South Kingstown School Committee Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

 

South Kingstown High School Cafeteria

215 Columbia Street

Wakefield, RI  02879

7:00 PM

 

Attendees - voting members

Roland Benjamin - Chair

Stephen (Scott) Mueller - Vice Chair

Alycia Collins

Michelle Brousseau

Emily Cummiskey

Kate Macinanti

Raissa Mosher

 

 

Attendees - other

Kristen Stringfellow - Superintendent

Pauline Lisi - Assistant Superintendent

Maryanne Crawford - Chief Financial Officer

 

1.         5:00 PM -The School Committee may seek to convene in executive session in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws for the purpose(s) of:

 

A. Personnel (RIGL 42-46-5(a)(1)) - discussion of job performance and recommendation to issue notice of non-renewal to administrator; discussion of job performance and recommendation to issue notice of non-renewal to three NEASK members; discussion of job performance and recommendation to terminate non-tenured NEASK member

B. Collective Bargaining - NEASK-MOA; SKESP-MOA (RIGL 42-46-5(a)(2))

 

Roland Benjamin called the February 13, 2018 School Committee Meeting to order at 6:10 PM.

 

Unanimous roll call vote to enter executive session at 6:10 PM for the purposes of personnel and collective bargaining.  The affected party had been notified in advance in writing and opted not to have discussion held in open session.

 

2.         7:00 PM - Open Session

 

A. Call to Order

 

Mr. Benjamin called the February 13, 2018 School Committee Meeting back to order at 7:05 PM.

 

C. Seal the minutes of the executive session

 

MSV (2) move to seal the minutes of the Executive Session.

 

Motion Made by:  Stephen (Scott) Mueller

Seconded by:  Michelle Brousseau

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

 

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

 

No votes to report.

 

 

 

E. Chair - Agenda review

 

Mr. Benjamin reviewed the agenda.  He advised that any comments regarding the facility options would be addressed during the School Committee Business section.  Mr. Benjamin stated that the Committee members will need to open up a conversation among themselves and then they will take questions and comments.  

 

3.         Superintendent's Report

 

A. Meeting Calendar

 

Dr. Stringfellow reviewed the School Committee Meeting Calendar.

 

B. Financial Update

 

Dr. Stringfellow advised that Maryanne Crawford would respond to any questions on the data provided regarding the financial update and the monthly report on the school lunch accounts.  

 

C. Review of Audit

 

Manager Matt Coit of BlumShapiro reviewed, via a PowerPoint presentation, the 2018 audit report.  The presentation included information regarding the summary of the presentation; audit objectives and reporting; audit highlights; budgetary highlights - general fund; operations highlights (GAAP basis) - general fund; fund balance; employee's retirement system if the State of Rhode Island - teachers; federal single audit - school department; AUP - UCOA report.  Mr. Coit responded to Committee member questions.  

 

D. Monthly Student and Employee Recognition

 

"The Key is ME!" Award:  Dr. Stringfellow advised that "The Key is ME" Award recipient for February is Katie Nerstheimer, district ELL Teacher.  Dr. Stringfellow shared information regarding her work history and read various rationale and nomination comments regarding Ms. Nerstheimer.

 

"I Make a Difference" Award:  Dr. Stringfellow advised that the "I Make a Difference" Award recipient for February is Andrea Dickinson, South Kingstown High School Special Education 1:1 Teacher Assistant.  Dr. Stringfellow shared information regarding her work history, education, and shared the rationale supporting Ms. Dickinson's nomination.

 

"You Inspire Me" Award:  Dr. Stringfellow advised that the "You Inspire Me" Award recipient for February is South Kingstown High School Senior, John Santini.  A video was shared that showed Fritz Benz, Music Director, reading his letter of nomination of John Santini for the "You Inspire Me" Award.  

 

E. Accept the Superintendent's Report

 

MSV (3) move to accept and place on file the Superintendent's Report.

 

Motion Made by:  Kate Macinanti

Seconded by:  Emily Cummiskey

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

 

4.         Consent Agenda

 

Mr. Benjamin reviewed the Consent Agenda and advised that the 1/9/18 Open Session and    Executive Session Minutes were removed from the Consent Agenda.  

 

Ms. Mosher questioned the cost of the field trip.

 

A. Approval of Open Session Minutes - Meetings of 1/9/18, 1/16/18, 1/18/18, 1/23/18, 1/30/18, and 2/6/18

B. Approval of Executive Session Minutes - Meetings of 12/11/17, 1/9/18, 1/18/18, and 1/23/18

C. Personnel Actions

D. Home Schooling Request(s)

E. Field Trip Approval - SKHS - Medieval Times

F. Expenditure over $10,000.00 - MPA #308 Cisco Networking Equipment purchase

G. Expenditure over $10,000.00 - MPA #494 Architectural and Engineering Services for upcoming roof projects for 2018

H. Approve Consent Agenda

 

MSV (4) move to accept the Consent Agenda as presented.

