Middletown Public Schools

Middletown, Rhode Island

 

Thursday, March 16, 2006

 

MICHAEL S. PINTO CONFERENCE ROOM

 

BUDGET WORKSHOP

 

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

 

            The Budget Workshop was called to order at 5:38 p.m. by Chairman Michael Crowley.  Administrative staff member present was Gail Abromitis.  Mrs. Kraeger reviewed the sections of the budget and showed an enrollment chart.

            At the February 16th Budget Workshop, administration requested a 9.4% increase, or $2,963,494.  The School Committee requested a reduction of $931,628 to arrive at a 6.5% increase.  Mrs. Spengler said that based on enrollment, number of sections and classes that were not full, staff was reduced 4.4 at the high school, 6.0 at the Middle School and 3.6 personnel at the elementary level.  Mr. Draper addressed the Special Education increase of 12.83%, or $687,834, Life Support increase of 9.78%, or $415,757 and Employee Benefits increased of 17.03%, or $821,238.

 

MOTION:  1) Liana Fenton, 2) Theresa Spengler.  To go into Executive Session 42-46-5 (a) 1, 2,5,8,9 at 6:28 p.m.  Unanimous vote.

 

            The Regular School Committee Meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Chairman Michael Crowley.  Administrative staff members present were Gail Abromitis, Steven Ruscito and Vincent Giuliano.  Stephen Ponte arrived at 7:45 p.m.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

            Mr. Crowley announced that a vote was taken in Executive Session to support the Superintendent’s recommendation regarding student disciplinary action.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Minutes of March 16, 2006, School Committee Meeting, Page Two)

 

 

SPOTLIGHT ON TEACHING AND LEARNING

 

“High School Peer Review Process”

 

            Mr. Steven Ruscito, Middletown High School Principal, spoke on the High School Peer review process.  Beginning with the Class of 2008, every student will be required to complete a Capstone Project.  A portfolio of students work will be kept electronically and should be in place by September.  All students must participate in the State reference exam.  The faculty has spent hundreds of hours creating the document.  Mrs. Kraeger asked how we will address the foreign students.  Mr. Ruscito said they will have to look at what the country of origin’s mandates are and will have to meet the needs of the student to transfer back to their country.  Within the United States, the portfolio is transferable.

 

PROCLAMATIONS/AWARDS

 

·         MEC GRANT AWARDS – Mr. Coogan gave an overview of the Middletown Education Collaborative.  This is a not-for-profit entity whose mission is to fund and promote opportunities in the Middletown Public Schools.  MEC raises funds by annual memberships, annual fund raisers, and donations from individuals.  Teachers, clubs, and academic teams post their “Wish List” on the website, which is reviewed by potential donors.  Funds are also distributed through a grant program.  The total MEC funds distributed in 2 years is $20,421.45.

 

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

 

No Student Activities for March 16, 2006.

 

INFORMATION

 

·         Mrs. Kraeger thanked the IT and AV Departments for their work on the staff directory.

·         The Commissioner of Education will speak about Graduation by Proficiency on March 28th.

·         Mr. Kevin Swanson is the new Special Populations Director at RIDE.

·         Information on Truancy Court statistics.

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

No Correspondence for March 16, 2006.

 

 

 

 

(Minutes of March 16, 2006, School Committee Meeting, Page Three)

 

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORTS

 

·         CURRICULUM – Ms. Abromitis gave a curriculum update.  She will assist with professional development at the Middle School.  At the high school, EBEC is working to align curriculum.

 

·         FINANCIAL – Mrs. Kraeger will attend the annual Spring NAFIS Conference in Washington from March 26-28, 2006 and will meet with the Congressional delegation.  Emergency Impact Aid for students displaced by Hurricane Katrina and Rita has been submitted.  To date, we will receive $71,000.  At the Budget Workshop on March 23rd at 2:30 p.m., the Committee will adopt the budget and request that it be submitted to the Town Council.

 

·         FACILITIES – Mr. Ed Collins reported that he has attended meetings with Newport to set up logistics for the Women’s US Open to be held in July.  The High School and Middle School fields and parking lots will be used for satellite parking.  After the event, the fields will be reseeded and aerated and any damage will be corrected.

 

Mr. Collins will look into the usage of the storage trailers located at the schools.  There are currently thirteen.  Mr. Collins will investigate if that number can be reduced.

 

·         UTILITIES – The cost of utilities is currently 30% above what it was last year.  Consumption is down, but the cost is up.  Mr. Collins would like to join with other districts and go out to bid for electrical services.  A set rate is necessary for budgeting purposes.

