Mar. 21, 2024 - Regular Committee Meeting
Middletown
Minutes · March 21, 2024
MIDDLETOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE
MIDDLETOWN, RHODE ISLAND
March 21, 2024
Members Present: Theresa Spengler, Chair
Tami Holden, Vice-Chair
William O’Connell
Greg Huet
Wendy Heaney
Also Present: Rosemarie Kraeger, Superintendent of Schools
Michelle Fonseca, Assistant Superintendent of Schools
Lisa Birkett, Director of Student Services
David Annese, Director of Technology
Poe George, Director of Facilities, Transportation, and Safety
Benjamin Scungio, School Attorney
The Middletown School Committee Meeting was called to order at 3:32 p.m. by Chair Theresa Spengler. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Administrative staff members present were Donna Sweet, Erica Bulk, and Rebecca Silveira. Student Representative Landon Resendes was also present.
** MOTION**: 1) Tami Holden, 2) Greg Huet.
Receive legal advice regarding superintendent’s contract terms and out of district placements.
Unanimous vote.
MOTION
Chair Spengler announced that NO VOTE was taken in Executive Session.
** MOTION**: 1) Tami Holden, 2) Greg Huet.
· Proposed FY25 Budget Review was presented by Interim Business Manager Lori Miller and Superintendent Kraeger.
Link to presentation:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wgJIvcZ5tm3EpUVa4c1-lARr1Q0lIo1N/view?usp=drive_link
Mrs. Kraeger welcomed Student Representative Landon Recendes to his first Budget Workshop.
The district had a proposed General Operating Budget of $42,386.884.00 with a shortfall of $325,749.00 leading to a General Operating Budget of $42,061,135.00. No positions were reduced. The goal is to begin restoring and rebuilding the supports the teachers and students need. The budget includes a 4% increase in Town appropriations as well as the additional funding they provided last year.
Breakage from retirements totaled $100,000.00 in reductions. Line item 55630 Tuition to Private Sources was reduced due to partnerships with providers and the Director of Student Services efforts to bring students back to the district.
Both Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Kraeger are very comfortable with the budget.
The FY25 Other Funds Budget equals $8,693,708.00 which includes Architect and Engineering Fees as well as School CIP. Still working with the Town Administrator on CIP dollars who will be consulting with the architects to prioritize projects.
The total for the FY25 All Funds Budget is $50,754,843.00. There was an increase due to construction. Once that is complete, the All Funds Budget will decrease by $2M to $3M dollars.
The Approved All Funds Proposed Budget will be sent to the Town tomorrow and will include a budget narrative that provides supporting documentation and data including the new Strategic Plan and critical FY25 positions. The Director of Shared Services at the Town will be adding graphs. It will be available on our website.
Mr. Huet asked if the reduction in General Supplies and Materials would impact students and teachers. Last year teachers did not have access to the supplies and materials they needed at the beginning of the school year.
Mrs. Miller stated that the issue last year was not a funding issue but a timing issue. Due to late adoption of the budget orders could not be placed in time for the beginning of the school year. There is still an increase in this line item for FY25.
Vice Chair Holden asked if Principal Sweet had presented the high school’s plans for the CTE Program and new graduation requirements to the Town Council.
Chair Spengler stated the meeting was cancelled, but all of Mrs. Sweet’s presentations were shared with the Town Council.
Mrs. Heaney asked if the School Committee would receive a copy of the narrative. Mrs. Kraeger replied that they will receive a copy of the entire package being sent to the Town.
No public comment
· Middletown High School Islanders Committed Youth Committee members Vic Stabile and Sonam Ngamdung presented a summary of attending CADCA as well as the committee’s future initiatives.
Link to presentation:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_uhYQbEvFxNc6VLI1ay4D9cFgDU3qmg_/view?usp=drive_link
Vice-Chair Holden commended Vic and Sonam on their presentation and asked if they planned to share it with the high school student body.
Ms. Stabile said they are considering this.
Chair Spengler asked what, in particular, Islanders Committed was looking to change in the chemical health policy. Ms. Stabile said they were not prepared to address this at the moment.
Chair Spengler stated she did not agree with suspension as a punishment for students who are caught using substances. It is basically letting students out of school for three days. She also said she did not think students need to attend an alcohol program after their first offense. Getting students more involved in this policy is a great idea.
