Middletown Public Schools

Middletown, Rhode Island

 

May 15, 2008

 

7:00 p.m. – Regular Meeting

 

MICHAEL S. PINTO CONFERENCE ROOM

 

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

                                                Liana F. Fenton, Vice-Chair

William Coogan arrived at 7:48 p.m.

                                                Edward K. Draper arrived at 7:15 p.m.

                                                Theresa M. Spengler

                                               

Also Present:                          Rosemarie K. Kraeger, Superintendent of Schools

                                                Catherine McLeish, Business Manager

                                                Edward Collins, Director of Facilities

                                                Timothy Ryan, Acting Assistant Superintendent

 

            The regular meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Chairman Michael Crowley.  Administrative staff members present were Michelle Theberge, Vin Giuliano, Stephen Ponte and Linda Savastano.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

MOTION:  1) Liana Fenton, 2) Theresa Spengler.  To move Proclamations to the top of the agenda, followed by Spotlight on Teaching and Learning.  Unanimous vote.

 

PROCLAMATIONS/AWARDS

 

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

o   Newport Daily News Athlete of the Week

o   All-State Choral Members

 

A short recess was taken.

 

SPOTLIGHT ON TEACHING AND LEARNING

 

“Middletown High School Site Council“

 

            Carmella Geer, Co-Chair of the Site Council, reported on the Middletown High School Site Council.  The Site Council meets the first Tuesday and third Thursday of each month and works to enact policies for the high school on all matters that are not in place through Federal, State or Middletown School Committee mandates.  All meetings are open to students, faculty and parents.  The 27 members consist of 9 students (each class President, Student Council President and 4 students selected from each grade level), 9 teachers and 9 members selected by the Superintendent.

 

(Minutes of May 15, 2008 School Committee Meeting, Page Two)

 

 

            The Council is now developing policies, hearing concerns, advocating for best practice and developing protocols to help the Council function more efficiently. 

 

MOTION:  1)            Theresa Spengler, 2) Liana Fenton.  To go into Executive Session 42-46-5 (a) 1, 2,5,8,9 at 7:30 p.m.  Unanimous vote.

 

            Mr. Crowley announced that there was one vote taken on a personnel matter.  Vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.

 

MOTION:  1) Theresa Spengler, 2) William Coogan.  To reconvene into regular session.  Unanimous vote.

 

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

 

No Student Activities for May 15, 2008.

 

INFORMATION

 

            Mrs. Kraeger noted items of information in the School Committee Package:

 

·         2 Summer School brochures, one on enrichment and another on remedial programs.

·         May 21st at 1:30 p.m. at Oliphant Administration, Middletown will host a roll-out of the R.I. Kids Count Fact Book data.

·         Action Plan II with timelines for the Middletown High School.

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

No Correspondence for May 15, 2008.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

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

 

·      Approval of Minutes of April 21, 2008 School Committee Meeting

·      Approval of Financial Report, dated April 30, 2008, in the amount of $23,013,633.87

·      Approval of Invoice Register, dated April 29, 2008, in the amount of $268,385.04

·      Approval of Invoice Register, dated May 2, 2008, in the amount of $3,171.38

·      Approval of Special Grants Register, dated April 29, 2008, in the amount of $14,515.34

 

 

 

 

 

(Minutes of May 15, 2008 School Committee Meeting, Page Three)

 

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S RECOMMENDATION ON PERSONNEL

 

RETURN TO FULL-TIME POSITION

 

Michelle L. Fonseca                          Principal, Aquidneck School

 

 

FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT

 

Sheila D. Plaster                     Teacher Assistant, Special Education, J.F. Kennedy School

                                                April 23, 2008 through June 17, 2008

 

 

APPROVAL OF .5 JOB SHARE FOR 2008-2009 SCHOOL YEAR

Kimberly A. Ceglarski           Kindergarten, Forest Avenue School

Maureen Sullivan                  Kindergarten, Forest Avenue School

 

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

HOT LUNCH PRICES

MOTION:  1)            William Coogan, 2) Liana Fenton.  That the School Committee increase hot lunch prices for the 08-09 school year to $2.25 for elementary and $2.50 for secondary.  Unanimous vote.

 

 

CONTRACT

MOTION:  1)            Edward Draper, 2) William Coogan            .  That the School Committee approve the Middletown Association of Auxiliary Personnel/NEARI/NEA optional year 2008-09 contract.  Unanimous vote.

 

 

RIPEC STUDY

MOTION:  1) Liana Fenton, 2) Theresa Spengler.  That the School Committee approve $2,000 to continue Phase II of the RIPEC Aquidneck Island Study.  Unanimous vote.

 

             The $2,000 will be allocated to explore data on the regionalization of education.

 

AUTHORIZE SUPERINTENDENT TO APPLY FOR CONSOLIDATED RESOURCE GRANT AND DOD FUNDING

MOTION:  1) Theresa Spengler, 2) William Coogan          .   That the School Committee authorize the Superintendent to apply for Consolidated Resource Grant, COZ and DOD Funding.  Unanimous vote.

