Feb. 26, 2026 - Regular Meeting
Middletown
Minutes · February 26, 2026
MIDDLETOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Executive Session, 5:00 PM
Regular Meeting 5:30 PM
MINUTES
1.1 Call to Order: Chair Gregory Huet called the School Committee meeting to order at 5:00 pm at Michael S. Pinto Conference Room, 26 Oliphant Lane, Middletown, Rhode Island 02842.
1.2 Determination of Quorum: School Committee Members – Chair Gregory Huet, Vice-Chair Wendy Heaney, Tami Holden, Clerk William Nash and Theresa Spengler
EXECUTIVE SESSION
MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) Theresa Spengler
To seal the Minutes of the Executive Session pursuant to Section 42-46-5 RIGL. Unanimous vote.
REGULAR SESSION
1.3 Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
1.4 Moment of Silence: For the Salve student who passed away during the snow storm and for the victims of the shooting at the Dennis Lynch Arena during a RIIL Hockey playoff game.
1.5 Public Forum / Comment: None
MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash
That the School Committee approve the Consent Agenda. Unanimous vote.
5.1 Vouchers
5.2 Invoices
5.3 Minutes Regular Meeting, January 22, 2026
Special Meeting, January 30, 2026
Special Meeting, February 10, 2026
Joint School Committee Meeting, February 11, 2025
5.4 Approval of homeschool instruction requests: 25-26-53, 25-26-54
6.1 Consider and Vote on Superintendent’s recommendation for Non-renewal of employment relationships with the district as of the end of the 2025-2026 school year.
MOTION: To remove from Agenda 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash Unanimous vote.
6.2 Consider and Vote on 2026-2027 School Calendar
MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash Unanimous vote.
Superintendent Niemeyer commented that the calendar was presented to to the Middletown Teacher Union NEAM and was accepted with a reasonable start and end date.
6.3 Consider and Vote on Review and Revision of Policy #5110 Health and Wellness
MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash Unanimous vote.
Superintendent Niemeyer commented that minor revisions were made with partners from Chartwell’s food service provider.
6.4 Consider and Vote on second and final reading of revision of Policy #8000 High School Graduation Requirements
MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash Unanimous vote.
6.5 Consider and Vote on MHS Career and Readiness Consent
MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash Unanimous vote.
Comment by Superintendent Niemeyer, this form was created to capture parental consent.
6.6 Consider and Vote on second and final reading of Policy #2500 Technology and Acceptable Use MPS with AI
MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash Unanimous vote.
Comment by Superintendent Niemeyer, this policy was required by RIDE and was updated with the input from Principal Donna Sweet, Assistant Superintendent and Director of Teaching and Learning Michelle Fonseca and Superintendent Niemeyer. This policy will be reviewed in one year.
6.7 Consider and Vote on Second and Final reading of Policy #6030 Dual Enrollment
MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash Unanimous vote.
Superintendent Niemeyer noted this policy was passed through the MPS Legal team and updated any clarifying language to align with RIDE requirements.
6.8 Consider and Vote on Tuition increase for the Transition Academy for the 2026-2027 school year
MOTION: Amended to add clarification and clarity. Motion was approved for 5% as amended.
1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash Unanimous vote.
Comment by Superintendent Niemeyer that the Transition Academy is housed at the YMCA for 18-22 year old Special Ed students. There are a number of students who tuition into the program from other school districts. Tuition increase to keep up with the rising cost of the program. Theresa Spengler commented that 5% is not unreasonable for the cost of the program and what they have to offer.
6.9 Consider and Vote on review of Policy # 7050 Anti-Discrimination Anti-Harassment and Grievance Procedure
MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash Unanimous vote.
6.10 Consider and Vote on Kitchen Surplus Equipment
MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash Unanimous vote.
Comment by Facilities Director Ed Collins, surplus of kitchen equipment that was purchased for Forest Ave School, Middletown High School and Aquidneck School that is currently housed in trailers. This equipment will be auctioned now. An auction company will come pick up and the town/school department will receive 70% of auction proceeds.
6.11 Discussion and action directing the administration to engage with the appropriate professionals, staff, and students to review use of the recently approved "Middletown" colors, existing logos and mascots, and any other relevant items, to propose a district rebrand and draft a policy for their use. A draft of the proposed items and policy should be provided for the school committee's review in time for the March 19, 2026, meeting.
MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash Unanimous vote.
