Middletown Public Schools

Middletown, Rhode Island

 

Thursday, April 27, 2006

 

MICHAEL S. PINTO CONFERENCE ROOM

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

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

                                                William Coogan

                                                Edward K. Draper

                                                Theresa M. Spengler

 

Absent                                                Liana F. Fenton, Vice-Chair

 

Also Present:                          Rosemarie K. Kraeger, Superintendent of Schools

                                                Catherine McLeish, Business Manager

                                                Edward Collins, Director of Facilities Management

 

            The meeting was called to order at 6:20 p.m.

           

MOTION:  1) Theresa Spengler, 2) Michael Crowley.  To go into Executive Session 42-46-5 (a) 1, 2,5,8,9 at 6:21 p.m.  Unanimous vote.

 

            Mr. Crowley announced that no votes were taken during Executive Session.

 

MOTION:  1) Edward Draper, 2) Theresa Spengler.  To adjust the agenda to recognize Proclamations and Awards.  Unanimous vote.

 

            The Regular School Committee Meeting was called to order at 7:07 p.m. by Chairman Michael Crowley.  Administrative staff members present were Timothy Ryan, Steven Ponte, Gail Abromitis, Vincent Giuliano and Steven Ruscito.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

PROCLAMATIONS/AWARDS

 

·         TEACHER OF THE YEAR – Mrs. Kraeger recognized Mary “Betsy” Colaneri as Middletown Teacher of the Year.

 

·         RETIREMENTS –

 

Rosemary A. Davidson         Guidance Counselor, JFK                  15 years

Elizabeth A. Flynn                 Special Education Teacher, MHS     29 years

Robert W. Frye                       Science Teacher, MHS                                   29 years

Kathy Mendonsa                   Special Ed. Teacher Assistant, FA    12 years

Thomas R. O’Donnell                        English Teacher, JHG                                    18 years

(Minutes of April 27, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Two)

 

 

Emily Roberta Perry               Home Economics Teacher, JHG        22 years

Ralph M. Perry                       LSP Teacher, JFK                               28 years

David F. Picard                      Social Studies Dept. Chair, MHS      29 years

Mary M. Rein                         Math Teacher, JHG                            30 years

Leonore L. Rizy                      Special Education Teacher, JHG       21 years

Kathleen M. Sonier                Art Teacher, JHG                               18 years

                                                                                    Total               251 years

 

·         SPECIAL RECOGNITION – Mrs. Gladys Silveira was recognized for the 50th anniversary of Silveira Kindergarten and Nursery School.

 

·         NATIONAL TEACHER DAY – Mrs. Hughes accepted a proclamation on behalf of the teachers for National Teacher Day, which is recognized on May 9, 2006.

 

·         NATIONAL SCHOOL NURSE DAY – The school nurse/teachers accepted a proclamation for school nurse day, which is recognized on May 10th.

 

·         STUDENT AWARDS – Student Awards were presented in the following categories:

 

§         Newport Daily News Student of the Week

§         Newport Daily News Athlete of the Week

§         Middletown District Spelling Bee Winner

§         National Geographic Geography Bee Winner

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

Letter from Erin Larcom, requesting permission to run the Safety Town Program at Aquidneck School during the summer.

 

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

 

            Erin Larcom will be organizing Safety Town for her Girl Scout Gold Award.  The program will run August 14-17, 2006 at Aquidneck School.

 

SPOTLIGHT ON TEACHING AND LEARNING

 

“Newport Collaborative”

 

            Mr. Richard Quinn, member of the Facilities Advisory Committee, introduced Prakash Nair from Newport Collaborative Architects who gave a presentation about the future of Middletown’s schools.  Mr. Nair said the group plans to work from information the Facilities Advisory Committee has already gathered and develop a master plan that will become a blueprint for change.

(Minutes of April 27, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Three)

 

 

            The next step is a presentation to the Town Council on May 8th.  Data that backs up these findings needs to be added to the presentation.  The presentation needs to be presented to the community.

 

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

 

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

 

·         No Student Activities for April 27, 2006.

 

INFORMATION

 

            Mrs. Kraeger listed items of information included in the School Committee package:

 

·         Southern Collaborative legislative action packet

·         RIDE Legislative Report

·         MHS teacher has been accepted as a participant in the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund Teacher Program to Japan for June 2006.

·         Communication with the Town Administration regarding School Committee stipend.

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORTS

 

·         CURRICULUM – Ms. Abromitis gave a curriculum update.  East Bay Educational Collaborative has submitted a secondary proposal for Middletown High School and J.H. Gaudet School to support the implementation of classroom labs.  Ms. Abromitis has written a legislative grant to focus on involving parents by creating pamphlets explaining the standards.  A formal report with the NECAP test results will be available in May.  A copy of the letter from the NEASC Chair was sent to the entire staff today.  The letter congratulated Middletown High School on all of the hard work on the self-study.

