South Kingstown School Committee Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, August 14, 2018

 

South Kingstown High School Cafeteria

215 Columbia Street

Wakefield, RI  02879

 

Attendees - Voting Members

Roland Benjamin - Chair

Stephen (Scott) Mueller - Vice Chair

Kate Macinanti

Raissa Mosher

Michelle Brousseau

Emily Cummiskey

 

Absent Voting Members

Alycia Collins

 

Attendees - Other

Kristen Stringfellow - Superintendent

Pauline Lisi - Assistant Superintendent

Maryanne Crawford - CFO

 

1.         6:00 PM -The School Committee may seek to convene in executive session

in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws for the purpose(s) of:

 

A. Collective Bargaining - discussion of MOA with NEASK; discussion of MOA with SKESP (RIGL 42-46-5(a)(2))

B. Discussion of litigation in Hoddersen v. Town of South Kingstown, et al. - (RIGL 42-46-5(a)(2))

 

Roland Benjamin called the August 14, 2018 school committee meeting to order at 6:01 PM.

 

Unanimous roll call vote to enter executive session for the purposes of collective bargaining and litigation at 6:01 PM. 

 

2.         7:00 PM - Call to Order

 

A. Call to Order

 

Roland Benjamin called the August 14, 2018 School Committee meeting back to order at 7:00 PM.

 

B. Reporting of vote(s) taken in executive session

 

Mr. Benjamin reported two votes that were taken in Executive Session:

 

A motion to approve a MOA with NEASK.  The motion was made by Raissa Mosher, seconded by Emily Cummiskey.  The vote was 6-0-0.

A motion to approve a MOA with SKESP.  The motion was made by Raissa Mosher, seconded by Emily Cummiskey.  The vote was 6-0-0.

C. Seal the minutes of the Executive Session

 

MSV (5) move to seal the minutes of the Executive Session.

 

Motion made by:  Stephen (Scott) Mueller

Motion Seconded by:  Michelle Brousseau

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

 

D. Chair - Agenda review

 

Mr. Benjamin stated that a request was made to move the Immigration Policy Draft (Item 6C) up on the agenda.  No objections were made.

 

Mr. Benjamin noted that the rest of the agenda will proceed as outlined.

 

Ms. Mosher advised that she would need to leave at 9:00 PM due to early travel the next morning.

 

3.         Superintendent's Report

 

A. Meeting Calendar

 

Dr. Stringfellow reviewed the School Committee meeting calendar through September 25, 2018.

 

B. Financial Update

 

Dr. Stringfellow advised that the information was provided as an update, as well as an updated on the school lunch balances per school.  This item was on the agenda to allow an opportunity for members to ask for clarification or to ask questions.

 

C. Approved CTE Programs

Dr. Stringfellow advised that the South Kingstown High School is now accepting applications for several new CTE programs:  1) Allied Health Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA); 2) Allied Health Emergency Medical Technician (EMT); 3) Carpentry; 4) Studio Art; and 5) Computer Science.  She advised that students from South Kingstown and students from outside South Kingstown can locate the CTE application online or by contacting the High School guidance office for information.

Dr. Stringfellow also advised that the Finance Academy and the Biomedical Science programs will be offered pending approval from the Rhode Island Department of Education.

 

D. RIPTA Donated Van

 

Dr. Stringfellow advised that the South Kingstown School Department has received an 18-passenger van, which was donated by RIPTA.  The van will be used to transport families in need to meetings (IEP and 504) and to family events at our schools.  Dr. Stringfellow expressed thanks to Representative Teresa Tanzi for her help in obtaining this van.  Dr. Stringfellow advised that we should be ready to transport families the first week of school; and she noted that families in need of transportation should contact their child's principal for information and support.  The district will reach out to families through the two Family & Community Engagement staff members who are in constant contact with families in need, as well as partnering with the Jonnycake Center and the district's social workers and school psychologists.  

 

E. SK Superintendent Presenting at the 7th Annual RI Education Summit

 

Dr. Stringfellow advised that Senator Hanna Gallo, Chairperson of the RI Senate Committee on Education, invited her to present on South Kingstown's Dual Language Immersion Program at the 7th Annual Education Summit. Dr. Stringfellow advised that she will be joined by a national speaker from the Joint Committee for Languages-National Council for Languages and International Studies and a faculty member from URI, who will speak about postsecondary programs, and a World Language Teacher Department Chair, who will address the teacher shortage issue in our state.  The panel discussion is "Foreign Language Acquisition-The Benefits of Multilingualism."