William Nash commented that this came out of the work that the Building Committee is working on for the new logos and graphics that will be coming out for the new school buildings. This request is being made to help direct the team to come up with some tremendous ideas of graphics coming out of the district for the use of logos and mascots.
Superintendent Niemeyer noted that a few students and teachers have reached out to be involved with this work as well as they are excited to be engaged in that process.
Tami Holden noted that currently walking around the school buildings, there are several different logos, fonts and colors being used to make the new logos more cohesive.
The List is currently being worked on and updated by Wendy Heaney. The list will include Committee members from both the School Committee and Town.
10.1 Enrollment
10.1 Financial
10.1 Personnel
NEW HIRE EFFECTIVE February 9, 2026
Mary Bland, Special Education Teacher Assistant, AQ
APPOINTMENT EFFECTIVE February 24, 2026
Jasmine Dutra, Beyond the Bell Teacher, AQ
Calley Marcarelli, Beyond the Bell Teacher, AQ
Brittney Nelson, Beyond the Bell Teacher, AQ
Paula Guarino, Beyond the Bell Teacher, GMS
Stephanie Sims, Beyond the Bell Teacher, GMS
Anne Murphy, Beyond the Bell Teacher, GMS
Brian Buck, Beyond the Bell Teacher, MHS
Andrew Leys, Beyond the Bell Teacher, MHS
Aleah Meyer, Beyond the Bell Teacher, MHS
Tara Mellow, Beyond the Bell Teacher, MHS
Jamie Toner, Beyond the Bell Teacher, MHS
APPOINTMENT EFFECTIVE March 16, 2026
Kathryn Hamilton, Assistant Varsity Girls Lacrosse Coach, MHS
Melissa Kleinknecht ,Unified Basketball Head Coach, MHS
Dustin Siqueira, Junior Varsity Baseball Coach, MHS
Christopher Smith, Varsity Boys Lacrosse Coach, MHS
NEW HIRE EFFECTIVE March 23, 2026
Brooke Anderson, 6/7/8 Grade Softball Coach, GMS
Scott Pickens, 6/7/8 Grade Baseball Coach, GMS
RETIREMENT EFFECTIVE June 18, 2026
Eric Godin, Teacher Social Studies, MHS
Gail Sullivan-McCune, Teacher Computer Science .9, Art .1, MHS
Tracy Rutledge, Special Education Teacher Assistant, AQ
RESIGNATION EFFECTIVE June 18, 2026
Cara Duncan, Speech and Language Pathologist, FA
RESIGNATION EFFECTIVE June 18, 2026
Kristen Coffey, School Social Worker, AQ
Debra Danis, Art Teacher, GLA
Courtney Hancur, Early Childhood Coordinator, MPS
Sarah Toracinta, Special Education Teacher, GLA
William Murray, Special Education Teacher, GMS
11.1 RIDE approval of Certified Nurses Assistant (CNA) CTE Program for 2026-2027
RIDE has fully approved the CTE program for the 2026-27 school year: Certified Nurses Assistant (CNA). This program is eligible to receive Perkins and/or Categorical funding and can accept students from other districts, following the CTE regulations and relevant legislation. The CTE review and approval process is based on the CTE Program Standards as part of the Regulations of the Board of Regents governing Career and Technical Education in Rhode Island, Rhode Island Career and Technical (CTE) Industry-Specific Program Standards, and the Governor's Workforce Board's work-based learning guidance.
This program has met the requirements for RIDE approval under the Rhode Island Career and Technical (CTE) Industry-Specific Program Standards: Certified Nurses Assistant (CNA). This approval status is applicable for five (5) years, starting in the 2026- 27 school year and expiring at the end of the 2030-31 school year.
11.2 van Beuren Charitable Foundation Design Grant letter
Middletown Public Schools’ application to the van Beuren Charitable Foundation for a Design Grant to advance the Manufacturing & Industrial Trades Training Center within the new Middletown High School facility.This 3,000-square-foot shared-use facility, scheduled to open with the high school in August 2027, will serve students during the school day and adult learners and incumbent workers in the evening, directly aligning our public education infrastructure with documented regional workforce needs. The Newport Regional Workforce Strategy shows strong demand for skilled workers in advanced and defense-related manufacturing—including CNC machinists, welders, shipfitters, and quality technicians.
ADJOURN FROM MEETING
MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash
To adjourn from the School Committee Meeting at 6:49 p.m. Unanimous vote.