 

Motion Made by:  Michelle Brousseau

Seconded by:  Kate Macinanti

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

 

5.         Comments from the Community

 

A. Comments from the Community on all matters but facilities.

 

There were no comments from the community at this time.

 

6.         School Committee Business

 

A. Budget Adoption and Return of funds held by West Bay Community Health

 

Dr. Stringfellow reviewed the budget for adoption via a PowerPoint presentation for the School Committee to consider.  She noted changes to the budget since December and, as a result of the new information provided on 1/26/18 and 2/12/18, recommended reducing the PTT request from the Town.  Dr. Stringfellow also advised of a check received from West Bay Community Health for the surplus funds held by WBCH after the 515-day waiting period.  Dr. Stringfellow stated that the town had invested their surplus into the RI Interlocal Risk Management Trust OPEB (Other Post Employee Benefits) account, and that Maryanne Crawford, CFO, will make a recommendation to invest in OPEB similarly.  Lengthy discussion followed regarding the surplus funds from WBCH and prioritizing the increased support need list provided by the district administrators.  

 

            MSV (5) move to approve the submission of a budget in the amount of $61,201,572.

 

Motion Made by:  Alycia Collins

Seconded by:  Kate Macinanti

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

 

·        Approval of 1/9/18 Minutes - Moved from Items A & B under the Consent Agenda

·        Open Session Minutes of 1/9/18

 

MSV (6) move to approve the Open Session Minutes of 1/9/18.

 

Motion Made by:  Stephen (Scott) Mueller

Seconded by:  Kate Macinanti

Vote:  

Roland Benjamin - Yes

Stephen (Scott) Mueller - Yes

Kate Macinanti – Yes

Raissa Mosher - Yes

Alycia Collins - Yes

Michelle Brousseau - Yes

Emily Cummiskey – Recused

 

·        Executive Session Minutes of 1/9/18 – Removed

 

B. Legislative Liaison Report

 

Michelle Brousseau, Legislative Liaison, provided an update on resolutions.  She advised that she is following what is coming out of RIASC.  

 

C. Gap Closing Sub-Committee Report

 

Mr. Mueller provided an update of the Gap Closing Sub-Committee.  Mr. Mueller advised that the next meeting is in March, and a full meeting calendar will be posted on the district website.  

 

D. Consideration of and Possible Vote on Facilities Options

 

Mr. Benjamin stated that the Committee had not had a chance to discuss the facilities options as a body, and requested that the members discuss the options among themselves, and then have community members comment before a vote.  Mr. Benjamin requested that the conversations be about the various configurations and that each Committee member share what was concluded at their table during the summit.  Committee members shared their observations and discussions held during the summit, and then they shared their facility choice option.

 

Mark Leavitt presented a petition signed by owners of 15 businesses on Main Street who are against the closing of Wakefield Elementary School.

 

Jennifer Krueger, parent and Jonnycake Center staff member, commented on declining enrollment and the need to talk about the housing crisis in the district.

 

Cindy Hagerty, Wakefield kindergarten teacher, spoke about collaboration with other teachers in the district.

 

Vanessa Paniccia spoke in support of kicking the can down the road, as she does not believe we are at the point of need to make drastic changes.

 

Michele Neary commented on collaboration and expressed concern regarding long bus rides.  Ms. Neary expressed concern about closing Wakefield Elementary School.

 

Bob Hackey spoke about community values, neighborhood schools, and redistricting.

 

Steve Cooper spoke of his support of option A and commented on the benefits of small community schools.

 

Jill O’Sullivan, parent, expressed concern about long bus rides.

 

Scott Palmieri spoke in support of option A.

 

Ryan Light spoke about his move from San Francisco to South Kingstown, and why he had chosen Wakefield Elementary School.  He expressed concern that local businesses would suffer with closing the school.

 

Steven Licht spoke in support of option A.

 

Lauren Weinstock spoke about her move from out-of-state, and why she had chosen to send her child to Wakefield Elementary School.  She also commented on the effect of the DLI program on Wakefield School.

 

Phil Egan commented on the survey results and the support strong community schools would get from the community.

 

Dorald Beasley shared his additional option for the Committee to consider.   

 

Jennifer Krueger expressed concern on posting an individual's option on the district website.  She also commented on the benefit of attending meetings.

 

Nathaniel Barrett commented on why community members may not be able to attend meetings.

 

Committee members discussed having a conversation with the Town Council before voting on an option.  

 

Joe Viele, Town Council member, stated he looks forward to a joint meeting to discuss how we got here and where we go from here.  

 

Mr. Benjamin advised that the School Committee would meet with the Town Council on February 27, 2018.  

 

7.         Comments from Committee Members

 

A. Comments from Committee Members

 

There were no additional comments from Committee members.

 

8.         Adjournment

 

A. Adjourn meeting

 

MSV (7) move to adjourn at 11:37 PM.

 

Motion Made by:  Stephen (Scott) Mueller

Seconded by:  Alycia Collins

Vote: Unanimously Approved

 

                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                                       

                                                                                                Kristen Stringfellow