South Kingstown School Committee Meeting Minutes

Friday, November 30, 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

Maryanne Crawford – CFO

 

1.         6:00 PM - Call to Order

 

A. Call to Order

 

Stephanie Canter called the November 30, 2018 school committee meeting to order at 6:00 PM.

 

2.         Open Session

 

Tabled Motion to discuss termination / appointment of law firm(s)

 

MSV (1) move to take the motion off the table.

 

Motion made by:          Jacy Northup

Motion seconded by:    Alycia Collins

Vote:  Unanimously approved

 

B. Termination of District law firm(s)

 

C. Appointment of District law firm(s)

Stephanie Canter read an amendment to the motion to replace the existing motion.

 

SKSC hereby terminates any new case work with Whelan Corrente while allowing a continuation of pending cases on a case by case basis as determined by the chair, and appoints Henneous as interim legal counsel until the vetting of new legal counsel occurs with anticipated start date of January 15, 2019.

 

Emily Cummiskey stated she was extremely uncomfortable with the process but in the end she agrees with the end goal. She feels the way it looks is bad. She has done her research and feels very reassured. She spoke about a threat she received and asked for the animosity to stop.

 

Michelle Brousseau stated she didn't understand the rush on this matter. She expressed concern that she was never asked if she was available this evening. She expressed concern about the staff. She stated that certainly the School Committee has the right to choose new legal counsel, but was concerned that this process was not transparent. She was concerned about lack of community comment. She wondered if this decision could be folded into budget.

 

Kate Macinanti stated that she only just received the documents from the legal firms after 4 PM and did not have sufficient time to review. She expressed concern that they don't yet know if anyone at the table has a conflict of interest with either legal counsel. She stated she has experience with the Rapport and Abbott law firm and has had no negative interactions. She has received no complaints and no negative feedback about their firm. They are known statewide to be successful. She was concerned about taking action without proper vetting. She asked not to make the decision tonight but to discuss during budget in two weeks.

 

Alycia Collins stated that she worked with Sara Rapport for two years and spent time with her in negotiations. Sara's style is in conflict with South Kingstown. Management with our teachers has been collaborative. She stated we have the best teachers in RI and that Sara spoke condescendingly and with contempt to our most beloved teachers in negotiations. She believes counsel should reflect South Kingstown values. Other communities change legal counsel regularly. She referenced a Town Council member disappointed with the election results.

 

Emily Cummiskey stated that it has been her experience as a School Committee member and even before being a School Committee member, legal is what administration relies on as it should be. There is a lot of fear among teachers and teacher morale is at a low point. That is attributed to the legal counsel. Research shows that low teacher morale affects student happiness and we ran on putting kids first.

 

Jacy Northup stated she is in the schools and the morale is low and it is heartbreaking. Change happens and they have every right to make this change. She spoke of concern about having David Abbott serve as legal counsel because of his review of the fundraising policy and the casino night. She stated she personally does not want him representing them.

 

Kate Macinanti stated they are there to serve the community at large, not for their personal view. She asked if anyone had ever received a formal complaint about the legal from a community member.

 

Alycia Collins stated she did but chose not to share publicly.

 

Michelle Brousseau stated concern about the transparency of process and assured the audience she is not doing things behind the scenes.

 

Sarah Markey stated she has two kids, and she had to Google herself to see if her address was publicly available because of the things going on in media.

 

Michelle Brousseau asked how Chair Canter knew she had a quorum this evening. All she had received was the agenda.

 

Stephanie Canter said that it was so close to the 48-hour Secretary of State deadline. It was based on the necessity of the topic.

 

Emily Cummiskey stated that she saw it posted when she got home from work on Wednesday at 7 pm. She expressed that Michelle's comment was insulting.

 

Stephanie Canter called for a vote on the amendment

 

Emily Cummiskey stated she does not approve of the process.

 

 

Vote:  

Cummiskey=yes

Macinanti=no

Northup=yes

Markey=yes

Brousseau=no

Collins=yes

Canter=yes

 

Vote on the motion as amended

 

Vote:  

Cummiskey=yes

Macinanti=no

and she made a motion to table and postpone indefinitely

 

The Chair denied the additional motion to table

Northup=yes

Markey=yes

Michelle=no

Collins=yes

Canter=yes

 

3.         Adjournment

 

A. Adjourn meeting

 

MSV move to adjourn at 7:34 PM.

 

Motion made by:   Jacy Northup

Motion Seconded by:  Sarah Markey

Vote:   Unanimously approved

 

 

 

                                                                                                            Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                                                                            Kristen Stringfellow