Middletown Public Schools
6:00 p.m. – Executive Session
7:00 p.m. – Regular Meeting
MICHAEL S. PINTO CONFERENCE ROOM
Members
Present: Michael F.
Crowley, Jr., Chairman
Theresa
M. Spengler, Vice-Chair
William
Coogan (arrived @ 7:10)
Edward K. Draper
Liana
F. Fenton
Also
Present: Rosemarie
K. Kraeger, Superintendent of Schools
Catherine
McLeish, Business Manager
Edward
Collins, Director of Facilities
The
meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m. by Chairman Michael Crowley.
MOTION: 1) Theresa Spengler, 2) Liana Fenton. To go
into Executive Session 42-46-5 (a) 1, 2,5,8,9 at 6:05 p.m. Unanimous
vote.
The
regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman Michael
Crowley. Administrative staff members
present were Timothy Ryan, Steven Ruscito, Stephen Ponte, Michelle Fonseca, as
well as Linda Savastano. The Pledge of
Allegiance was recited.
MOTION: 1) Liana Fenton, 2) Edward Draper. To seal
the minutes of the Executive Session.
Unanimous vote.
SPOTLIGHT ON
TEACHING AND LEARNING
·
Capstone Project
Carley Benson,
(Minutes of June 21, 2007 School Committee Meeting,
page 2)
PROCLAMATIONS/AWARDS
·
STUDENT
AWARDS – Student Awards were presented in the following categories:
o
STUDENT
ACTIVITIES
No Student Activities for June 21, 2007
INFORMATION
Mrs. Kraeger noted items of information in the School Committee Package:
· Distribution of Formal invitation for the Krupowicz Planetarium Dedication Ceremony on July 12th @ 6pm; with a sky adventure program immediately following
· RI Skills Commission CIM presentation booklet
·
Dr. Ambrogi notice of closing the Newport Area Career
and
· MPS Extended Learning Opportunities Program
CORRESPONDENCE
No Correspondence for June 21, 2007
CONSENT AGENDA
·
Approval of Minutes of May 17, 2007 School Committee Meeting
·
Approval of Minutes of May 17, 2007 Executive Session
·
Approval of Monthly Financial Report, dated May 31, 2007, in the amount
of $26,166,258.37
·
Approval of Invoice Register, dated May 15, 2007, in the amount of
$659,959.01
·
Approval of Invoice Register, dated May 18, 2007, in the amount of
$2,985.41
·
Approval of Invoice Register, dated May 30, 2007, in the amount of
$441,547.78
·
Approval of Invoice Register, dated June 1, 2007, in the amount of
$1,349.00
·
Approval of Invoice Register, dated June 12, 2007, in the amount of
$532,535.12
·
Approval of Special Grants Register, dated May 15, 2007, in the amount
of $42,588.34
·
Approval of Special Grants Register, dated May 30, 2007, in the amount
of $17,934.26
·
Approval of Special Grants Register, dated June 12, 2007, in the amount
of $67,350.91
MOTION: 1) Theresa Spengler, 2) Liana Fenton. To approve the Consent Agenda. Unanimous vote.
(Minutes of June 21, 2007 School Committee Meeting,
page 3)
SUPERINTENDENT’S RECOMMENDATION ON PERSONNEL
APPOINTMENTS
Anita DeLima Senior
Class Co-Advisor
Christian LeBlanc Senior
Class Co-Advisor
RESIGNATION
Joseph P. Maruszczak Assistant Superintendent
for Teaching and Learning
Whitney Ruggeri Teacher
Assistant, Special Education
Michael Dinagen Custodian,
Facilities Management Department
APPROVAL OF .5 JOB SHARE FOR 2007-2008 SCHOOL YEAR
Kimberly A. Ceglarski Kindergarten,
MATERNITY LEAVE – ARTICLE XIV, C, OPTION #1
Rita N. Konchar Resource
Teacher,
CHANGE IN MATERNITY LEAVE - ARTICLE XIV, C, OPTION #1 (NEA/Middletown)
Alison Belcher Grade
Two Teacher,
From June
11, 2007 to September, 28, 2007
TRANSFER
Donna Byron School
Nurse Teacher, Aquidneck
To
APPROVAL OF LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Mary Dyl Administrative
Assistant, Oliphant Administration
From July
9, 2007 to April 2008
(Minutes of June 21, 2007 School Committee Meeting,
page 4)
APPROVAL OF VOLUNTEER COACHES FOR 2007 SPRING SPORTS
Danielle Ventura Varsity
Softball
Katherine Woolbright JV
Softball
Morgan Roberts Varsity
Boys’ Lacrosse
Raymond LeBeau Gaudet
Softball
Harry Eng Gaudet
Softball
Michael Eggeman Gaudet
Baseball
Alexander Dresser JV
Baseball
ACTION ITEMS
POP
WARNER STORAGE SHED
MOTION: 1) Theresa Spengler, 2) Liana
Fenton. That
the School Committee approves a partnership between the Middletown School
Department and the
Edward Collins suggested that the school department maintain
the shed and pay the utilities. He
estimated the electric to be approximately $2,300~$2,500 annually, and $4,200
for gas. The shed will have two meeting
areas and storage for Pop Warner and the high school. The shed will be 30 ft x 70 ft.
The target date for completion is approximately
October 2007. A deposit on blueprints
has been made by Pop Warner and a committee of contractors (volunteers) is
being formed. The estimated cost is within
$60,000. The shed will be constructed of
steel.
