a clarifying paragraph in beginning.
MSV (5) to accept the Funding Formula Resolution with subsequent editorial changes to be signed and forwarded by the Superintendent. Mueller, Jackson (7-0-0)
3) Proposed Timeline for Budget Reductions
April 13, 2010
School Committee Meeting
l Share Proposed Timeline with School Committee and Community
l Share Timeline Considerations (i.e. re-routing transportation, teacher job fair, etc.)
l Share current revenue projections
April 27th School Committee meeting
l Superintendent will present 4 school consolidation scenarios:
l Scenario#1 Close Curtis Corner Middle School
l Scenario#2 Close Matunuck Elementary School
l Scenario#3 Close Wakefield Elementary School
l Scenario#4 Close West Kingston Elem. School
l
3 lenses:
Examples of Information to be provided…
l What will it look like?
l Maps
l Configurations
l What are the savings?
l Transportation
l Staffing
l Operational
l Housing Aid
l Preparation for HS and Beyond?
l Curriculum Impact
l Equity and access across grade levels
l PBGR (Proficiency-Based Graduation Requirements)
May 11th School Committee Meeting
l Continuation of the discussion on the option to move grade 5 students to Broad Rock Middle School
l Superintendent will make a recommendation
May 25th School Committee Meeting
l Superintendent will make a recommendation on Budget Reduction Scenarios
June 8th & June 22nd meetings
l Begin to recall some of the 99 teachers laid off in February
l Begin to implement budget reduction scenarios (if needed)
Community member Stacey Bodziony questioned if we will look at maps and configurations at the April 27th meeting. Dr. Stringfellow replied yes, that would be part of the discussion.
Raissa Mosher, community member, was concerned about parent representation. She recalled that when South Road was closed, the attendance at School Committee meetings was primarily parents of South Road kids. She asked the committee to do a better job of advertising and presenting the agendas. If the redistricting possibilities are put out there, this would certainly get more of the population engaged.
Dr. Mega explained this is exactly what we are trying to do.
Rick Angeli shared his experience with the South Road closing. He noted the importance of all residents coming out and sharing their opinions.
Kate Macinanti, Peace Dale parent, felt there isn’t a lot of conversation going on about these items in the Peace Dale community. Ms. Macinanti stated that parents had not heard anything about the present discussions of reconfigurations and possible school closings. She believes that the current situation is a K through 12 issue, and the committee must get the word out to the community. Her suggestion was to send it out on the listserv, in children’s backpacks, any way to reach the community.
Dr. Mega said he would not be comfortable distributing that information in backpacks, but assured Ms. Macinanti these meetings have been advertised in the newspaper and the committee will continue to reach out.
Community Member Michael proposed another scenario involving transportation. Communities in Massachusetts charge for transportation. These communities pay for transportation for anyone within a two mile radius of the school. These funds could lead to a $500,000 savings. By doing this, you create a fee and also reduce the number of buses because people will then look to alternate ways of getting to school; i.e. walking, parent driving them.
Dr. Mega shared that some options are not looked at because it would put us in violation of state law. Dr. Mega asked John Ritchotte for input.
John Ritchotte stated we are not allowed to charge for transportation. We’re not allowed to charge public or private students or charter schools for transportation. We must provide free transportation within our region. State statute dictates who and how we transport.
Scott Mueller expressed his appreciation for the Michael’s creativeness. He shared that in 1996 the School Committee looked into getting the legislation changed. He continued that some parents came before the committee and argued that what the committee was proposing was unsafe. In 1996 any road that children would walk on had to be certified by the police as safe. As you know, the rural areas of South Kingstown do not have sidewalks. Mr. Mueller suggested we continue to look at alternative methods of savings money.
Community member Michael proposed defying law. Dr. Stringfellow stated that she would not defy the law, and gave examples of Woonsocket and North Smithfield districts deciding to charge students for sports (which defied the law). The Commissioner’s office declared this unlawful. Litigation ensued. To date, Dr. Stringfellow believes that no money has been collected.
Dr. Mega addressed the audience and expressed that he will close the meeting shortly, as we are approaching midnight. He stated the committee would take 10 more minutes of commentary and then go into Executive Session.
Ms. Carol Vetter had sent an e-mail regarding the middle school teachers. Her suggestion was that the middle school teachers teach 5 periods a day, not 4. They have 2 planning periods (personal planning and common planning), and she recommended eliminating common planning time. She felt there would be a $900,000 savings by that one change. It would benefit the kids by having teachers in the classrooms longer. She questioned why we can’t look into this.
Dr. Mega shared it would have a collective bargaining component; some of the things we are looking at in Executive Session.
Kevin Jackson received Carol’s e-mail and reiterated that this is a collective bargaining issue and these are people’s jobs being lost. A lot of factors weigh into that which results in collective bargaining. There are no easy answers.
Alicia Lucia asked if anyone had talked to the sixth graders at Broad Rock or spoken with the fifth graders and asked how they feel. Change can be disruptive to children. If we can give the children some structure (K thru 6) that would be a grounding environment.