 

 

F. RIDE funds for SRO (School Resource Officer)

 

Dr. Stringfellow advised that the General Assembly recently passed legislation to share the financial support for additional School Resource Officers (SRO) at the high school and middle school levels. In South Kingstown, the school department has invested in a dedicated high school SRO. The South Kingstown School Department and South Kingstown Police Department have jointly invested in a grades PK-8 SRO. We have verified through RIDE that if we decide to move the jointly supported PK-8 position to elementary, then we would be eligible for half reimbursement for a new middle school-only SRO FTE.  

 

Dr. Stringfellow asked the Committee if this may be a budget priority on which she should work with the Police Department to realize in the future.  Dr. Stringfellow recommended a budget offset.  

 

After discussion, Dr. Stringfellow will research further and make contact with the South Kingstown Police Department.

 

G. Meadowbrook Waldorf School Update

 

Dr. Stringfellow offered the South Kingstown School Department’s deepest sympathy to the Meadowbrook Waldorf School’s students, teachers, staff, and families, who tragically lost their school building to a fire on July 28, 2018 as a result of a lightning storm.  She shared that we had donated approximately 190 gently used student desks and chairs to their school community.  Broad Rock Middle School Principal Kathy Egan donated boxes of books from Broad Rock Middle School.  Pre-School Coordinator Coleen Smith, PPS Assistant Director Breta Combs, and PPS Director Teresa Eagan donated supplies and equipment to Meadowbrook Waldorf School.  Thankfully, the donations from our generous educational community keep coming.  

 

As Meadowbrook Waldorf School transitions to South Kingstown (possibly South Road School in the fall) from Richmond, Dr. Stringfellow advised of some unbudgeted costs to the district of which the School Committee should be aware:  Approximately $20,000 to support students with special education needs to attend Meadowbrook (private school) from all over the state; and possible transportation costs associated with transporting private school students from Richmond to South Kingstown.  Dr. Stringfellow advised that Breta Combs is working with RIDE and the Chariho School Department to discuss the budget implications to our district.  Dr. Stringfellow stated that she will have more information for the Committee at the next School Committee meeting.

 

H. Accept the Superintendent's Report

 

MSV (6) move to accept and place on file the Superintendent's report.

 

Motion made by:  Stephen (Scott) Mueller

Motion Seconded by:  Michelle Brousseau

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

 

4.         Consent Agenda

 

Mr. Benjamin reviewed the Consent Agenda.  

 

Dr. Stringfellow advised of one hand-carried item:  the appointment of Donna Meehan as RBT at West Kingston Elementary School.  She also commented on the retirement of Beth Pavao, teacher assistant at Peace Dale Elementary.  Dr. Stringfellow shared Ms. Pavao's work history and thanked her for her several years of service.  Dr. Stringfellow commented on the appointment of Peter Christensen as the Maintenance Director effective September 10, 2018.  She shared Mr. Christensen's work history and the interview process.

 

Mr. Mueller asked that two minutes be pulled from the agenda as he was not present at the 6/5/18 and 6/26/18 sessions; and he needed to abstain from the vote.

 

Ms. Cummiskey asked that the 7/10/18 minutes be pulled from the agenda as she was not present; and she need to abstain from the vote.

 

A. Approval of Open Session Minutes - Meetings of 6/5/18, 6/26/18, 7/10/18, 7/13/18, and 8/7/18

B. Approval of Executive Session Minutes - Meetings of 6/5/18, 6/26/18, and 7/10/18 – 

Pulled from the Agenda to vote on separately

C. Personnel Actions

D. Bid Award - CompuClaim

E. Expenditure over 10,000 - Commissioning Service

F. Expenditure over 10,000 - American Reading Company - Sole Source

G. Expenditure over 10,000 - Project Lead the Way - Sole Source

H. Expenditure over 10,000 - Center for Leadership & Educational Equity - Sole Source

I. Expenditure over 10,000 - Plumbing Services SKHS

J. Home Schooling Request(s)

K. Facility Rental Fee Waiver Requests

L. Approve Consent Agenda

 

MSV (7) move to approve the Consent Agenda as amended.

 

Motion made by:  Kate Macinanti

Motion Seconded by:  Michelle Brousseau

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

 

MSV (8) move to approve the 6/5/18 and 6/26/18 minutes.

 

Motion made by:  Raissa Mosher

Motion Seconded by:  Michelle Brousseau

Vote: 

Roland Benjamin - Yes

Stephen (Scott) Mueller - Abstain

Kate Macinanti - Yes

Raissa Mosher - Yes

Michelle Brousseau - Yes

Emily Cummiskey - Yes

 

MSV (9) move to approve the 7/10/18 minutes.

 

Motion made by:  Kate Macinanti

Motion Seconded by:  Michelle Brousseau

Vote: 

Roland Benjamin - Yes

Stephen (Scott) Mueller - Yes

Kate Macinanti - Yes

Raissa Mosher - Yes

Michelle Brousseau - Yes

Emily Cummiskey - Abstain

 

5.         Comments from the Community

 

A. Comments from the Community

 

No community comments were expressed at this juncture.

