1.    Call to Order/ Pledge of Allegiance

2.    Open Forum

·         Stu Gilfilen, representing the Tiverton Recreation Commission, shared that at last night’s meeting, the Town Council approved the bid for new playground equipment at Pocasset School and Hooper St. playgrounds.

3.    Consent Agenda – Consideration and Possible Votes

a.    School Committee Meeting Minutes

●       Regular Session Minutes March 3, 2026

●       Regular Session Minutes March 10, 2026

b.    Enrollment

●       February Enrollment

c.    Home School Request for 2025-2026 School Year

○     E. Pavao made a motion to approve Consent Agenda items 3a and 3c.

○     J. Sherman seconded the motion.

○     The motion passed by a vote of 3–0

○     D. Farnworth requested a month-to-month comparison on the enrollment report. Superintendent Haskins acknowledged the request, stating that the previous month’s enrollment should have been included and will be incorporated into future agendas.

●     J. Sherman made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda item 3c

●     E. Pavao seconded the motion.

●     The motion passed by a vote of 3–0.

4.    Chairperson’s Remarks

·         D. Farnworth reported receiving notice from the state legislature regarding new laws, rules, and regulations for the State of Rhode Island, including 66 bills being introduced related to education. This item will be placed on the next agenda for a more in-depth discussion.

5.    Superintendent Update

6.    Recognitions:
 Two Tiverton Middle School students were selected to perform in the RI Junior All-State Festival on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Congratulations to Kylie Botelho (Grade 9) and Ronan Roberts (Grade 8).

●     Congratulations to the Tiverton Middle School Civics Club for their participation in the Rhode Island Civics Essay program. Jackson Pepler (Grade 8) and Ethan Coderio (Grade 6) were selected to participate—only 20 students statewide are chosen from all submissions.

●     Kindergarten registration is currently underway. Families are encouraged to complete registration by April 1, 2026. Students must be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2026, to be eligible.

●     Wednesday, March 25, 2026, is a professional development day for teachers and staff. Students will have a half-day of school.

●     There will be no school on April 3, 2026, in observance of Good Friday.

●     School vacation is scheduled from April 20, 2026, through April 24, 2026.

7.    Policy Updates:

a.    Vote to Update Policy #1261 Homeschooling Policy (First Read)

b.    Vote to Update Policy # 1262 Out of School Field Trip Policy (First Read)

●     E. Pavao made a motion to table items 6a and 6b until the next meeting.

●     J. Sherman seconded the motion.

●     The motion passed unanimously.

8.    General Business – Consideration and Possible Votes

a.    Vote to Approve Katie Brown Educational Program for Grade 8

●     The Katie Brown Program aims to educate and empower students to recognize and respond to the signs of unhealthy relationships.

●     E. Pavao made a motion to approve participation in the Katie Brown Program for 8th-grade TMS students.
 J. Sherman seconded the motion.
 The vote was unanimous, with a 3–0 result in favor.

b.    THS 2025/26 Indoor Track & Field

●     S. Schreiner presented the THS 2025–2026 Indoor Track & Field Team to the Board. The team of 19 students had an outstanding season, breaking several records statewide.

●     Congratulations to the THS 2025–2026 Indoor Track & Field Team!

c.    Vote to Approve PowerSchool e-Finance Update Agreement for $5,040.00

●     J. Sherman made a motion to approve the PowerSchool e-Finance Update Agreement for $5,040.00.

●     E. Pavao seconded the motion.

●     The motion passed unanimously, 3–0.

d.    Approval/ Acceptance of 2025-26 Safety Grant for $767.00

●     J. Sherman made a motion to accept the 2025–2026 Safety Grant from the TRUST for $767.00 for a radio frequency fire alarm transmitter for Pocasset School.

●     E. Pavao seconded the motion.

●     The motion passed, 3–0.

e.    Vote to Reconsider Approval of January 31, 2026 School Committee Meeting Minutes

●     E. Pavao made a motion to table Item 7b due to the absence of K. Paquette.

●     J. Sherman seconded the motion.

●     The motion passed, 3–0.

f.     Vote to Approve MOU Between the Town of Tiverton and Tiverton School Department Regarding Use of Building Space at Fort Barton School

●     E. Pavao made a motion to approve the revised Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Town of Tiverton and the Tiverton School Department regarding the use of building space at Fort Barton School.

●     J. Sherman seconded the motion.

●     The motion passed, 3–0.

○     D. Farnworth requested that Superintendent Haskins revise the language to clarify that the Town of Tiverton is responsible for any financial impacts resulting from damage caused by recreation.

g.    Follow-up to Discussion of Parent Concerns Around the Use of Lifetouch Vendor for Student Pictures

●     Superintendent Haskins provided a brief follow-up regarding parent concerns about concerts and the suspected use of artificial intelligence in student pictures. Superintendent Haskins contacted Lifetouch representatives to clarify several points raised by parents. The information received is as follows: Lifetouch does not use the Vivid Pix software referenced, and their processes rely on geometric image processing rather than artificial intelligence. Additionally, standard school portraits are not automatically retouched.

9.    Announcements/Future Meetings – Chairperson               

      April 14, 2026     

10. Executive Session

●     J. Sherman made a motion to enter the executive session under:

a.    RIGL 42-46-5(a)(2) (Workshop on Collective Bargaining - Council 94 Negotiations)

b.    RIGL 42-46-5(a)(1) (Job performance, character, physical or mental health) (Administrator Contract)

●     E. Pavao seconded the motion.

●     The vote taken was 3 - 0

11. Return to Open Session

D. Farnworth reported that a discussion was held on the following items:

●     RIGL 42-46-5(a)(2): Workshop on Collective Bargaining – Council 94 Negotiations

●     RIGL 42-46-5(a)(1): Job performance, character, physical or mental health (Administrator Contract)

No votes were taken during the Executive Session.

J. Sherman made a motion to seal the Executive Session minutes pursuant to RI General Laws §§ 42-46-5 and 42-46-6.
 E. Pavao seconded the motion.

The motion passed with a vote of 3–0.

12. Adjournment

●     J. Sherman made a motion to adjourn the meeting

●     E. Pavao seconded the motion.

●     The vote taken was 3- 0

Respectfully submitted,

CA Mendes