 

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

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

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

 

·         Approval of Minutes of February 9, 2006 Budget Workshop

·         Approval of Minutes of February 9, 2006 Executive Session

·         Approval of Minutes of February 16, 2006, Budget Workshop & School Committee Meeting

·         Approval of Minutes of February 16, 2006 Executive Session

·         Approval of Financial Report, dated February 28, 2006, in the amount of $17,063,715.14

·         Approval of Invoice Register, dated February 10, 2006, in the amount of $3,091.18

·         Approval of Invoice Register, dated February 21, 2006, in the amount of $637,789.63

·         Approval of Special Grants Register, dated February 22, 2006, in the amount of $36,326.23

·         Policy Revision

(Minutes of March 16, 2006, School Committee Meeting, Page Four)

 

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S RECOMMENDATION ON PERSONNEL

 

RESIGNATION

 

Patricia Atkinson-Santos                   Multi-Age Teacher, Forest Avenue School

 

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

 

Maureen Sullivan                              Multi-Age Teacher, Forest Avenue School

                                                            From May 10, 2006 to the end of the2005-2006 School Year

 

EXTENSION OF MATERNITY LEAVE

 

Wendy Dwyer                                                Math Teacher, Middletown High School

                                                            Until May 2, 2006

 

FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT

 

Mark E. Sullivan                                Physical Education Teacher, Aquidneck/Forest Avenue

                                                            From May 10, 2006 for four weeks

 

EXTENSION OF LEAVE OF ABSENCE

 

Mary Donaldson                                Teacher Assistant, J.F. Kennedy School

                                                            Until the End of the 2005-2006 School Year

 

SPRING COACH APPOINTMENT

 

Jesse Alvanas                                     JV Softball

 

VOLUNTEER SPRING COACHES

 

Donna Porter                                     Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse

Lisa Clark                                           Varsity Golf

 

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

·         SPORTS – At the February School Committee Meeting, there was discussion regarding freshman sports.  Mr. McDevitt was asked to have a meeting with coaches and parents to see if any could be moved to other sports.  The consensus was that the coaches approved are needed for teams and cannot be moved.

 

 

 

(Minutes of March 16, 2006, School Committee Meeting, Page Five)

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

No New Business for March 16, 2006.

 

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

EBEC RESOLUTION

MOTION:  1) William Coogan, 2) Liana Fenton.  That the attached resolution authorizing and facilitating the East Bay Educational Collaborative’s acquisition of 317 Market Street, Warren, Rhode Island, in accordance with the terms of said resolution be adopted and approved by this School Committee in accordance with R.I. Gen Laws 16-3.1-10.  Unanimous vote.

 

            Barrington, Newport and East Providence adopted the resolution this week.  The space is currently rented.  Capital Improvement funds have been set aside for this purchase.

 

K AND 1ST GRADE REGISTRATION DATES

MOTION:  1) Theresa Spengler, 2) Liana Fenton.  That the School Committee approve the Kindergarten and First Grade Registration Dates.  Unanimous vote.

 

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION POLICY

MOTION:  1) Edward Draper, 2) William Coogan.  That the School Committee approve the Affirmative Action Policy.  Unanimous vote.

 

 

REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES

 

Theresa Spengler, Board Member of the Middletown Historical Society, said that there are two programs through the Historical Society for students that they have been unable to attend due to lack of funding for busses; the Windmill Project and Witherbee School.  Mrs. Kraeger will work with Laidlaw to see if busing could be provided.

 

Liana Fenton will attend a meeting on April 4th with high school staff on internships.  Keith Stokes, Director of Newport County Chamber of Commerce, will speak.  Representatives from businesses will speak about internships within their companies.

 

Michael Crowley said that a group is being formed to go out to bid on items such as Workman’s Compensation through the R.I. School Committee Association.

 

Edward Draper reported that the IT Subcommittee is working with the Town and library. A list has been put together of IT responsibilities for each group.  Mr. Draper is

 

(Minutes of March 16, 2006, School Committee Meeting, Page Six)

 

 

also a member of the Facilities Advisory Committee.  The next step will be when the scope of work is clarified.   The March Safety Advisory Committee was cancelled.  Mr. Draper attended a Middletown Task Force meeting.  He reported that there is some overlap of agendas with the two groups.  The Middletown Police attend lunches regularly at Gaudet School.  Assembly dates have been scheduled for the “Decide To Stay Alive” Program.

            Mr. Crowley thanked everyone for their work on the various committees and said that their work does not go unnoticed.

 

ADJOURN FROM MEETING

 

MOTION:  1) Liana Fenton. 2) Theresa Spengler.  To adjourn from School Committee Meeting at 8:36 p.m.  Unanimous vote.

 

                                                                        Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

                                                                        Rosemarie K. Kraeger

                                                                        Clerk