Middletown Public Schools

Middletown, Rhode Island 02842

Thursday, September 21, 2006

SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING

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

Liana F. Fenton, Vice-Chair

William Coogan arrived at 7:31 p.m.

Edward K. Draper

Theresa M. Spengler

Also Present: Rosemarie K. Kraeger, Superintendent of Schools

Joseph P. Maruszczak, Assistant Superintendent

Catherine M. McLeish, Business Manager

Edward Collins, Facilities Director

The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Chairman Michael Crowley. All members present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

SPOTLIGHT ON TEACHING AND LEARNING

“COZ – Parents As Teachers”

Mrs. Kraeger introduced Kristen Pachico, COZ Coordinator. Ms. Pachico reported that this year a partnership was formed with Salve Regina University. Students from the University will assist with office duties and childcare. Childcare for Parent/Teacher Conferences will be coordinated by the Salve students.

Mrs. Judy Copolla, Parent Educator, reported on the “Parents As Teachers” program. The program supports children prenatal through age five. 141 kindergarten families were visited by a parent educator. Mrs. Copolla distributed a book, “R is for Rhode Island Red”, which was given to all kindergarten students during the visit. The Author/Illustrator has been contacted to see if they would give a presentation to students & parents this year.

INFORMATION

· The Student Council Officers will be introduced at the October School Committee Meeting.

· Vaccination Before Graduation Program – A high percentage of Middletown High School students have been vaccinated through this program. The program will be offered again this year.

(Minutes of September 21, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Two)

PROCLAMATIONS/AWARDS

No Proclamations/Awards for September 21, 2006.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

No Student Activities for September 21, 2006.

CORRESPONDENCE

Letter from Patricia Weissman, Safety Advisory Committee, listing the accomplishments of the Middletown Safety Advisory Committee.

MOTION: 1) Liana Fenton, 2) Theresa Spengler. That the School Committee receive the communication. Unanimous vote.

The Committee outlined many of the accomplishment over the past year. A formal report will be presented at the October School Committee Meeting. Mr. Draper reported that the role of the Safety Advisory Committee has expanded. Within the next six months, the Substance Abuse Task Force will take over some duties. In about 3-4 months, the Committee will return to more school specific issues.

Letter from Anthony Pesare, Chief of Police, requesting permission to utilize Middletown High School and J.H. Gaudet School’s parking lots for Tall Ships Rhode Island 2007, scheduled for June 27 through July 1, 2007.

MOTION: 1) Theresa Spengler, 2) Liana Fenton. That the School Committee receive the communication. Unanimous vote.

This summer, the high school and middle school parking lots were utilized for the U.S. Women’s Open, which worked well. The town will be compensated for any damages. Mr. Draper said the Chamber of Commerce will highlight Middletown to generate income for Middletown businesses.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORTS

CURRICULUM – No Report

(Minutes of September 21, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Three)

FINANCIAL – Mrs. Kraeger attended the Impact Aid conference over the weekend. There was a lot of concern for FY07 funding. The budget and allocations will most likely be frozen at the FY06 level and districts need to prepare for fewer dollars from Impact Aid.

Mrs. McLeish is currently working on the final numbers for the 06-07 budget. A meeting with the Budget Subcommittee will be scheduled before the next School Committee Meeting.

FACILITIES – Mr. Collins attended a preliminary meeting at Town Hall in regards to eliminating curb cuts at J.F. Kennedy School and the Middletown Library. Traffic would have to be detoured to the back of school. Mrs. Spengler asked about the State helping with a timed light to enable the busses to exit. A traffic study would be the first step in considering a light.

Bids for three generators, one each at Middletown High School, Oliphant Administration and J.H. Gaudet School, were recently advertised.

Holes in the Gaudet School Track will be fixed this week.

The Fire Inspector’s report was recently received. The School Department is requesting a time variance for alarm coverage. Middletown High School is 95% complete with the fire alarm system. The other buildings will be completed over the next few years.

TRANSPORTATION – Mr. Collins has assumed the duties of bus transportation. There is currently an issue with students being dropped off at YMCA. Mrs. Spengler suggested the YMCA offer a program at J.F. Kennedy School to alleviate the problem.

Mrs. Kraeger said that Opening Day went very smoothly. Mrs. Kraeger and Mr. Maruszczak visited each school and complimented the principals and teachers for a great opening day.

ENROLLMENT – A presentation was given comparing enrollment trends from 2002 to 2006. From 2002 to 2006 the enrollment had decreased 85 students at Gaudet School, 113 students at Middletown High School, 65 students at Forest Avenue School, 57 students at Kennedy School and 52 students at Aquidneck School. Staff reductions are reflected in these decreases.

TEST SCORES - Mr. Maruszczak gave a presentation on the recently released high school test scores, as well as comparison of results from previous years. There are three subtests in Mathematics and four subtests in English Language Arts. Scores in all seven subtests have improved.

Committee members requested data on students who began the Chicago Math Series in elementary school as to how they are scoring on the State tests. Deficiencies need to be addressed and a plan needs to be put in place as to what is covered in middle

(Minutes of September 21, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Four)

school so ninth graders entering the high school from Gaudet School have the knowledge and skills to be successful. Teams of grade 7-12 English Language Arts and

Math teachers will meet to map their curriculum to see what courses are meeting standards and if students are getting the opportunities to meet various standards.

