Middletown Public Schools

Middletown, Rhode Island

 

Thursday, October 19, 2006

 

MICHAEL S. PINTO CONFERENCE ROOM

 

SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING

 

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

                                                Liana F. Fenton, Vice-Chair

                                                William Coogan arrived at 7:20 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 7:00 p.m. by Chairman Michael Crowley.  Administrative staff members present were Vincent Giuliano, Gail Abromitis, Stephen Ponte, Michelle Fonseca and Steven Ruscito.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

SPOTLIGHT ON TEACHING AND LEARNING

 

“Japanese Fulbright”

 

            Mr. Steve Fagan, Middletown High School mathematics teacher, reported on his trip to Japan and the Japanese Fulbright Memorial Fund Teacher Program, where he learned about the culture, government and educational system.  The education system in Japan is much different that in the United States.  They do not rely on property tax to fund school, but income tax.  It is mandatory that students enroll in grades K-9 and 50% go on to higher education.

            Geometry and measurements are heavily emphasized in the math classes.  There are no calculators used in classrooms.  Mr. Fagan developed a website that includes his day-by-day travel log http://www.drummath.homestead.com/home.html.

            Mr. Fagan thanked the School Committee and administration for the opportunity to go to Japan and for their support with his application.

 

PROCLAMATIONS/AWARDS

 

·         STUDENT AWARDS – Student awards were presented in the following categories:

 

o        Newport Daily News Student of the Week

o        Newport Daily News Athlete of the Week

o        Chartwells Associate of the Year Award

(Minutes of October 19, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Two)

 

 

·         NATIONAL SCHOOL BUS SAFETY WEEK – Proclamations for National School Bus Safety Week were presented.

 

 

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

 

·         STUDENT COUNCIL – Mrs. Kraeger introduced the new student council members, Jamie Bova, President and Lorea Meabe, Vice-President.  Their major goal for the year is fundraising.  They would like to have enough funds to give out more than one scholarship at the end of the year, based on need and merit.  Other goals include:

 

·         Proactive steps to assure safety and appropriate behavior at the senior prom

·         Planning a winter sports rally

·         Increase recycling efforts

·         Continue Gaudet School interaction with grades 7 and 8

·         Changing the way the class valedictorian is recognized

·         Implementing a tutoring program for elementary students

·         Organize a community food drive

 

MOTION:  1) Edward Draper, 2) William Coogan.  To move Old Business “Safety Advisory Committee” report.  Unanimous vote.

 

SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE – Members of the committee in attendance were: Susan Schenck, Lisa Ruth, Patricia Weissmen and Tim Sunn.  The committee has been working hard over the past year in cooperation with the Middletown Substance Abuse Task Force to develop policy and procedures to address safety concerns in the schools and community.  Other members of the committee include Tammy Nelson, Fred Bodington, Ray Clancey, Ray Davis and Kate O’Kula.

            Mrs. Schenck said that much time was spent reviewing data about alcohol and drug abuse by Middletown students.  The transition to middle school and high school are major times when students get involved with drugs and alcohol.  Mr. Sunn spoke about the Positive Choices Program, which is a mentorship type program for Gaudet students.

            Detective Abel Fernandez spoke about the relationship between the youth of Middletown and the Middletown Police Department.  The have implemented a lunch program where police officers go to the middle school and have lunch with the students.  Mr. Giuliano said it has been a great addition.

            Mrs. Kraeger thanked Mr. Draper for putting the committee together and being the driving force.  Mr. Crowley thanked the committee for their time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Minutes of October 19, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Three)

 

 

INFORMATION

 

Mrs. Kraeger noted items of information in the package:

 

·         School Committee stipend, which will go into effect after the election

·         Mrs. Fenton’s information about the Junior First Program

·         Information about Inside R.I. Property Tax Reduction Act

·         Governor’s Safe School Summit – As a result of the summit, the Middletown Public Schools Safety Policy will be reviewed.  The Police Chief will attend the next Administrator’s Meeting.

