South Kingstown School Committee Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, June 5, 2018

 

South Kingstown High School Cafeteria

215 Columbia Street

Wakefield, RI  02879

 

Attendees - Voting Members

Roland Benjamin - Chair

Michelle Brousseau

Alycia Collins

Emily Cummiskey

Kate Macinanti

Raissa Mosher

 

Absent Voting Members

Stephen (Scott) Mueller - Vice Chair

 

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 - NEASK - MOA (RIGL 42-46-5(a)(2))

 

            Roland Benjamin called the June 5, 2018 School Committee meeting to order at 6:03 PM. 

 

MSV (1) move to convene in executive session for the purpose of collective bargaining.

 

Motion made by:  Kate Macinanti

Motion seconded by:  Michelle Brousseau

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

 

2.         7:00 PM - Call to Order

 

A. Call to Order

 

Mr. Benjamin called the June 5, 2018 School Committee meeting back to order at 7:04 PM.  

 

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

 

No votes reported.

 

C. Seal the minutes of the executive session

 

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

 

Motion made by:  Kate Macinanti

Motion seconded by:  Michelle Brousseau

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

 

D. Chair - Agenda review

 

Mr. Benjamin reviewed the agenda.

 

MSV (6) move a Personnel Action to the first item in the agenda.

 

Motion made by:  Michelle Brousseau

Motion seconded by:  Kate Macinanti

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

 

·       Personnel Action Item (moved from the Consent Agenda):

Dr. Stringfellow described the interview process and the participants on the interview committee for filling the position of the Assistant Principal-Humanities at South Kingstown High School.  Dr. Stringfellow shared information regarding Dr. Agnes Pelopida's educational and work history.  Dr. Stringfellow recommended the appointment of Dr. Agnes Pelopida as South Kingstown High School's Assistant Principal-Humanities, effective July 1, 2018. 

 

MSV (7) move to appoint Dr. Agnes Pelopida as South Kingstown High School's Assistant Principal-Humanities, effective July 1, 2018.

 

Motion made by:  Raissa Mosher

Motion seconded by:  Kate Macinanti

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

 

Dr. Pelopida introduced her family and expressed her excitement to serve the community and school district.

 

3          Superintendent's Report

 

·       SPOTLIGHT:  Celebrate STEAM

Dr. Chip McGair shared a video that highlighted the STEAM initiative in South Kingstown.  The video showed the thoughts of various teachers at each school and grade level celebrating STEAM teaching.  Dr. Stringfellow advised that the video would be shared with the media, on Facebook, and placed on the district's newly designed website so that the community will know what is going on in South Kingstown.      

 

Financial Update

Dr. Stringfellow advised that this item is on the agenda to address any questions Committee members may have.  No questions were asked.

 

A. Meeting Calendar

 

Dr. Stringfellow reviewed the meeting calendar.

 

B. SPOTLIGHT: Celebrate STEAM - reviewed previously

 

C. Financial Update - reviewed previously

 

D. Precision HR Solutions Review

 

Dr. Stringfellow noted that it was recommended that we move from housing our own substitute teachers; and a bid was awarded to Precision HR Solutions.  She commented on the difficulty with absenteeism and getting coverage; and she shared information regarding the costs Precision HR covers.  Dr. Stringfellow recommended the district continue with Precision HR Solutions.  Ms. Crawford responded to Committee member questions.  

 

E. Monthly Student and Employee Recognition

 

"The Key is ME!" Award: Dr. Stringfellow advised that "The Key is ME!" Award recipient for June is Rita Toolin, Speech Pathologist at South Kingstown High School.  Dr. Stringfellow shared information regarding her work history, certifications, education, and the rationale and nomination comments regarding Ms. Toolin.

 

"I Make a Difference" Award: Dr. Stringfellow advised that the "I Make A Difference" Award recipient for June is Jennifer Gelineau, Special Education Teacher Assistant at Broad Rock Middle School.  Dr. Stringfellow shared Ms. Gelineau's work history, education, and the rationale and nomination comments supporting Ms. Gelineau's nomination.

"You Inspire Me" Award: Dr. Stringfellow advised that the "You Inspire Me" Award recipient for June is Caroline McCullough, 8th grade student at Curtis Corner Middle School.  A video was shared that showed Valerie Light, Grade 8 science teacher at Curtis Corner Middle School, reading her nomination letter for Caroline to receive the "You Inspire Me" Award.

 

F. RIASC School Committee Required Professional Development

 

Dr. Stringfellow shared information regarding the law mandating that all school committee members undertake a minimum of six (6) hours annually of professional development for school committee members through RIASC.  Dr. Stringfellow further shared Kate Macinanti, Alycia Collins, and Roland Benjamin completed the RIASC Leadership Academy.  She also noted that Raissa Mosher, Michelle Brousseau, and Scott Mueller have completed the RIASC Master's Academy.

 

G. Accept the Superintendent's Report

 

MSV (8) move to accept and place on file the Superintendent's Report.

 

Motion made by:  Michelle Brousseau

Motion seconded by:  Kate Macinanti

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

 

4.         Consent Agenda

 

Mr. Benjamin reviewed the Consent Agenda.

 

Dr. Stringfellow acknowledged the retirement of Kristina Kelly-Shumate, District Health/PE Teacher.  Dr. Stringfellow shared information regarding her work history in the school district.

