South Kingstown School Committee Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, June 11, 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

Pauline Lisi - Assistant Superintendent

Maryanne Crawford – CFO

Breta Combs – Assistant Director of PPS

Patricia Aull – CCMS Principal

 

1.         7:00 PM - Call to Order

 

A.   Call to Order

 

Stephanie Canter called the June 11, 2019 School Committee Meeting to order at 7:01 PM.

 

B.   Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

C.   School Committee Agreements

 

Dr. Hicks advised that this was the third reading of the School Committee Agreements and asked if the Committee members had any thoughts on how they would like to revise, add, or change anything.  No changes were suggested by Committee members.

 

D.   Chair - Agenda review

 

Ms. Canter advised that the agenda is posted on BoardDocs.

 

2.         Superintendent’s Report

 

A.   Meeting Calendar

 

Dr. Hicks reviewed the meeting calendar, noting that the DLI Subcommittee process will begin on June 24, 2019 at 6:00/6:30 PM in the South Kingstown High School library.  Ms. Brousseau recalled that cell phone reception was difficult in the library.  

 

 

B.   FY19-20 Budget and Staffing Update

 

Dr. Hicks explained that administration looked at the budget and found two potential areas for funds to support restorations.  He explained the funds available for restoration; the recommended positions for restoration; and the rationale for restoration.  Discussion followed. 

 

C.   DLI Committee Plan

 

Dr. Hicks advised that he had been looking at the process to go forward with the DLI work; and how to have a dialogue to get everyone to understand where everyone is coming from.  He framed out four community work sessions to help with the understanding.   

 

D.   Financial Update

 

Maryanne Crawford advised that we are still running close to a tight year end, $90,000 to $150,000 surplus, which is significantly lower than previous years.  She also noted that the school lunch balance is not escalating as much as it has in previous years.

 

E.   Monthly Student and Employee Recognition

 

“The Key is ME!” Award:  Dr. Hicks advised that “The Key is ME” Award recipient for the month of June is Jeff Taber, South Kingstown High School Guidance Counselor.  Dr. Hicks shared the rationale and nomination comments regarding Mr. Taber. 

 

“I Make a Difference” Award:  Dr. Hicks advised that the “I Make a Difference” Award recipient for the month of June is Jennifer O’Brien, Broad Rock Middle School Special Education Teacher Assistant.        Dr. Hicks shared the various rationale and nomination comment regarding Ms. O’Brien. 

 

F.   Accept the Superintendent's Report

 

MSV (1) move to accept and place on file the Superintendent’s Report.

 

Motion made by:  Jacy Northup 

Motion seconded by:  Michelle Brousseau

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

 

3.         Consent Agenda

 

A.   Approval of Open Session Minutes - Meetings of 5/8/19, 5/14/19, and 5/28/19

B.   Approval of Executive Session Minutes - Meetings of 5/14/19 and 5/28/19

C.   Personnel Actions

D.   Approval of Home Schooling Request(s)

E.   Expenditure over $10,000 - Gems Net Renewal

F.   Expenditure over $10,000 - Envision Technology Advisors LLC - Laptops for 19/20

G.   Expenditure over $10,000 - Envision Technology Advisors LLC - Desktop Computers

H.   Bid Award - #2396 Ford E350 Box Truck Engine

I.    Change Order to Bid #2387 HVAC Replacement Matunuck Elementary

J.    Approve Consent Agenda

 

MSV (2) move to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.

 

Motion made by:  Alycia Collins

Motion seconded by:  Kate Macinanti

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

 

Dr. Hicks recognized and welcomed the appointment of Charity Shea as Assistant PPS Director; and Jonathan Devolve as Curtis Corner Middle School Assistant Principal. 

 

4.         Comments from the Community

 

Ms. Canter reviewed the protocol for community comments.

 

A.   Comments from the Community

 

Ryan Muir commented that the Committee was doing a great job. 

 

Denise Colombino, resident and math interventionist, expressed thanks to the following retiring teachers and individuals and for the work they have done:  Linda Kamerzel; Terri McKinney; Joe Hooks; Sue Still; Lisa Wilson; Lynn Dougherty; Mary Lou Masson; Kathy Bessette; Christine Levy; Pauline Lisi; and Paul Columbino. 