 

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

Letter from Robert Shaw, Valley Road Resident, regarding Spirit Week.

 

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

 

            Mrs. Kraeger will be meeting with the Student Council to have a discussion on this year’s Spirit Week activities.

 

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORTS

 

·         CURRICULUM – Mr. Maruszczak has been working with the School Nurse Teachers and Mr. Collins to finalize placing the defibrillators in the schools.  Mr. Maruszczak has also been working with a committee at Middletown High School involved in leadership reorganizing as well as meeting with grade 7-10 math teacher review curriculum alignment.

 

·         FINANCIAL – Mr. Draper and Mrs. Spengler reported on the Budget Subcommittee.  In late June, the Town Council set the bottom line and $571,000 needed to be reduced from the budget to arrive at $36,593,000.  18.2 positions were cut overall throughout the district - 6.5 at Middletown High School, 7 at J.H. Gaudet School and 4.7 at the elementary level.  Some cuts were based on decreased enrollment.

 

Impact Aid Update – News from Washington is that appropriations are down.  Impact Aid dollars for 07-08 are estimated at $750,000, compared to $2.4 million last year.

 

·         FACILITIES – Mr. Collins reported that he is in the process of developing a maintenance program for the upkeep of fields.  Additionally, cardboard is now part of the recycling program.  Mr. Draper questioned using overtime for building checks, but Mr. Collins said that these checks are contractual.  Overtime has been

 

(Minutes of October 19, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Four)

 

 

used for painting and in-house projects.  If we have a mild winter, overtime hours can be used for projects throughout the district, but if the winter is harsh, overtime is used for snowplowing, and projects will have to be put on hold.

 

·         STAFFING/ENROLLMENT – This item has been moved to the November School Committee Meeting. 

 

·         AP TEST RESULTS – Mr. Maruszczak reported on the AP test results.  108 students were enrolled in AP courses last year.  72 students (67%) took the AP test.  Between 2001- 2006, there have been 16 AP courses offered, but there is no consistent data because some years there were no students taking the test in a particular area.  There has been tremendous growth in test scores in Rhode Island and nationally.  An AP data team was formed at Middletown High School last year.  The team had 3 goals; 1) to increase enrollment, 2) to increase student participation in AP exams, and 3) to increase student achievement in AP exams.  Last year, two students took AP courses on-line and this year five students are working through the Virtual High School. 

 

MOTION:  1) Theresa Spengler, 2) Edward Draper.  To extend the meeting past 9:00 p.m.  Unanimous vote.

 

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) Liana Fenton.  To approve the Consent Agenda.  Unanimous vote.

 

·         Approval of Minutes of September 21, 2006 School Committee Meeting

·         Approval of Invoice Register, dated September 19, 2006, in the amount of $335,105.65

·         Approval of Special Grants Register, dated September 21, 2006, in the amount of $8,889.11

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S RECOMMENDATION ON PERSONNEL

 

RESIGNATION

 

Joanne Roggero                      Three-Hour Teacher Assistant, Aquidneck School,

                                                by December 31, 2006 or sooner

 

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

 

Keith Holubesko                    Social Studies Teacher, Middletown High School

                                                From March 19, 2006 until the end of the 2006-07 school year.

 

 

 

(Minutes of October 19, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Five)

 

 

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

 

Keri Larson                             Literacy Coach, J.H. Gaudet School

                                                Starting date changed from October 2, 2006 to September 25, 2006.