 

 

6.         School Committee Business

 

·       Immigration Policy Draft

 

Attorney Sara Rapport provided information regarding the Immigration Policy, recommending that a policy be drafted that incorporates the best of the learning community's features, as well as some additional information she has gleaned.  She spoke about enrollment, RIDE guidance, confidentiality, and judicial vs. administrative warrant.  Discussion followed.

 

Tim Murphy expressed appreciation for the work on the immigration policy and stressed the importance of getting something in place to build on for the beginning of the school year.  

 

Attorney Jeff Melish expressed appreciation for the progress made on the immigration policy and offered the assistance of the Immigration Task Force if needed. 

 

Brooke Conley expressed support of the policy.

 

Tia Beckman expressed appreciation for the policy and provided documentation regarding judicial vs. administrative warrant.  

 

MSV (10) move that the School Committee ask Attorney Sara Rapport to pursue the development of a draft policy to be brought at the 9/11/18 next business meeting for a first read so we can move as quickly as possible for implementation.

 

Motion made by:  Stephen (Scott) Mueller

Motion Seconded by:  Kate Macinanti

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

 

A. Resolution on fundraisers, PTO events, and school-sponsored events

 

David Abbott, legal counsel, presented the resolution on fundraisers, PTO events, and school-sponsored events, as a result of a conversation with the School Committee to clarify and change policy 2110. Currently, the policy limits the School Committee's approval of fund raising events.  Attorney Abbott also noted that the policy did not address certain activities regarding alcohol at events, or the possibility of gambling.  He advised that this is not a first reading, as this is a resolution, not a policy.  Attorney Abbott read the resolution.  Discussion followed regarding changing the word "major" events to "all" events.  

 

Nicole Mulanaphy, Matunuck PTO Treasurer, expressed concern that approval is for only a year in advance, as the PTO has already set their budget for the 19-20 school year and people are organizing events.  She suggested changing the word "major" to a certain dollar amount.

 

Carol Vetter, Wakefield, expressed concern about this affecting the "Night of Jazz" with the high school booster club, which is held at the Dune's Club.  She asked that the Committee be careful with drafting a policy that could prevent great events from happening.

 

Laura Roebuck suggested that before school starts, the principal and PTO president put together a top ten list of tried and true fund raising events that could be grandfathered in.

 

Nicole Mulanaphy commented that events are approved by the school principal ahead of time and questioned if that could be a formal approval.

 

Danielle Neary cautioned about putting the policy in too fast, due to the cumbersome task of getting approval.  She spoke about "adult only" off campus fund raising and also asked about clarifying gambling.

Discussion continued regarding regulating the serving of alcohol and gambling.

MSV (11) motion to approve the Resolution that David Abbott suggested; and asking him to develop policy language for the September School Committee meeting.

 

Motion made by:  Stephen (Scott) Mueller

Motion Seconded by:  Kate Macinanti

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

 

B. Food Service-Elimination of Styrofoam Products

 

Dr. Stringfellow advised that she spoke to Chartwells regarding various options to eliminate Styrofoam products, as concern was expressed at the last Committee meeting.  Dr. Stringfellow reviewed the two options and the additional costs incurred.  Discussion followed about composting. 

 

Danielle Neary, parent, spoke on behalf of Madelyn who suggested that everyone take two minutes at the end of lunchtime to stack trays neatly, as they do at Panera Bread. 

 

Nicole Mulanaphy shared that there is a facility in Johnston (Orbit Energy Company) that is the first of its kind in the United States, and that takes biomass and converts it into energy, and the leftover waste goes to composting facilities.  She will provide the Superintendent with the information.  Ms. Mulanaphy also commented that she did not agree with passing on the increase in cost to the parents.

 

Martha Badigian, school librarian, commented on the importance of modeling recycling for the students, as it is an important educational piece.

 

Pamela Lezaeta-Gregory, West Kingston parent, commented on the savings with trash with recycling.  She expressed the hope that this would be a staff-led, not parent led, operation.  She also suggested the use of silverware.

 

Pat Hinkley commented that reuse is better, and suggested that children bring utensils with them.  She supports the use of silverware.  

 

Christine Buerer commented that composting is essential and that we need to look at the long-term costs.

 

Pamela Lezaeta-Gregory brought House Bill #H7699 that was passed that would require schools to recycle and that composting will be required by the school vendor.

 

Christine Buerer commented on renovations in the school kitchens for dishwashers.  She also noted that West Kingston School still has trays and that there may be trays in the other schools.

 

Discussion continued regarding composting, equipment, and the cost of school lunches.

 

MSV (12) move to adopt, as an interim solution, to have molded fiber trays until more data becomes available; and add the cost to the budget, not student lunches.

