Middletown Public Schools

Middletown, Rhode Island   02842

 

Thursday, August 24, 2006

 

SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING

 

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

                                                Liana F. Fenton, Vice-Chair

                                                Edward K. Draper

                                                Theresa M. Spengler

 

Member Absent:                     William Coogan

 

Also Present:                          Rosemarie K. Kraeger, Superintendent of Schools

                                                Joseph P. Maruszczak, Assistant Superintendent

                                                Catherine M. McLeish, Business Manager

                                                Edward Collins, Facilities Director

 

            A reception was held to introduce and welcome Mr. Joseph P. Maruszczak, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning.

            The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Chairman Michael Crowley.  All members present, with the exception of Mr. Coogan.  Administrative staff members present were Vincent Giuliano, Michelle Fonseca and Linda Savastano.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

SPOTLIGHT ON TEACHING AND LEARNING

 

            No “Spotlight on Teaching and Learning” for August 24, 2006.

 

 

PROCLAMATIONS/AWARDS

 

            No Proclamations/Awards for August 24, 2006.

 

 

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

 

            No Student Activities for August 24, 2006.

 

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

Letter from Gerry Kempen, Town Administrator, requesting that School Committee allow the Safety Advisory Committee to assist in the recruitment of a new Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator.

 

(Minutes of August 24, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Two)

 

 

MOTION:  1) Theresa Spengler, 2) Liana Fenton.  That the School Committee receive the communication and move to an action item.  Unanimous vote.

 

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORTS

 

·         CURRIULUM – Mr. Maruszczak reported that test scores in four areas of ELA and three areas in math at MHS have increased.  At a future meeting, Mr. Maruszczak will give a report on test scores and trends.

 

·         FINANCIAL – The 06-07 budget continues to be adjusted based on a $571,000 reduction.  Mrs. Kraeger will attend an Impact Aid Conference in Washington, D.C. in mid-September.  The military student count has decreased as a result of the Anchorage Housing.  Mrs. Kraeger will set up a meeting with the Town Council to receive an update about the Anchorage Housing plan.

 

·         FACILITIES – Mr. Collins listed summer projects being completed in the district.  The bid for resurfacing the basketball courts will go out shortly.  Mr. Collins invited the School Committee to tour the schools or particular projects they want to see.  Mrs. Kraeger said that the work being done is outstanding.  Mr. Collins reported that the School Department now has an energy portfolio on-line and will be able to forecast budget numbers more accurately.  Mr. Draper requested the dollar amount of the budget cost avoidance be added during budget preparation time.

 

·         ENROLLMENT UPDATE – A number of teachers have been recalled.  There are five openings due to leaves of absence.  The overall enrollment at this point of time is down about 245 students from last year.  All elementary enrollments are low on Aquidneck Island, as well as the State.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Minutes of August 24, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Three)

 

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

·         Approval of Minutes of July 13, 2006 School Committee Meeting

·         Approval of Minutes of July 13, 2006 Executive Session I

·         Approval of Minutes of July 13, 2006 Executive Session II

·         Approval of Minutes of August 1, 2006 School Committee Meeting

·         Approval of Minutes of August 1, 2006 Executive Session

·         Approval of Invoice Register, dated July 14, 2006, in the amount of $139,720.50

·         Approval of Invoice Register, dated July 24, 2006, in the amount of $522,241.18

·         Approval of Special Grants Register, dated August 7, 2006, in the amount of $9,526.64

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S RECOMMENDATION ON PERSONNEL

 

APPOINTMENT

 

Martha A. Ullman, M.D.       School Physician

Hakan Durudogan                School Dentist

Donna Murphy                      Grade Five Leader

Debra O’Bryan                       Grade Six Leader

Denise McCarthy                   Grade Seven Leader

Mary Nassaney                      Grade Eight Leader

Laura Yentsch                                    English Department Head

Luis Oliveira                           World Languages Department Head

Claudia C. Vars                     Director of Art/Music

Kathleen Barrette                   Career/Tech Department Head

Elizabeth Hughes                   Lead Teacher, Forest Avenue School

 

LEAVE OF ABSENCE FOR 2006-2007 SCHOOL YEAR

 

Arthur J. Sherman                 Health & Physical Education, MHS

 

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

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

            No “Old Business” for August 24, 2006.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Minutes of August 24, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Four)

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

PLANETARIUM – A meeting was attended by Mrs. Kraeger, Mrs. McLeish, Mr. Giuliano, Mr. Mancieri, Mr. Maruszczak and Dr. Peter Schultz from Brown University.  Dr. Schultz was amazed at the facility and equipment.  The equipment needs to be updated.  Conversation will continue to rejuvenate the planetarium as a community resource.

 

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

MOTION:  1) Edward Draper, 2) Theresa Spengler.  To direct the School Safety Advisory Committee to assist the Town by; 1) developing and implementing a job description for Substance Abuse Coordinator, 2) serve as liaison for the Substance Abuse Task Force on an interim basis, and 3) develop the organizational structure to reconstitute the Middletown Substance Abuse Task Force.  Unanimous vote.

 

            Safety Advisory Committee will report to the School Committee in September as to their future goals and what they have accomplished.

 

 

ELECTRICAL BID

MOTION:  1) Theresa Spengler, 2) Liana Fenton.  That the School Committee award the Electrical Bid to Coastal Electric.  Unanimous vote.

 

PLUMBING BID

MOTION:  1) Liana Fenton, 2) Theresa Spengler.  That the School Committee award the Plumbing Bid to Custom Plumbing and Heating Company.  Unanimous vote.

 

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR (One Reading Only)

MOTION:  1)            Theresa Spengler, 2) Liana Fenton.  That the School Committee approve Athletic Director Policy (One Reading Only).  Unanimous vote.

 

            The policy has not been revised since 1990.

 

HOME SCHOOLING

MOTION:  1)            Liana Fenton, 2) Theresa Spengler.  That the School Committee approve Home Schooling 06-07-02 and 06-07-03.

 

 

 

 

 

(Minutes of August 24, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Five)

 

 

REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES

 

Mrs. Spengler reported that student Erin Larcom organized the Safety Town project this year.  Middletown High School and Gaudet School students earned community service hours assisting with the program.  Mrs. Spengler thanked all the businesses who supported the program.

 

Mr. Draper said an Open Space Committee Meeting will be held soon.

 

Mrs. Fenton is looking at a State policy for dual enrollment, AP courses and on-line courses.  Additionally, she attended a meeting with Newport and Portsmouth to solve short and long-term problems with pension and healthcare costs.  The group will meet again on September 22nd at 9 a.m. at Oliphant Administration.

 

MOTION:  1)            Edward Draper, 2) Theresa Spengler.   To go into Executive Session 46-42-5 (a) 1,2,8,9 at 7:57 p.m.  Unanimous vote.

 

ADJOURN FROM MEETING

 

MOTION:  1)            Theresa Spengler, 2) Edward Draper.  To adjourn from School Committee Meeting at 9:22 p.m.  Unanimous vote.

 

 

                                                                        Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

                                                                        Rosemarie K. Kraeger

                                                                        Clerk