Click here to view the entire meeting or click any video icon below to jump to that section of the meeting.
South Kingstown School Committee Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, August 13, 2019
South Kingstown High School Cafeteria
215 Columbia Street
Wakefield, RI 02879
Attendees - voting members
Stephanie Canter - Chair
Sarah Markey - Vice Chair
Emily Cummiskey
Jacy Northup
Kate Macinanti
Michelle Brousseau
Alycia Collins
Attendees – other
Robert Hicks – Interim Superintendent
Linda Savastano - 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 (RIGL 42-46-5(a)(2)) - Negotiations - NEASK
B. Collective Bargaining (RIGL 42-46-5(a)(2)) - Negotiations - SKESP
C. Collective Bargaining (RIGL 42-46-5(a)(2)) - Negotiations - Council 94
D. Personnel (RIGL 42-46-5(a)(1)) - discussion/action regarding finalists for superintendent vacancy
E. Personnel (RIGL 42-46-5(a)(1)) - Investigation
Ms. Canter called the August 13, 2019 School Committee meeting to order at 6:03 PM.
MSV (1) move to enter executive session for collective bargaining (NEASK, SKESP, Council 94), discussion/action on superintendent finalists, a personnel investigation and litigation regarding a potential appeal of the Salvatore case.
Motion made by: Jacy Northup
Motion seconded by: Sarah Markey
Vote: Unanimously Approved
The affected parties had been notified in advance in writing, and opted not to have discussion held in open session.
2. 7:00 PM - Call to Order
A. Call to Order
Ms. Canter called the August 13, 2019 School Committee meeting back to order at 7:06 PM.
B. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
Ms. Canter led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
C. School Committee Agreements
The Committee discussed if any agreements have a “dark side”; and if the process could be trusted should the process ever go off the tracks.
D. Reporting of vote(s) taken in executive session
Ms. Canter advised that the Committee will reconvene in Executive Session and will report out any votes at the end of the meeting.
E. Seal the minutes of the executive session
MSV (5) move to seal the minutes of executive session.
Motion made by: Jacy Northup
Motion seconded by: Michelle Brousseau
Vote: Unanimously Approved
F. Chair - Agenda review
Ms. Canter asked if there were any questions regarding the agenda. No questions were noted.
3. Superintendent's Report
A. Meeting Calendar
Dr. Hicks reviewed the meeting calendar. He made note of the Annual Retreat, the 8/29 work session to report out on closing CCMS for the 20-21 school year; and the 9/24 work session to bring a DLI report.
B. Financial Update
Ms. Crawford advised that there is a small surplus at the 6/30/19 year end, which is smaller than recent years.
C. Grade 5 Enrollment
Dr. Hicks advised that there may be a need to add another 5th grade section, due to the current enrollment of 226 student.
Ms. Cummiskey recommended that we check into whether any students have a dual enrollment.
D. Accept the Superintendent's Report
MSV (6) move to accept and place on file the Superintendent’s report.
Motion made by: Jacy Northup
Motion seconded by: Michelle Brousseau
Vote: Unanimously Approved
4. Consent Agenda
Ms. Canter asked that item “E” be pulled from the agenda until Doug Snow can be present to explain
the functionality.
Ms. Markey asked that item “H” be pulled for public discussion.
A. Approval of Open Session Minutes - Meetings of 7/19/19 and 7/26/19
B. Approval of Executive Session Minutes - Meetings of 7/19/19 and 7/26/19
C. Personnel Actions
D. Facility Rental Fee Waiver Request(s)
E. Expenditure over $10,000 - Gaggle - Sole Source – Pulled from the Agenda
F. Bid Award - #2393-2 Allied Health Training Program
G. Bid Award - #2403 South Kingstown Schools Security Improvements
H. Award State Food Service Contract MPA #421 – Moved to School Committee Business
I. MOU for Natural Gas
J. Approve Consent Agenda
MSV (7) move to approve the Consent Agenda with items “E” and “H” removed.
Motion made by: Jacy Northup
Motion seconded by: Michelle Brousseau
Vote: Unanimously Approved
5. Comments from the Community
A. Comments from the Community
Ms. Canter reviewed the protocol for Comments from the Community.
Tia Beckman reviewed the Resolution written by the South Kingstown Immigration Task Force. She thanked the Committee for their concern for South Kingstown and all Rhode Island students, all for their hard work.
Laura Roebuck thanked Dr. Hicks for his leadership; and Ms. Savastano for the work on the district website. Ms. Roebuck also commented on the importance of communication if the plan is to close CCMS in 2020.
Roland Benjamin spoke about the financial update, noting that we are spending significantly more this August than last August. He urged the Committee to look at the total picture as students are impacted.
6. School Committee Business
A. Approval of Rhode Island Student Survey
Kate shared information regarding the Rhode Island Student Survey, noting that there are no identifying markers.
MSV (8) move to approve the Rhode Island Student Survey.
Motion made by: Jacy Northup
Motion seconded by: Michelle Brousseau
Vote: Unanimously Approved
B. Revision to Policy 7120 - First Reading
Dr. Hicks advised that the Commissioner made the decision that field trips should be at no cost to students. Dr. Hicks advised that the changes in Policy #7120 integrate the Rhode Island Department of Education’s language. Discussion followed regarding the process, fund raising, and school trip vs. private trip.
