South Kingstown School Committee Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

 

South Kingstown High School Cafeteria

215 Columbia Street

Wakefield, RI  02879

 

Attendees - voting members

Stephanie Canter - Chair

Sarah Markey - Vice Chair

Michelle Brousseau

Alycia Collins

Emily Cummiskey

Kate Macinanti

Jacy Northup

 

Attendees - other

Kristen Stringfellow - Superintendent

Pauline Lisi - Assistant Superintendent

Maryanne Crawford – CFO

 

1.       7:00 PM - Call to Order

 

A.     Call to Order

 

Stephanie Canter called the December 11, 2018 School Committee meeting to order at 7:02 PM

 

B.     Reporting of vote(s) taken in executive session of 11/27/18

 

Ms. Canter reported out on a vote taken in Executive Session on November 27, 2018:  A motion to authorize Maryanne Crawford to budget salary amounts at the percentages as determined by the School Committee in Executive Session for Council 94 and SKESP for the fiscal year 2020 budget.  Motion was made by Michelle Brousseau and seconded by Jacy Northup.  The vote was 7-0-0.

 

Motion to seal the minutes of the Executive Session unanimously approved.

 

C.     Chair - Agenda review

 

Ms. Canter advised that the agenda is available on the screen and asked if there were any questions regarding the agenda as written. 

2.       Superintendent's Report

A. Meeting Calendar

Dr. Stringfellow reviewed the meeting calendar through February 2019.

 

B.  Spotlight: Teachers College Columbia University Reading and Writing Program

 

Dr. Stringfellow introduced Andrea Davis, South Kingstown Literacy Coordinator, who provided a spotlight, via PowerPoint, on the Teachers College Columbia University Reading and Writing Program.  Information shared included:  structure of the workshop, the essentials of reading workshops, the components of balanced literacy, assessments to build reader profiles and to inform instruction, the essentials of writing workshops, assessments to build writing profiles and to inform instruction, new directions in 2018-2019.  Ms. Davis and Ms. Lisi explained how reading is differentiated, how the book a student is reading is appropriate, how a book is chosen, and about the running record.

 

C.     Financial Update

 

Dr. Stringfellow advised that Maryanne Crawford was available to answer any questions regarding the financial update provided.  Ms. Collins asked for information on which positions were added regarding the 440,000 salary over expenditure. 

 

Dr. Stringfellow commented on the CTE enrollment.  Ms. Cummiskey asked about the lunch balances. 

 

D.     Monthly Student and Employee Recognition

 

“The Key is ME!” Award:  Dr. Stringfellow advised that “The Key is ME” Award recipient for December is Ryan Borden, Special Education Teacher at Curtis Corner Middle School.  Dr. Stringfellow shared information regarding his work history, certifications, education, and the various rationale and nomination comments regarding Mr. Borden.

 

“I Make a Difference” Award:  Dr. Stringfellow advised that the “I Make a Difference” Award recipient for December is Alison Gurnon, Registered Behavior Technician at Peace Dale Elementary.  Dr. Stringfellow shared information regarding her work history, education, and the various rationale and nomination comments regarding Ms. Gurnon.

 

“You Inspire Me” Award:  Dr. Stringfellow read the letter of nomination of Hannah Sullivan, Curtis Corner Middle School student, as written by Srta. Berke.  Dr. Stringfellow advised that a video was not available as the student was ill on the presentation day.

 

·       RICAS Update

 

Pauline Lisi provided an update, via PowerPoint, on the RICAS results.  Information shared included:  Student performance in ELA and Mathematics results of Spring 2018; ensuring rigor in Rhode Island, why transition to the RICAS, how do I compare my results to last year, understanding RICAS results, various RICAS graph results in ELA and mathematics, student growth information, understanding student growth, ELA and math growth by grade level, next steps for ELA and math. 

 

E.     PSAT and SAT Update

 

Pauline Lisi provided an update, via PowerPoint, on the PSAT and SAT.  Information shared included:  Composition of the assessments, participation rate, graph of 2018 PSAT ELA, subgroup performance PSAT ELA graph, PSAT ELA 2018 race/ethnicity graph, PSAT 2018 math graph, PSAT 2018 math graph, PSAT 2018 math graph by subgroups, PSAT math ethnicity performance graph, SAT 2018 subgroup performance graph, SAT 2018 race/ethnicity graph, SAT 2018 math results, SAT 2018 math performance subgroup performance graph, SAT 2018 math race/ethnicity graph, next steps to improve performance. 

 

F.  RICAS Update – previously addressed

G. Accept the Superintendent's Report

 

MSV (1) accept and place on file the Superintendent’s Report.

 

Motion made by:  Stephanie Canter

Motion seconded by:  Sarah Markey

Vote:  Unanimously Approved.

 

3.       Consent Agenda

 

Dr. Stringfellow advised that after speaking to legal counsel, it was suggested that item B be moved to item #8C after Executive Session, so the Committee has a chance to read the minutes.

 

MSV (2) move item B, approval of Executive Session minutes of 11/27/18, to item #8C. 

 

Motion made by:  Emily Cummiskey

Motion seconded by:  Jacy Northup

Vote:  Unanimously Approved.

Ms. Canter reviewed the Consent Agenda.

 

Ms. Brousseau noted a typo that needed correction on open session minutes of 11/27/18, item B regarding “The Key is Me!” Award.  

 

A.  Approval of Open Session Minutes - Meetings of 11/20/18, 11/27/18, and 11/30/18

B.  Approval of Executive Session Minutes - Meeting of 11/27/18 - Pulled from the Agenda and moved to Item #8C

C.  Personnel Actions

D.  Home Schooling Request(s)

E.  Bid Award - #2388 HS Music Class Trip

F.  Approve Consent Agenda

MSV (3) move to approve the Consent Agenda as amended.

Motion made by:  Michelle Brousseau

Motion seconded by:  Alycia Collins

Vote:  Unanimously Approved.

 

4.       Comments from the Community

 

A. Comments from the Community

 

Laura Roebuck expressed concerns about the test scores and asked if there was an option for students to take the test with paper and pencil, as students who take the PSAT and SAT are able to.

 

Mike Naimes commented on school performance and expressed concerns with comparing ourselves only with the State average.  He suggested benchmarking other districts to find out how they budget, what their parameters are, etc. 

 

Emily Totten commented on the facilities Stage 2 application and expressed concerns about the process and staying on track.  She asked about the general plan and encouraged information.

 

Steven Licht commented on the drop in enrollment, reduction in staff, and flat costs.  He encouraged the Committee to look at inflation, not just numbers, when talking with the Town Council.

 

5.       School Committee Business

A.  Joint Town Council/School Committee Initial Budget Presentation Discussion & Guidance from SC

Dr. Stringfellow shared the draft PowerPoint presentation in preparation for the joint Town Council and School Committee meeting, seeking discussion and guidance from the Committee.  Information shared included district data, historic data, items that cannot be reduced, items eligible for consideration.  Discussion followed. 

 

B.  Parent Calendar Survey Discussion/Action

 

Dr. Stringfellow asked the Committee if they would like to send out a parent survey regarding the school calendar.  She noted that in the past, there have been strong feelings about starting school before Labor Day, February vacation, religious holidays, aligning Spring Break with URI.  Ms. Brousseau commented on the February vacation break and she suggested having a discussion with NEASK.  Dr. Stringfellow advised that the NEASK provided a 2019-2020 draft calendar. 

 

C.  2019-2020 Draft School Calendar Discussion

 

Dr. Stringfellow reviewed the 2019-2020 draft school calendar that has been approved by the NEASK. 

 

Ms. Northup advised that parents have expressed concern that the parent/teacher conferences are held too late in the school year. 

 

Brian Nelson, NEASK President, advised that the calendar is the result of a survey with the teachers and that there was a 53/47% split regarding February vacation.

 

The Committee discussed parent/teacher conference, start times, and sending out a survey to parents with the NEASK approved calendar.  They determined that they would send the draft calendar, advising parents that it was developed by NEASK leadership, and ask for parent feedback on it.  Staff will develop a brief survey and will send it to the Chair and Vice Chair for approval before sending it to parents.

 

MSV (4) move to approve surveying parents with the NEASK approved calendar.

Motion made by:  Kate Macinanti

Motion seconded by:  Sarah Markey

Vote:  Unanimously Approved.

 

C.  Sustainability Committee Discussion/Possible Vote

 

The Committee discussed the possibility of creating a Sustainability Subcommittee of the School Committee due to concerns expressed about sustainability issues across the board at each school.  Sarah Markey read a charge and offered to chair the subcommittee; the Chair appointed her.  The School Committee asked staff to poll the community for volunteers for the subcommittee to be approved at the January SC meeting.

 

MSV (5) move to create a subcommittee of the School Committee for Sustainability.

Motion made by:  Sarah Markey

Motion seconded by:  Kate Macinanti

Vote:  Unanimously Approved.

 

D.  Review of Previous Resolutions Discussion

 

Dr. Stringfellow presented various resolutions that had been previously adopted.  She advised that some of the resolutions do not apply any longer, as some are not coming up in the General Assembly.  She requested that the Committee look at the resolutions and communicate with the liaison on what they would like.

 

E.  SBA Capital Fund MOA (Memorandum of Agreement) Vote

 

Maryanne Crawford explained the School Building Authority Capital Fund Memorandum of Agreement with the Rhode Island Department of Education, which refers to security updates at three schools in the district in the amount of $174,999.00; we applied for $500,000.00.  She advised that the district will get reimbursements as the projects are completed.  She recommended that the Committee sign the Memorandum of Agreement. 

 

MSV (6) move to approve the SBA Capital Fund Memorandum of Agreement.

Motion made by:  Jacy Northup

Motion seconded by:  Kate Macinanti

Vote:  Unanimously Approved.

 

F.  Marketing

 

Ms. Canter advised of the need for a Marketing Subcommittee of the School Committee to focus on marketing and communication.  Ms. Canter read the draft charge and asked if the Committee had any comments.  Committee members agreed that we need to get moving on this as soon as possible.  Ms. Canter will serve as Chair.  She asked staff to advertise for community volunteers to be approved at the January SC meeting.

 

MSV (7) move to approve the Marketing Subcommittee charge. 

Motion made by:  Michelle Brousseau

Motion seconded by:  Emily Cummiskey

Vote:  Unanimously Approved.

 

MSV (8) move to create the Marketing Subcommittee.

Motion made by:  Stephanie Canter

Motion seconded by:  Jacy Northup

Vote:  Unanimously Approved.

 

6.       Comments from Committee Members

 

A.  Comments from Committee Members

 

Ms. Cummiskey advised that the Contingency Committee did not meet due to the fact that it was not advertised.  She stated she would like to see the Contingency Committee be moved to the EDC of the Town Council with a report out from the Town Manager of any factors that could affect our enrollment. She asked that the Town Manager come to the next School Committee meeting in January to report. Ms. Cummiskey also responded to the concerns expressed by Emily Totten about the Stage 2 application.

 

Ms. Macinanti commented that the comments from the community are valuable and that the Committee needs to make sure we welcome people to the microphone so everyone can be heard.

 

7.       The School Committee may seek to convene in executive session in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws for the purpose(s) of:

 

MSV (9) move to adjourn to Executive Session under RIGL 42-26-5(a)(2) for negotiations/collective bargaining C94 and ESP and RIGL 42-26-5(a)(2) to discuss pending litigation at 11:12 PM.

 

Motion made by:  Emily Cummiskey

Motion seconded by:  Michelle Brousseau

Vote:  Unanimously Approved.

A.  RIGL 42-46-5(a)(2) Negotiations/Collective Bargaining C94 and ESP

B.  RIGL 42-46-5(a)(2) Hoddersen v. South Kingstown School Committee RIDE Litigation and legal advice related thereto

C.  RIGL 42-46-5(a)(2) Salvatore v. South Kingstown School Committee Superior Court case no. 2017-4294 Litigation and legal advice related thereto

 

8.       Open Session

 

The Committee returned to open session at 11:41 PM.

MSV (10) move approve the Executive Session minutes of 11/27/18.

 

Motion made by:  Jacy Northup

Motion seconded by:  Michelle Brousseau

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

 

A.  Seal the minutes of the executive session

 

MSV (11) move seal the minutes of the 12/11/18 Executive Session.

 

Motion made by:  Michelle Brousseau

Motion seconded by:  Jacy Northup

Vote: 

Stephanie Canter - Yes

Sarah Markey – no vote

Michelle Brousseau - Yes

Alycia Collins - Yes

Emily Cummiskey - Yes

Kate Macinanti - Yes

Jacy Northup - Yes

 

9.       Adjournment

 

A. Adjourn meeting

 

MSV (12) move adjourn at 11:44 PM.

 

Motion made by:  Kate Macinanti

Motion seconded by:  Jacy Northup

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

 

                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                                Kristen Stringfellow