Middletown Public Schools

Middletown, Rhode Island

 

Thursday, April 14, 2005

 

MICHAEL S. PINTO CONFERENCE ROOM

 

7:00 p.m. – Regular School Committee Meeting

 

Members Present:                               William R. Coogan

                                                            Michael F. Crowley, Jr.

                                                            Edward K. Draper

                                                            Liana F. Fenton

                                                            Theresa M. Spengler, left at 8:55 p.m.

 

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 7:00 p.m. by Chairman Michael F. Crowley, Jr.  Administrative staff members present were Gail Abromitis, Steven Ruscito, Stephen Ponte and Fran Blaess.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.  The Middletown High School Chorus sang the National Anthem.

 

SPOTLIGHT ON TEACHING AND LEARNING

 

“Service Learning in Nicaragua”

 

            ALP Teacher David Pritchard and two students recently traveled to Nicaragua for the third year as volunteers to help set up clinics for eye, dental, and general health care.  During their first visit in 2002, Mr. Pritchard and the students helped to solve smoke ventilation problems caused by wood burning stoves.  In 2003 they made stove prototypes to be used in houses.  This year they were asked to help distribute 280 wheelchairs that were donated.  Each chair had to be adjusted to fit the recipient.

 

PROCLAMATIONS/AWARDS

 

·         Student Awards were presented in the following categories:

 

o        Newport Daily News Student of the Week

o        Newport Daily News Athlete of the Week

o        Newport Daily News Hero of the Month

o        Scholastic Art Award

o        All-State Chorus – Junior Division

o        All-Eastern Honor Choir

o        All-State Band – Senior Division

(Minutes of April 14, 2005 School Committee Meeting, Page Two)

 

 

o        All-State Jazz Choir – Senior Division

o        URI Southern New England Honor Band

 

·         TEACHER OF THE YEAR – Tracey Whitehead, Social Studies Teacher, J.H. Gaudet School, is the 2004-2005 Teacher of the Year.  Mrs. Whitehead is a University of Pittsburgh National Trainer.  Mrs. Whitehead thanked Mrs. Kraeger and Mr. Krupowicz for the opportunity to work in Middletown. 

 

·         RETIREMENTS

 

Robert J. Bucci                        Director of Student Services                                        16 years

Gail M. DeSisto          Director of Health & Physical Education, MHS        32 years

Gretchen N. Lendrum English Teacher, Middletown High School               21 years

James Vance               Science Teacher, Middletown High School                  3 years

Annemarie Moitoza   Special Education Teacher Assistant, Forest Avenue  12 years

Maryann Gamer        Clerk, Forest Avenue School                                       31 years

 

TOTAL 115 YEARS

 

·         PROCLAMATIONS – Mrs. Hughes accepted a proclamation for National Teacher Day, May 3, 2005.

 

            A brief break was taken.  The meeting resumed at 8:00 p.m.

 

MOTION:  1) Liana Fenton, 2) William Coogan.  To move Action Items before Student Activities.  Unanimous Vote.

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

TUITION RATE

MOTION:  1) William Coogan, 2) Theresa Spengler.  That the School Committee approve the 2005-2006 tuition schedule.  Unanimous vote.

 

HOME SCHOOLING

MOTION:  1) Theresa Spengler, 2) Liana Fenton.  That the School Committee approve Home Schooling 04-05-19 and 04-05-20.  Unanimous Vote.

 

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

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

 

 

 

 

 

(Minutes of April 14, 2005 School Committee Meeting, Page Three)

 

 

AQUIDNECK SCHOOL PLAYGROUND

MOTION:  1) Theresa Spengler, 2) Edward Draper.  That the School Committee allocate $2,500 to support installation costs.  Unanimous vote.

 

            Mr. Draper said that there was a great team approach between the Town, school department and parents to reach this goal.

 

HORTICULTURE/COURTYARD

MOTION:  1) Edward Draper, 2) William Coogan.  That the School Committee approve Kaestle Boos to conduct a Preliminary Code Analysis & Existing Conditions Review.  Motion passed 4 to 1.

