Middletown Public Schools
MICHAEL S. PINTO CONFERENCE ROOM
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
Members Present: Michael F. Crowley, Jr., Chairman
Liana F. Fenton, Vice-Chair
William Coogan arrived at 7:55 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 6:00 p.m. by Chairman Michael Crowley.
MOTION: 1)
The meeting was called back to
open session at 7:12 p.m. Administrative
staff members present were Steven Ruscito, Stephen Ponte, Vin Giuliano and
Mr. Crowley announced that a
unanimous vote was taken in Executive Session to compensate the Superintendent
and Business Manager under the same terms and conditions of the Administrators’
contract, retroactive to July 1, 2006.
Mrs. Kraeger requested nominations
for the position of Chairperson of the Middletown School Committee.
Mrs. Liana Fenton nominated Mr. Michael Crowley.
Mrs.
No
other nominations were made.
MOTION: 1)
With the nominations closed, the
Clerk cast one ballot for Mr. Michael Crowley as Chairperson of the Middletown
School Committee.
Mrs. Kraeger turned the meeting over to Mr. Crowley,
Chairperson of the Middletown School Committee.
(Minutes of
December 21, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Two)
Mr. Crowley called for nominations
for the position of Vice-Chairperson of the Middletown School Committee.
Mrs. Liana Fenton nominated Mrs.
Mr. Edward Draper seconded the motion.
No other nominations were made.
MOTION: 1) Liana Fenton, 2) Edward Draper. To close nominations
for Vice-Chairperson. Unanimous vote.
With the nominations closed, the
Chairperson cast one ballot for Mrs.
Mrs.
The next order of business was to assign committee
members to sub-committees:
§
CAREER TECHNICAL CENTER COMMITTEE – This committee
meets four times during the school year.
Its primary function is to review career technical programs and
opportunities for our high school students.
Liana Fenton
§
POLICY COMMITTEE – This is an
ongoing committee that reviews and suggests policies.
§
JOHN CLARK SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE – This committee
meets in May with the High School guidance staff to determine scholarship
recipients.
§
SICK BANK COMMITTEE (CERTIFIED) – This committee
meets as needed when a certified staff member requests sick days because they
have exhausted their days.
§
SICK BANK COMMITTEE (COUNCIL 94) - This committee
meets as needed when a Council 94 member requests sick days because they have
exhausted their days. Michael Crowley
and
§
HEALTH AND WELLNESS ADVISORY COMMITTEE – This committee
meets quarterly with parents and Chartwells Food Service personnel to discuss
issues relative to hot lunch/breakfast.
(Minutes of
December 21, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Three)
·
GRIEVANCE
SUBCOMMITTEE – An as-needed
committee - part of NEAM Teacher Contract.
The School Committee, or a three (3) person sub-committee of the School
Committee, shall hear the grievance before the start of the next regularly
scheduled meeting, or by mutual agreement schedule a time and day prior to the
regularly scheduled meeting. Michael Crowley,
·
OPEN SPACE
COMMITTEE – This is a Town-wide
committee established by the Town Council.
Michael Crowley and
·
TECHNOLOGY
COMMITTEE – This is a Town-wide
committee established by the Town Council.
·
FACILITIES
ADVISORY COMMITTEE – This is an
advisory committee established by the School Committee charged with creating a
long-range facilities master plan.
·
BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS – This committee will explore business
partnership relationships that connects opportunities for the school
community. Liana Fenton and
·
SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE – This committee will study the issue of
school-community safety in relation to the behavior of youth in the Town of
SPOTLIGHT ON
TEACHING AND LEARNING
No
“Spotlight on Teaching and Learning” for December 21, 2006.
PROCLAMATIONS/AWARDS
· Student Awards – Student awards were presented to two Newport Daily News Students of the Week and one Newport Daily News Athlete of the Week. The School Committee presented each student with a book for them to keep.
MOTION: 1)
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
No “Student Activities” for December 21, 2006.
(Minutes of
December 21, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Four)
INFORMATION
Mrs. Kraeger noted items of information from the School Committee Package:
· A letter from the Social Studies Department requesting the School Committee and Administration appoint an acting Social Studies Department Head.
· New and revised High School Regulations
CORRESPONDENCE
Letter from Janet Sheehan, Associate Principal of Teaching and Learning,
requesting the School Committee commence contract negotiations with the
Administrator’s Association.
