Middletown Public Schools

Middletown, Rhode Island

 

Thursday, May 18, 2006

 

MICHAEL S. PINTO CONFERENCE ROOM

 

SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING

 

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

                                                Edward K. Draper

                                                Theresa M. Spengler

 

Absent:                                   Liana F. Fenton, Vice-Chair

                                                William Coogan

 

Also Present:                          Rosemarie K. Kraeger, Superintendent of Schools

                                                Catherine McLeish, Business Manager

 

            The meeting was called to order at 6:34 p.m.

 

            MOTION:  1) Theresa Spengler, 2) Edward Draper.  To go into Executive Session 42-46-5 (a) 1, 2,5,8,9 at 6:35 p.m.  Unanimous vote.

 

            Mr. Crowley announced that a vote was taken in Executive Session to settle a grievance.

 

            The Regular School Committee Meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. by Chairman Michael Crowley.  Administrative staff members present were Tim Ryan, Steven Ruscito and Gail Abromitis.  The chorus sang the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

MOTION:  1) Edward Draper, 2) Theresa Spengler.  To move “Proclamations” to the top of the agenda.  Unanimous vote.

 

PROCLAMATIONS/AWARDS

 

            The following Student Awards were presented:

 

·         American Choral Directors Association All-Eastern Honors Choir

·         Honors, Junior Division All-State Choral Members

·         Senior Division All-State Choral Members

·         Honors, Junior Division All-State Choral Members

·         URI Honors Band

·         National Council for Education/Ceramic National Arts Exhibition Award

·         R.I. Scholastic Art Award

·         Newport Daily News Student of the Week

(Minutes of May 18, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Two)

 

 

SPOTLIGHT ON TEACHING AND LEARNING

 

“Truancy Court”

 

            Mr. Michael Mancieri, Assistant Principal, J.H. Gaudet School, reported on the Truancy Court.  This is the third year that the court has been in existence and is built off of the Chapter 16 R.I. Compulsory Attendance Law.  Mr. Michael Yates is the Truancy Officer.  The purpose of the Court is to improve a student’s attendance and academic achievement.  Since the Court began, the attendance rate has improved from 94.2% in 2003-2004 to 96% as of May 17, 2006.

            An excused absence requires a note from a doctor or a visit to the school nurse.  Other excused absences include religious observance, education related absence or a death in the family.  A phone call does not excuse an absence.

            After five unexcused absences, a letter is send to the parent.  After ten unexcused absences, the student and parent are referred to Truancy Court.  A phone call or home visit is received after twelve unexcused absences.  A summons is received after fifteen absences.  Tardiness also results in the truancy protocol. 

            The Judge may assign consequences such as home confinement, fines, community service and counseling.

 

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

 

            Student Council will email their report to Mrs. Kraeger.

 

INFORMATION

 

            Information included in the School Committee Package included:

 

·         Invitation to the Annual K-12 Student Art Exhibit at Aquidneck School.

·         List of May/June meetings – there are many overlaps.

·         Letter from Mrs. Gladys Silveira thanking the committee for recognizing her at the April School Committee Meeting.

·         Commissioner’s rulings regarding residency and transportation.  These will be on-line by September.

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

Letter from Sue Dugan, Junior Class Post Prom Committee Member, requesting funds to help offset the cost of the Junior Class Post Prom Party at the Newport County YMCA on May 19, 2006.

 

 

 

 

(Minutes of May 18, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Three)

 

 

Letter from Alice Young, Senior Class Prom Committee Member, requesting funds to help offset the cost of the Senior Class Post Prom Party at the Newport County YMCA on May 12, 2006.

 

MOTION:  1) Edward Draper, 2) Theresa Spengler.  That the School move the prom support request letters to Action Items.  Unanimous vote.

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORTS

 

·         CURRICULUM – Mr. Tim Ryan has been assisting Administration with the coordination of activities.  He is currently working on the CRP with Cathy McLeish and Liz Gagne.  He has been meeting with the school nurses, guidance staff, literacy staff, etc.  The School Committee thanked Mr. Ryan for his work.