Kevin Jackson shared that he has two children who have experienced the closing of South Road. They moved to West Kingston and now they experienced the Broad Rock situation.
Ms. Lucia asked, “How’s that going for you?”
Kevin Jackson replied it was one of the best things that happened to them. He shared the example of his daughter. We live in Tefft Hill. She had never ventured out of Tefft Hill as a younger child and is now in 5th grade at West Kingston. To this day, she e-mails a young lady she became friends with from South Korea who is now a graduate professor a URI. My daughter was immersed in the Korean culture. I would go over to the graduate campuses, my daughter would experience the food, the culture. Whatever it was, my daughter loved it. It was a similar situation with my son. Tefft Hill is kind of a cloistered environment. This experience exposed my kids to a world they never would have seen. The first day of school at West Kingston was tough for my daughter; she was young and she was very nervous about it. I actually put her on the bus at Tefft Hill and met her at West Kingston that very day. By the afternoon, she said, “This is great, Dad”. Jackson said he’s been coaching youth sports in town and the kids he’s been around are really good kids.
Rich Angeli shared he also has also has a sixth grader. Things are working out tremendously well. For my daughter, being in an elementary school so long, you have what you rely on as your own network. By moving up to Broad Rock, it has given her confidence to build other networks and meet other kids from throughout the district. We see a much healthier group that she is engaged in. It has been a rewarding experience for her in terms of her growth process. Of course, this is a non-educational component, but one of the most beneficial benefits.
Ms. Susan Kimmerlein stated that the Town Council needs to hear that the $1.2 million that was cut earlier to reach the level of the preliminary budget, we need back. She asked if there was a way for the Committee to advocate for that Wednesday evening.
Dr. Mega shared that it’s not asking the Town Council, it’s asking the town. There will be different views on that. Dr. Mega didn’t see an appetite for tax increases in the town.
Ms. Susan Kimmerlein appreciated Dr. Mega’s sensitivity, but felt the School Committee should put first the needs of the school system and if that means the level funding isn’t working, she sees this as more of a priority than guessing what the town has a stomach for in terms of the taxes. She would like to see the School Committee go on record saying that we need that $1.2 million back.
Dr. Mega has spoken his views on where the town stands on taxes. The School Committee is not the taxing body. Dr. Mega did not see where the town’s people can accept substantial tax increases.
Ms. Susan Kimmerlein suggested the Committee should have said no to the $1.2 million.
Ella Whaley asked if they are formally accepting the NESDEC report at this table.
Dr. Mega replied the Committee did not picture accepting the report with a vote. The Committee has not had enough time to formulate all the questions with regard to the report. The Committee has asked NESDEC to provide an independent audit, it will be reviewed.
Ella Whaley suggested in the past, these reports were voted on for acceptance and she finds many discrepancies in the report.
Dr. Mega does not recall ever voting on a report such as the NESDEC.
Maureen Cotter explained that this is a study that the School Committee commissioned. We asked them to take a look at the facilities and get back to us with some information. Nothing will be adopted from that. Our purpose is to take that data and work with the community going forward and eventually come up with a plan. A plan is something we may adopt.
Scott Mueller shared that at some point the committee may accept the report and place it on file.
Ella Whaley mentioned her concern that everything should be done in a public venue.
Ella Whaley asked about the Middle School certification. If the 5th graders are moved to Broad Rock, would the certification be in question. Did we have this in writing from RIDE.
Dr. Stringfellow assured that if the 5th graders were moved to Broad Rock and if they were working in a traditional elementary model, that teachers would need elementary certification, and she has that in writing from Charlotte Diffendale of RIDE.
Ella Whaley asked if Dr. Mega would be at the May 11th meeting for the vote on movement of the fifth graders to Broad Rock.
Dr. Mega stated he will not be at the May 11th meeting because of a previous commitment which has taken many months to coordinate. With regard to that evening, Kevin Jackson will have to make decisions based on recommendations of the Superintendent. The School Committee will have to make motions either to adopt or not adopt that recommendation, but it won’t be with me sitting at that table.
Ella Whaley urged that communication be kept open with the legislators. A May 17th meeting is set with the legislators. Ella was pleased that four School Committee members can make it. Ella urged the community to make phone calls to the legislators.
Dr. Mega moved the meeting to go into Executive Session.
MSV (6) move to recess to Executive Session for Collective Bargaining and Litigation under Title 42, Ch. 46, Section 5 of the General Laws of Rhode Island. Mueller, Frostic (7-0-0)
The Committee recessed to executive session.
The Committee returned to open session at 12:31 AM.
MSV (7) move to seal the minutes of the executive session and adjourn at 12:31 AM. Angeli, Cotter (7-0-0).
Respectfully submitted,
Kristen E. Stringfellow, Clerk
South Kingstown School Committee
KES:db
Approved at the April 27, 2010 School Committee Minutes
(See Section V. Consent Agenda Items)
Ella Whaley shared the following at the April 13, 2010 School Committee meeting: