1.    Call to Order/ Pledge of Allegiance

2.    Open Forum

·         J. Souza: Field trip procedures

·         S. McNamara: Ideas to help fundraise

3.    Special Recognition

a.    CTE Program Open House Highlights
J. Sherman thanked all that were involved in the CTE Open House and what a great opportunity this Program brings to our district.

4.    Consent Agenda

·         D. Pallasch made a motion to approve the consent agenda

·         The motion was seconded by D. Farnworth

·         Vote 3-0

a.    Enrollment

                              i.        February Enrollment

b.    School Committee Meeting Minutes

                              i.        Regular Session Minutes January 28, 2025

5.    Chairpersons Remarks

a.    Legislative Commission Studying Student Transportation Needs and Systems Costs — Meeting Held 2/10/25

·         Chair Farnworth and J. Sherman attended the meeting held on 2/10/2025. With costs rising, they wanted to be in attendance to show their support and represent Tiverton.

6.    Old Business - Consideration and Possible Votes

a.    Approve Home School Requests for 2024-2025 School Year

·         J. Sherman made a motion to approve the one request for Home School.

·         Seconded by D. Pallasch

·         Vote 3-0

b.    FY 25 YTD Actuals

·         B. Andrade reviewed the sixth-month mark FY25 YTD with the board

o   D. Pallasch made a motion to approve this month's financials

o   Seconded by J. Sherman

o   Vote 3-0

c.    FY 25 Anticipated Deficit Update

·         D. Farnworth stated the latest deficit amount of 459,000.00, which is a moving target and being closely monitored. D. Farnworth and the Administrative team met with the Town Council on January 31, 2025, to discuss the deficit to make sure the communication line is open in this regard. This meeting also included the Auditor General. All required parties have been fully notified, which is a huge deal for the District. The Auditor General's advice was to continue to track spending and work with the Town Council.

d.    FY 26 Budget Presentations

·         Energy Budget

o   B. Andrade reviewed the energy budget for the FY 26 Budget with the board. The predicted savings should be 4%.

·         Benefits Budget

o   B. Andrade reviewed the benefits budget for the FY26 budget with the board, showing increases in Medical and Dental expenses higher than expected. The total increase will be a 5% increase.

7.    New Business — Consideration and Possible Votes

a.    THS Tennis Courts Repair Contract $97,795.00

·         D. Pallasch made a motion to approve the cost of $97,795.00 for repair of THD Tennis Courts funding coming from Town Council Casino Revenue Funds with gratitude extended.

·         Seconded by J. Sherman

·         Vote 3-0

b.    Policy 1142 Health & Wellness (First Read)

·         Moved to Second Read

c.    Policy #333 Spending Plan/Transfer of Funds Authority (First Read)

·         Moved to Second Read

d.    Deficit Closing Strategies

·         Discuss and Review Documentation Provided to the School Committee by Member Requests Each board member reviewed the documentation they received back from the Administrative team from their requests.

·         J. Sherman requested salary information and if benefits were included.

·         B. Andrade answered that they are on a separate page in the budget book

·         Are any positions being covered by Vendors?

·         S. Kraeger answered that the positions are posted and stay posted until the position is filled and the vendor is no

longer needed.

·         Could we be provided a similar District Administrations team close in size with close enrollment? Information was

provided but very hard to dissect.

·         D. Pallasch requested per pupil expenditures and class sizes of all elementary schools, reviewed the 10-year enrollment decline throughout the state, and prior year FTE cuts. Reviewed Fund balance decrease and State decrease. Special consideration and concern was given to the Federal Grants that is over 1.2Million and if any of this is cut at a Nation level this burden will fall back on the District these funds are restricted for Special Needs and Pre School, and CTE not having these funds available is going to force for more difficult decisions.

·         D. Farnworth requested what other districts in the Newport County area have done with the declining enrollment. Have

they consolidated their public school footprint?

o   The answer received was yes; Newport Public Schools have consolidated. Middletown has consolidated Portsmouth, and Portsmouth has consolidated Middletown.

o   School lunch would be a savings if not in Ft. Barton

o   Transportation would be a savings if Ft. Barton was closed.

o   Demographic Data Predictions of enrollment as of today in the next 10 years there would be another 200 student decline according to State Reporting,

·         Personnel Impacts

o   Dr. Sanchioni stated that 70% of the staff salary and benefits and we have trimmed those areas to the bare minimum and there is not a lot of room to trim those accounts further and this is a key point. We have a Budget deficit of 1.6 million, and you have articulated a 1.8 million, and that is going to increase due to our spending plan. The only place to go is the personnel. Last year, the critical programs were cut: the TMS Bridge Program, THS all Literacy programs, THS Bridge Program, and TMS lost several other key programs. Ft. Barton lost a Specialist, Pocasset lost two Specialist.

o   Each Principal spoke on what the impact of more loss of Staff would take on the students.

o   S. McNamara Parent suggestions for future funding.

·         Consider and Vote to Balance the FY26 Budget, Which May Include the Consolidation of Elementary Schools

o   D. Farnworth requested the recommendation of Dr. Sanchioni. His statement was in the best interest of the students of Tiverton, as always. If you want 3 elementary schools with no services or 2 elementary schools that would have a social worker and a math and reading specialist, the answer would be to go with 2 elementary schools.

o   D. Farnworth also requested B. Andrade's recommendation. He answered as a parent and stated that his daughter benefits from the specialists and is fortunate to have them. S. Kreager spoke of the social and emotional needs of the students of the district and how important is is to have the experts in our buildings.

o   D. Farnworth made the motion to consolidate the Tiverton Elementary Schools from 3 to 2, which will result in the Tiverton School Department ceasing elementary school operations after the completion of the school year. This includes a directive to school Superintendent Dr. Sanchioni to begin the notification process for effective parents and employees immediately. This also includes a directive for the Superintendent to craft a consolidation plan or plans for school committee members’ consideration at its next scheduled meeting to include options to continue using the Ft. Barton School building for other educational purposes for the foreseeable future.

o   D. Pallasch seconded the motion

o   Vote 3-0

8.    Announcements/Future Meetings - Chairperson

·         Feb 25, 2025

·         March 11, 2025

9.    Executive Session

·         Pallasch made a motion to enter into executive session pursuant to:

o   RIGL 42-46-5 (a)(2) (Negotiations Update — NEA and Council 94)

o   RIGL 42-46-5 (a)(2) (Legal Advice - Council 94 MOA)

o   RIGL 42-46-5 (a) (Legal Advice on the FY 25 Budget)

o   Seconded by J. Sherman.

10. Return to Open Session

a.    Report on any votes taken in Executive Session

b.    Seal the Executive Session minutes

11. Adjournment

·         Motion: D. Pallasch moved to adjourn.

·         Second: J. Sherman

·         Vote: 3-0 approved.

Respectfully submitted,

CA Mendes