Ms. Stabile said that the chemical health policy is not well known or talked about at the high school unless you are an athlete.
Chair Spengler said it was originally set up to address athletes, but when it was revised it included students involved in all clubs and school activities to make it more equitable.
Mrs. Kraeger said the policy needs to be a proactive policy that supports student wellness and mental health and adapts according to community needs.
Ms. Verderosa stated that the changes that were made in the revised chemical health policy were positive, but now need to be implemented.
Ms. Stabile and Ms. Verderosa thanked the Town Council for their funding of CADCA.
· Strategic Plan
MOTION
· Approval of Vouchers and Invoices
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| 1173 | 2/16/24 | $1,899,824.81 | 2024 |
| 1178 | 2/2/24 | $398,505.11 | 2024 |
| 1179 | 2/6/24 | $6,420.02 | 2024 |
| 1180 | 2/7/24 | $32.07 | 2024 |
| 1181 | 2/7/24 | $4,008.71 | 2024 |
| 1182 | 3/15/24 | $4,026.65 | 2024 |
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· Approval of February 5, 2024, Joint Town Council, Building Committee, and School Committee Meeting, February 15, 2024, Executive Session and School Committee Meeting, and February 27, 2024, Budget Workshop minutes.
OLD BUSINESS
- Joint Meeting with Newport School Committee was addressed by Superintendent Kraeger.
It is difficult at this time to schedule a joint meeting due to the construction of the new school in Newport. Mrs. Kraeger said she and Superintendent Jermain spoke about collaboration opportunities and came up with the possibility of sharing a van to transport a small group of students. This conversation will continue. Tiverton may be interested in collaboration, as well.
Mr. Huet asked if an MOA was developed to which Mrs. Kraeger responded no. He then asked that this topic be kept under Old Business until this was done.
NEW BUSINESS
· RIDE Attendance Tool
2024 – 2025 SCHOOL CALENDAR
1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee approve the proposed 2024 – 2025 School Calendar. Unanimous vote.
Mrs. Kraeger stated none of the districts on the island are on the same calendar. Vacations, however, are aligned.
Mr. Huet asked where the calendar would be posted.
Mrs. Kraeger said it would be sent to all staff and posted to the district website.
Mr. Huet asked when the new district website would be released to which Mr. Annese responded two or three weeks.
Mr. Huet asked for a firm date to which Mr. Annese replied he did not want to give a firm date as there could be unforeseen technical issues that arise. Mr. Huet said he likes firm dates. He also said the school calendar should be posted to the Town website.
FY 25 BUDGET
1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee approve the FY25 Proposed General Fund Budget in the amount of $50,754,843.00. Unanimous vote.
COPIER BID
1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee approve the bid from Marco for district copiers in the amount of $ $122,121.90. Unanimous vote.
Mrs. Miller said the copiers are being funded from cell tower lease revenue. The new copiers should last ten years. A replacement plan needs to be implemented.
Mrs. Heaney asked if the company was reputable.
Mrs. Miller said she has spoken with them and knows the company quite well.
Chair Spengler asked how many copiers were being purchased. Mrs. Miller stated twenty. Mr. Annese said there were substantially more being purchased than currently exist, as they want copiers readily available for students as well as teachers. The new copiers will allow everyone to print using their IDs/badges in addition to scanning. Laser and inkjet printers will be surpliced which will save the district money. Color printing will be limited.
Mr. Annese said this new contract allows for automatic replacement of copier cartridges when they are running low.
Mr. Recendes asked if teachers would still have access to their inkjet printers.
Mr. Annese said they would no longer be supported. Teachers are going to be printing to copiers.
** FY24 SPECIAL REVENUE ADJUSTMENTS**1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet.
** FY24 GENERAL FUND ADJUSTMENTS**1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet.
REQUEST FOR WAIVER OF CHEVRON BUS PARKING REQUIREMENT
SPECIAL EDUCATION JOB DESCRIPTIONS
SURPLUS OF DUMP TRUCK
RETIREMENTS
1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. *That the School Committee approve the retirement of Samnatha Yankov, ELA Teacher at Middletown High School effective last day of school FY24 and Dean Sylvia, Custodian at Forest Avenue Elementary effective November 29, 2024. *
· Personnel
Report on recent personnel actions by the Superintendent
** HIRE EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 26, 2024**Connor Leighton, Beyond the Bell Teacher Assistant K – 8
Rebecca Palumbo, Beyond the Bell Teacher Assistant K – 8
Dena Silvia, Beyond the Bell Teacher K – 8, AQE
** HIRE EFFECTIVE MARCH 11, 2024**Jay Richardson, Assistant Varsity Baseball Coach, MHS
David Travers, JV Baseball Coach, MHS
** HIRE EFFECTIVE MARCH 18, 2024**Evan Carbotti, Assistant Varsity Boys’ Lacrosse Coach, MHS
Brooke Anderson, Softball Coach, JHG
Scott Cooper, Baseball Coach, JHG
** HIRE EFFECTIVE MARCH 20, 2024**Lisa O’Brien, Freshman Class Advisor, MHS
** HIRE EFFECTIVE MARCH 25, 2024**Eimile Garvey, Special Education Teacher Assistant, AQE
APPOINTMENTS
David Beebe, Maintenance – Grounds Supervisor
· Enrollment Report as of 3/19/24
o AQE 308, FA 308, GLA 282, JHG 456, MHS 549, Total: 1,905
CTE/Charter – Out 48, CTE – In 13, Outplaced 43, Home School 79, Transition (18 – 22 yrs. of age) 6
· Financial
o Revenue and Expense Reports as of February 29, 2024
Once the money is added in from the Town the district should end the year with a small surplus. There will be more budget adjustments due to the upcoming Bond.
· Student Services
o Started preparing for extended school year and determining who needs programming.
o Working on ensuring PreK students are prepared for Kindergarten.
o New Social Worker started March 12th at Forest Avenue and Aquidneck Elementary.
Chair Spengler asked if the Kindergarten preparedness was for just MPS PreK to which Mrs. Birkett responded yes.
· Technology
o Preparing for registration which opens April 1st.
Preparing for standardized tests.
o Branching Minds professional development will take place in April.
· Facilities
o Town sent over a crew to revitalize the softball field and clean out the dugouts.
Mr. Huet asked why the field conditions were worse this year than last.
Mr. Poe said he did not really have an answer. Probably due to use.
o Bus company responded to question about changing the ride eligibility from 1 to 1.5 miles. This would affect roughly 300 students and could not be enacted until FY26. Likely to cause pushback from those parents and phone calls.
Mr. Huet responded that he does not mind the phone calls; we need to cost cut someplace. The district needs to do what is right. For example, the number of bus stops.
Chair Spengler stated that you cannot do away with elementary school stops.
Mr. Poe said they typically leave the bus stops the same every year, but they can talk to the bus company.
Mrs. Kraeger stated she would like to send out a ridership survey before the end of the school year.
Mrs. Miller said they need to know the number of busses that will be required before the end of the year.
Chair Spengler recommended that interested families could opt out of riding the bus by signing a waiver.
Mr. Huet said it is important to review legal requirements.
Chair Spengler reminded everyone of safety issues, especially at the high school level, when they are catching the bus when it is dark outside.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORTS
1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee receive the Superintendent’s Report. Unanimous vote.
· Building Committee
Vice Chair Holden stated the Stage III Schematic Design for the new middle/high school was submitted to RIDE at the end of February.
· Student Representative Update
Mr. Recendes said there was a Career Fair held at the high school that day for Sophomores with over thirty-five careers represented.
The Wave has been publishing weekly news broadcasts. The Instagram account is @MHS_Wave and there is a YouTube channel, as well.
On March 6th Don Hooton Jr. of the Taylor Hooton Foundation spoke on the dangers of anabolic steroid use and performance enhancing drugs, as well as unregulated dietary supplements.
· Middletown Prevention Coalition
Mrs. Heaney passed out flyers for Wellness Month and highlighted the dodgeball game on April 5th between the School Committee and Town Council.
Youth Mental Health Training will take place next Monday, as well as the end of April and counts for six hours of continuing education credits.
** MOTION**: 1) Tami Holden, 2) Greg Huet
Respectfully Submitted,
Theresa Spangler, Chair