South Kingstown School Committee Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, February 6, 2018

 

South Kingstown High School Cafeteria

215 Columbia Street

Wakefield, RI  02879

 

Attendees - voting members

Roland Benjamin - Chair

Stephen (Scott) Mueller - Vice Chair

Michelle Brousseau

Alycia Collins

Emily Cummiskey

Kate McMahon Macinanti

Raissa Mosher

 

Attendees - other

Kristen Stringfellow, Superintendent

Pauline Lisi, Assistant Superintendent

Maryanne Crawford, CFO

 

Robert Hendriks, Educational Legacy Planning

 

1.         7:00 PM - Call to Order

 

A. Call to Order

 

Roland Benjamin called the February 6, 2018 meeting to order at 7:03 PM.

 

B. Chair - Agenda review

 

2.         School Committee Business

 

A.         Review and Summary of Facilities Options

 

School Committee and Town Council members asked questions of Robert Hendriks.

 

3.         Comments from the Community

 

A.         Comments from the Community

 

1.   Steven Licht spoke about minimal budget savings from Option B and D with dramatic disruption.

2.   Bob Hackey spoke in support of Option A.

3.   Beth Berry expressed concern that Options B, C and D will eliminate the all school play.

4.   Vanessa Paniccia voiced objection to Option D.

5.   Mark Levin spoke in support of Option A.

6.   Nicole Mulanaphy spoke in support of Option B.

7.   Lauren Weinstock voiced concern about the legacy community survey.

8.   Chris Roman echoed the sentiment of Mr. Licht.

9.   Michelle Barrington spoke in support of Option A.

10. Jill Bourque spoke in support of keeping Wakefield school open.

11. Phil Egan spoke in support of increasing taxes so that Wakefield students could attend a smaller school.

12. Stephanie Alsgrove spoke in support of keeping all schools small.

13. Chris Knowlton spoke in support of taking advantage of the state finally wanting to invest in our schools. He spoke of the great teachers and principals that make our schools great.

14. Nathaniel Barnet spoke in support of increasing taxes to keep all schools open.

15. Tara Apperson voiced concern about large elementary schools and large class sizes, and urged the School Committee not to make a decision that night.

16. Emily Totten spoke of the pressure on the district in receiving less state aid and annual cuts to personnel. She also spoke to this process being very transparent and involving the community. In all options there will be change.

17. April Ewing spoke to being a member of the South Kingstown community as opposed to one village. She spoke to Peace Dale being an exceptional school for her child and now. There will be redistricting in all plans. It is nice to see a proactive long term decision being considered.

18. Jim Champion spoke to neighborhood schools, fifth grade in elementary, improving technology, and vocational programs at the high school all as important elements of this discussion.

19. Ashley Marandola spoke of concerns with large schools and large class sizes, and their impact on students with learning differences.

20. Chris Simpson spoke on behalf of the Wakefield Village Association, stating that the business community is overwhelmingly opposed to closing Wakefield School.

21. Jessica Geremia encouraged the School Committee to keep all four elementary schools open.

22. Dave Palazzetti proposed an Option E of K-6 at elementary, and 7-8 at Broad Rock.

23. Angelica Hutchinson concerned about the survey data, and about proposal to close West Kingston School.

24. Kaitlyn Roebuck spoke about the definition of a neighborhood school, and parents from each elementary school bringing business to Main Street.

25. Harold Butterworth spoke about Wakefield being a smaller school being more responsive and personal than Peace Dale.

26. Jeff Foye spoke about concern that within six years with state aid rapidly declining we may not be able to support the excellent education program. He spoke of lower student to teacher ratio being more important than small or large schools, and he urged everyone in the audience to attend Town Council budget meetings.

27. Dorald Beasley offered an Option E, which is an early learning center in one school and then up to grade 6 in elementary school.

28. Alicia Monnes spoke of the Town Council tasking the School Committee to do this study because they would like the School Committee to consider closing schools to save money. All options are difficult, but having Town Council members come this evening to say not to close a school is a confusing message.

29. Dorald Beasley continued sharing his Option E, which would mean that the town would not need to expand Broad Rock.

 

4.         School Committee Business (cont.)

 

A. Consideration of and Possible Vote on Facilities Options

 

No vote taken

 

5.         Comments from Committee Members

 

A. Comments from Committee Members

 

School Committee members offered comments and asked Robert Hendriks additional       questions.

 

6.         Adjournment

 

A. The meeting adjourned at 11:34 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Kristen Stringfellow