Middletown Public Schools

Middletown, Rhode Island 02842

June 15, 2006

SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING

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

Liana F. Fenton, Vice-Chair

Edward K. Draper arrived at 7:15 P.M.

Theresa M. Spengler

Member Absent: William Coogan

Also Present: Rosemarie K. Kraeger, Superintendent of Schools

Edward Collins, Facilities Director

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chairman Crowley. All members present with the exception of Ned Draper and William Coogan.

MOTION: 1) Liana Fenton, 2) Theresa Spengler. To go into Executive Session 46-42-5 (a) 1,2,8,9 at 6:00 p.m. Unanimous vote.

Return to open session at 7:10 p.m.

The Regular School Committee Meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. by Chairman Michael Crowley. Administrative staff members present were Vincent Giuliano, Stephen Ponte, Michelle Fonseca and Gail Abromitis. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

MOTION: 1) Theresa Spengler, 2) Liana Fenton. To move “Proclamations/Awards” to the top of the agenda. Unanimous vote.

PROCLAMATIONS/AWARDS

Student Awards were presented in the following categories:

· R.I. Youth Art Month – Flag Winner

· Newport Daily News Student of the Week

· Division III Football Coach of the Year

· Division II Varsity/JV Wrestling Championship

· Division III Girls’ Softball State Championship

(Minutes of June 15, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Two)

INFORMATION

Information items in the School Committee Package included:

· Mr. Ruscito elected to Rhode Island Association of School Principals Board of Directors

· Presentation by Special Education on School Support Visit of May 15, 2006

· Special Education Advisory Committee Awards

· Letter from Arleen Kaull, Chairman, Relay For Life, thanking the School Department for their support

· Summer School Brochure

· Resolution sent to Town Council regarding Section 804 – “Compensation for Members”.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORTS

· CURRICULUM – The CIP grant has been submitted. Mrs. Kraeger thanked the principals and Mr. Ryan for their help. Mr. Ryan has been meeting with literacy teachers regarding Personal Literacy Plans, School Nurse Teachers, Guidance Counselors, Librarians and ESL staff. The opening for Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning has been advertised, with a June 30^th deadline for applications.

· FINANCIAL – The 05-06 budget is closing out. There is one more payroll to end the fiscal year. The annual audit will begin shortly. As of May 31^st, 83.62% of the budget has been expended. This compares favorably with previous years. The Town Council will vote to approve the 06-07 budget on June 22^nd. Middletown is one of the communities that will receive additional State Aid. It appears that the Town Council is holding to a 3% increase. Mrs. Kraeger will meet with principals and the Budget Subcommittee to decide where to make further reductions if the 3% increase is a reality. The School Committee will present their adjustments at the July 13^th meeting.

· FACILITIES – Mr. Collins reported that the usage of power was down from last year. Twenty percent has been saved each month for the last four months on electricity. Mr. Collins will go out for gas bids in the fall. There are many internal projects to be completed over the summer.

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

(Minutes of June 15, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Three)

CONSENT AGENDA

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

· Approval of Minutes of May 18, 2006 School Committee Meeting

· Approval of Minutes of May 18, 2006 Executive Session

· Approval of Monthly Financial Report, dated May 31, 2006, in the amount of $26,143,880.88

· Approval of Invoice Register, dated May 16, 2006, in the amount of $705,421.58

· Approval of Invoice Register, dated May 19, 2006, in the amount of $645.41

· Approval of Invoice Register, dated May 24, 2006, in the amount of $111,025.00

· Approval of Invoice Register, dated June 2, 2006, in the amount of $517,987.42

· Approval of Invoice Register, dated June 9, 2006, in the amount of $2,481.99

· Approval of Special Grants Register, dated May 16, 2006, in the amount of $64,445.58

· Approval of Special Grants Register, dated June 2, 2006, in the amount of $14,767.81

SUPERINTENDENT’S RECOMMENDATION ON PERSONNEL

RESIGNATION

Bethany Blackard Grade Two, Aquidneck School

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

Anita DeLima Health & Physical Education, Middletown High School

From September 5, 2006 to January 29, 2007

Tara Mellow Literacy Coach, J.F. Kennedy School

From September 5, 2006 to October 30, 2006

Keri Larson Literacy Coach, J.H. Gaudet School

From September 5, 2006 to January 2, 2007

Jaime Sheridan Grade Five English Language Arts Teacher, J.H. Gaudet School

From September 20, 2006 to January 2, 2007

OLD BUSINESS

No Old Business for June 15, 2006.

(Minutes of June 15, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Four)

NEW BUSINESS

· TRAILERS/STORAGE AT GAUDET ATHLETIC FIELD – Presently there are three trailers used to store athletic equipment at the Gaudet Field. A permanent structure should be built, possibly to share costs with Pop Warner. The structure could be prefab, constructed in-house or bids could go out. We are spending money on trailers when the funds could go towards a permanent structure. Mrs. Spengler suggested a building with compartments so that equipment is more accessible. The structure would be built behind the current bleachers. Mr. Collins will have more information at the next meeting.

