Middletown Public Schools

Middletown, Rhode Island

 

July 12, 2007

 

2:00 p.m. – Regular Meeting

 

MICHAEL S. PINTO CONFERENCE ROOM

 

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

                                                Liana F. Fenton, Vice-Chair

                                                William Coogan

                                                Edward K. Draper (arrived @ 2:10)

                                                Theresa M. Spengler

 

Also Present:                          Rosemarie K. Kraeger, Superintendent of Schools

                                                Catherine McLeish, Business Manager

                                                Edward Collins, Director of Facilities

           

            The regular meeting was called to order at 2:04 p.m. by Chairman Michael Crowley.  Administrative staff members present were Timothy Ryan, Steven Ruscito, as well as Linda Savastano).  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

 

SPOTLIGHT ON TEACHING AND LEARNING

 

No Spotlight on Teaching and Learning for July 12, 2007

 

 

PROCLAMATIONS/AWARDS

 

No Proclamations/Awards for July 12, 2007

 

 

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

 

No Student Activities for July 12, 2007

 

 

INFORMATION

 

No Information for July 12, 2007

 

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

No Correspondence for July 12, 2007

(Minutes of July 12, 2007 School Committee Meeting, Page Two)

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

1000.   Approval of Minutes of June 21, 2007 School Committee Meeting

1010.   Approval of Minutes of June 21, 2007 Executive Session

1100.   Approval of Invoice Register, dated June 15, 2007, in the amount of $2,930.80

1110.   Approval of Invoice Register, dated June 29, 2007, in the amount of $924,107.14

1200.   Approval of Special Grants Register, dated June 28, 2007, in the amount of $119,810.17

 

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S RECOMMENDATION ON PERSONNEL

 

APPOINTMENT

Elizabeth Gill                          District Technology Specialist

 

RESIGNATION

Tracey L. Whitehead             Social Studies Teacher ~ Grade 7, Gaudet Middle School

 

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

Kristen MacLean                    English Teacher, Middletown High School

                                                From September 4, 2007 to November 13, 2007

 

Christopher Richards                        English Teacher, Middletown High School

On or about September 5, 2007 to on or about

November 19, 2007

 

REQUEST FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE

Kendra Lanzire                      Spanish Teacher, Middletown High School

                                                For the 2007 – 2008 School Year

 

MOTION:  1)            Theresa Spengler, 2) William Coogan.  To approve the Consent Agenda, which includes denying Miss Lanzire a one year leave of absence.  Unanimous vote.

 

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

JOB DESCRIPTIONS – 1st Reading

The Superintendent Recommends:  That the School Committee approve the job descriptions for Director of Humanities, Director of Science and Math, Director of Fine and Applied Arts, Director of Performance Based Graduation Requirements, and Dean of Academic Affairs.

 

MOTION:  1)            Theresa Spengler, 2) Liana Fenton.  To approve the 1st Reading of the job descriptions for Director of Humanities, Director of Science and Math, Director of Fine and Applied Arts, Director of Performance Based Graduation Requirements, and Dean of Academic Affairs.

 

 

(Minutes of July 12, 2007 School Committee Meeting, Page Three)

 

Mr. Steven Ruscito, Principal, Middletown High School, outlined the need to reorganize based on the high school regulations, declining enrollment and fiscal constraints.  He distributed the current Middletown High School organization chart.  He also distributed a new leadership team chart and explained a new focus/direction of high school.  He explained how the position of the Dean of Academic Affairs would help monitor students who need support to succeed in high school.  Mr. Ruscito also talked about the role of the site-based team.

 

Mrs. Fenton mentioned a new book, “Five Minds for the Future” by Howard Gardner.  She explained how it correlates with the presentation that Mr. Ruscito showcased.

 

Mr. Draper asked if the Middletown High School teaching staff understand that students need to be provided technology integration opportunities similar to the Gaudet model.

 

Mr. Crowley said it was critical to develop greater communication and collaboration between Middletown High School and Gaudet Middle School.

