South Kingstown School Committee Meeting Minutes
Friday, May 3, 2019
South Kingstown Administration Building
307 Curtis Corner Road
Wakefield, RI 02879
Attendees - voting members
Stephanie Canter - Chair
Sarah Markey - Vice Chair
Emily Cummiskey
Jacy Northup
Kate Macinanti
Michelle Brousseau
Absent School Committee members
Alycia Collins
Attendees – other
Pauline Lisi - Assistant Superintendent
Maryanne Crawford – CFO
Teresa Eagan – Director of Pupil Personnel
A. Call to Order
Stephanie Canter called the May 3, 2019 School Committee Meeting to order at 2:00 PM.
A. Accept Dr. Stringfellow's resignation
MSV (1) move to accept Dr. Kristen Stringfellow’s resignation.
Motion made by: Sarah Markey
Motion seconded by: Emily Cummiskey
Vote: Unanimously Approved
B. Hire outside attorney to handle investigation
MS (2) move to hire outside attorney to handle investigation.
Motion made by: Emily Cummiskey
Motion seconded by: Jacy Northup
Attorney Aubrey Lombardo advised that the investigation would look to see if the layoff policy and process was followed. As her firm represents the School Committee, it would be a conflict to conduct the investigation. Attorney Lombardo recommended Charlie Ruggiero, who works with the Providence School Department, as an appropriate person to conduct an investigation.
Kate Macinanti questioned why the School Committee, not the Union, would request an investigation.
Michelle Brousseau questioned why documents, which were referred to by the Chair at the last meeting, were not shared with all Committee members. She stated that she would like to remind the Committee that they are a body of seven, not a committee of one and that all members are supposed to be privy to all information that is discussed at the table.
Ms. Canter stated that all documentation that supported the recommendation to investigate would be provided.
Ms. Macinanti expressed concern about the cost; Dr. Stringfellow on paid leave, discussion about hiring an interim superintendent, and hiring an outside attorney; while talking about cutting teachers and programs.
MSV (3) move to use Charles Ruggiero to handle the investigation.
Motion made by: Emily Cummiskey
Motion seconded by: Sarah Markey
Vote:
Sarah Markey – Yes
Emily Cummiskey – Yes
Kate Macinanti – No
Jacy Northup – Yes
Michelle Brousseau – No
C. Interim superintendent selection
Attorney Lombardo advised that the Committee would need to find an interim superintendent while the Superintendent is one leave pending the investigation; and that one of the individuals the Committee was interested in was Robert Hicks.
Pauline Lisi and Teresa Eagan shared the work they are doing during this transition period, the work that needs to be done, and the importance of selecting an interim superintendent, as this is a very busy time of the year.
Ms. Brousseau expressed concern that she had heard from a community member that Dr. Hicks was going to be the interim superintendent. She stated that School Committee discussion is supposed to be made in public.
Discussion followed on when Dr Hicks could start and the cost.
MSV (4) move to offer Robert Hicks the Interim Superintendent position and authorize the legal team to work with administrative team to develop a contract.
Motion made by: Sarah Markey
Motion seconded by: Jacy Northup
Vote: Unanimously Approved
D. Superintendent Selection Process
MS (5) move to review Superintendent selection process.
Motion made by: Jacy Northup
Motion seconded by: Emily Cummiskey
Pauline Lisi explained that the Committee could choose to form a search committee or hire a consulting firm like NESDEC; then identify qualities as a district, learn their practices, their previous board relationship, define application process, develop a screening process, community feedback, negotiate contract, final vote to hire. She noted that it was a three-month process the last time.
Discussion followed regarding whether to hire a firm or form a search committee. Ms. Macinanti expressed concern regarding the lack of principals and about who would give input.
MSV (6) move item F up in the agenda.
Motion made by: Sarah Markey
Motion seconded by: Jacy Northup
Vote: Unanimously Approved
· Building admin assignments
Pauline Lisi advised that a new superintendent would want to pick their staff; however, the problem is the time to make this decision, as principals need to be in place. She stated that she and Ms. Eagan sat down with Brian Nelson and Mick Leforte; postings will close on May 31st, dates have been set to hold interviews, and everyone should be in place by June 30th. A one-year contract will be offered to any new hires so that the new Superintendent will have the availability to make changes.
Ms. Eagan reviewed the make up of an interview committee: equal number of teachers and administrative staff, principal, and a parent. Ms. Cummiskey asked if it would be appropriate to send out a message on each building list serv asking for parent participation on the interview committee. Ms. Eagan advised that each principal can send a message on their list serv and ask that interested individuals contact the PTO, then the PTO would select a parent to participate.
E. Personnel plan – layoffs
Ms. Lisi advised that on May 13th, they met with School Committee attorney and union leadership to see if some of the layoff notices need to be rescinded or if changes needed to be made; as they needed to make sure that by June 1st individuals were correctly notified. After the meeting, we found that the number of layoff notices was correct. Ms. Crawford advised that they mapped the numbers to individual positions that were to be laid off.
F. Building admin assignments – Addressed previously in the agenda.
A. Comments from the Community
Ms. Canter reviewed the protocol for comments from the community.