 

·         FINANCIAL – The 2006-2007 budget is not set.  Mrs. Kraeger will meet again with the Town Council next week.  There are many challenges based on the bottom line the Town Council presented.  A meeting with the Budget Subcommittee will be scheduled.  To date, 74.22% of the budget has been expended, which compares favorably to previous years.  There is no news on Impact Aid.

 

·         FACILITIES – Mr. Collins will speak at the June meeting regarding storage at Gaudet Field.  Mrs. Kraeger publicly thanked the Facilities Team and said that everyone was impressed with the building and the facilities staff during the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life that was recently held at Gaudet School.

 

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

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

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

 

·         Approval of Minutes of April 27, 2006 School Committee Meeting

·         Approval of Minutes of April 27, 2006 Executive Session

·         Approval of Monthly Financial Report, dated April 30, 2006, in the amount of $31,249,063

·         Approval of Invoice Register, dated April 18, 2006, in the amount of $832,325.14

·         Approval of Invoice Register, dated April 20, 2006, in the amount of $111,321.50

·         Approval of Invoice Register, dated May 2, 2006, in the amount of $381,619.51

·         Approval of Invoice Register, dated May 3, 2006, in the amount of $2,772.17

·         Approval of Invoice Register, dated May 12, 2006, in the amount of $1,156.88

·         Approval of Special Grants Register, dated April 18, 2006, in the amount of $38,437.57

·         Approval of Special Grants Register, dated May 2, 2006, in the amount of $32,093.55

 

(Minutes of May 18, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Four)

 

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S RECOMMENDATION ON PERSONNEL

 

RESIGNATION

 

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

 

EXTENSION OF FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE

 

Anne Coogan                                     Grade One Teacher, Aquidneck School

                                                            From May 8, 2006 to May 12, 2006

 

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

                                                            Until the End of the 2005-2006 School Year

 

Anne Kibble                                       Literary Development Teacher, J.H. Gaudet School

                                                            Until the End of the 2005-2006 School Year

 

LEAVE OF ABSENSE FOR 2006-2007 SCHOOL YEAR

 

Anne M. Howell                                Career Pathways Coordinator, MHS

 

EXTENSION OF MATERNITY LEAVE

 

Whitney Ruggeri                                Teacher Assistant, Aquidneck School

                                                            For the 2006-2007 School Year

 

MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL ADVISORS FOR 2005-2006

 

Frank Lema                                        Flag Team Advisor

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

·         No Old Business for May 18, 2006.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

·         Trailers/Storage at Gaudet Athletic Field.  Mr. Collins will report on this at the June School Committee Meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Minutes of May 18, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Five)

 

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

POLICY

MOTION:  1) Edward Draper, 2) Theresa Spengler  That the School Committee approve the Dean of Students Policy.  Unanimous vote.

 

            Minor revisions were made to this job description.

 

 

AUTHORIZE SUPERINTENDENT TO APPLY FOR CONSOLIDATED RESOURCE GRANT, DOD FUNDING AND COZ GRANT

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

 

HOME SCHOOLING

MOTION:  1) Theresa Spengler, 2) Edward Draper.  That the School Committee approve Home Schooling 05-06-07.  Unanimous vote.

 

POST PROM PARTY

MOTION:  1) Edward Draper, 2) Theresa Spengler.  To support the Senior Class Post Prom activity in the amount of $250.  Unanimous vote.

 

MOTION:  1) Edward Draper, 2) Theresa Spengler.  To support the Junior Class Post Prom activity in the amount of $250.  Unanimous vote.

 

REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES

 

            Mr. Crowley attended the RIASC Annual Meeting on May 13th at the Pell Center in Newport.  Many of the items discussed have already been accomplished in Middletown.  Mr. Crowley was elected Secretary/Treasurer.

 

ADJOURN FROM MEETING

 

MOTION:  1) Theresa Spengler, 2) Edward Draper.  To adjourn from the School Committee Meeting at 7:51 p.m.  Unanimous vote.

 

                                                                        Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

                                                                        Rosemarie K. Kraeger

                                                                        Clerk