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 - discussion of job performance and character of (3) employees-NEASK member, administrator, and Council 94 member (RIGL 42-46-5(a)(1))

B. Discussion regarding investigative proceeding pertaining to NEASK member; discussion regarding investigative proceeding pertaining to administrator and Council 94 member (RIGL 42-46-5(a)(4))

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

D. Matter relating to privacy of a student (RIGL 42-46-5(a)(8))

Roland Benjamin called the March 16, 2018 School Committee Meeting to order at 5:00 PM.

Unanimous roll call vote to enter executive session at 5:00 PM for the purposes of personnel, discussion regarding investigative proceeding pertaining to NEASK member; discussion regarding investigative proceeding pertaining to administrator and Council 94 member, collective bargaining, and matter relating to privacy of a student.  The affected parties had been notified in advance in writing and opted not to have discussion held in open session.

2.         6:00 PM - Call to Order

A. Call to Order

Mr. Benjamin called the March 16, 2018 School Committee Meeting back to order at 6:03 PM.

B. Seal the minutes of executive sessions of 2/27/18 and 3/16/18

MSV (4) move to seal the minutes of executive sessions of 2/27/18 and 3/16/18.

Motion made by:  Stephen (Scott) Mueller 

Motion Seconded:  Michelle Brousseau

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

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

Mr. Benjamin reported out on two votes take in Executive Session:

A motion to approve a MOA with NEASK.  The motion was made by Michelle Brousseau, seconded by Emily Cummiskey.  The vote was 6-0-0 (Ms. Mosher was not present for the vote.)

A motion to approve a MOA with SKESP.  The motion was made by Michelle Brousseau, seconded by Kate Macinanti.  The vote was 6-0-0. (Ms. Mosher was not present for the vote.)

D. Chair - Agenda review

Mr. Benjamin reviewed the agenda.  He advised that items C & D (under School Committee Business) were moved from the agenda.  Mr. Benjamin stated that at 7:00 PM, the Committee would open the floor for two hours for community comments.

3.         Superintendent's Report

A. Meeting Calendar

Dr. Stringfellow commented on the meeting calendar.

B. Financial Update

Dr. Stringfellow noted that this is a placeholder on the agenda. 

C. Monthly Student and Employee Recognition

"The Key is ME!" Award: Dr. Stringfellow advised that "The Key is ME" Award recipient for March is Karen Murphy, Physical Education Teacher at South Kingstown High School.  Dr. Stringfellow shared information regarding her work history and read various rationale and nomination comments regarding Ms. Murphy.  

"I Make a Difference" Award: Dr. Stringfellow advised that the "I Make a Difference" Award recipient for March is Matthew Souza, PC/System Support Technician.  Dr. Stringfellow shared information regarding his work history, education, and shared the rationale supporting Mr. Souza's nomination.

"You Inspire Me" Award: Dr. Stringfellow advised that the "You Inspire Me" Award recipient for March is Curtis Corner Middle School student, Arianna Pena-Acosta.  A video was shared that showed Gina Haberlin, CCMS Math Interventionist, reading her letter of nomination for Arianna to receive the "You Inspire Me" Award.  

D. Expansion of Dual Language Immersion for Kindergarten 2018

Dr. Stringfellow shared information regarding the potential expansion of the Dual Language Immersion program for kindergarten 2018.  She advised that based on the DLI Community Conversation on September 21, 2017 and the School Committee discussion on November 14, 2017; the School Committee would expand the DLI program to Wakefield and Matunuck if there were enough parent interest.  Dr. Stringfellow shared the breakdown of the total number of students registered for kindergarten for 2018 and the number of students entered in the DLI lottery for each elementary school.  She also shared the breakdown of the number of students at Wakefield and Matunuck whose parents either expressed interest in the DLI program, or parents whose preference is to have only the monolingual classroom at their home school.  She answered questions regarding the STEAM curriculum units being piloted at MES and WES.  Currently there are 27 students on the waiting list for the Peace Dale and West Kingston DLI programs. 

