Jan. 22, 2026 - Regular Meeting
Middletown
Minutes · January 22, 2026
MIDDLETOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Thursday, January 22, 2026
Regular Meeting 5:30 PM
MINUTES
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, Tami Holden and Clerk William Nash Theresa Spengler arrived at 5:32
School Department – Superintendent Willliam Niemeyer, Director of Student Services Leslie Brow, Assistant Director of Student Services Jill Hague, MHS Principal Donna Sweet, GMS Principal Gerald Haas, GLA Principal Katy Gibbins, Aquidneck Ave Principal Erica Bulk, Forest Ave Principal Rebecca Silveira
REGULAR SESSION
1.3 Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
1.4 Moment of Silence: None
1.5 Public Forum / Comment: None
MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash
That the School Committee approve the Consent Agenda.
3.1 Vouchers
3.2 Invoices
3.3 Minutes Regular Meeting, December 18, 2025
Policy Sub Committee Meeting, January 16, 2026
3.4 Review and minor modifications of Policies: 1110 APRA Request Procedure, 3541 School Bus Transportation, 4135 Family and Medical Leave, 6010 Virtual and Online Courses, 6173 Homebound and Hospital Education Programs, 9020 Furniture and Equipment, ARCHIVED 7126 Student Recognition Awards State Championships
3.5 Approval of homeschool instruction requests: 25-26-50
3.6 FY25 General Funds Budget Adjustments
MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash Unanimous vote.
Comment and request by William Nash, Policy #7126 Student Recognition Awards State Championships have been Archived and in the future archived policies will be clearly noted.
**4.1 Consider and Vote on second and final reading Policy 6100 Curriculum Management System **
MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash Unanimous vote.
4.2 Consider and Vote on Elevator Contract Award
MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash Unanimous vote.
Superintendent Niemeyer commented that this contract is for Preventative Maintenance that has been neglected to make sure they are safe.
**4.3 Consider and Vote on the amended version of 2026 Rhode Island Student Survey (RISS) **
MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash Unanimous vote.
Theresa Spengler asked if this survey was from RIDE
Superintendent Niemeyer commented that schools are required to participate in the survey. There were a few questions that were flagged on the survey that might have precluded MPS from receiving the funding that was needed, so an updated version of the survey was also presented to the committee. The vote was approved by the School Committee on the updated survey.
**4.4 Consider and Vote on first reading of revision Policy 8000 High School Graduation Requirements **
MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash Unanimous vote.
Superintendent Niemeyer commented that this policy was created to meet RIDE regulations for Graduation Requirements regarding required coursework.
4.5 Consider and Vote on Special education, and transportation proposed legislation
** **MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash Unanimous vote.
Superintendent Niemeyer commented that this is a Resolution that the School Committee will sign regarding the high cost of special education transportation.
**4.6 Consider and Vote on first reading of revision Policy 2500 Technology and Acceptable Use MPS with AI **
MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash Unanimous vote.
Superintendent Niemeyer commented that this AI is cutting edge technology. The Superintendent along with a few principals, Assistant Superintendent Fonseca have been attending RIDE guidance and a one day training. Training included what is acceptable use for AI for both adults and students, which also includes how data is stored. Policy will be reviewed yearly.
4.7 Consider and Vote on Wood Shop Surplus
MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash Unanimous vote.
4.8 Consider and Vote on FY27 Budget Calendar for all Funds
MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash Unanimous vote.
February 12 will be the School Committees next date to work on the budget.
4.9 Consider and Vote on first reading of revision Policy 6030 Dual Enrollment
MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash Unanimous vote.
4.10 Consider and Vote on Middletown High School Program of Studies
MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash Unanimous vote.
Principal Sweet commented on the Program of Studies. This was to align with the Class of 2028 RIDE regulations. This gives students the option to graduate with either a career ready diploma or college readiness diploma. WIth the possibility of Music Theory for next year being put out there to determine student interest.
7. Student Representative Report/Update: Middletown High School has earned a spot on the AP School Honor Roll. MHS is having a Winter Spirit Week and Pep Rally to honor the winter sports teams. The Class of 2027 is hosting a Pickleball Tournament on February 7, and the Class of 2026 is bringing back the Mr. Middletown Pageant on February 12.