Emily Totten questioned the reason for putting Dr. Stringfellow on administrative leave; and she asked if the investigation proves everything was done properly, could she come back?
Mike Bliven suggested developing an online survey to gain community input on how they think the last few years have been and how to proceed.
Richard Morrisey encouraged the Committee not to investigate Dr. Stringfellow. He questioned how long an investigation would take place, and what would be gained as a community from the investigation. Mr. Morrisey stated that the Committee should be thinking about a replacement, get the system back on line, and not waste time and effort, or tax payers money,
Lori Patenaud, parent, expressed concern about the Committee scheduling a meeting at 2:00 PM on a Friday afternoon as people in the community work, and administrators and teachers are still at the schools. She stated that if the Committee would like community input, they should not have meetings at 2:00 PM on a Friday afternoon.
Rick Angeli shared his experience in selecting a Superintendent while a Committee member. He noted that it takes a significant period of time to hire a Superintendent. Mr. Angeli stated that the district faces important issues that require forward thinking and planning; and he urged the Committee to take the time to make sure they select the right person. He also asked the Committee to share a little more with the community regarding the investigation of Dr. Stringfellow, as people are wondering why.
Bruce Waidler expressed concern about ethical accountability of the School Committee. He asked the Committee to reconsider the investigation and legal counsel. He spoke about a bias against the Superintendent by three Committee members; and expressed concern regarding Ms. Markey’s voting on motions as Assistant Executive Director of NEARI. Mr. Waidler expressed concern regarding Committee meetings being held on Friday at 2:00 PM with no video so that the community could see the meeting. He noted that there was no video at the meeting last Friday at 10:00 AM and there were no community comments. Mr. Waidler also commented on the quick meeting called on a Friday afternoon to fire the former legal counsel.
Gary Chapman asked about the time line for an investigation of the Superintendent. He asked if a settlement had been reached with the Superintendent.
Roberta Mulholland spoke about the open meeting act and expressed that there seems to be intent to not have the community present. Ms. Mulholland commented on the negative postings on social media from teachers and Committee members regarding Dr. Stringfellow. She questioned reputational damage by the comments being made.
Dorald Beasley commented on leaving the selection of a permanent superintendent up to the next School Committee in November of 2020. Mr. Beasley spoke about the integrity of the former legal counsel, Sara Rapport. He also spoke about the decline in enrollment numbers, stating that the Committee could send out more lay off notices and then could put back things that were taken away. Mr. Beasley also shared names of individuals who could service as an interim superintendent.
Emily Totten commented on the Committee calling for meetings at the wrong time; and asked the members to ease people’s minds, show compassion, and communicate.
Rick Angeli expressed that there was a misstep regarding the Committee process in selecting an interim superintendent.
Deb Bergner asked the Committee if they want to leave a reputation or a legacy, noting that a legacy is leaving behind a good work.
MSV (7) move to not go into Executive Session.
Motion made by: Sarah Markey
Motion seconded by: Jacy Northup
Vote:
Stephanie Canter – Yes
Sarah Markey – Yes
Emily Cummiskey – Yes
Kate Macinanti – Yes
Jacy Northup – Yes
Michelle Brousseau – No
A. Legal advice related to Interim Superintendent search
B. Legal advice related to Superintendent selection process
C. RIGL 42-46-5(a)(1) discussion of personnel and legal advice related to layoffs and displacement notices
D. RIGL 42-46-5(a)(1) discussion of personnel and legal advice related to expiring personnel contracts
· Comments from Committee Members:
Sarah Markey commented on optics vs. what is really happening. She shared that there were not negative intensions for scheduling a meeting at 2:00 PM on a Friday. She stated that there is a need for more empathy.
Emily Cummiskey stated that she made herself available to be at the meeting today as it was important to have a quorum. She stated that clearly the community cares about our kids as the room was full.
Kate Macinanti stated that she has heard the perception that the seven Committee members are not acting as a body of one; and that perception is reality. She expressed concern about the time and money spent; and agree that there was a misstep. Ms. Macinanti urged the Committee to move forward, work together, and to use this opportunity for common group; as the Committee is supposed to work for the best interest of students and that is not happening.
Jacy Northup commented on the matching number of layoff notices reviewed by Ms. Lisi, Ms. Eagan, and the union; and questioned protocol for changing her opinion. She stated that she likes the idea of moving forward.
Stephanie Canter stated that the investigation is to look into how the process was carried out to make sure that protocol was followed.
Jacy Northup stated that if the community believes that the Committee members are corrupt and doing an awful job, then they should do something about it. She requested that the community let the Committee do what they have to do move forward.
Stephanie Canter stated that the Committee is bound to not share information from Executive sessions. She stated that it would be nice to be talked with rather than talked about.
A. Seal the minutes of the executive session
B. Reporting of vote(s) taken in executive session
A. Adjourn
MSV (8) move to adjourn at 3:31 PM.
Motion made by: Sarah Markey
Motion seconded by: Kate Macinanti
Vote:
Stephanie Canter – Yes
Sarah Markey – Yes
Emily Cummiskey – Not present at the time of the vote
Kate Macinanti – Yes
Jacy Northup – Yes
Michelle Brousseau – Yes
Respectfully submitted,
Pauline Lisi