Middletown Public Schools

Middletown, Rhode Island

 

Thursday, December 20, 2007

 

6:00 p.m. – Executive Session

7:00 p.m. – Regular Meeting

 

MICHAEL S. PINTO CONFERENCE ROOM

 

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

                                                Liana F. Fenton, Vice-Chair

                                                William Coogan arrived at 7:27 p.m.

                                                Edward K. Draper arrived at 7:02

                                                Theresa M. Spengler

 

Also Present:                          Rosemarie K. Kraeger, Superintendent of Schools

                                                Catherine McLeish, Business Manager

                                                Edward Collins, Director of Facilities

 

 

MOTION:  1)            Theresa Spengler, 2) Liana Fenton.  To go into Executive Session 42-46-5 (a) 1, 2,5,8,9 at 6:06 p.m.  Unanimous vote.

 

            The regular meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. by Chairman Michael Crowley.  Administrative staff members present were Timothy Ryan, Michelle Fonseca, Gail Abromitis, Steven Ruscito, and Linda Savastano.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

            Mr. Crowley announced that a unanimous vote taken in Executive Session to deny fourteen grievances.

 

MOTION:  1) Theresa Spengler, 2) William Coogan.  To seal the minutes of Executive Session.  Unanimous vote.

 

 

SPOTLIGHT ON TEACHING AND LEARNING

 

No “Spotlight on Teaching and Learning”

 

 


 

(Minutes of December 20, 2007 School Committee Meeting, Page Two)

 

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   Varsity Volleyball 2007 Championship

o   JV Volleyball 2007 Championship

 

 

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

 

No “Student Activities”

 

 

INFORMATION

 

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

 

·         Middletown canvassing authority setting up for primary March 3rd and 4th

 

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

 

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

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

 

1000.   Approval of Minutes of November 15, 2007 School Committee Meeting

1100.   Approval of Financial Report, dated November 30, 2007, in the amount of $9,594,193.50

1200.   Approval of Invoice Register, dated November 13, 2007, in the amount of $555,329.76

1210.   Approval of Invoice Register, dated November 21, 2007, in the amount of $2,398.18

1220.   Approval of Invoice Register, dated November 27, 2007, in the amount of $381,005.32

1230.   Approval of Invoice Register, dated December 11, 2007, in the amount of $560,841.39

1240.   Approval of Invoice Register, dated December 14, 2007, in the amount of $592.62

1300.   Approval of Special Grants Register, dated November 13, 2007, in the amount of $16,598.38

1310.   Approval of Special Grants Register, dated November 27, 2007, in the amount of $35,399.63

1320.   Approval of Special Grants Register, dated December 11, 2007, in the amount of $20,975.29

1400.   Superintendent’s Recommendation on Personnel

 


 

(Minutes of December 20, 2007 School Committee Meeting, Page Three)

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S RECOMMENDATION ON PERSONNEL

 

APPOINTMENTS

 

Diana Stamp                          Lead Teacher, John F. Kennedy School

 

 

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

 

Christine Clancey                  Grade Six Teacher, Gaudet Middle School

                                                Extend leave through January 27, 2008

Christine Clancey                  Leave from Girls’ Varsity Basketball Coach

                                                For the 2007-2008 school year

 

 

FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT

 

Michael Clancey                    Social Studies Teacher, Middletown High School

                                                From January28, 2008 through April 21, 2008

 

 

2007/08 WINTER COACHING APPOINTMENTS

 

Justin Buffman                       Girls’ Varsity Basketball

                                                For the remainder of 07-08 season

Shane Fennessey                    Girls’ Assistant Varsity Basketball

                                                For the remainder of 07-08 season

 

 

RESIGNATION

 

Phillip Statser                         Tempo Advisor, MHS

 

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

 

SECURITY SYSTEMS BID

MOTION:  (1) Theresa Spengler, (2) Edward Draper.  That the School Committee award the Security Systems bid to SONITROL.  Unanimous Vote.

 

Mr. Collins said the Sonitrol system is capable of monitoring the conditional aspects of the building (i.e. temperature in specific areas and prevention of water damage).  The first installation will be at Forest Avenue School, the second will be at Oliphant and the third will be at Gaudet Middle School.  Mrs. Spengler pointed out that this was a good preventative measure.

 

(Minutes of December 20, 2007 School Committee Meeting, Page Four)

 

SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING DATES

MOTION:  (1) Liana Fenton, (2) Edward Draper.  That the School Committee approve the School Committee Meeting Dates for 2008.  Unanimous Vote.

 

Mrs. Kraeger announced that these dates will be published in the Newport Daily News.  There was also a tentative date set in January for a workshop for the course studies.

 

 

RESOLUTIONS

MOTION:  (1) Theresa Spengler, (2) Edward Draper.  That the School Committee approve the resolution regarding Group Home Funding and forward to the Town Council and Newport County Regional Special Education Community.  Unanimous Vote.

 

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

·         School Committee/Administrator’s Retreat

 

William Coogan announced that MEC gave away $8,000 in grants this year, totaling $50,000 overall.  The next grant cycle closes the last day of February 2008.  Mr. Crowley thanked Mr. Coogan for the money raised.

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

 

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORTS

 

·         CURRICULUM

o   The Limited English Proficiency Program has been redesigned under Mrs. Cicchitelli’s leadership.  The Rhode Island Department of Education has acknowledged this as a “best practice” program.

o   Work continues on the Gaudet School report card

o   Mrs. Howard and Mrs. Cicchitelli are compiling binders outlining work done over the years (i.e. standards, crosswalk, GLEs and GSEs, Assessments, and Resources for K-4).

o   Draft recommendations on the Program of Studies were distributed to the School Committee.  Mr. Ryan and Mrs. Kraeger this report with High School staff.

·         FINANCIAL

o   RIASC, in a recent email, acknowledged the state aid might even be less than last year

o   Budget for 2008-2009 is projecting a $500,000 shortfall

 

(Minutes of December 20, 2007 School Committee Meeting, Page Five)

 

o   Our enrollment has leveled off

o   29.18% expended from our budget to date

 

·         FACILITIES

o   Fielding Nair came back to Gaudet

§  Students were interviewed to determine anecdotal feedback on the areas

§  Fielding Nair is developing a timeline of what needs to happen next

o   “Mapit” will be implemented during the 2nd week in January

o   Mrs. Kraeger commended Mr. Collins and staff for handling snow situation last Thursday, December 13th

 

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

 

 

REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES

 

Mr. Draper –

o   Recently attended the Safety Advisory Committee meeting.  He said it was a good meeting.  The group is making solid progress.

o   The Substance Abuse Prevention Task Force Program has a lot of work on their agenda.  A Strategic Plan needs to be submitted by the end of December.

 

Mrs. Spengler –

o   Pleased to mention that she received a message from police early enough in day to be at bus stop and that communication in community has increased.  Mrs. Spengler thanked the administration for making this possible.

 

Mr. Crowley –

o   RIPEC continues to meet to look into collaboration and split off from municipal side.  Portsmouth met with their legislators

o   SORICO is meeting in January regarding the same subject as we’ve been talking about (i.e. the impact of 3050, regents, special education regulations, regulations approved, exception of who is going to pay placement of students)

 

 

ADJOURN FROM MEETING

 

MOTION:  1)            Theresa Spengler, 2) Liana Fenton.  To adjourn from School Committee Meeting at 7:59 p.m.  Unanimous vote.

 

                                                                        Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

                                                                        Rosemarie K. Kraeger, Clerk