MIDDLETOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

MIDDLETOWN, RHODE ISLAND

 

SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING

January 20, 2005

 

Members Present:                               William R. Coogan

                                                            Michael F. Crowley, Jr.

                                                            Edward K. Draper

                                                            Liana F. Fenton

                                                            Theresa M. Spengler

 

Also Present:                                       Rosemarie K. Kraeger, Superintendent of Schools

                                                            Joseph R. Krupowicz, Assistant Superintendent

                                                            Catherine M. McLeish, Business Manager

                                                            Beth Perrin, Director of Facilities Management

 

            The Regular School Committee Meeting was held in the Michael S. Pinto Conference Room and called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Chairman Michael F. Crowley, Jr.  Administrative staff members present were   Steven Ruscito, Stephen Ponte, Vincent Giuliano and Michelle Theberge.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.  The National Anthem was sung by Emilee Meehan, J.H. Gaudet School student.

 

SPOTLIGHT ON TEACHING AND LEARNING

 

·        Teacher Websites – Linda Savastano, Director of Technology, spoke about the SchoolTIES program where teachers can set up their own websites and convey information to parents and students.  Elementary, Middle School and High School teachers demonstrated their websites and explained different features that they utilize, including a monthly calendar, themes they are studying, newsletters, important dates, list of websites and current events.  Homework sheets are also available on-line.  Students who are sick can email homework assignments to the teacher.  Teachers can update their website at home.

 

PROCLAMATIONS/AWARDS

 

·        National Board Certified Teacher – Mrs. Kraeger introduced Mrs. Jeannine Magliocco, Aquidneck School Teacher, who recently received her National Board Certification.  Mrs. Magliocco was recently recognized at an awards ceremony along with twenty-five other teachers in the state.

 

·        Student Awards – Student awards were presented to the following:

o       Invitation for Choral Opening at Governor’s Meeting

o       Newport Daily News Student of the Week

 

 

 

(Minutes of January 20, 2005 School Committee Meeting, Page Two)

 

 

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

 

·        No Student Activities for January 20, 2005

 

 

INFORMATION

 

Mrs. Kraeger highlighted the following items of information:

 

·        Letter from the Jamestown Superintendent of Schools recognizing the effort Middletown made in hosting members of Jamestown’s administrative team during their review of Middletown High School.  Jamestown has decided to continue sending their high school students to North Kingstown, but are leaving their options open for the future.

 

·        Letter from Deputy Commissioner Todd Flaherty congratulating Middletown on achieving a “high performing and improving” status, as well as having two schools categorized as “Regents Commended”.

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

Letter from Bridget Blight, Middletown High School Junior, requesting funds to offset the cost of attending the Congressional Student Leadership Conference.

 

MOTION:  1) Theresa Spengler, 2) William Coogan.  That the School Committee receive the communication.  Unanimous vote.

 

Letter from Claudia C. Vars, Middletown High School Director of Fine Arts, requesting funds to offset the cost of a student performing in the National Music Educators sponsored All-Eastern Division Chorus in Baltimore, Maryland in March 3-6, 2005.

 

MOTION:  1) Theresa Spengler, 2) William Coogan.  That the School Committee receive the communication.  Unanimous vote.

 

            These requests bring up the issue of students requesting funds.  Guidelines are needed.  The policy subcommittee should review this and have a recommendation at the next meeting.

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORTS

 

·        KAESTLE BOOS PRESENTATION – Due to technical difficulties, the presentation will be given at the February meeting.

 

(Minutes of January 20, 2005 School Committee Meeting, Page Three)

 

 

·        CURRICULUM – Mr. Krupowicz reported that three staff are currently attending Disciplinary Literacy Workshops in Pittsburgh.  The Foundation meeting was held on January 12th with good attendance.  The LLT Meeting will be held on Monday, January 24th.  High School foreign language students will be traveling to Mexico City in February and from March 18-25 ten Mexican students will visit Middletown High

School.  ALP Teacher David Pritchard is in Nicaragua with two students on a medical mission distributing wheelchairs.  Two Kennedy School teachers will conduct afternoon workshops to train teachers to help students with spelling and word recognition.  NEASC Update – All reports are due on February 25th.  The reports will be reviewed by the Principal and Steering Committee.  Two committees will give their reports to the faculty to be voted on.  The reports will then be released to the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent.  Mr. Giuliano is meeting with Mr. Ruscito to bridge the transition of students from middle school to high school.

 

·        FINANCIAL – The next Budget Workshop will be held January 27th.  Mrs. Kraeger is inquiring about prior year Impact Aid payments.

 

·        FACILITIES – Ms. Perrin reported that the wiring of Kennedy School is complete and Gaudet wiring should be completed by April.  Floor replacement is continuing.

 

MOTION:  1) Edward Draper, 2) William Coogan.  That the School Committee receive the Superintendent’s Reports.  Unanimous vote.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

MOTION:  1) William Coogan, 2) Liana Fenton.  To approve the Consent Agenda.  Unanimous vote.