 

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

 

Michael Dinagen                    Custodian, Facilities Management Department

                                                From October 1, 2006 through December 1, 2006

 

J.H. GAUDET SCHOOL ADVISORS FOR 2006-2007

 

Meaghan Corr                                    Drama Club Co-Advisor

Jacqueline Zahm                    Drama Club Co-Advisor

Raymond Perry                      Drama Club Co-Advisor

Jonathan Paquette                 Art Club Co-Advisor

Jill Armstrong                         Art Club Co-Advisor

Jill Armstrong                         Yearbook Advisor

Ron Dumais                           Computer Club

 

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

·         LEGISLATIVE AGENDA – A meeting will be held on Monday with Town Council members and State Legislators at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall.  Some of the areas that will be discussed are school safety, March 1 layoff date, eliminating private school textbooks and eliminating private school bussing, providing a predictable State Aid formula, increasing group home allotments, State Aid funds for career tech tuition, equalization of Charter School aid funding, providing differentiated funding for high-end Special Education students, and pay-to-play. 

 

·         PLANETARIUM – This is still in progress.

 

·         FACILITIES STUDY – The study was approved by the Town Council.  This is an opportunity for the whole community to get involved in designing what is needed for the 21st century. 

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

·         HIGH SCHOOL COMMISSIONER’S REVIEW – The high school prepared a document for the Commissioner to review regarding Graduation by Proficiency.  A meeting was attended by Central Office, High School Principal, School Committee

 

(Minutes of October 19, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Six)

 

 

Chair and Union President with the Director of high school reform.  Mr. Ruscito explained how schools are accessed.  A Graduation by Proficiency policy needs to be

adopted for each district.  The next step is to resubmit the narrative and make sure that the narrative contains data and evidence.  Updates will be needed in March, June and November 2007.

 

·         CANDIDATES NIGHT – The meeting has been scheduled for October 26th.  A Press Release has been sent to the Newport Daily News.

 

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

BUDGET ADOPTION

MOTION:  1)            Theresa Spengler, 2) Edward Draper.  That the School Committee approve the 06-07 School Department Budget in the amount of $36,593,156.  Unanimous vote.

 

 

AUTHORIZE THE SUPERINTENDENT TO APPLY FOR HR6 – TITLE 8 – 874 IMPACT AID

MOTION: 1) Liana Fenton, 2) Theresa Spengler. That the School Committee authorize the Superintendent to apply for HR6 – title 8 – 874 Impact Aid.  Unanimous vote.

 

 

BUS MONITOR POLICY (1st Reading)

MOTION:  1) Edward Draper, 2) Theresa Spengler.  That the School Committee approve the Bus Monitor Policy 1st Reading.  Unanimous vote.

 

 

GENERATOR BID – OLIPHANT SCHOOL

MOTION:  1)            Edward Draper, 2) Theresa Spengler.  That the School Committee award the generator bid for Oliphant School to Coastal Electric.  Unanimous vote.

 

 

GENERATOR BID – GAUDET SCHOOL

MOTION:  1) Edward Draper, 2) Theresa Spengler.  That the School Committee award the generator bid for Gaudet School to Coastal Electric.  Unanimous vote.

 

Mr. Draper would like to see a policy in place in case an event closes the schools as to providing continuity of services for students.

 

 

GENERATOR BID – MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL

MOTION:  1)            Edward Draper, 2) Theresa Spengler.  That the School Committee award the generator bid for Middletown High School to Coastal Electric.   Unanimous vote.

 

 

 

 

(Minutes of October 19, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Seven)

 

 

REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES

 

Edward Draper

·         The Trails Committee will be releasing a report soon on trails being generated in town.

·         The Technology Committee completed its study and delivered it to the Town Council.

·         Breakers Marathon will take place this weekend in Newport and Middletown.

 

Liana Fenton

·         Attended a property tax meeting highlighting how to prepare for the tax reform

·         Attended the Governor’s Council meeting.

 

 

ADJOURN FROM MEETING

 

MOTION:  1) Theresa Spengler, 2) Liana Fenton.  To adjourn from School Committee Meeting at 9:35 p.m.  Unanimous vote.

 

                                                                        Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

                                                                        Rosemarie K. Kraeger

                                                                        Clerk