 

Motion made by:  Stephen (Scott) Mueller

Motion Seconded by:  Raissa Mosher

Vote:  

Roland Benjamin - No

Stephen (Scott) Mueller - Yes

Kate Macinanti - Yes

Raissa Mosher - Yes

Michelle Brousseau - Yes

Emily Cummiskey - Yes

 

C. Immigration Policy Draft - Reviewed Previously

 

D. Administrative Support at Peace Dale Elementary

 

Ms. Mosher left at 8:59 PM.

 

Dr. Stringfellow shared information regarding the enrollment at the elementary schools and BRMS, commenting that the administrative caseloads at the schools are very uneven.  Dr. Stringfellow advised that the caseload at Peace Dale Elementary is more than double the population of students and staff at the two smallest elementary schools.  She shared five potential solutions for temporary/interim support at Peace Dale.

Discussion followed regarding the various options and the funding of an unbudgeted position.

Nicole Mulanaphy recommended changing administrative responsibilities.  

 

Christine Mueller expressed appreciation about the careful consideration on how taxpayer money is spent.

 

MSV (13) move to adopt option #5 as presented, creating a new position with the expectation that we will receive a report from Ms. Crawford about the options for covering the unbudgeted expense.

 

Motion made by:  Stephen (Scott) Mueller

Motion Seconded by:  Kate Macinanti

Vote:   

Roland Benjamin - Yes

Stephen (Scott) Mueller - Yes

Kate Macinanti - Yes

Raissa Mosher – Not present for this vote

Michelle Brousseau - Yes

Emily Cummiskey - Yes

 

E. WBC Health Transfer of Funds

 

Ms. Crawford advised that there was a surplus when we left WB and went to the Trust.  In January we received a check.  Ms. Crawford is recommending that $1.2 million of the $1.5 million to be put into the post employee benefits (health insurance).  

 

Mr. Benjamin recommended transferring $1 million and leave $200,000 in undesignated funds.  Discussion followed.

 

MSV (14) move to move $1 million into OPEB and reserve $200,000 in undesignated funds until we see an analysis in September.

 

Motion made by:  Roland Benjamin

Motion Seconded by:  Stephen (Scott) Mueller

Vote:   

Roland Benjamin - Yes

Stephen (Scott) Mueller - Yes

Kate Macinanti - Yes

Raissa Mosher – Not present for this vote

Michelle Brousseau - Yes

Emily Cummiskey - Yes

 

F. Second Reading/Adoption of Policies-Revision to Homework Policy; Addendum to Home Schooling Policy; Revision to Communications Plan

 

Dr. Stringfellow advised that there were no changes made from the last meeting.  The revisions and addendum were presented for adoption.

 

Mr. Mueller commented on the Communications Plan (page 8) that he agrees with Roberts Rule of Order that anyone can stand at the microphone.  

 

MSV (15) move to adopt the revisions to the Homework Policy; the Home Schooling Policy; and the Communications Plan as amended.

 

Motion made by:  Kate Macinanti

Motion Seconded by:  Emily Cummiskey

Vote:

Roland Benjamin - Yes

Stephen (Scott) Mueller - Yes

Kate Macinanti - Yes

Raissa Mosher – Not present for this vote

Michelle Brousseau - Yes

Emily Cummiskey – Yes

 

G. Committee Updates

 

Ms. Macinanti provided an update on the Transportation Committee.  She advised that the Transportation Committee is looking for two more community members to join.  

 

Dr. Stringfellow provided an update on the Building Committee and noted that the minutes are on BoardDocs.  

 

Mr. Benjamin provided an update on the Contract Compliance Committee, advising that a meeting is scheduled for August 31st.  He also advised that the SELAC Committee has not met over the summer, noting that the last meeting was in May.  

 

Ms. Macinanti provided an update on the Wellness Committee, advising of an initiative to have a project done to ease anxiety of 8th grade students when they transition to the high school.

 

Dr. Stringfellow shared information regarding the Crisis Committee, advising that the district is compliant with everything in State regulations.  She also advised that an active shooting drill be will done at the high school.

 

7.         Comments from Committee Members

 

A. Comments from Committee Members

 

Ms. Cummiskey asked for a clarification of the change in start times.  

 

Mr. Benjamin shared that a community member asked about idling vehicles in the parking lots.

 

8.         Adjournment

 

A. Adjourn meeting

 

MSV (16) move to adjourn at 10:01 PM.

 

Motion made by:  Kate Macinanti

Motion Seconded by:  Stephen (Scott) Mueller

Vote:   

Roland Benjamin - Yes

Stephen (Scott) Mueller - Yes

Kate Macinanti - Yes

Raissa Mosher – Not present for this vote

Michelle Brousseau - Yes

Emily Cummiskey – Yes

 

                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                                                                Kristen Stringfellow