Mrs. Kraeger suggested presenting this data to high school and Gaudet School teachers at a staff meeting.

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

CONSENT AGENDA

MOTION: 1) Theresa Spengler, 2) Edward Draper. To approve the Consent Agenda.

· Approval of Minutes of August 24, 2006 School Committee Meeting

· Approval of Minutes of August 24, 2006 Executive Session

· Approval of Minutes of September 5, 2006 School Committee Meeting

· Approval of Minutes of September 5, 2006 Executive Session

· Approval of Invoice Register, dated September 5, 2006, in the amount of $451,290.29

· Approval of Invoice Register, dated September 19, 2006, in the amount of $353,707.01

· Approval of Special Grants Register, dated September 8, 2006, in the amount of $14,959.29

SUPERINTENDENT’S RECOMMENDATION ON PERSONNEL

APPOINTMENT

Shane P. Fennessey Grade Seven, Social Studies (One Year Only)

Eric Godin Athletic Director

Joyce Ardito 3-Hour Teacher Assistant, Forest Avenue School

Tracy Rutledge 3-Hour Teacher Assistant, Aquidneck School

RESIGNATION

Diane L. Kerins .4 Art Teacher, Middletown High School

Krista Starnes Teacher Assistant, Forest Avenue School

Amy D. Maguire-Burns Grade 6 ELA/Science, J.H. Gaudet School

LEAVE OF ABSENCE FOR THE 2006-2007 SCHOOL YEAR

Margaret Palmer Grade Four, Forest Avenue School

Cheryl Wenzel 7^th Grade Science, Gaudet School

(Minutes of September 21, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Five)

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

Jennifer L. Holubesko Grade Four, Aquidneck School

From December 19, 2006 to March 19, 2007

Erin M. Doorley Multi-Age, J.F. Kennedy School

From October 16, 2006 to January 2, 2007

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

Michael Dinagen Custodian, Facilities Management Department

From October 1, 2006 through December 1, 2006

TRANSFERS

Josephine Brennan-Corey Grade Two, Aquidneck School

Alison Belcher Grade Two, Aquidneck School

Cynthia Tanguay Grade Four, Aquidneck School

Camille Moy Multi-Age, Forest Avenue School

Mary Clark Multi-Age, Forest Avenue School

Diane Kerins .5 Art Teacher, Elementary

Renee Bissell 1.0 Art Teacher, Middletown High School

MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL ADVISORS FOR 2006-2007

Patrick Aylward Student Activities Coordinator

Mary Beth Murphy Senior Class Advisor

Deanna Smith Senior Class Advisor

Kendra Lanzire Junior Class Advisor

Michele Oliveira Junior Class Advisor

Christina Logan Sophomore Class Advisor

Philip Statser Sophomore Class Advisor

Rebecca Dumont Freshman Class Advisor

Michele Smith Freshman Class Advisor

Stephen Fagan Math League Advisor

Kevin Zahm Fall & Spring Dramatic Directorship

Deanna Smith Student Council Advisor

Susanne Suprock Tempo Art Advisor

Philip Statser Band Directorship

Claudia Vars Choral Directorship

Frank Lema Flag Team Coordinator

Chris Savastano Yearbook Co-Advisor

Bernadette Moniz Yearbook Co-Advisor

(Minutes of September 21, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Six)

Barbara Reed National Honor Society Co-Advisor

Carol Turcotte National Honor Society Co-Advisor

Michaela Kennedy Mock Trial Advisor

OLD BUSINESS

· PLANETARIUM – Mrs. Kraeger met with representatives of Brown University. Staff from Brown will be trained and in turn will train a Middletown team to operate the Planetarium. This person would be available after school and on weekends, and would also bring in schools from other districts for lessons. Brown University is also interested in having special events at the planetarium with guest speakers. Mrs. Kraeger said that this would be an appropriate time to dedicate the planetarium to Joseph Krupowicz. Revenue would be generated through school vacation camps and visits from other districts.

NEW BUSINESS

· LEGISLATIVE AGENDA – The Town Council has requested a meeting on October 23^rd relative to the legislative agenda. Items discussed include School Aid funding and mandates, etc. Issues such as the March layoff date could be discussed as well.

ACTION ITEMS

SUBSTITUTE POLICY (2^nd Reading)

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

HOME SCHOOLING

MOTION: 1) Liana Fenton, 2) Theresa Spengler. That the School Committee approve Home Schooling 06-07-04, 06-07-05 and 06-07-06. Unanimous vote.

REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES

Edward Draper

· Attended a meeting on Open Space and Trails.

· Attended Safety Advisory Committee Meeting.

· Technology Committee – There are no updates since the last meeting.

William Coogan

· The Middletown Education Collaborative grant cycle ends on October 31^st.

(Minutes of September 21, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Seven)

Theresa Spengler

· Attended a seminar on Tuesday, October 26^th at the Crown Plaza regarding controlling health care costs.

Michael Crowley

· Will be attending Charlie Fogarty’s symposium on property tax next week.

ADJOURN FROM MEETING

MOTION: 1) Theresa Spengler, 2) William Coogan. To adjourn from School Committee Meeting at 8:53 p.m. Unanimous Vote.

Respectfully Submitted,

Rosemarie K. Kraeger

Clerk