Liana Fenton questioned the availability of grant
money for solar panels. Edward Collins
said there wouldn’t be constant traffic in the shed, so the utility usage would
be minimal.
Tina Vars stated that Pop Warner has a two million
dollar liability insurance policy in place for volunteer contractors. She was looking into recreation grants for
school grounds and she will research other funding options. She said the boosters also want to build a press
box (in partnership with Pop Warner) with a 50/50 use of the space.
Some items to be stored in the shed will be the mat for
track/field, the school department tractor, and high school sports equipment.
(Minutes of June 21, 2007 School Committee Meeting,
page 5)
MOTION: 1) Edward Draper, 2) William Coogan. That the School Committee approve Home Schooling
06-07-15. Unanimous vote.
AUTHORIZE
PAYMENT OF BILLS
MOTION: 1) Edward Draper, 2) Liana Fenton. That the School Committee authorizes
payment of bills through June 30, 2007. Unanimous
Vote.
MOTION: 1) William
Coogan, 2) Theresa Spengler. 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.
MOTION: 1) Theresa Spengler, 2) Liana Fenton. To ratify the agreement between the
MOTION: 1) Theresa
Spengler, 2) Liana Fenton. To ratify the agreement between the
MOTION: 1) Liana
Fenton, 2) William Coogan. That the School Committee adopt and send to
the RI General Assembly the resolution regarding the new group home . Unanimous Vote.
MOTION: 1) Theresa
Spengler, 2) Liana Fenton. That the School Committee adopt and send to the members of Congress the
resolutions regarding the reauthorization of NCLB. Unanimous Vote.
(Minutes of June 21, 2007 School Committee Meeting,
page 6)
NEW BUSINESS
·
Food, Nutrition,
Wellness and Physical Advisory Committee
Mr. Ponte has chaired this committee for a number of
years and commented that this was a good year with progressive thinking in the group. They came up with many creative ways to get
activities into schools, the PTG funding and grants for afterschool physical
activity programs such as dance and yoga.
Mr. Giuliano attended the meetings providing input about nutrition and
the new regulations on healthier snacks.
A survey (KidsFirst) was completed. A discussion was held regarding our
strengths/weaknesses with some of the results listed below:
Mrs. Spengler expressed concern about students not
washing their hands when they come in from recess before going to lunch.
Mr. Draper requested absentee data from before/after
Purell dispenser installations.
Mrs. Fenton asked if the committee could work with
teachers and the community on wellness
Mrs. McLeish said Muniblue will conduct a seminar for
retirees and existing employees on wellness during an evening in July from 6 pm
– 9 pm. for town employees.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORTS
·
CURRICULUM –
Middletown Public Schools
received a submission extension, for the Consolidated Resource Grant. Thanks to Timothy Ryan, Steven Ruscito, and
all our principals for putting the pieces together. This grant is a large part of our funding.
The IT department is
providing technology training throughout the summer. Some areas being covered are My Learning Plan
(professional development accounting system) and Microsoft Office 2007.
(Minutes of June 21, 2007 School Committee Meeting,
page 7)
Our English/Language Arts committee
is meeting in August to develop a scope and sequence. K-12 TIENET has a curriculum piece which will
enable a teacher can go online to see what a student needs to know by the end
of each grade and track student progress.
Brochures are ready for parents of K-8 students, that explain curriculum
expectations.
We are building a communication
system with the use of ConnectEd, a phone message system to families and
staff. Our initial message had a very good
response. Almost 94% listened to the entire
message. Mr. Ruscito will provide
parents with a message about summer school.
We would like to utilize this system to survey students leaving Middletown
Public Schools for feedback from parents as to why they are leaving. We can reach families using home, work, cell phone
numbers, and home emails.
Summer school registration started. Tee Gomes is working hard to turn around the
registration information quickly.
Stephen Ponte and Gail Abromitis are coordinators for elementary.
·
FINANCIAL –
The State has level funded
State Aid. The Town Council will vote on
our budget on Monday, June 25th at 6:30 at the town hall. 79% of our budget has been expended as of May31,
2007. The business office is closing out
grants and end of year financials. We
had a wonderful, successful year and need to highlight all accomplishments. Thank you to our building principals.
·
FACILITIES –
Three charts in the packet show
our usage comparison for electricity and gas.
It reflects one year of tracking enabling the development of a portfolio. The last report breaks down how much gas
usage per square foot.
The town paid for watering
can equipment utilized by pop warner and boosters.
·
CORE FACILITIES COMMITTEE –
The
committee is currently putting together a solid funding program. They are working towards the best plan fit,
values, and state reimbursement.
The
(Minutes of June 21, 2007 School Committee Meeting,
page 8)
Mrs.
Kraeger said there was great team spirit during the preparation for the high
school graduation. Everyone worked
unbelievably to get everything done. Kudos
to the custodial staff!
Mr.
Crowley suggested a presentation showcasing the
Mr.
Draper suggested that it was very important to push the issue of the actual
work being done as result of study, dispelling concerns of it being “just another
study”.
MOTION: 1)
Edward Draper, 2) William Coogan. That
the School Committee receive the Superintendent’s Reports.
Unanimous vote.
(Minutes of June 21, 2007 School Committee Meeting,
page 9)
MOTION: 1) Theresa
Spengler, 2) Liana Fenton. To
adjourn from School Committee Meeting at 8:43 p.m. Unanimous vote.
Respectfully
Submitted,
Rosemarie
K. Kraeger, Clerk