E. Parent Communication Survey

Dr. Stringfellow shared the results and recommendations of the parent communication survey.  She advised that the results are on BoardDocs.

F. Accept the Superintendent's Report

MSV (5) accept and place on file the Superintendent's Report.

Motion made by:  Stephen (Scott) Mueller 

Motion Seconded:  Raissa Mosher

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

4.         Consent Agenda

Mr. Benjamin reviewed the Consent Agenda.

A. Approval of Open Session Minutes - Meetings of 2/12/18, 2/13/18, and 2/27/18 (2 meetings)

B. Approval of Executive Session Minutes -12/11/17, 1/9/18, 1/18/18, 1/23/18, 2/12/18, 2/13/18, and 2/27/18

C. Personnel Actions

D. Home Schooling Request(s)

E. Field Trip Approval - SKHS Music in the Parks

F. Research Study Approval

G. Approve Consent Agenda

MSV (5) move to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.

Motion made by:  Emily Cummiskey  

Motion Seconded:  Michelle Brousseau

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

Mr. Benjamin recommended that item B under School Committee Business be moved up on the agenda.  There were no objections.

·       Resolutions (Moved from item B under School Committee Business):

Dr. Stringfellow reviewed and read three resolutions for the School Committee to consider.

·       Resolution Supporting Reconciliation of RIGL 16-64 with ESSA

Mr. Mueller asked that this Resolution be tabled for discussion at the next meeting.

MSV (6) move to table.

Motion made by:  Stephen (Scott) Mueller  

Motion Seconded:  Michelle Brousseau

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

·       Resolution Supporting School Construction General Obligation Referendum

MSV (7) move to approve the resolution Supporting School Construction General Obligation Referendum.

Motion made by:  Raissa Mosher

Motion Seconded:  Stephen (Scott) Mueller

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

·       Amend Article XII Resolution

MSV (8) move to approve the resolution to Amend Article XII.  

Motion made by:  Stephen (Scott) Mueller

Motion Seconded:  Raissa Mosher

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

5.         7:00 PM Comments from the Community

A. Comments from the Community

Katie Garvin, Village Coop Nursery School, had several questions regarding access to South Road School equipment, services, etc. as the Village Coop currently rents the facility.

Charles Roberts, parent, questioned the time line for moving the DLI program to the other elementary schools.

Cathy Fogarty, NEASK President, expressed various concerns regarding the expansion of the DLI program to the other elementary schools.  

Emily Totten, parent, expressed concern about expanding the DLI program.  She spoke in favor of the STEAM instructional units.

Laura Roebuck, parent, asked who was responsible for updating the district website, and suggested utilizing a CARES volunteer.

Steven Licht, parent, spoke about State aid to the district and the effects of closing Wakefield Elementary School.  

Mark Leavitt, educator and parent, spoke about Wakefield Elementary School and encouraged the Committee to consider doing something to make Wakefield School more alluring before making a decision to close the building.

Chris Hubbard, DLI parent, spoke in favor of the expanding the DLI program.  He stated that if the district got ahead of cutting edge programs, we would not have to be discussing closing a school.

Meg Anderson, Peace Dale parent, spoke in favor of expanding the DLI program.  She also spoke about the effects of closing a neighborhood school.

Dorald Beasley, grandparent, spoke about priorities, RGB and Legacy discussions, securing our buildings, and then shared his plans for a different option.

Jess Jeremiah, parent, spoke in favor of option A and explained her reasoning.

Bob Hackey, parent, spoke in favor of option A and stated that the State's priority should not be our priority.

Michelle Neri spoke in favor of option A, the effects of selling or repurposing schools, the importance of not counting on State funds, not expand the DLI program but explain the STEAM instructional units.  

Bridget Gonsalves, parent, president of CARES, and teacher at Wakefield Elementary, shared her thoughts of the benefits of a small community school.

Steve Cooper, parent, spoke in support of option A and questioned some of the enrollment data.  He shared information he gleaned for his research on enrollment.

Chris Roman, parent, spoke about CCMS, the SKHS, and closing buildings.  He encouraged the Committee to look at the bigger picture for the next 3-5 years.

