Westerly School Committee Meeting

August 20, 2025

Westerly Town Hall

Regular Session

 

School Committee Members:                               Also in Attendance:

Leslie Dunn, Chair (absent)                                  Mark Garceau, Superintendent

Michael Ober, Vice Chair                                     William Nardone, Esquire

Timothy Killam, Clerk                                         Steven Morrone, Assistant Superintendent

Angela Goethals                                                   Rose Falcone, Recording Secretary

Joseph Jackson

Peter Nero                                                            

Lori Wycall                                                                                                                                  

 

1.          Michael Ober called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.

Roll Call:   Michael Ober, Timothy Killam, Angela Goethals, Joseph Jackson, Peter Nero
and Lori Wycall. Leslie Dunn was unable to attend.

 

2.          Pledge of Allegiance

T. Killam led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

3.          Westerly Public Schools Mission

P. Nero read: “To create an inspiring, challenging and supportive environment where students are encouraged and assisted in reaching their highest potential.”

 

4.          Open Forum: Comments shall be limited to School Committee agenda items only.

·         No one came forward.

a.       Committee Members’ Response

 

5.          Assistant Superintendent’s Report: District Curriculum and Instructional Updates

Steven Morrone spoke about the work on the strategic plan which will be presented to the School Committee at the next meeting.

 

6.          Superintendent’s Report: District Priorities, Staff and Student Recognition

Mark Garceau spoke about the opening of school sharing upcoming events and other options for students to use to report bullying due to no cell phone use in schools.

 

7.          Financial Report: Discussion/Action/Potential Vote

Cindy Kirchhoff gave an overview of the June 30, 2025 unaudited financial report with a projected surplus of $329,405.00. Discussion ensued.

 

8.          Consent Agenda: Action/Vote

a.       Approval of Executive Minutes (07/16/25)

b.      Approval of Minutes (07/16/25)

c.       Home School Approvals

Michael Ober entertained a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. P. Nero so moved, seconded by A. Goethals. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.

 

9.          New Business: Discussion/Action/Potential Vote

a.       Westerly High School Student Handbook Updates

Principal Kellie Moulin and Assistant Principal Kevin Cronin gave an overview of the Westerly High School Student Handbook updates. Discussion ensued regarding adding School Committee Student Representative application information and the bullying QR code into the handbook.

 

Michael Ober entertained a motion to approve the Westerly High School Student Handbook Updates with requested changes. T. Killam so moved, seconded by L. Wycall. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.

 

10.      Correspondence

·         An email was received from a parent asking about teacher email address availability.

 

11.      Committee/Liaison Reports

·         None.

 

12.      Future Agenda Items

·         Superintendent Evaluation (Wycall)

·         Universal Free Lunch (Goethals)

 

13.      Open Forum: Non-agenda item comments allowed.

·         No one came forward.

a.       Committee Members’ Response

 

14.      Solicitor’s Report

a.       Executive Orders: Process and Effect

Attorney Nardone spoke about executive orders as a directive allowing the person in power to sidestep the legislative branch of the government. Executive orders are useful in times of crisis but can be nullified by congress or challenged in court. Discussion ensued.

 

15.      Adjournment

Michael Ober entertained a motion to adjourn at 6:18 p.m. A. Goethals so moved, seconded by P. Nero. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.

 

These are the minutes of the School Committee meeting identified above as approved and adopted by the School Committee on September 3, 2025.

 

 

 

 

Timothy Killam

Clerk

 

Details of the aforesaid proceedings are available on the website video.