8.1 Enrollment
8.1 Financial
1. GF Budget: $43,253,817.00
2. GF YTD Expenditures: $17,440,236.83
3. GF YTD Revenue: $20,494,614.62
4. GF Encumbrance: $8,105,228.51
5. Total YTD Expenditures: $19,026,929.33
6. Total Encumbrance: $ 9,027,974.10
7. Total YTD Revenue: $21,581,962.60
8.1 Personnel
RESIGNATION EFFECTIVE December 22, 2025
Paige Richardson, Special Education Teacher Assistant, AQ
Juliana Gomes, Special Education Teacher Assistant, GLA
NEW HIRE EFFECTIVE January 5, 2026
Moira Willis, Special Education Teacher Assistant, AQ
NEW HIRE EFFECTIVE January 5, 2026
Madisyn Potter, Special Education Teacher Assistant, AQ
NEW HIRE EFFECTIVE January 20, 2026
Judith Fox, 4 hr Teacher Assistant, FA
Tristan Winter, Special Education Teacher Assistant, FA
Christian Raposo, Beyond the Bell Teacher, GLA
APPOINTMENT EFFECTIVE February 23, 2026
Tina Reynolds, Unified Basketball Coach, GMS
APPOINTMENT EFFECTIVE March 9, 2026
Eric Godin, Varsity Baseball Coach, MHS
Kate Homer, Varsity Softball Coach, MHS
APPOINTMENT EFFECTIVE March 16, 2026
Lucas Lundgren, Varsity Golf Coach, MHS
Blair Alexander, Varsity Girls Lacrosse Coach, MHS
Kristen Gerety, Varsity Boys Tennis Coach, MHS
RETIREMENT EFFECTIVE June 18, 2026
Ruth Butler, Title 1 Reading Specialist, FA
Cheryl Rosa, School Nurse Teacher, AQ
8.3 Status Report
Curriculum Michelle Fonseca, Assistant Superintendent and Director of Teaching and Learning
Beginning this month the district admin will begin engaging in Learning Walks at each building. Principals will be inviting teachers to join us and notifying schools of visit dates. Our focus is student engagement. Our goal is to identify observable indicators of student engagement aligned to high-quality instruction across grade spans. This protocol is non-evaluative and intended to inform reflection, coaching, and systemwide improvement. When visiting classrooms we will stay for about 10 minutes, we will silently observe, focusing on what students are doing, saying and producing. We will be collecting our evidence (not judgements) and sharing them with the schools we visit.
Student Services Leslie Brow Director of Student Services
Presentation to Engage, Empower and Elevate. Instruction that Moves.
Student Services works to ensure that students with disabilities can access and make meaningful progress in the general education curriculum to the maximum extent appropriate.
● Middletown Student Services is responsible for complying with Federal and State regulations on Special Education.
● One way this is done is ensuring that the IEP team complies with all the procedures outlined within the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
● Ensures Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for eligible students under IDEA
● Supports access to and progress in general education in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
● Identifies, evaluates, and serves students through Child Find, IEPs, and Section 504 plans
● Provides specialized instruction, related services, and accommodations based on student need
● Partners with families and staff to ensure compliance, equity, and positive student outcomes
Student Services Priorities, Engagement: Connecting with students, Support families, Collaborate as a team
Implement Policies and Procedures (systems district wide)
●IEP/Evaluation Timelines
●Draft IEP and Evaluations - Advanced communication and documentation 3 days prior
●Monthly Voluntary Staff meetings for student service providers
Technology
Interviews continue to hire a Director of Educational Technology
Facilities Ed Collins, Director of Facilities
The mid-year budget review is currently underway, and most accounts are tracking as expected.
Some adjustments will be required for next year’s budget. Below is an update on the Work
Order system for the current fiscal year.
**Director of Family and Community Engagement ** Meghan Mainzer
● Working on vbcf grant application for year 3 of the Multilingual Learner Initiative to continue to build capacity, cultivate engagement and improve student outcomes
● Reached out to CCRI and RI Hospitality for workforce development workshops and english classes for parents and teens
● Continued work with Salve Regina Art and Art History Department for a second series of workshops this time with world known artist Roberto Huarcaya. It’s a new Art Club class on Mondays after school called the Soma Club. It is held at Salve Regina and helps renew the body and foster connection to self and community.
● Met with Meg Miles from Conanicut Island Sailing Foundation and Grace Logan Ocean Hour Farm, Conexion Latina for out of school career exploration over April break for multilingual high school students.
ADJOURN FROM MEETING
MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash
To adjourn from the School Committee Meeting at 6:23 p.m. Unanimous vote.