May. 15, 2025 - Regular Meeting

MIDDLETOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Thursday, ****May 15, 2025

Executive Session 5:00 PM

Regular Meeting 5:30 PM

MINUTES

Executive Session - called to order at  5:00 PM

*School Committee may seek to convene if warranted: Executive Session Under Jurisdiction of Rhode Island State Law, Chapter 46, 42-46-5 - (a) 1,2,5,8,9 (RI Open Meetings Law). *

1. Workshop on collective bargaining. 42-46-5(a)(2)

School Committee Reconvened from Executive Session and the minutes were sealed.

MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash. That the School Committee seal the minutes from the Executive Session regarding Workshop on collective bargaining. 42-46-5(a)(2)   Unanimous vote.

Regular Session - called to order at  5:30 PM

1.1 Call to Order: Chair Gregory Huet called the School Committee meeting to order at 5:30 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, Theresa Spengler and Clerk William Nash     Excused:  Tami Holden

School Department – Superintendent Willliam Niemeyer, Assistant Superintendent and Director of Teaching and Learning Michelle Fonseca, Facilities Director Ed Collins, Director of Technology David Annese, GMS Principal Gerald Haas, Gaudet Learning Academy Principal Katy Gibbins, Forest Ave Principal Rebecca Silveira, Aquidneck Principal Erica Bulk

1.3 Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

1.5 Public Forum / Comment

There were no requests for public comment.

There was no submitted correspondence.

Nancy Barruetabena, Anne Coogan, Ronald Dumais, Lisa Ferreira, Luis Oliveira, Kimberly Saputo, George Shaffer, Phillip Statser

Some highlights of activities at Middletown High School:  As the seniors near the end of the school year, the track team had their senior night, with more to come over the next few weeks. The MHS Band played in the Trills and Thrills Festival and were rewarded a grade of excellent. They then celebrated with their yearly trip to Six Flags. Tomorrow marks the end of this year's AP Exam season.   MHS junior Lila Christy was awarded the General Treasurer’s Youth Leadership Award.  May 22nd and 23rd MHS will hold their student council and government elections.

MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash. That the School Committee approve the Consent Agenda. Unanimous vote.

7.1 Vouchers

7.2 Invoices

7.3 Minutes, re: Regular Meeting, April 30, 2025

7.4 Approval of homeschool instruction requests: 24-25-49

8.1 Consider and Vote on Layoffs/ Non-renewals

Superintendent Niemeyer made the recommendation as required by Rhode Island Law to notify teachers of the non-renewals and/or layoffs by notifying teachers by June 1 with a report also sent to the Teacher Union. Names of layoff/non-renewals will not be made public until actual termination. Positions 1-4 Layoffs,

5-8 Building Based Substitutes, 9-10 Long Term Substitutes and One Year Only Positions

MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash. That the Superintendent recommends to the School Committee to consider and vote on the recommendation to approve Layoffs / Non-renewals.      Unanimous vote.

8.2 Consider and Vote on Reopening Early Retirement for teachers

MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash. That the Superintendent recommends Reopening Early Retirement for teachers.        Unanimous vote.

8.3 Consider and Vote on 25-26 Student Assistance Services Contract

MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash. That the School Committee consider and vote on the  25-26 Student Assistance Services Contract.   Unanimous vote.

8.4 Consider and Vote on School Building Project RTA’s

MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash. That the School Committee approve the School Building Project RTA’s.    Unanimous vote.

8.5 Consider and Vote on Award the Contracts for the Elementary School Complex

MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash. That the School Committee Consider and Vote on awarding the Contracts for the Elementary School Complex.     Unanimous vote.

**8.6 Consider and Vote to Award the Contracts for the new Middle/High School **

MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash. That  the School Committee Award the Contracts for the new Middle/High School.    Unanimous vote.

**8.7 Consider and Vote on first and final review of Public Complaints about School Personnel Policy No. 1053 **

MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash. That  the School Committee Consider and Vote on first and final review of Public Complaints about School Personnel Policy No. 1053.    Unanimous vote.

**8.8 Consider and Vote on first and final review of Home Schooling Policy No. 6172.3 **

MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash. That  the School Committee TABLE  the vote on Home Schooling Policy No. 6172.3    Tabled for clarification after the School Committee received  additional information needed for review.   Unanimous vote.

8.9 Consider and Vote on the Athletic Trainer Job Description

MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash. That  the School Committee Consider and Vote on the Athletic Trainer Job Description.    Unanimous vote.