 

Mr. Crowley addressed the need to discuss world languages course offerings both at the middle school and high school.

 

Mrs. Fenton wanted to know the statistics of students taking a foreign language.  Mr. Ruscito said over 400 students are enrolled in world language classes.  Mr. Ruscito stressed that time is competitive for a student to fit in a second language.  Also given the regulations, the state does not mandate world language.

 

Mr. Draper wanted to know who was responsible for the performance issue with regards to the graduation requirements.  Will there be someone to determine that a student has a relationship with a faculty member?  Who will be responsible to ensure this happens ~ possibly an advisory group? 

 

The PBG Director position “owns” advisory as part of the new high school job descriptions.  This summer, work is being done on specific content advisories.

 

Mr. Draper said that the PBG Director position “implied” in the description that advisory was a responsibility of the position.  He requested the addition of a bullet point to job description be included in the human relations section to make this specific.

 

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

·         Waivers to the Commissioner of Education will include textbooks for private schools and physical education proficiency requirements.

 

 

 

(Minutes of July 12, 2007 School Committee Meeting, Page Four)

 

The physical education waiver will address the area of proficiency.  Could students in sports or band demonstrate this proficiency without taking a formal physical education class?  Also, could a student have personal fitness plan that would be assessed in lieu of a physical education class?  This could change the dynamics of physical education and provide students with more opportunities for electives.

 

Mrs. Kraeger will not request a waiver for the ESL program.  The intent is to modify the program.  We will ask for technical assistance on how to better deliver services to students who are here for one year only, primarily the War College population.  The current budget supports one K-12 ESL teacher.

 

 Mr. Ryan said the state looks as Middletown as a low incidence district.  With the low number of immigrant children, RIDE suggested we look at building the capacity of our classroom teachers and use training funds to support this kind of model.

 

Barbara Arietta, Middletown ESL teacher, expressed concern that one teacher will service all schools.

 

Mr. Crowley suggested the possibility of regionalization for ESL services.

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

No “New Business” for July 12, 2007

 

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORTS

 

·         CURRICULUM –

 

Middletown Public Schools successfully completed and submitted the Consolidated Resource Plan grant.  Thank you very much to Mr. Ryan and Mr. Ruscito for their support in this submission.  The grant for Homeless will be submitted by Monday, July 16, 2007.  Mr. Ruscito will be submitting Article 31 and Article 18 later this month.

 

“My Learning Plan” is being utilized by teachers to apply for class change.  This automated system will track professional development.

 

“School Spring” is being used to manage all our employee postings.

 

·         FINANCIAL –

 

The Middletown Town Council fully funded the school department at the 5.25% tax levy.  This still means that 19 positions were eliminated and program reductions occurred.  We will look at the possibility of reinstating freshman and Gaudet sports.

 

 

(Minutes of July 12, 2007 School Committee Meeting, Page Five)

 

William Coogan suggested we look at the “Pay for Play” model that Connecticut uses for sports.

 

Mrs. Kraeger said we previously submitted a Massachusetts model to the state for the concept and we were denied.

 

·         FACILITIES –

 

Edward Collins mentioned that projects are underway throughout the district.

 

·         CORE FACILITIES COMMITTEE –

 

Gaudet library work was delayed because of the rug order.  The Common Learning Room and Band Room relocation is under way.  Forest Avenue School has two areas being considered.  The High School is moving classrooms to provide opportunities for interdisciplinary classes.

 

 

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

 

 

REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES

 

 

Mr. Crowley attended the MEC duck race at Third Beach.  Thanks to Mr. Coogan and MEC for the event.  All who attended had a wonderful time.

 

MEC has a golf tournament scheduled for August 24, 2007, along with a silent auction (Make Education Count).  Visit www.middletowneducationcollaborative.org.

 

 

ADJOURN FROM MEETING

 

MOTION:  1)            Theresa Spengler, 2)  William Coogan.  To adjourn from School Committee Meeting at 3:33 p.m.  Unanimous vote.

 

                                                                        Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

                                                                        Rosemarie K. Kraeger, Clerk