Rep. Tanzi shared information regarding the State's perspective, and how the district is viewed.  She questioned why there had to be so many school closings at once.

Cheryl Foster, parent and URI professor, spoke about living in a township, about supporting our teachers, and about the DLI program.

Jennifer Krueger, parent, spoke about the population and housing problem.  She did not support closing a neighborhood school.  

Stephanie Canter, parent, spoke about her move back to South Kingstown and her support of option A.

Catherine Welch, parent, expressed concern on how the closing of Wakefield School would have on her family.

Brian Light, parent, shared how he moved into district because of the schools.  He stated that enrollment would continue to decline if a community school is closed.  Mr. Light also encouraged the STEAM instructional units.

Hope Tyrell, parent and teacher at Matunuck Elementary, shared her daughter's educational experience in learning Spanish later in her educational career in South Kingstown; and she did not support expanding the DLI program. 

Stephanie Pearson, educator and parent, expressed support of option A; and she commented on the benefits of small class size.

Steve Licht, parent, commented on the enrollment decline graph displayed at the meeting.

Stephanie Osbourne, resident, shared her experience of watching people walking in town and to Wakefield School over the years.  She spoke in support of option A. 

Chris Hubbard, parent, noted that no one has spoken to question what their taxes will be.

Regina Trinkwald, Wakefield Elementary administrative secretary, shared her experience in helping two little girls at Wakefield, and expressed concern that the students would not have connected with her if they were in a large number school.

Rebecca Downey, parent, commented that closing Wakefield would have an impact on her family’s decision for school, as she just enrolled her child for kindergarten at Wakefield.

Melissa Borgia, teacher, shared her experience of teaching in South Kingstown and the dedication of the families in South Kingstown.

Kristin Johnson, PK parent, stated that there is time to adjust to the demographics and stated that closing Wakefield School jeopardizes opportunities.

Lauren Ralph, parent, commented on implementing language for K-12 for all schools.  

Katie Ranson, parent, commented on the need to look at all of our schools, noting that the discussions have only been about the elementary schools.  She also spoke in support of the DLI program.

Dorald Beasley commented on the problem with option A and shared his opinion on other options.

6.         School Committee Business

A. Possible Vote on Facilities Option

Mr. Benjamin reviewed the history of events and discussions from 2010 to the present.  Each Committee member shared thoughts about the various options, acknowledged the many emails and comments received from community members, and the reasoning for their option preference.  Lengthy discussion and comments followed.  

MSV (9) move to approve option "A" with the caveat that if enrollment continues to decline, we would entrust the school committee to determine when we would move below a certain number, which would mean moving to option "B". 

Motion made by:  Emily Cummiskey  

Motion Seconded:  Alycia Collins

Vote:  

Emily Cummiskey - Yes

Michelle Brousseau - No

Alycia Collins - Yes

Raissa Mosher - No

Kate Macinanti - No

Stephen (Scott) Mueller - No

Roland Benjamin - No

MSV (10) move to adopt option "B" with the caveat to put trigger points into the planning process.  The planning process will be created at the School Committee table with the inclusion of requesting participation from the Town Council.  The details will be figured out in the planning process for option "B".

Motion made by:  Stephen (Scott) Mueller  

Motion Seconded:  Kate Macinanti

Vote:  

Emily Cummiskey - No

Michelle Brousseau - Yes

Alycia Collins - No

Raissa Mosher - Yes

Kate Macinanti - Yes

Stephen (Scott) Mueller - Yes

Roland Benjamin - Yes

B. Resolutions - Previously addressed in the agenda.

C. Budget - Removed from the Agenda

D. Discussion of personnel matters involving NEASK member, Council 94 member, and administrator - Addressed in Executive Session

7.         Comments from Committee Members

A. Comments from Committee Members - Not Addressed

8.         Adjournment

A. Adjourn meeting

MSV (11) move to adjourn at 11:07 PM.

Motion made by:  Stephen (Scott) Mueller  

Motion Seconded:  Michelle Brousseau

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

Respectfully submitted,

Kristen Stringfellow