Superintendent - Personnel

APPOINTMENT EFFECTIVE April 7, 2025

Kelly Butala, Long Term Substitute ELA, GMS

RESIGNATION EFFECTIVE April 11, 2025

Monique Joffre, Special Education Teacher Assistant, AQ

RESIGNATION EFFECTIVE April 25, 2025

Theresiam Quinn, Assistant Varsity Track Coach, MHS

RESIGNATION EFFECTIVE May 2, 2025

Amy Davis, Teacher Assistant, FA

Courtney Heine, Teacher Assistant, FA

Shelby Lee, Special Education Teacher Assistant, GMS

APPOINTMENT EFFECTIVE May 5, 2025

Sports Game Supervisor and Ticket Taker

Aleah Meyer

Kristin MacLean

Joshua Beagan

Maria Dowler

Kevin Lendrum

Andrew Leys

Brandi Humes

NEW HIRE EFFECTIVE May 5, 2025

Alexandria Reeg, Special Education Teacher Assistant, AQ

APPOINTMENT EFFECTIVE May 5, 2025

Shelby Lee, Administrative Assistant to the Director of Student Services, MPS

NEW HIRE EFFECTIVE May 12, 2025

Kenneth Burgess, Night Custodian, MPS

Enrollment Summary

AQE 307, FA 303, GLA 254, JHG 433, MHS 507, Transition 7, Special Ed Out of District 43, Choice In (CTE) 12, Choice Out (CTE/GED) 43

Financial

“The Middletown School Business Office is committed to supporting Continuous Improvement, Transparent Communication, and Fiscal Responsibility leading to Student Achievement and Student Success. We are a Unified Team with the Purpose of Being a High-Performing School District.”

The Business Office continues to review and update encumbrances. With thanks  to the principals and directors for their management in this area. Currently $13,462,897 in Encumbrances ($12,172,015 below). The Town of Middletown and the Superintendent have provided suggested direction to our FY26 transportation and shared services.  FY26 number for both Revenue and Expenses is $46,279,270

Curriculum

MPS has been awarded a RI READS grant which will include 2 reading coaches for grades K-5. We formed an East Bay Consortium with Newport and Bristol for this grant.  The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) secured a $40 million federal grant, to be distributed over the next five years, aimed at enhancing literacy outcomes for Rhode Island students. The grant will focus on developing literacy coaching structures, reimagining systems within the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), and strengthening partnerships with Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs).

Student Services

DOSS is continuing to plan and schedule our extended school year services for ourStudents.  Our Early Childhood Coordinator is continuing to search for peer models for our preschool and pre-k classes for the 2025-26 school year. Case manager projections have been collected and we are working through the detailed needs at specific levels/schools.

Technology

The IT team has been focused on strategic planning through the development of a three-year Capital Improvement Plan and hardware purchasing roadmap. As part of this effort, we are in the midst of our plan to upgrade aging devices and ensure that all district computers are running Windows 11 by the Fall of 2025.

Facilities

Continue to prepare for the summer projects and cleaning. Summer cleaning supplies will be delivered in early June to make sure we get off to a good start. As of next week, they will be fully staffed and will also have an administrative assistant on board in two weeks.  Still monitoring the utility market for gas pricing, they would like to see it drop a little more before locking in.

13.1 School Building Committee continues to meet bi-weekly. Groundbreaking will be scheduled for June 9 at 10:00 a.m.  at the current Gaudet Middle School site. All parts of the community will be included in the ceremony to break ground.

William Nash, Building Committee Member, commented that at this school committee meeting there were a lot of RTA’s that were awarded.  The process starts going line by line items with the Building Committee meeting, School Committee then the Town Council. A lot of work happens behind the scenes to be sure that the project is completed on time and on budget.

Next meeting will be Thursday, May 29, 2025.

A special page has been set up on the school website for all information about the new school building project:    https://sites.google.com/mpsri.net/buildingcommittee/home

13.2 Middletown Prevention Coalition -  MPC has given the Middletown High School a grant for  $3,000 for Post Prom Parties. As Prom season sees an increase in underage drinking, the MPC sponsored a Pre-Prom Impaired Driving Go-Cart experience collaborating with the Middletown Police. Prom tip fliers have been distributed to families and on the MPS website. May is Mental Health Awareness Month with the slogan,   “Life is tough but so are you”

13.3 Policy Committee - Continues to meet once or twice a month to review all MPS policies to bring them up to date.

ADJOURN FROM MEETING

MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney , 2) William Nash To adjourn from the School Committee Meeting at 6:09 p.m. Unanimous vote.

Next Regular Meeting: Thursday, June 26, 2025