 

YEA:    Liana Fenton                         NAY:  Michael Crowley

            Theresa Spengler

            William Coogan

            Edward Draper

 

            Mrs. Fenton said she has concerns with the cost and questioned whether we need to spend $4000 to determine what we need to do to comply?  Mrs. Kraeger said the administration is working on Plan B and looking into what it would cost to put a greenhouse outside the facility.  Mrs. Fenton asked if Mr. Hawes has any long-term plans for the area.  Mr. Hawes said that in reference to the OSHA Report, there are other areas of the school that have accessibility issues and he suggests that the $4000 be used to fix the doors on the front courtyard so that area would be in compliance and could be used.  Ms. Perrin said that the Fire Department did not put in writing where the violations are and is unsure of the cost to fix the doors.  Mr. Crowley suggested contacting OSHA to see if changing the door opening would be sufficient.  Mr. Draper asked if we really need Kaestle Boos to tell us what we need to know.  Mr. Hawes said his long-term plan would be to make Horticulture an extension the of science program. Part one of the proposal by Kaestle Boos includes meeting with the stakeholders (Mr. Hawes, Mr. Buck, Ms. Perrin and Administration).  Mrs. Spengler said that if we put the money into fixing the doors and next year it needed to be changed, the money would have been wasted.

 

MOTION:  1) Theresa Spengler, 2) William Coogan.  To suspend discussion and hear Student Activities.  Unanimous vote.

 

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

 

·         SENIOR CLASS REQUEST – The Senior Class made a request that students can ask any member of the faculty to give out their diplomas.  Mr. Crowley said that the School Committee has no problem recognizing members who have made a difference in their school career.

 

 

(Minutes of April 14, 2005 School Committee Meeting, Page Four)

 

 

            The discussion of the Middletown High School Courtyard resumed.  Mr. Hawes’ biggest concern is that the courtyard has to meet all codes.

 

EARLY RETIREMENT

MOTION:  1) William Coogan, 2) Edward Draper.  That the School Committee open the Early Retirement option for certified staff until July 1, 2005.  unanimous vote.

 

MOTION:  1) William Coogan, 2) Liana Fenton.  To extend the meeting past 9:00 p.m.  Unanimous vote.

 

PAVING/CURBING & DRAINAGE BID

MOTION:  1) Theresa Spengler, 2) William Coogan.  The School Committee recommends that the Middletown Public Schools, through the Superintendent, while working within the funding constraints for the planned improvements at the four project sites, negotiate with the low bidders to develop a budget that will address the most critical improvements, and to the extent possible, the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) items.  Unanimous vote.

 

INFORMATION

 

·         There was a bomb threat this afternoon at Gaudet School at the end of the school day.  Students were in the process of dismissal.  Everyone responded appropriately and protocol was followed.  An attempt was made to call all parents to inform them of what happened and what will be done tomorrow.

·         Chief Pesare has sent a letter to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation requesting flashing lights at J.F. Kennedy School.

·         A letter was received from student John Maurer thanking the School Committee for their financial support in to assist him in his travels to the National Music Educators sponsored All-Eastern Division Chorus in Baltimore, Maryland in March 3-6, 2005.

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

Letter from Linda Dutra, Senior Post Prom , requesting funds to offset the cost of the Senior Post Prom Party at the Newport County YMCA on June 8th.

 

MOTION:  1) Liana Fenton, 2) William Coogan.  That the School Committee receive the communication. 

 

MOTION:  1) Edward Draper, 2) William Coogan.  To allocate $250 for the Post Prom Party.  Unanimous vote.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Minutes of April 14, 2005 School Committee Meeting, Page Five)

 

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORTS

 

·         CURRICULUM – Kindergarten in Transition Program results have been received.  At the Destination Imagination competition on April 9th, one of the Gaudet teams won first place and will travel to Tennessee to compete.  Middletown High School student Megan Larcom entered her Capstone Project into national competition and was the Rhode Island winner.  She will attend an awards dinner at the White House.

·         FINANCIAL – The Budget Guide has been distributed to schools.  Mrs. Kraeger has spoken with principals about setting up meetings with staff and parent teacher groups to discuss the budget.  A workshop should be held before the public hearings.  Mrs. Kraeger attended the Impact Aid Conference in Washington, D.C. in April.  They are working on identifying funds from prior year payments.  Nationally, there is an Impact Aid shortfall.  Our count is down which translates into less funds.  Superintendents and School Committee Members from around the state have been testifying at the State House regarding funding, group homes and the teacher layoff date.

