Middletown Public Schools

Middletown, Rhode Island   02842

 

July 13, 2006

 

SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING

 

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

                                                Liana F. Fenton, Vice-Chair

                                                William Coogan

                                                Edward K. Draper

                                                Theresa M. Spengler

 

Also Present:                          Rosemarie K. Kraeger, Superintendent of Schools

                                                Catherine M. McLeish, Business Manager

                                                Edward Collins, Facilities Director

 

            The meeting was called to order at 8:10 a.m. by Chairman Michael Crowley.  All members present.

 

MOTION:  1) Liana Fenton, 2) Theresa Spengler.  To go into Executive Session 46-42-5 (a) 1,2,8,9 at 8:10 a.m.  Unanimous vote.

 

Mr. Crowley recused himself from Executive Session.  Mrs. Fenton served as Chair.

            Mrs. Fenton announced that there was a vote to approve and support the recommendation of the middle school administration and teacher in the affirmative.

            Return to open session at 8:40 a.m.  Administrative staff members present were            Steven Ruscito, Vincent Giuliano and Tim Ryan.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

 

SPOTLIGHT ON TEACHING AND LEARNING

 

            No “Spotlight on Teaching and Learning” for July 13, 2006.

 

 

PROCLAMATIONS/AWARDS

 

            No Proclamations/Awards for July 13, 2006.

 

 

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

 

            No Student Activities for July 13, 2006.

 

 

 

(Minutes of July 13, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Two)

 

 

INFORMATION

 

            Mrs. Kraeger noted items of information included in the School Committee package:

 

·         The Consolidated Resource Plan was approved.

·         The Middletown High School mandatory summer reading list.

 

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

            No Correspondence for July 13, 2006.

 

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORTS

 

·         CURRICULUM – “School Ties”, an automated program to monitor IEP’s, was introduction to the Regional Special Education Program.  This program links to SchoolMax.  The Regional Special Education Program will purchase this program for all the districts.

 

·         FINANCIAL – Mrs. Spengler and Mr. Draper, members of the Budget Subcommittee, presented the following budget update and recommendations:

 

Mrs. Kraeger and Mrs. McLeish met with principals after the Town Council set the bottom line.  $571,170 in budget reductions are necessary to meet the bottom line.  Without the necessary funding, the budget subcommittee recommends the following reductions:  1 Title One Math at Gaudet, 1 Reading position at J.F. Kennedy, a .6 local Special Education position and not filling the School-To-Career Coordinator at Middletown High School.

 

Possible additional reductions are:  2 buses, eliminate Project SUCCESS, 1 Guidance Counselor, .5 Art Teacher, 1 Literacy Coach at Gaudet, 3 Elementary Teachers (based on enrollment), 2 non-certified positions, reducing the High School Administration by one dean, eliminating Middle School and Freshman sports.  Mrs. Spengler is proposing a meeting for early August.  All additional reductions are based on the outcome of contract negotiations.

 

Mrs. Janet McCarthy, MHS Guidance Counselor, addressed the School Committee regarding the elimination of a Guidance Counselor and Project SUCCESS.

 

Mrs. Mary Guerrera, Project SUCCESS Teacher, addressed the School Committee regarding eliminating Project Success.

 

(Minutes of July 13, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Three)

 

 

Mrs. Spengler clarified that the School Committee is in favor of all the programs, but is faced with difficult financial decisions.

 

·         FACILITIES – Mr. Collins reported on the summer projects.  A sound wall barrier has been put up at Gaudet School to resolve the noise problem.  The Middletown High School gym will be finished next week.  The gym will be painted and the floor has been refinished.  At Kennedy School, wooden shingles are being replaced in-house and the curbing has been replaced.

 

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

 

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

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

 

·         Approval of Minutes of June 15, 2006 School Committee Meeting

·         Approval of Minutes of June 15, 2006 Executive Session I

·         Approval of Minutes of June 15, 2006 Executive Session II

·         Approval of Invoice Register, dated June 13, 2006, in the amount of $379,276.81

·         Approval of Invoice Register, dated June 20, 2006, in the amount of $547.94

·         Approval of Invoice Register, dated June 30, 2006, in the amount of $601,757.20

·         Approval of Special Grants Register, dated June 16, 2006, in the amount of $105,395.27

·         Approval of Special Grants Register, dated June 28, 2006, in the amount of $3,170.47

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S RECOMMENDATION ON PERSONNEL

 

APPOINTMENT

 

Linda Savastano                    Director of Technology Administration

 

RESIGNATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF RETIREMENT

 

Brian R. Buck                         Science Department Head, Middletown High School

 

RESIGNATION

 

M. Christine Pickens              Teacher Assistant, Middletown High School

 

 

 

 

(Minutes of July 13, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Four)

 

 

EXTENSION OF LEAVE OF ABSENCE

 

Tracey L. Whitehead             Grade Seven Teacher, J.H. Gaudet School

                                                Until the End of the 2006-2007 School Year

 

JOB SHARE FOR 2006-2007 SCHOOL YEAR

 

Maureen Sullivan                  Multi-Age Teacher, Forest Avenue School

 

Kimberly Ceglarski                Kindergarten Teacher, Forest Avenue School

 

2006 FALL COACHING APPOINTMENTS

 