 

(Minutes of May 15, 2008 School Committee Meeting, Page Four)

 

 

HIGH SCHOOL GYM FLOOR BID AWARD

MOTION:  1) Liana Fenton, 2) Edward Draper.  That the School Committee award the High School Gym Floor Bid to O’Sullivan Flooring. Unanimous vote.

 

 

EAST BAY EDUCATIONAL COLLABORATIVE  - This motion was withdrawn.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

·         MAPIT Program – Christopher Collins gave a presentation on MAPIT (Mobile Accountability Program), a program designed to track the travel of school buses and student riders while they are in transit.  This pilot program at Aquidneck School began in January 2008 with two busses.  There is no cost to taxpayers or the School Department.  The goal of the program is to collect feedback, evaluate bus entry and evaluate the fleet management potential.  Some of the features of the program include:

 

·         Real-Time Tracking – Shows where busses are at any time, bus speed and the number of tags onboard.

·         Satellite Mode - Shows where busses are at any time.

·         Alert Mode – Shows when busses are late for their stop.

·         Find A Tag - If a parent calls and reports that a child never got off the bus, the program can call up a tag and see when and where a child got on/off a bus.

·         History – Very detailed information about a bus and bus route can be retrieved.  The system has been designed to run without children’s names.

·         Reports – Reports can be generated as to how many children were transported, the speed of the bus, number of stops, the number of total miles a bus has traveled for the year.  Reports have shown that many more students take the bus home than to school. 

 

            Goals of MAPIT are to reduce the amount of money spent on bussing and raising the level of service.

            Mr. Coogan asked about students who go home on another bus to another student’s house.  An alert will be generated that a number of tags are on the wrong bus.  Mr. Coogan also asked if it was possible for parents to see where busses are when students are away on field trips or athletic games to determine when they will be arriving home.  It would also be helpful to see when a bus will be picking up in the morning or dropping off in afternoon.

            When a bus is in an accident, a report will show exactly what students are on the bus and phone calls can be made.

            A Safe Schools Grant was written and the cost of this program was included in it. 

 

 

 

(Minutes of May 15, 2008 School Committee Meeting, Page Five)

 

 

·         Wind Power Committee – Mr. Collins attended a Wind Power Committee meeting with the Town.  Because of the airport on the island, the FAA has an exclusion zone so a tall wind power tower cannot be constructed.  If the tower is on the school department’s property, then we would draw electricity directly from it.  If the tower is not located on school department property, the utility company will buy the power at wholesale and sell it back to us at retail.  Mr. Collins stressed the importance of installing an anemometer on Gaudet School to get a years worth of readings before any decision is made regarding installing a wind tower. 

 

MOTION:  1) Theresa Spengler, 2) Liana Fenton.  To extend meeting past 9:00 p.m.  Unanimous vote. 

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

No New Business for May 15, 2008.

 

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORTS

 

·         CURRICULUM –The Annual Art Exhibit was held at Aquidneck School this week.  NECAP Science Testing is taking place in grades 4, 8 and 10.  At the June School Committee Meeting a draft of the Strategic Plan will be available.  The Consolidated Resource Plan and Article 18 are ready to be submitted.  Sports Advisory Committee and Safety Advisory Committee Meetings have been held.

 

·         FINANCIAL – Bills 2650 and H7957 were heard this afternoon at the State House.  Mrs. Kraeger sent written testimony.  The Town has drafted a resolution, which will be signed in June.  The State deficit is increasing and there are major funding concerns over level funding and Article 18.  Public Hearings are scheduled for May 22nd and 28th.  The budget is expected to be adopted by Town Council on June 2nd.  As of April 30th, 70.23% of the budget has been expended.  This compares favorably with prior years.  The closing out process for the fiscal year begins in a of couple weeks.  We are still awaiting an Impact Aid prior year payment, which should be received shortly. 

 

·         FACILITIES – Mr. Collins reported that the department is winding down on this years projects.  The replacement of the tennis courts is underway and will be completed within the month. 

 

 

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

 

 

(Minutes of May 15, 2008 School Committee Meeting, Page Six)

 

 

REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES

 

Mrs. Fenton attended the Annual School Committee Meeting held in Newport.  The Auditor general spoke about student achievement and a uniform chart of accounts. 

 

The Aquidneck Island School Advisory Group met and talked about AP courses in Newport County. 

 

STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) meeting with all Superintendents will be held on June 13th.  Discussion will revolve around what is being done at the State level, as well as regionalization.

 

Mrs. Fenton passed out an article on AP Diplomas.  She also congratulated Mr. Crowley on being elected President of the State School Board Association.

 

Mr. Crowley attended the play “Beauty and the Beast” put on by Gaudet School students at Rogers High School.  He said it was very well done and the students were very talented. 

 

ADJOURN FROM MEETING

 

MOTION:  1) Theresa Spengler, 2) William Coogan.  To adjourn from the School Committee Meeting at 9:12 p.m.  Unanimous vote.

 

                                                                        Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

                                                                        Rosemarie K. Kraeger, Clerk