South Kingstown School Committee Work Session Minutes

Thursday, January 10, 2019

 

 

South Kingstown High School Auditorium

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

Pauline Lisi-Assistant Superintendent

Abel Collins-Town Council President

Joe Viele-Town Council Member

Deborah Kelso-Town Council Member

Rory McEntee -Town Council Member

Robert Zarnetske- Town Manager

 

Bryant Da Cruz-absent

 

 

1.         7:00 PM - Call to Order

 

A.     Call to Order

 

The January 10, 2019 work session was called to order at 7:00 PM by Stephanie Canter and Abel Collins.

 

Pledge of Allegiance

 

2.         Open Session with participation by Town Council

 

A. RGB Presentation of the Stage 2 Application and Review of the Cost for Approval

 

B. School Committee Comments/Questions on RGB Presentation

 

3.         Comments from the Community

 

A.     Comments from the Community

 

1.     Raissa Mosher spoke about the change in planned spaces at the elementary schools and concern that has not been finalized before today.

2.     Roland Benjamin spoke about this projected being the biggest investment the town has ever seen. He expressed concern about meeting the February 15^th deadline with a solid plan done well. He expressed concern about the loss of operational savings and the ability to cut $3.8 million from operations.

3.     Josh Daley spoke about the bond and making responsible decisions. He was concerned about the town taking on new debt without a comprehensive plan. He expressed concern about scope creep with larger project numbers. He asked for more detail and consideration of a long term impact plan.

4.     Barry Alofsin asked the committees to wait and not make a decision tonight about millions of dollars in bonding until they see the impact of the operational budget.

5.     Dorald Beasley donated four gallons of paint and two brushes to the School Committee, saying that was basically all the elementary schools would be getting in this plan. He expressed concern about the plan.

6.     Brian Nelson-NEA-SK President, spoke of the importance of this plan for the future of our buildings to be clean, dry, and temperature-controlled. Last summer over 30 teachers volunteered to serve on the Ed Spec committees, and every group insisted on better air quality and climate control. Air quality has a dramatic impact on how teachers teach.

7.     Dorald Beasley spoke again about his concerns with the project.

 

The Town Council adjourned at 8:24 PM.

 

4.         Comments from the Committee

 

A.     Comments from the Committee

 

The School Committee deliberated and discussed the plan.

 

5.         School Committee Business

 

A.     Vote to approve the Stage 2 RIDE Application

 

MSV(1) move to approve an application to RIDE in the amount of $75M, and that the School Building Committee continue to identify potential reductions in the scope of work for the final project to be submitted to the voters in the bond referendum.

 

Motion made by:  Michelle Brousseau

Motion seconded by:  Emily Cummiskey

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

 

6.         Adjournment

 

A.     Adjourn meeting

 

MSV(2) move to adjourn at 8:48 PM.

 

Motion made by:  Sarah Markey

Motion seconded by:  Jacy Northup

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

 

 

                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                                                                Kristen Stringfellow