TIVERTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE
TIVERTON, RHODE ISLAND
Date: September 23, 2025
Place: Tiverton High School Library
100 North Brayton Rd.
Tiverton, RI 02878
Time: 7:00 pm Open Session followed by possible Executive Session
Minutes
Attendance: Board Members Present: D. Farnworth, K. Paquette, E. Pavao, J. Sherman
Board Members not Present: D. Pallasch
Administrators Present: C. Haskins, S. Kreager, B. Andrade
1. Call to Order/ Pledge of Allegiance
2. Open Forum
● L. Gonsalves - concerns about adults using student bathrooms at TMS
● J. Quirk expressed appreciation for the school motto and emphasized the importance of incorporating it into student learning, rather than it being just a sign on the wall.
3. Consent Agenda – Consideration and Possible Votes
D. Farnworth pulled Consent Agenda items: a. Regular Session Minutes for September 9, 2025,
and item b. Home School Requests for 2025-2026 School Year.
Re: D. Farnworth stated that three staff members were concerned about the loss of
Kindergarten Aides, rather than class size, which was not mentioned in the minutes,
and she requested that it be included in the minutes.
K. Paquette also stated that the IEP concern was not noted by the first parent, who
spoke at the Open Forum.
a. School Committee Meeting Minutes
● Regular Session Minutes September 9, 2025
● Executive Meeting Minutes September 9, 2025, and seal the same pursuant to RIGL 42-26-4 and 42-46-5
o J. Sherman made a motion to approve the Executive Session Meeting Minutes of September 9, 2025.
o E. Pavao seconded the motion.
o The vote taken was 4- 0
b. Home School Requests for 2025-2026 School Year
● Home school requests will appear on the Consent agenda for expedited purposes.
● J. Sherman made a motion to approve the amended minutes from September 9, 2025, and the Home School Request as presented on September 23, 2025.
● D. Farnworth seconded the motion
● The vote taken was 4 - 0
4. Superintendent’s Update
● Upcoming Events
o Professional Development Day September 24, 2025
o Open House TMS September 24, 2025
o Open House THS September 25, 2025
o Water Fire Saturday, September 27, 2025, Teacher of the Year S. Schreiner will be honored
5. General Business – Consideration and Possible Votes
a. Review September Enrollment Report
● Superintendent Haskins and his team prepared an enrollment report for the board and reviewed it with them
b. Discuss Community Feedback Regarding Cell Phone Use on TMS Buses
● Superintendent Haskins presented the survey feedback on cell phone use on the TMS buses to the board.
● D. Farnworth made a motion to grant Superintendent Haskins approval to revise the TMS policy handbook addressing cell phone use, allowing for cell phone use on buses with explicit guardrails and expectations, as well as consequences for activities such as cyberbullying.
● E. Pavao seconded the motion
● The vote taken was 0 - 4; the motion did not pass
c. Approve Student Handbook 25/26 School Year (Vote Required)
● Ranger & Pocasset School
o E. Pavao made a motion to approve the 25/26 Ranger & Pocasset School Handbook
o J. Sherman seconded the motion
The vote taken was 4 - 0
d. Follow-up with Kindergarten Aide Discussion
● C. Haskins provided a follow-up on the kindergarten aide issue raised at a previous meeting. Due to budget constraints, reductions were made to part-time kindergarten aide positions; however, additional classroom support has been brought in. C. Haskins will continue to monitor the situation in the classrooms.
e. Update on Traffic Flow at TMS, Pocasset, and Ranger School
● C. Haskins presented a report with observations from building principals, SRO Smaldone, and recent parent feedback.
f. Vote to approve FY26 Capital Requests (Vote Required)
● D. Farnworth made a motion to approve the FY26 Capital Request of $1,580,000.00 to be presented to the Town Council.
● E. Pavao seconded the motion
● The vote taken was 4 - 0
g. YTD August 25 Fiscal Summary (Vote Required)
● Budget Adjustment - $3,189.00 from Personnel Compensation to Professional & Technical Services
o J. Sherman made a motion to approve the budget adjustment - $3,189.00 from Personnel Compensation to Professional & Technical Services.
o E. Pavao seconded the motion to approve.
o The vote taken was 4 - 0
6. Announcements/Future Meetings – Chairperson
September 29, 2025 – Tiverton Town Council – Gaming Capital Requests Discussion
October 15, 2025
October 28, 2025
7. Executive Session
● K. Paquette made a Motion to enter into executive session under:
RIGL 42-46-5 (a)(2) (Negotiations Update- Council 94)
RIGL 42-46-5 (a)(2) (Discuss Interim High School Principal’s Contract)
● J. Sherman seconded the motion
● The vote taken was unanimous
8. Return to Open Session
a. Report on any votes taken in Executive Session
● D. Farnworth reported back that legal advice was given on Negotiations with Council 94, and a discussion was held on the Interim High School Principal’s Contract.
b. Motion to Seal the Executive Session minutes pursuant to RI Gen Laws 42-46-5 & 6.
● J. Sherman made a motion to seal the Executive Session minutes pursuant to RI Gen Laws 42-46-5 & 6.
● K. Paquette seconded the motion
● The vote taken was unanimous
c. Vote to Ratify Contract for Interim High School Principal.
● A vote was taken 4 - 0 to ratify the contract for the Interim High School Principal, Dr. Andrew Keough
9. Adjournment
● J. Sherman made a motion to adjourn the meeting
● E. Pavao seconded the motion
● The vote taken was unanimous
Respectfully submitted,
CA Mendes