 

Katie Garvin asked it if was possible to schedule recess to be a little bit longer at the elementary grades (5 to 10 minutes longer).

 

Christy Fish thanked the Committee for listening and responding.  She also challenged the community to be mindful of how we speak and read our words; noting that we can have conversations without confrontation. 

 

Laura Roebuck asked that the plan to close Curtis Corner Middle School be put on the agenda; and have an update regularly.

 

Dorald Beasley shared his concerns about refurbishing the high school and his thoughts on building a new high school. 

 

5.         School Committee Business

 

A.   Action on Superintendent's Budget and Staffing Update

 

MSV (3) move to approve the Superintendent’s budget and staffing recommendations including the restoration of positions.

 

Motion made by:  Sarah Markey

Motion seconded by:  Michelle Brousseau

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

 

B.   Select Date for Annual School Committee Retreat

 

Dr. Hicks advised that the Retreat is usually one day, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.  Ms. Lisi shard that at the Retreat they receive an update on the strategic plan, goals, and data; and they look at how we are doing, what can we do differently.  After discussion, it was recommended that Committee members email the Superintendent on what dates they will not be available so that a Doodle poll can be sent out.  Ms. Canter also recommended that the Superintendent provide a draft of recommended topics at the next meeting.

 

C.   Resolution(s)

 

Ms. Brousseau advised that the General Assembly has been concentrating on items that are not School Committee related; nor has she received any communication from legislators to bring to the Committee’s attention.

 

D.         Sub-committee Reports

 

•    Augusta Hazard Scholarship – Ms. Brousseau advised that they awarded the scholarships to the Augusta Hazard recipients at Honor’s Night; and the renewal recipients will be notified.  She shared that the applications are chosen without any identities revealed.

•    Building Committee – Ms. Northup noted the work of the Peace Dale and Wakefield parking lots; as well as staring the process of hiring a project manager for the building project. 

•    Contract Compliance – No update

•    District Crisis Committee – No update

•    Dual Language Immersion Program Committee – Addressed previously in the agenda

•    Legislative – No update

•    Marketing – Ms. Canter advised that a meeting is scheduled for next week.

•    NSBA and RIASC – No update

•    SELAC – Ms. Collins advised that a parent from SELAC was part of the hiring team for the Assistant Director of PPS.

•    Sustainability – Ms. Markey advised that the Sustainability Committee is hoping to bring recommendations to the School Committee in the Fall on how we can be more sustainable.  A meeting is scheduled for next week.

•    Transportation – Ms. Macinanti advised that the Transportation Committee met with the Transportation Manager from Ocean State Transit.  Ms. Crawford advised that they focused on work to be done next year:  depot group stops; overlapping of Wakefield and Peace Dale districts.  The Transportation Manager from Ocean State Transit will begin to work on that and will give feedback.

•    Wellness – Ms. Lisi stated that the Committee should receive a report at the next School Committee meeting.  Ms. Macinanti advised that a meeting is scheduled for next week to meet with key people in the community about indicators for student health and wellness … what data should we be collecting. 

•    DLI Committee - Duplication

 

6.         Comments from Committee Members

 

A.   Comments from Committee Members

 

Stephanie Canter commented on the accomplishments of the South Kingstown High School students at Honor’s Night. 

 

Jacy Northup expressed appreciation that Ms. Columbino recognized the retirees.  Ms. Northup also thanked Dr. Hicks for his diplomatic approach and for all the time taken to look at the budget. 

 

Kate Macinanti expressed that being a part of the Honor’s awards is a cool part of the job; to see all of the work that our district puts into our students.  She also thanked everyone for listening and balancing where we are going in September. 

 

Emily Cummiskey expressed congratulations to all of our retirees.  She also commented that the Honor’s Night was amazing. 

 

Alycia Collins commented on bill #H5887 in the General Assembly that relates to dyslexia; noting that it might be something worth talking about at the table.

 

Michelle Brousseau reminded the community that Friday is the deadline for interest in being a part of the Superintendent search committee. 

 

7.         Adjournment

 

A.   Adjourn meeting

 

MSV (4) move to adjourn at 8:10 PM.

 

Motion made by:  Michelle Brousseau

Motion seconded by:  Kate Macinanti

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

 

 

                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                                                                Robert Hicks