C. Budget Restorations
Dr. Hicks advised that with the need to add a 5th grade classroom, he could not recommend the budget restorations at this time. Discussion followed.
MSV (9) move to authorize the Superintendent to proceed with these restorations, should the funds become available.
Motion made by: Sarah Markey
Motion seconded by: Michelle Brousseau
Vote: Unanimously Approved
D. Establish school lunch prices
Ms. Crawford advised that three years ago there was an increase in the school lunch prices; however, due to an increase in food costs and supplies, she recommended an increase of $0.10 per lunch. Discussion followed about what other districts change and about addressing the school lunch balances.
MSV (10) move to approve the School Lunch prices.
Motion made by: Emily Cummiskey
Motion seconded by: Jacy Northup
Vote: Unanimously Approved
E. Action on a personnel investigation
Ms. Canter recommended releasing the details of the personnel investigation report, excluding the appendices that identify personnel.
MSV (11) move to make public Attorney Ruggerio’s report, excluding appendices that have personally identifiable information.
Motion made by: Alycia Collins
Motion seconded by: Kate Macinanti
Vote:
Stephanie Canter – Yes
Sarah Markey – Yes
Emily Cummiskey - Yes
Jacy Northup – Not present at the time of the vote
Kate Macinanti - Yes
Michelle Brousseau - Yes
Alycia Collins - Yes
F. Timing of RIDE Stage 2 application
Dr. Hicks advised that the Building Committee wants to make sure the Stage 2 application is correct and that it reflects our needs and that the costs are correct. The target date for the re-submission of the Stage 2 application to RIDE will be moved from September, 2019 to February 2020. Discussion followed.
MSV (12) move to accept the recommendations of the Building Committee for the new RIDE Stage 2 application.
Motion made by: Kate Macinanti
Motion seconded by: Sarah Markey
Vote: Unanimously Approved
G. Resolution - Safe Space
Ms. Markey gave an overview of the Safe Space Resolution, which ensures that all requests from immigration officials will be denied unless they have a judicial warrant; and that the South Kingstown School District requests that RIDE codify a standard for all schools in Rhode Island.
MSV (13) move to approve the Resolution.
Motion made by: Jacy Northup
Motion seconded by: Michelle Brousseau
Vote: Unanimously Approved
· Expenditure over $10,000 - Gaggle - Sole Source (Moved from the Consent Agenda)
Ms. Canter asked that this item be tabled to the next business meeting.
MSV (14) move to table Expenditure over $10,000 – Gaggle – Sole Source to the next business meeting.
Motion made by: Jacy Northup
Motion seconded by: Michelle Brousseau
Vote: Unanimously Approved
· Award State Food Service Contract MPA #421 (Moved from the Consent Agenda)
Ms. Markey asked about addressing waste in our schools and questioned where we are with
compostable trays.
Ms. Crawford advised that we can afford to use composting products at the elementary levels. She shared that a graduate student from URI will make it her project to research composting and costs.
The student will be doing research and the URI professor advised that someone will come back to the Committee at the end of the academic year to share results.
MSV (15) move to award State Food Service Contract MPA #421.
Motion made by: Sarah Markey
Motion seconded by: Michelle Brousseau
Vote: Unanimously Approved
7. Comments from Committee Members
A. Comments from Committee Members
Ms. Brousseau apologized that she may not be able to attend the School Committee retreat, which has been held in July for several years. She stated that she believes that the retreat is important; however, due to family obligations, she may not be able to attend.
Ms. Brousseau commented on the vote earlier regarding the personnel investigation. She requested that Ms. Canter provide the documentation that she said she had at the beginning of this process and has yet to provide to the full committee.
Ms. Markey expressed thanks to the advocates of students that attended tonight’s meeting.
Ms. Cummiskey commented on the hard work the community members have done. She also referred to the community member’s comment about finances, requesting that if there is anything in particular that the Committee should look at more closely, please let them be made aware of it.
Ms. Collins thanked the community for their hard work.
Ms. Canter thanked Dr. Hicks and all of the administrators.
Ms. Cummiskey welcomed Ms. Savastano.
8. The School Committee may seek to reconvene in executive session
in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws for the purpose(s) of:
A. Litigation (RIGL 42-46-5(a)(2)) - Action / Discussion: Potential appeal of Salvatore v. RI Council on Elementary and Secondary Education et als., CA No. PC-2017-4294
MSV (16) move to reconvene in Executive Session at 8:23 PM for the purpose of Litigation; Discussion; Superintendent vacancy; and Collective Bargaining.
Motion made by: Michelle Brousseau
Motion seconded by: Jacy Northup
Vote: Unanimously Approved
9. Open Session
The Committee returned to open session at 9:25 PM.
MSV (19) move to seal the minutes of the executive session.
Motion made by: Jacy Northup
Motion seconded by: Michelle Brousseau
Vote: Unanimously Approved
10. Adjournment
A. Adjourn meeting
MSV (20) move to adjourn at 9:25 PM.
Motion made by: Jacy Northup
Motion seconded by: Michelle Brousseau
Vote: Unanimously Approved
Respectfully submitted,
Robert Hicks