 

Dr. Stringfellow acknowledged the retirement of Carol DeRita-Moniz, Special Education Teacher at Broad Rock Middle School.  Dr. Stringfellow shared information regarding her work history in the school district.  

 

Dr. Stringfellow acknowledged the retirement of Stephen Uva, Custodian at Curtis Corner Middle School.  Dr. Stringfellow shared information regarding his work history in the school district.  

 

Dr. Stringfellow expressed best wishes to each of the retirees, noting that they will be missed.

 

A. Approval of Open Session Minutes - Meetings of 5/2/18, 5/8/18, 5/22/18, 5/29/18, 5/30/18, and 5/31/18

B. Approval of Executive Session Minutes - Meetings of 5/2/18, 5/8/18, 5/22/18, 5/29/18, 5/30/18, and 5/31/18

C. Personnel Actions

D. Expenditure over $10,000.00 - MPA #345 Envision Technology Advisors, LLC

E. Expenditure over $10,000.00 - MPA#308 ePlus Technology

F. Home Schooling Request(s)

G. Approve Consent Agenda

 

MSV (9) move to approve the Consent Agenda.

 

Motion made by:  Michelle Brousseau

Motion seconded by:  Kate Macinanti

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

 

5.         Comments from the Community

 

A. Comments from the Community

 

Brenna Sharpe, WKES parent, asked the School Committee to retain her daughters in kindergarten.

 

Stephen Licht, WES parent, had questions about the homework policy regarding encouraging voice, choice and innovation, and the guidelines of 10%.  He encouraged the School Committee on bringing the Transportation Committee out of hibernation.

 

Pamela Lezaeta-Gregory, WKES parent, presented a petition to the SC to eliminate Styrofoam trays. She asked that they consider this item on a future agenda.

 

Christine Buerer, WKES parent, spoke in support of the Styrofoam petition.

 

Chris Roman, WES parent, spoke in support of the Styrofoam petition.

 

Katie Jansen, MES parent, spoke in support of the Styrofoam petition.

 

6.         School Committee Business

 

A. First Reading of Policies - Addendum to Home Schooling Policy; Revision to Homework Policy; Revision to Communications Plan

·        Communications Plan

Dr. Stringfellow explained the revision to the Communications Plan.  This was before the Committee for a first reading.

·        Addendum to Home Schooling Policy #7710

Dr. Stringfellow explained the addendum to the Home Schooling Policy, stating that only children who are residents of South Kingstown can get approval by the South Kingstown School Committee for home schooling.  This was before the Committee for a first reading.  Discussion followed.

·        Homework Policy

Ms. Lisi explained the charge of the homework committee and the revision to the Homework Policy.  This was before the Committee for a first reading.  Discussion ensued.  

 

B. Second Reading/Adoption of Policy-Revision to Early College, Dual and Concurrent Enrollment Policy (8445)

 

Dr. Stringfellow advised that the Commissioner changed the regulations; therefore, we have to vet it out with our administrators and will bring this back.

 

C. Re-Establishment of a Transportation Committee

 

Mr. Benjamin asked if a Transportation Committee should be re-established to look at cost savings, efficiency routes so that students do not spend so much time on the bus.  Discussion followed

 

Dr. Stringfellow advised that having elementary, middle school, and high school parents participate enriches the discussion.  

 

MSV (10) move that Maryanne Crawford, Maria Parrillo, Kate Macinanti, Stephen Licht, and Jill O'Sullivan meet and establish a charge for the Transportation Subcommittee and then bring back a report to the School Committee.

 

Motion made by:  Raissa Mosher

Motion seconded by:  Alycia Collins

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

 

D. Committee Updates

 

Mr. Benjamin spoke about the Contract Compliance Committee moving to the Contingency Committee to get the process moving.  There were no disagreements with calling it the Contingency Committee.  Dr. Stringfellow will advertise for community members, and the School Committee will appoint at a future meeting.

 

E. Disposition of Surplus Buildings Committee

 

Mr. Benjamin noted that the question arose of what our role will be in the disposition of the building or property, once the property transfers back to the Town.  He noted that some members of the community expressed interest in being a part of the process.  Mr. Benjamin agreed that we have a stake in this and what is left at Curtis Corner Middle School; what do we need.    

 

Dr. Stringfellow advised that the Town Manager asked to be advised what we need as a school district at CCMS.  She will try to draft something.  Discussion followed.  No disposition of surplus of buildings committee will be needed. The School Committee will review the draft at a future SC meeting.

 

7.         Comments from Committee Members

 

A. Comments from Committee Members

 

Ms. Cummiskey spoke in support of the recycling petition and banning styrofoam.  She also commented on using a different notification process on how teachers are notified about displacement or layoffs, as it causes a lot of turmoil.  

 

Ms. Brousseau agreed with building cafeteria recycling.  She asked that the status of the resource room be placed on a future agenda.

 

Ms. Mosher asked for the PAT team to have a better strategy so as to be more sensitive about displacement and transfers, to avoid so much angst.

 

Ms. Macinanti agreed with the points discussed.

 

Mr. Benjamin stated that he looked forward to graduation night.

 

8.         Adjournment

 

A. Adjourn meeting

 

MSV (11) move to adjourn at 8:57 PM.

 

Motion made by:  Michelle Brousseau

Motion seconded by:  Kate Macinanti

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

 

 

                                                                                                            Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                                                                            Kristen Stringfellow