MOTION: 1) Edward
Draper, 2)
MOTION: 1) Edward
Draper, 2)
Letter from Alicia Hicks, requesting the School Committee commence contract
negotiations with Non-Certified Clerical Personnel.
MOTION: 1)
CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION: 1)
·
Approval of Minutes of November 16, 2006 School Committee Meeting
·
Approval of Financial Report, dated November 30, 2006, in the amount of
$8,964,176.45
·
Approval of Invoice Register, dated November 9, 2006, in the amount of
$3,586.82
·
Approval of Invoice Register, dated November 17, 2006, in the amount of
$198,799.90
·
Approval of Invoice Register, dated November 22, 2006, in the amount of
$728.14
·
Approval of Invoice Register, dated November 27, 2006, in the amount of
$27,866.15
(Minutes of
December 21, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Five)
·
Approval of Invoice Register, dated December 12, 2006, in the amount of
$1,169,309.54
·
Approval of Special Grants Register, dated November 17, 2006, in the
amount of $65,873.02
·
Approval of Special Grants Register, dated December 12, 2006, in the
amount of $71,388.34
SUPERINTENDENT’S RECOMMENDATION ON PERSONNEL
APPOINTMENTS
Michaela
Kennedy .3
School-Based Coordinator,
Nadira Ferreira 3-Hour
Teacher Assistant,
Stephen
G. Fagan Acting
Mathematics Department Head (One Year Only)
RESIGNATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF RETIREMENT
Robert Williams Custodian/AV,
Facilities Management Department
Effective
on December 29, 2006
MATERNITY LEAVE -
ARTICLE XIV, C, OPTION #1 (NEA/Middletown)
Kimberly Ceglarski Kindergarten,
From
January 2, 2007 to the end of the 06-07 school year
CHANGE IN MATERNITY LEAVE - ARTICLE XIV, C, OPTION #1 (NEA/Middletown)
Jennifer Holubesko Grade Four,
From
November 27, 2006 to February 26, 2007
RETURN FROM LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Ramona Bessinger English Teacher,
EXTENSION OF LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Michael S. Dinagen Facilities
Management Department
Return
date to be determined
REGIONAL SPECIAL EDUCATION
Melissa Kleinknecht Speech Language
Pathologist
Leave of
Absence from February 7, 2007 until the start of the
2007-08 School Year
(Minutes of
December 21, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Six)
2006 FALL COACHING APPOINTMENTS
Jenny Henderson Assistant Co-Ed
Varsity Swim Coach
Kristen Seyster
2006 FALL VOLUNTEER COACHING APPOINTMENTS
Richard Formica Volunteer Soccer
Coach
Ted Hersey Volunteer
Cross Country Coach
2006-2007 WINTER COACHING APPOINTMENTS
Michael Clancey Boys’ Varsity
Basketball
David MacGregor Boys’ Assistant
Varsity Basketball
Christine Clancey Girls’ Varsity
Basketball
Justin Buffman Girls’
Assistant Varsity Basketball
Heidi Gauch Girls’
6/7/8th Grade Basketball
Russel Forgue Varsity
Wrestling
Richard Francis, Jr. Assistant Varsity
Wrestling
Andrew Bulk 6/7/8th
Grade Wrestling
Heather Markman Varsity Swim
TBA Assistant Swim
Elizabeth Scott Varsity
Gymnastics
Stephen Saunders Varsity Hockey
Eric Godin Assistant
Varsity Hockey
Sharon Thibeault Cheerleading
Samantha Hines Academic
Decathlon Advisor
ACTION ITEMS
(Minutes of
December 21, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Seven)
MOTION: 1) Edward Draper, 2) Liana
Fenton. That the School Committee commence contract negotiations with the
NEW BUSINESS
· Athletic Department Update – Mrs. Kraeger introduced Eric Godin, new Athletic Director. Mr. Godin’s predecessor, John McDevitt, made a recommendation to realign coaches based on participation rates. Boys’ and Girls’ Lacrosse participation rate increased, as a result Mr. McDevitt recommended moving an assistant varsity baseball coach and assistant varsity softball coach to girls’ lacrosse and boys’ lacrosse. A survey was given to students as to what sport they would like to
(Minutes of
December 21, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Eight)
participate in the spring. The survey supported Mr. McDevitt’s coaching recommendations. Mrs. Kraeger said when spring coaches are advertised, they will be advertised as “anticipated openings”. Mr. Draper’s concern is that it is communicated clearly that cuts are made because of participation rates. Mrs. Kraeger said the budget does not support funding Freshman baseball. We will be asking the Boosters to supplement the costs.