 

·        Approval of Minutes of December 14, 2004 Special School Committee Orientation Meeting

·        Approval of Minutes of December 16, 2004 School Committee Meeting

·        Approval of Minutes of December 16, 2004 Executive Session

·        Approval of Minutes of January 6, 2005 Budget Workshop

·        Approval of Financial Report

·        Approval of Special Grants Registers

·        Approval of Invoice Registers

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S RECOMMENDATION ON PERSONNEL

 

APPOINTMENTS

 

David Rodrigues                                 Maintenance/Grounds Supervisor

David Aull                                          Project Supervisor

Timothy Carr                                      Custodial Supervisor

 

(Minutes of January 20, 2005 School Committee Meeting, Page Four)

 

 

RESIGNATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF RETIREMENT

 

Robert J. Bucci                                    Director of Student Services

Gail M. DeSisto                                   Director of Health & Physical Education

 

MATERNITY LEAVE - ARTICLE XIV, C, OPTION #1 (NEA/Middletown)

 

Christa Robinson                                Aquidneck School

From February 14, 2005 to May 2, 2005

Susan E. Leys                                      Resource, J.H. Gaudet School

                                                            From February 1, 2005 to May 26, 2005

Deborah S. Marcellino            Literary Development, J.H. Gaudet School

                                                            From February 28, 2005 to the end of the school year

 

EXTENSION OF MATERNITY LEAVE

 

MaryBeth Murphy                              Mathematics, Middletown High School

                                                            To March 1, 2005

 

EXTENSION OF FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT

 

Beth Spooner-Willis                            Guidance Counselor, Forest Avenue School

                                                            Through March 6, 2005.

 

2004-2005 WINTER COACHING APPOINTMENT

 

Heather Markman                              Assistant Varsity Swimming

 

2004-2005 VOLUNTEER COACHING APPOINTMENT

 

Nina Cameron                        Varsity Gymnastics

David Biestek                                      6/7/8th Grade Wrestling

Andrew Bulk                                      6/7/8th Grade Wrestling

 

2004-2005 VOLUNTEER TRAINER APPOINTMENT

 

Stephen J. Andrea, III                         Assistant Conditioning/Strengthening

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

·        NEASC Update – Included with Curriculum Report.

 

 

 

 

(Minutes of January 20, 2005 School Committee Meeting, Page Five)

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

·        No New Business for January 20, 2005.

 

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

CONTRACT

MOTION:  1) William Coogan, 2)     Theresa Spengler.  That the School Committee renew the contract for School Attorney Richard Updegrove through 2007-2008.  Unanimous vote.

 

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

MOTION:  1) Liana Fenton, 2) Theresa Spengler.  That the School Committee approve the prioritized capital improvement projects and forward to the Town Council.  Unanimous vote.

 

HOME SCHOOLING

MOTION:  1) Edward Draper, 2) William Coogan.  That the School Committee approve Home Schooling #04-05-17.  Unanimous vote.

 

REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES

 

Mr. Crowley – The 1st Monday of each month the School Committee Chair and Superintendent will meet with the Town Council President.  The 1st Thursday of each month the School Committee Chair and Superintendent will meet with union leadership.  On January 10th, Mr. Crowley and Mrs. Fenton attended a meeting hosted by the South County Coalition of Legislators and School Committees.  There were about 90 in attendance.  Of particular concern was the pension and the unpredictability of funding.  On January 12th, Mr. Crowley and Mrs. Fenton attended a leadership conference at the Radisson.  Also on January 12th, Mr. Crowley attended the Foundation Meeting at the Middletown Library.

Mr. Coogan – The Sick Bank Committee met on December 20th.

Theresa Spengler – Attended the Foundation Meeting on January 12th.  There was a wonderful presentation explaining the details of the foundation.

Liana Fenton - Attended the Foundation Meeting on January 12th.  On January 14th, Mrs. Fenton attended the Governors Workshop on Math and Science.  On January 29th at 8:00 a.m. there will be a meeting of the Southern Rhode Island Collaborative.

Edward Draper – Attended the Facilities Advisory Committee Meeting.  There was a final edit of the report.  Mr. Quinn met with Michael McKeon from Kaestle Boos and they are very much aligned on their ideas.  Mr. Draper attended a Technology Committee Meeting where town/school ideas were discussed.  A subcommittee meeting was held afterwards.

 

 

(Minutes of January 20, 2005 School Committee Meeting, Page Six)

 

 

Mr. Crowley thanked all for the time put into difference committees and meetings.

 

Mrs. Kraeger has been informed by Barbara Nash that a tentative meeting will be held with the legislators on Friday, February 11th at noon or 1:00 at Town Hall.

 

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

MOTION:  1) William Coogan, 2) Edward Draper.  To go into Executive Session 42-46-5 (a) 1,2,5,8,9 at 8:46 p.m. to discuss collective bargaining issues and litigations.  Unanimous vote.

 

                                                                        Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

                                                                        Rosemarie K. Kraeger

                                                                        Clerk