ACTION ITEMS

AED POLICY (1^st Reading)

MOTION: 1) Edward Draper, 2) Theresa Spengler . That the School Committee approve the AED (Automated External Defibrillator) Policy (1^st Reading). Unanimous Vote.

The School Department has applied for a grant to cover the cost of the defibrillators. The policy is currently being reviewed by the Fire Department and School Attorney. The Fire Department would oversee the defibrillators and complete the inspections and provide training. Each building would have a response team. All athletic coaches would be trained. There would be a defibrillator located at each elementary school and two at the Middletown High School and Gaudet School.

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING POLICY (1^st Reading)

MOTION: 1) Theresa Spengler, 2) Liana Fenton. That the School Committee approve the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Policy (1^st Reading). Unanimous vote.

DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY POLICY

MOTION: 1) Liana Fenton, 2) Theresa Spengler. That the School Committee approve the Director of Technology Policy (1^st Reading). Unanimous vote.

This position needs to be a 12-month position.

(Minutes of June 15, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Five)

HOME SCHOOLING

MOTION: 1) Liana Fenton, 2) Theresa Spengler. That the School Committee approve Home Schooling 05-06-08. unanimous vote.

FACILITIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE

MOTION: 1) Edward Draper, 2) Theresa Spengler . That the School Committee request funds from the Town Council to conduct a Facilities Study with Newport Collaborative. Unanimous vote.

This has already gone before the Town Council, but funds were never formally requested. The amount would be $150,000.

RECALL/RESCIND PENDING FUNDING

MOTION: 1) Theresa Spengler, 2) Liana Fenton. That the School Committee authorize the Superintendent to send the appropriate rescission and recall letters to the teachers involved, as funding becomes available. Unanimous vote.

EARLY RETIREMENT

MOTION: 1) Theresa Spengler, 2) Liana Fenton. That the School Committee re-open the Early Retirement Incentive for certified staff from June 16, 2006 to July 14, 2006 at 3:00 p.m. Unanimous vote.

Mrs. Kraeger introduced the new NEA President, Lisa Wood.

SPOTLIGHT ON TEACHING AND LEARNING

“NECAP Testing Results”

Elementary Principals Michelle Fonseca, Gail Abromitis and Stephen Ponte presented an overview on the NECAP Testing Results in Grade 3 & 4 Math & Reading. Middletown is above the State average in Grade 3 & 4 Math & Reading scores. Mr. Giuliano reported that Grade 5, Math, Reading and Writing in Grades 5 and 8 were tested. Middletown is above the State average in Math and Reading, but below in Writing. Testing results are being examined to determine a reason for this.

There is useful information in the testing results. The plan is to look closely at results, at released test items, at grade level expectations and standards, and school improvement plans to see if all aspects are aligned.

(Minutes of June 15, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Six)

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

No Student Activities for June 15, 2006.

CORRESPONDENCE

No Correspondence for June 15, 2006.

REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES

· Mrs. Fenton and Mrs. Kraeger attended the CIM Awards Celebration on June 14^th. Middletown had the highest number students in the State who received the CIM.

· Mr. Coogan and Mrs. Fenton are on a committee that reviews business education partnerships and internships for Middletown High School students.

· Mr. Draper said that the Safety Advisory Committee Meetings are progressing well. The committee is working with the Town Substance Abuse Task Force. The Newport Daily News will report on the committees work. Middletown High School students are assisting Gaudet School students to make healthy choices through advisory sessions. A recreation center for is being constructed at Oxbow Farms for students. Chartwells will supply breakfast/lunch for the program.

Mr. Giuliano said Megan Larcom and a group of Middletown High School students met with targeted 7^th and 8^th grade students and discussed talked about peer pressure and making good choices. Students anonymously wrote questions on paper and were answered by the students. Mr. Giuliano and Mr. Ruscito have had discussions about making the transition between Gaudet and Middletown High School a smoother one.

· Mr. Crowley said there will be a college board AP course audit which will require every school who offers an AP course to submit their syllabus. The College Board will verify and notify all colleges of their decision.

MOTION: 1) Theresa Spengler, 2) Liana Fenton. To go back into Executive Session 46-42-5 (a) 1,2,8,9 at 8:32 p.m. Unanimous vote.

(Minutes of June 15, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Seven)

Mr. Crowley announced that a vote was taken to support both issues dealing with collective bargaining; one was conditionally approved.

A vote was also taken in favor of authorizing the Chair of the School Committee to release the collective bargaining proposals.

ADJOURN FROM MEETING

MOTION: 1) Theresa Spengler, 2) Edward Draper. To adjourn from School Committee Meeting at 9:55 p.m. Unanimous vote.

Respectfully Submitted,

Rosemarie K. Kraeger

Clerk