 

·         FACILITIES – A chemical hygiene plan has been developed.

 

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

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

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

 

·         Approval of Minutes of February 24, 2005 School Committee Meeting

·         Approval of Minutes of March 17, 2005 School Committee Meeting

·         Approval of Financial Report, dated March 31, 2005, in the amount of $19,542,502.01

·         Approval of Special Grants Register, dated March 22, 2005, in the amount of $39,500.43

·         Approval of Special Grants Register, dated March 29, 2005, in the amount of $9,122.44

·         Approval of Special Grants Register, dated March 29, 2005, in the amount of $10,933.56

·         Approval of Invoice Register, dated March 15, 2005, in the amount of $2,544.17

·         Approval of Invoice Register, dated March 22, 2005, in the amount of $576,116.59

·         Approval of Invoice Register, dated March 24, 2005, in the amount of $306.98

·         Approval of Invoice Register, dated April 5, 2005, in the amount of $327,498.57

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S RECOMMENDATION ON PERSONNEL

 

RESIGNATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF RETIREMENT

 

MaryAnn Gamer                               Clerk, Forest Avenue School

 

(Minutes of April 14, 2005 School Committee Meeting, Page Six)

 

 

APPOINTMENTS

 

Lisa Smith                                           Yearbook Coordinator, Middletown High School

Leslie Gilman                                      Interim Lead Teacher, Aquidneck School

 

FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT

 

Karolyn Bowley                                 Kindergarten, Forest Avenue School

                                                            From May 9, 2005 until the end of the 2004-2005 school year.

Danielle Spies                                     English Language Arts, J.H. Gaudet School

                                                            Until June 1, 2005.

 

 

APPROVAL OF LEAVE OF ABSENSE FOR 2005-2006 SCHOOL YEAR

 

Anne M. Howell                                Career Pathways Coordinator

 

2005 SPRING VOLUNTEER COACHING APPOINTMENTS

 

Michelle C. Wright                             Volunteer Girls’ Lacrosse

Richard Formica                                Volunteer Boys’ Lacrosse

Raleigh A. Brennan                           Volunteer Freshman Baseball

Rian McCarthy                                  Freshman Baseball

 

RESCIND COACHING APPOINTMENTS DUE TO REORGANIZATION

 

Bob Mitchell               J.V. Baseball

John Cawley               J.V. Baseball

Ronald Viveiros         Freshman Baseball

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

·         NEASC UPDATE – Mr. Ruscito reported that the self-study is in its final stages of being prepared.  All reports have been validated and voted on by faculty.  Four chapters will be sent to the editor.  Janet Sheehan went to a workshop last week on NEASC and Mr. Ruscito will be attending a conference next week.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

No New Business for April 14, 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Minutes of April 14, 2005 School Committee Meeting, Page Seven)

 

 

REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES

 

            On March 24, 2005, Mrs. Fenton attended a Math & Science forum.  On March 29-30th Mrs. Fenton attended a School-To-Career Business Partnerships and Applied Learning Conference.

            Mr. Draper attended the Food and Nutrition Council Meeting on April 11th.  On April 12th Mr. Draper attended an IT meeting.  On April 13th Mr. Draper met with the DOT and the Governors Office on Highway Safety.  He would like to get the word out that on April 26th at Rogers High School, the “Decide to Stay Alive” program will be presented.  He would like feedback from students and parents.  Mrs. Kraeger and Mr. Krupowicz met with Beth Paris and discussed how we could get programs at Gaudet and the high school that would engage students in safety and have a follow-up with parents.

            Mr. Crowley and Mrs. Kraeger have been attending meetings regarding the Anchorage Housing.  Two meetings have been held regarding High School Regulations another will be held in May.  The School Committee is invited to be in the Aquidneck Island Police Parade on May 1st.

 

ADJOURN FROM MEETING

 

MOTION:  1) Edward Draper, 2) William Coogan.  To adjourn from School Committee Meeting at 9:15 p.m.  Unanimous vote.

 

                                                                        Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

                                                                        Rosemarie K. Kraeger

                                                                        Clerk