South Kingstown School Committee Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, May 28, 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

 

Absent members

Alycia Collins

 

Attendees – other

Robert Hicks – Interim Superintendent

Pauline Lisi - 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. Personnel (RIGL 42-46-5(a)(1)) - notice(s) of non-renewal

 

Stephanie Canter called the May 28, 2019 School Committee Meeting to order at 6:05 PM.

 

MSV (1) move to Executive Session for the purpose of personnel (RIGL 42-46-5(a)(1)), notices of non-renewal.  The affected parties had been notified in advance in writing and opted not to have discussion held in open session.

 

Motion made by:  Sarah Markey

Motion seconded by:  Jacy Northup

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

 

2.         7:00 PM - Call to Order

 

A. Call to Order

 

Stephanie Canter called the May 28, 2019 School Committee Meeting back to order at 7:03 PM.

 

B. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 

 

C. School Committee Agreements

 

The School Committee reviewed its agreements with respect to the provided quote from Eleanor Roosevelt. 

 

D. Reporting of vote(s) taken in executive session

 

Ms. Canter advised that there were no votes taken in Executive Session.

 

E. Seal the minutes of the executive session

 

MSV (3) move to seal the minutes of the Executive Session.

Motion made by:  Jacy Northup

Motion seconded by:  Sarah Markey

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

 

3.         Superintendent's Report

 

A. Budget reductions and staffing plan

 

Dr. Hicks shared the implemented staffing cuts.  A total of 40.9 FTE cuts (administrators, teachers, itinerants, clerical, teacher assistants, and custodial).

 

Dr. Hicks further explained the reasons for changes in the original plan for the 2019-2020 elementary classroom organization at West Kingston, Matunuck, and Peace Dale Elementary Schools. 

 

B. Enrollment Update

 

Pauline Lisi shared the updated enrollment report.

 

MSV (4) move to accept and place on file the Superintendent’s Report.

 

Motion made by:  Michelle Brousseau 

Motion seconded by:  Jacy Northup 

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

 

4.         Consent Agenda

 

MSV (5) move to pull Personnel Actions from the Consent Agenda and move it to School Committee Business.

 

Motion made by:  Jacy Northup

Motion seconded by:  Sarah Markey

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

 

A. Personnel Actions – Moved to School Committee Business

B. Facility Rental Fee Waiver Request(s)

C. Approve Consent Agenda

 

MSV (6) move to approve the Consent Agenda as amended.

 

Motion made by:  Jacy Northup

Motion seconded by:  Kate Macinanti

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

 

5.         Comments from the Community

 

A. Comments from the Community

 

Dina Silvaggio, ELL Specialist at SKHS, commented on the federal guidelines and State ELL regulations, noting that there is a necessity for additional ELL support at the elementary level.

 

Sarah LeClair, resident, SK graduate and URI student, commented on how essential the library programs are to student learning.

 

Raissa Mosher, resident, commented on the split classrooms, the monolingual kindergarten class at West Kingston, and declining enrollment. 

 

Rebecca Blakeney, teacher and resident, spoke in support of the art program and urging that the position not be cut.

 

Lisa Richter, SK music booster, spoke in support of the music program and how it helps students.

 

Julie Geary, kindergarten parent, expressed concern about the K/1 split classroom, as well as the importance of the library, art, and music programs for children.

 

Christy Fish, parent, spoke in support of the West Kingston clerk position, asking that the individual not be cut from their position as they are the heart of the school. 

 

Jimmy Champion, teacher and parent, spoke in support of support of keeping the West Kingston clerk position.  He spoke in support of Health/PE positions, which are planned to be reduced through budget cuts.

 

Lauren Ralph, parent, expressed concern regarding the cut list for the elementary schools, resulting in spreading teachers too thin.  She urged the Committee to close an elementary school for next year and to put students under three roofs, not four.   

 

Jess Macinanti, student, spoke about the importance of the music and art programs at the high school for students.  She asked the Committee to save the program and teachers.  

 

Cheryl Foster spoke about justice and the Committee being the custodial guardian of the legacy in South Kingstown; and to put effort alongside excellence. 

 

Matt Richter, parent, spoke in support of maintaining the music department at the high school. 

 

Lilly Schofield, student, spoke in support of the music program at the high school.

 

Dorald Beasley, resident, spoke about the need and viability of building a new high school.

 

Sarah Laidler, parent, spoke in support of the drama program at the high school; and the sense of pride and importance it gives to students.

 

Jonathan Daly-LaBelle, resident, commented on those criticizing the School Committee.

 

Bob Cavanaugh, resident and previous Athletic Director, spoke about the history of the building plans and the health education program in South Kingstown.

 

6.         School Committee Business

 

MSV (7) move to direct administration to review the budget and recent retirements; and bring recommendations to the next meeting of the School Committee for any possible reinstatement of positions.  

 

Motion made by:  Sarah Markey

Motion seconded by:  Kate Macinanti

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

 

•       Personnel Actions – Moved from the Consent Agenda

 

MSV (8) move to approve the recommendations for personnel actions.

 

Motion made by:  Sarah Markey

Motion seconded by:  Michelle Brousseau

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

 

A. Proposed Superintendent Search Schedule

 

Dr. Hicks shared the proposed Superintendent search schedule.  After discussion, it was suggested a paper application for those interested in serving on the Advisory Committee be produced and sent home with students.

 

MSV (9) move to direct the Superintendent to begin the Superintendent search process as presented. 

 

Motion made by:  Emily Cummiskey

Motion seconded by:  Jacy Northup

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

 

B. Vote on moving forward with construction of a new high school

 

Jacy Northup read a portion of the letter from the Chair of the School Building Committee, which is on BoardDocs, regarding the feasibility of building a new high school.  Ms. Northup further explained the reasons why other options were not feasible. 

 

MSV (10) move to advise the School Building Committee to move forward with the Stage 2 application as planned. 

 

Motion made by:  Jacy Northup

Motion seconded by:  Sarah Markey

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

 

•       Community Comments

 

Ms. Cummiskey expressed appreciation for the community participation.

 

Ms. Brousseau advised that she had spent time reading every email received from the community regarding the various program and budget issues; she did not have the opportunity to respond to each email.  She did want to assure the public that she had read and re-read each email, and thanked the community for their participation.

 

Ms. Canter expressed thanks to the administration for looking into the budget once again; and she looks forward to discussing it once again in June.

 

Ms. Cummiskey also commented that the Night of the Arts at the high school was phenomenal. 

 

7.         Adjournment

 

A. Adjourn

 

MSV (11) move to adjourn at 9:02 PM.

 

Motion made by:  Sarah Markey

Motion seconded by:  Jacy Northup

Vote:  Unanimously Approved

 

 

                                                                                                            Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                                            Robert Hicks