 

·         FINANCIAL – To date, 65% of the budget has been expended.  This compares favorably to previous years.  Mrs. Kraeger and Mr. Crowley will be meeting with all staff and parent groups to discuss the 06-07 budget.  A meeting with the Finance Subcommittee will be held after the budget workshops.  There are concerns about funding of the proposed budget.  Enrollment is being watched carefully.  The Governor’s Educational State Aid is questionable.  Originally, Middletown was to receive approximately $400,000.  Public Hearings on the budget are to be held on Tuesday, May 30th and Thursday, June 8th at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall.

 

 

(Minutes of April 27, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Four)

 

 

·         FACILITIES – Mr. Collins reported that the school department is saving 23% per month on electricity.  He is in the process of going out to bid for natural gas.  Mr. Collins is also looking into a water conservation funding program, which could show an annual reduction of 40%in water consumption.  The cafetorium light bulbs at the three elementary schools will be replaced with energy efficient bulbs.

 

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

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

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

 

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

·         Approval of Minutes of March 16, 2006 Executive Session

·         Approval of Minutes of March 23, 2006 School Committee Meeting

·         Approval of Monthly Financial Report, dated March 31, 2006, in the amount of $20,515,749.52

·         Approval of Invoice Register, dated March 7, 2006, in the amount of $720,937.08

·         Approval of Invoice Register, dated March 10, 2006, in the amount of $1,810.15

·         Approval of Invoice Register, dated March 21, 2006, in the amount of $172,357.31

·         Approval of Invoice Register, dated March 22, 2006, in the amount of $273,584.47

·         Approval of Invoice Register, dated April 4, 2006, in the amount of $405,032.05

·         Approval of Invoice Register, dated April 13, 2006, in the amount of $985.79

·         Approval of Special Grants Register, dated March 8, 2006, in the amount of $8,536.84

·         Approval of Special Grants Register, dated March 21, 2006, in the amount of $37,967.39

·         Approval of Special Grants Register, dated April 4, 2006, in the amount of $142,985.87

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S RECOMMENDATION ON PERSONNEL

 

RESIGNATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF RETIREMENT

 

Kathy Mendonsa                               Special Education Teacher Assistant

                                                            Forest Avenue School

 

JOB SHARE FOR 2006-2007 SCHOOL YEAR

 

Maureen Cicchitelli                            Principal, Aquidneck School

 

FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT

 

Emily Roberta Perry                           Consumer Science Teacher, J.H. Gaudet School

                                                            Until the End of the 2005-2006 School Year

 

(Minutes of April 27, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Five)

 

 

Anne Coogan                                     Grade One Teacher, Aquidneck School

                                                            From April 24, 2006 until May 8, 2006.

Beth Spooner-Willis                           Guidance Counselor, Forest Avenue School

                                                            From May 4, 2006 until May 15, 2006.

 

EXTENSION OF FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE

 

Donna Gibson                                                Special Education Teacher Assistant, J.H. Gaudet School

                                                            Until the End of the 2005-2006 School Year

 

LEAVE OF ABSENSE FOR 2006-2007 SCHOOL YEAR

 

Ramona Bessinger                              English Teacher, Middletown High School

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

·         No Old Business for April 27, 2006.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

·         No New Business for April 27, 2006.

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

HOME SCHOOLING

MOTION:  1) Theresa Spengler, 2) William Coogan.  That the School Committee approve Home Schooling 05-06-05 and 05-06-06.  Unanimous vote.

 

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT

MOTION:  1) William Coogan, 2) Edward Draper.  That the School Committee approve the prioritized Capital Improvement projects.  Unanimous vote.

 

SCHOOL CALENDAR

MOTION:  1) Edward Draper, 2) William Coogan.  That the School Committee approve the School Calendar for 2006-2007.  Unanimous vote.

 

TUITION RATE

MOTION:  1) Theresa Spengler, 2) William Coogan.  That the School Committee approve the Tuition Rate for the 2006-2007 school year.  Unanimous vote.

 

REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES

 

            Mr. Draper reported that students are taking the lead on issues such as SADD and Safety Town.  “Project Good Choices” is a program where Middletown High School

(Minutes of April 27, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Six)

 

 

students visit Gaudet School to talk about their high school experience and making good choices.  SADD will be doing a mock auto accident at the high school.  Mr. Crowley said that the Annual Meeting of the R.I. Association of School Committees will take place on Saturday, May 13th at the Pell Center, Salve Regina University.

 

ADJOURN FROM MEETING

 

MOTION:  1) Theresa Spengler, 2) Edward Draper.  To adjourn from School Committee Meeting at 9:28 p.m.  Unanimous vote.

 

                                                                        Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

                                                                        Rosemarie K. Kraeger

                                                                        Clerk