Luis Oliveira                           Boys’ Varsity Soccer

Christian Leblanc                   Boys’ JV Soccer

Kendra Lanzire                      Girls’ Varsity Soccer

Keith Kosut                            Girls’ JV Soccer

Catherine Silveira                  Girls’ Varsity Volleyball

Lynda Hoyle                          Girls’ JV Volleyball

David Leys                             Girls’ Tennis

John McDevitt                                    Coed Cross Country

Angela Santa                          Assistant Coed Cross County

Andrew Leys                          Varsity Football

Steven Ponte                          Assistant Football

Andrew Bulk                          Assistant Football

Arthur Bell                             Assistant Football

Dustin Almeida                      Freshman Football

Alexander Fernandez                        Assistant Freshman Football

Gail Abromitis                        Trainer/Strength & Conditioning

Andrew Leys                          Trainer/Strength & Conditioning

Sharon Thibeault                   Cheerleading

 

            Mrs. Fenton suggested the motion be amended based on funding.

 

AMENDED MOTION:  1) Edward Draper, 2) Theresa Spengler.  To approve the coaching appointments subject to the budget’s ability to meet the commitments.  Unanimous vote.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

·         TRAILERS/STORAGE AT GAUDET ATHLETIC FIELD – Mr. Collins reported that presently there are numerous trailers scattered throughout the district.  Some house equipment and supplies that are not in use.  He is proposing to eliminate the trailers and erect a storage facility at Gaudet School.  The structure would be approximately 40’ x 60’ with a cost of about $60,000.  Pop Warner would also use the structure and

 

(Minutes of July 13, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Five)

 

 

would contribute to the cost.  Currently the School Department pays $60 per month, per trailer.  The payback on this project would be 7-9 years.

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

·         COMMUNITY SERVICE – Mr. Ruscito reported that a comprehensive Community Service model was developed in the fall of 2004.  The proposal accepted by the School Committee in the spring of 2005 provided for a Community Service Coordinator.  Scheduling and budget cuts put the program in jeopardy.  One solution is to have Community Service embedded in curriculum.  Mr. Draper asked about combining teaching staff with a couple of free periods with external business partnerships.  Mrs. Fenton questioned looking into a grant to expand to a full time position for this year only.  Mr. Coogan suggested having Community Service mandatory for Juniors and Seniors only.  This would mean that students would still have the Community Service requirement and the whole program would not be eliminated.

 

·         AQUIDNECK ISLAND RIPEC STUDY OF SCHOOLS – Dr. Shoemaker from Newport has requested a joint meeting of School Committee Chairs and Town Managers.  This meeting will be held on July 19th at Oliphant Administration.

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

AED POLICY (2nd Reading)

MOTION:  1)            Edward Draper, 2) William Coogan.  That the School Committee approve the AED (Automated External Defibrillator) Policy (2nd Reading).  Unanimous vote.

 

 

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING POLICY (2nd Reading)

MOTION:  1)            Theresa Spengler, 2) William Coogan.  That the School Committee approve the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Policy (2nd Reading).  Unanimous vote.

 

 

DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY ADMINISTRATOR POLICY (2nd Reading)

MOTION: 1) William Coogan, 2) Theresa Spengler.   That the School Committee approve the Director of Technology Administrator Policy (2nd Reading).  Unanimous vote.

 

 

 

 

 

(Minutes of July 13, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Six)

 

 

EMAIL POLICY (One Reading Only)

MOTION:  1)            William Coogan, 2) Theresa Spengler.  That the School Committee approve the additions to the current Email Policy (One Reading Only).  Unanimous vote.

 

 

SUBSTITUTE TEACHER POLICY (1st Reading)

MOTION:  1)            Theresa Spengler, 2) William Coogan.  That the School Committee approve the Substitute Teacher Policy (1st Reading).  Unanimous vote.

 

 

TRANSFER OF FUNDS

MOTION:  1) Edward Draper, 2) Theresa Spengler.  That the School Committee authorize the transfer of funds to the appropriate lines of the budget.  Unanimous vote.

 

 

06-07 BUDGET REDUCTION

MOTION:  1) William Coogan, 2) Liana Fenton.  That the School Committee approve the following budget reductions: 1 Title One Math at Gaudet School, 1 Reading position at J.F. Kennedy, a .6 local Special Education position and not filling the School-To-Career Coordinator at Middletown High School.  Unanimous vote.

 

 

HOME SCHOOLING

MOTION:  1)            Theresa Spengler, 2) William Coogan.  That the School Committee approve Home Schooling 06-07-01.  Unanimous vote.

 

 

INTERCOM PROPOSAL

MOTION:  1)            Edward Draper, 2) William Coogan.  That the School Committee approve C.S. & M. Tele-Systems, Inc., to install intercom system at Middletown High School.  Unanimous vote.

 

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

 

            No Student Activities for July 13, 2006.

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

            No Correspondence for July 13, 2006.

 

REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES

 

            No Reports of Officers and Committees for July 13, 2006.

 

(Minutes of July 13, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Seven)

 

 

MOTION:  1) Theresa Spengler, 2) Edward Draper.  To go back into Executive Session 46-42-5 (a) 1,2,8,9 at 10:05 a.m.  Unanimous vote.

 

 

ADJOURN FROM MEETING

 

MOTION:  1) Theresa Spengler, 2) Edward Draper.  To adjourn from School Committee Meeting at 10:31 a.m.  Unanimous vote.

 

 

                                                                        Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

                                                                        Rosemarie K. Kraeger

                                                                        Clerk