Middletown Public Schools

Middletown, Rhode Island

 

Thursday, June 16, 2005

 

MICHAEL S. PINTO CONFERENCE ROOM

 

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

 

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

                                                            Edward K. Draper

                                                            Theresa M. Spengler

                                                            William R. Coogan arrived at 7:05 p.m.

 

Member Absent:                                 Liana F. Fenton, Vice-Chairman

 

Also Present:                                      Rosemarie K. Kraeger, Superintendent of Schools

                                                            Joseph R. Krupowicz, Assistant Superintendent

                                                            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 Vincent Giuliano and Fran Blaess.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

DESTINY LIBRARY PROGRAM

 

            Mrs. Libby Gill, Teacher Assistant, Middletown High School Library, gave an overview of the Destiny Program.  Access to the program is through the Middletown Public Schools webpage.  When a topic is entered, a list of books appears, along with an overview, summary and author.  Students can check the inventory of other schools and see if a book is available.  The book can then be requested and sent to the library of the student’s school the next day.  In Rhode Island, 47 schools are currently using this program.

 

SPOTLIGHT ON TEACHING AND LEARNING

 

“Mexican Exchange”

 

            Mr. Dana Ramey, Middletown High School Foreign Language Teacher, shared a presentation on the Mexican exchange Fullbright Program.  He thanked the School Committee and Administration for their assistance.  Students and families were paired both in Mexico and Middletown.  The goals of the program were:

 

 

 

 

(Minutes of June 16, 2005 School Committee Meeting, Page Two)

 

 

·         To increase communication and writing skills.

·         To provide increased technology access.  The Middletown students presented the Mexican students with computer hardware.

·         To experience historical and cultural activities.

 

            While in Middletown, the students visited NUWC and learned about robotics.  They also visited Boston and Plymouth, Massachusetts, the Newport Mansions and the State House in Providence.  A day trip to New York City was taken.

            Mr. Ramey will be returning to Mexico in August to instruct the teachers more about the computer; virus protection, and other technology strategies.

 

PROCLAMATIONS/AWARDS

 

·         Student Awards:

 

o        Newport Daily News Student of the Week

o        Newport Daily News Athlete of the Week

o        Providence Journal Scholastic Journalism Competition

o        Destination Imagination (1st Place R.I. State Tournament)

 

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

 

No Student Activities for June 16, 2005.

 

INFORMATION

 

·         Commissioner’s Decision regarding kindergarten eligibility

·         Town Council Member’s request and suggestions to review possible reductions and cuts in the budget

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

Letter from Alice Young, Parent Volunteer, Junior Post Prom Party, requesting funds to help offset the cost of the Junior Class Post Prom Party at the Newport County YMCA.

 

MOTION:  1) Theresa Spengler, 2) Edward Draper.  That the School Committee receive the communication and move it to an Action Item.  Unanimous vote.

 

Memo from Gerry Kempen, Town Administrator, regarding IT collaboration.

 

MOTION:  1) Theresa Spengler, 2) William Coogan.  That the School Committee receive the communication from Gerry Kempen, Town Administrator, relative to IT Collaboration.  Unanimous vote.

(Minutes of June 16, 2005 School Committee Meeting, Page Three)

 

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORTS

 

·         CURRICULUM – Mr. Krupowicz reported that 20 students received a CIM Awards at a ceremony at Rhode Island College recently.  A Mentoring Meeting and Destiny Training were held.  Mr. Krupowicz and Mrs. Kraeger have interviewed all Department Heads, Grade Leaders and Lead Teachers about their goals for the school year.  Everyone has done a tremendous job in preparing for the NEASC visit.  All of the exhibits are in great shape.  On June 6th, the Chair of the NEASC committee toured Middletown High School.  Mr. Mason Hawes said he is very proud of the staff and thanked Mr. Krupowicz.  He added that everyone needs to be on the same page at the start of the year and schedules need to be in order.

 

·         FINANCIAL– Mrs. Kraeger received notice that the House Finance Committee will hear the 2006 budget tomorrow including the Pension Reform efforts.  The last Town Budget Meeting will be held on June 29th.

 

·         FACILITIES – Ms. Beth Perrin reported that she has provided the School Committee with the summer work list.  Overtime has been cut down by the new organization model.  The School Committee then thanked Beth for all her hard work and presented her with a token of their appreciation.

 

MOTION:  1) Edward Draper, 2) William Coogan.  That the School Committee receive the Superintendent’s Reports.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

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

 

·         Approval of Minutes of May 19, 2005 School Committee Meeting

·         Approval of Minutes of May 19, 2005 Executive Session

·         Approval of Financial Report, dated May 31, 2005, in the amount of $25,542,458.91

·         Approval of Special Grants Register, dated May 18, 2005, in the amount of $3,400.00

·         Approval of Special Grants Register, dated May 18, 2005, in the amount of $27,812.77

·         Approval of Special Grants Register, dated June 2, 2005, in the amount of $57,932.14

·         Approval of Invoice Register, dated May 17, 2005, in the amount of $633,113.40

·         Approval of Invoice Register, dated May 23, 2005, in the amount of $1,440.51

·         Approval of Invoice Register, dated May 27, 2005, in the amount of $193,531.12

·         Approval of Invoice Register, dated June 3, 2005, in the amount of $1,164.81

 

 

 

 

 

(Minutes of June 16, 2005 School Committee Meeting, Page Four)

 

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S RECOMMENDATION ON PERSONNEL

 

