February 25, 2008

7:00 p.m. – Regular Meeting

MICHAEL S. PINTO CONFERENCE ROOM

Members Present: Michael F. Crowley, Jr., Chairman

Liana F. Fenton, Vice-Chair

Edward K. Draper

Theresa M. Spengler

Member Absent: William Coogan

Also Present: Rosemarie K. Kraeger, Superintendent of Schools

Catherine McLeish, Business Manager

Edward Collins, Director of Facilities

Benjamin Scungio, School Department Attorney

The regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman Michael Crowley. Administrative staff members present were Vincent Giuliano, Stephen Ponte, as well as Linda Savastano. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

SPOTLIGHT ON TEACHING AND LEARNING

No “Spotlight on Teaching and Learning” for February 25, 2008.

PROCLAMATIONS/AWARDS

No “Student Awards” for February 25, 2008.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

No “Student Activities” for February 25, 2008.

INFORMATION

CORRESPONDENCE

No “Correspondence” for February 25, 2008.

(Minutes of February 25, 2008 School Committee Meeting, Page Two)

CONSENT AGENDA

No “Consent Agenda” for February 25, 2008

SUPERINTENDENT’S RECOMMENDATION ON PERSONNEL

ACTION ITEMS

RI law requires school departments to notify teachers of layoff and non-renewals by March 1. As a result, letters have been sent to those affected.

Copies of these teachers’ letters were sent to the union representative.

An approximate $1.5 million shortfall is expected in the 2008-2009 budget. This reduction in staff presents real concerns because we are at the point of reducing literacy, guidance, support services and classroom teachers, thus eliminating the supports our students need to achieve success. As numbers become firm, we will take a close look at the budget in order to bring back as many teachers as we can.

Category 1 - Two teachers are reduced less than their FTE

Category 2 – Ten teachers and substitutes’ employment terminate at the end of 07-08

Category 3 – Fifteen teachers’ employment terminated at the end of SY2007-2008 based on program elimination or bumping

Category 4 – Ten teachers at the end of SY07-08 can bump a teacher with less seniority.

MOTION: 1) Edward Draper, 2) Theresa Spengler. That the Superintendent’s Report for a Reduction in Force be accepted and adopted and the necessary letters sent out. Unanimous vote.

S3050 has impacted the school budget severely. Mr. Crowley expressed concern about the reduction of so many teachers and the impact this has on programs.

Mr. Draper noted that something short of intervention at the state level, will not improve the concerns. There is very little control of the budget with S3050.

Mrs. Fenton and Mrs. Spengler agreed that these layoffs are disheartening.

OLD BUSINESS

No “Old Business” for February 25, 2008.

(Minutes of February 25, 2008 School Committee Meeting, Page Three)

NEW BUSINESS

No “New Business” for February 25, 2008.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORTS

No “Superintendent’s Reports” for February 25, 2008.

REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES

ADJOURN FROM MEETING

MOTION: 1) Theresa Spengler, 2) Liana Fenton. To adjourn from School Committee Meeting at 7:09 p.m. Unanimous vote.

Respectfully Submitted,

Rosemarie K. Kraeger, Clerk