Mr. Draper said there are more students coming out for sports, but there are still the same number of coaches. We are not cutting coaches, participation is just up in different sports. Mrs. Spengler said that funding projections are very questionable and could change. Mr. Godin said that we need to be careful of saying that one sport’s participation is low and it needs to be eliminated, because participation rates are cyclical and in a few years, participation could be up.
Mr. Draper said that we need to
develop a policy relative to participation rates and coaching assignments. Policies also need to be developed regarding
volunteer coaches and the hiring of staff as coaches. Mr. Crowley said that this School Committee
has made a determined effort – they have added lacrosse and hockey to our
budget, but we are operating on limited resources.
The process for hiring coaches was questioned. Mrs. Kraeger said that all coaches are hired for one year only. The Athletic Director requests a letter of intent for the next season and advertises.
Paul Reynolds stated as a coach last year, he never had an assistant with him. He feels that baseball is being hurt by taking away a coach.
Kirk Scully said that the boosters role is to enhance programs, not to fund them. He feels that two adults are needed on a bus for away games in case of injury to a player.
MEC AWARDS
– The collaborative now has two grant funding cycles instead of one. For the fall 2006 grant cycle, 29 grant
requests totaling $30,000 were received and 13 grants totaling $10,908 were
actually awarded. Mrs. Kraeger expressed
her thanks to MEC for the work they do. MEC
spends about $3,000 per year putting on events and fundraisers. Staff can now designate MEC through the
(Minutes of
December 21, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Nine
·
High School Program of Studies – The
Committee needs to determine a date in January for a workshop on the Program of
Studies. The Board of Regents requires 4
years of English, 4 years of mathematics, 3 years of
science, 3 years of history/social studies, plus physical education and
health. The Regents will be granting a “Regents
Diploma”, which will be standards based and will certify what a student knows
and is able to do.
MOTION: 1) Liana Fenton, 2)
Mr.
Ruscito said that graduates of the Class of 20008 will have a very different diploma
than previous years. Changes in the
Program of Studies will include: 1) redesign of math offerings, 2) addition of
math intervention, 3) omission/redesign of Computer Applications course, 4)
redesign Special Education delivery of content disciplines, 5) align Special
Education resource delivery with the new diploma system, 6) civics educations,
7) add new mandatory health class, 8) alignment of science courses with new
regulations, 9) scaffold/embed Proficiency Based Graduation Requirements, 10)
applied learning strategies, 11) review Capstone model, and 12) eliminate Business
English. A workshop on the Program of
Studies will be held in January.
Department Heads and Acting Department Heads should attend.
· Mr. Coogan asked about Capstone projects and what happens when a student’s project isn’t up to par. Mr. Coogan suggested that Capstone Advisors who are not faculty members receive guidelines as to how to assist the student.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORTS
·
CURRICULUM – Joe Maruszczak said that work is on-going with K-12
guidance counselors and they are writing a K-12 curriculum. A Guidance Advisory Counsel will be formed for
goal setting.
·
The school
department will receive $45,500 under the Federal Immigrant Assistant Fund. A grant was written for additional
professional development, technology and after school tutoring and homework
clubs for these students.
·
(Minutes of
December 21, 2006 School Committee Meeting, Page Ten
·
Mrs. Kraeger acknowledge
and commended Gail Abromitis for applying for and receiving a grant for $1500 for
Kennedy School through the R.I. State Council on the Arts for an after school
dance program.
·
FINANCIAL –The 2007-08 budget cycle has
begun. Budget goals need to be developed
and Budget Workshop dates need to be established. Town Council Members Shirley Mello and
Theresa Santos are liaisons to the budget subcommittee. The community needs to be educated on the 5 ¼%
increase.
Revenue estimates are lower than expected and Federal Impact Aid has
been reduced. On the expenditure side of
budget, the Blue Cross premium projected increase to 14.2% over last year. Teacher retirement increase is 1.4% over last
year.
·
FACILITIES – Mr. Collins reported that the department stayed
below the budget this year. He included
a graph on energy use in the School Committee Package.
·
CORE
FACILITIES COMMITTEE – The minutes
from the first meeting are included in the School Committee package. Approximately 45 people attended the second
meeting.
MOTION: 1) Liana
Fenton, 2) William Coogan. That the School Committee receive the
Superintendent’s Reports. Unanimous vote.
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