APPOINTMENTS

 

Holly R. Cousens                               Lead Teacher, J.F. Kennedy School

Elizabeth D. Hughes                          Lead Teacher, Forest Avenue School

Debra Petrie                                       Grade Five Leader

Donna Murphy                                  Grade Six Leader

Denise McCarthy                               Grade Seven Leader

Mary E. Nassaney                              Grade Eight Leader

Luis M. Oliveira                                 Foreign Language Department Chair

James Ascoli                                       Math Department Chair

Kathleen Barrette                               Career/Technology Department Head

Brian Buck                                          Science Department Chair

David F. Picard                                  Social Studies Department Chair

Linda Faria Savastano                                   Director of Technology

Laura A. Yenstch                               English Department Chair

Claudia C. Vars                                 Director of Fine Arts

John McDevitt                                                Athletic Director

 

J.H. GAUDET SCHOOL ADVISORS

 

Kathleen Sonier                                  Art Club Co-Advisor

Chris Sisson                                        Art Club Co-Advisor

 

RESIGNATIONS

 

Courtney A. Hughes                         Literacy Coach

Beth D. Perrin                                                Director of Facilities Management

M. Jessica Mulvena                            .8 Business Teacher, Middletown High School

 

EXTENSION OF MATERNITY LEAVE FOR THE 2005-2006 SCHOOL YEAR

 

Deborah Marcellino                           Literary Development Teacher, J.H. Gaudet School

Michelle Fonseca                                Principal, Aquidneck School

 

FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT

 

Cris Pickens                                        Teacher Assistant, Middletown High School, for six                                                          months beginning August 31, 2005

 

 

 

 

(Minutes of June 16, 2005 School Committee Meeting, Page Five)

 

 

JOB SHARE

 

Ramona Bessinger                              English Teacher, Middletown High School,

                                                            pending finding a certified English Teacher

Kimberly A. Ceglarski                       Kindergarten Teacher, Forest Avenue School

Josephine A. Brennan-Corey             Grade Three Teacher, Forest Avenue School

 

CORRECTION

 

LEAVE OF ABSENCE FOR THE 2005-2006 SCHOOL YEAR

 

Fran Blaess                                         Grade Two Teacher, Aquidneck School

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

No Old Business for June 16, 2005.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

·         FOOD, NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY REPORT – Mr. Draper gave the report in Mr. Ponte’s absence.  Recommendations from the committee are:

 

o        During school hours, only milk, 100% fruit juice and water be sold.

o        Adopt Chartwells Balance Choice program with the objective to eventually reduce sugar content in snacks to 25%.

o        A Family Nutrition night be held once per year, per school, involving Newport Hospital, Chartwells and possibly the YMCA.

o        Educational materials will be provided district-wide.

o        High School students (through CIM or Community Service) do physical activities with middle school students.

o        Intramural sports be reinstated, if allowed by budget.

o        A daily 30 minute recess district-wide.

o        Increase Physical Education time.

o        Use grant money to hire outside athletes or volunteers to coordinate physical activity periods with students.

o        All school administrators follow Chartwells contract and prohibit all outside food sales during school lunchtimes.

 

The Superintendent would like to meet with the Building Principals on some of these recommendations, bring them to the Policy Subcommittee and then back to the School Committee for approval.

 

 

 

(Minutes of June 16, 2005 School Committee Meeting, Page Six)

 

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

GREENHOUSE BID

MOTION:  1) Edward Draper, 2) Theresa Spengler.  That the School Committee award the greenhouse structure bid to Atlas Greenhouse for the cost of $21,113.09.  Unanimous vote.

 

            Ms. Perrin explained that this is just for the greenhouse kit.  We still need to go out for a small construction bid.  The Town and School Department will collaborate on some of the details.

 

POLICY REVISIONS

MOTION:  1)            William Coogan, 2) Theresa Spengler.  That the School Committee approve the revised job descriptions for High School Department Heads and Director of Facilities Management.  Unanimous vote.

 

POLICY ADOPTION

 

            The “Vision, Mission, Beliefs, Parameters, Legal Structures and System of Governance” policy needs to be tabled.  Attorney Updegrove would like this postponed to the next meeting to give him time to review the policy.

            Policy history and School Committee annual retreat need to be added to the policy.

 

MOTION:  1) Michael Crowley, 2) Theresa Spengler.  To table this motion.  Unanimous vote.

 

MOTION:  1)            William Coogan, 2) Theresa Spengler.  That the School Committee adopt the Student Attendance Facilitator job description (1st Reading).  Unanimous vote.

 

IT PLAN

MOTION:  1) Theresa Spengler, 2) Edward Draper.  The School Committee approve the Information Technology Plan.  Unanimous vote.

 

            Mr. Draper asked about an evaluation implementation plan.  Mrs. Kraeger said that a rubric would be developed that the Technology Users Group would evaluate twice per year.  Mrs. Kraeger thanked Mrs. Linda Savastano and the users group for all their work.  The IT Plan will be put on the school website.

 

REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES

 

            Mr. Crowley attended an Executive Board Meeting for RIASC Plans regarding workshops on negotiations are being developed by RIASC.

 

(Minutes of June 16, 2005 School Committee Meeting, Page Seven)

 

 

MOTION:  1) Theresa Spengler, 2) William Coogan.  To adjourn from the School Committee Meeting at 8:27 p.m.  Unanimous vote.

 

                                                                        Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

                                                                        Rosemarie K. Kraeger

                                                                        Clerk