Apr. 16, 2026 - Regular Meeting
Middletown
Minutes · April 16, 2026
MIDDLETOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Thursday, April 16, 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, Clerk William Nash and Theresa Spengler
School Department Administrators present - Superintendent Willliam Niemeyer, Assistant Superintendent and Director of Teaching and Learning Michelle Fonseca, Facilities Director Ed Collins, Director of Student Services Leslie Brow, Assistant Director of Student Services Jill Hague, GMS Principal Gerald Haas, Gaudet Learning Academy Principal Katy Gibbins, Forest Ave Principal Rebecca Silveira, Principal Erica Bulk
REGULAR SESSION
1.3 Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
1.4 Moment of Silence
1.5 Public Forum / Comment: None
MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash
That the School Committee approve the Consent Agenda. Unanimous vote.
4.1 Vouchers
4.2 Invoices
4.3 Minutes Regular Meeting, March 19, 2026
Special Meeting, March 20, 2026
Policy Sub Committee Meeting, April 1, 2026
4.4 Review, Archive and Minor Modifications of Policies
2400 Master Plans and Strategic Plans
4110 RI Educator Code of Professional Responsibility
4115 RI Professional Teaching Standards
4150 Confidentiality of Information
5125 FERPA
7030 Alcohol Sensor Device - School Substance Abuse
9010 Electrical Devices
9210 School Bus No Idling
Motion: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) Theresa Spengler Unanimous vote.
4.5 Approval of homeschool instruction requests: None
5.1 Consider and Vote on approval to waive two School Days from the FY26 calendar for the February 23 & 24, 2026 snow days if certified and other educational staff come to a mutual agreement with administration concerning the use of those days after June 24, 2026.
** **MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash
That the School Committee approval to waive two School Days from the FY26 calendar for the
February 23 & 24, 2026 snow days . Unanimous vote.
5.2 Consider and Vote on the Revised FY26 Calendar with last day of school June 24, 2026
MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash Unanimous vote.
5.3 Consider and Vote on TransPar to conduct RouteYield™ on the current School Bus routes
** **MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash Unanimous vote.
Comment by Superintendent Niemeyer, the school department looked into hiring a third party to look at our bus routes since transportation is one of the school departments major expenses. TransPar will help to review routes for the 25-26 and also move to the new configuration of the new school buildings in the 26-27 school year to make the routes the most efficient. This will be partially reimbursable under the new school building project.
Comment by William Nash, first and foremost about the safety of the students but also to find efficiencies.
Comment by Theresa Spengler, noted the lack of sidewalks in many areas of Middletown partially during the winter months with mounds of snow. Requesting that someone who lives on the East side of Middletown will be part of this route planning.
5.4 Consider and Vote on second reading of Policy # 9250 District Branding & Logo
** **MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash Unanimous vote.
Comment by William Nash, that this policy is to create consistency and uniformity within the district.
5.5 Consider and Vote on second reading of revision, Policy # 4220 Employees Telecommunications Equipment and Use
** **MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash Unanimous vote.
5.6 Consider and Vote on second reading of revision, Policy # 4000 Administrative Compensation
MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash Unanimous vote.
5.7 Consider and Vote on second reading of revision, Policy # 7114 Learning Environment - Suspension Expulsion
MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash Unanimous vote.
5.8 Consider and Vote on revision of Policy #9130 Energy Management and Conservation
MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash Unanimous vote.
5.9 Consider and Vote on first reading of revision, Policy # 4110 Rhode Island Educator Code of Professional Responsibility
MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash Unanimous vote.
5.10 Consider and Vote on first reading of revision, Policy # 5125 Family Education Rights and Privacy Act Education Records and Confidentiality
MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash Unanimous vote.
5.11 Consider and vote to Re-Open Early Retirement for One Month
MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash Unanimous vote.
This will include some incentives attached to early retirement, specifically for teachers that are outlined in the Teacher contract.
● Model UN- Last month Model UN club had their conference in collaboration with Boston College. Club members were able to work together and create position papers, regarding specific world crises and organizations.
● Bingo for Islanders Committed- Islanders Committed hosted a Bingo games during advisory
● To celebrate Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, a group of students headed by PE/Health teacher Mrs. Delima put together an awesome project in which students in all health classes created T-Shirt posters with supportive messages directed at raising awareness and support for anyone affected by teen dating violence. There was also a school wide orange-out where students showed out in their best all orange outfits to support the cause.
9.1 Enrollment
9.1 Financial
7.1 Personnel
APPOINTMENT EFFECTIVE August 27, 2025
Alexandra Mignanelli, Accommodations Coordinator, MHS
NEW HIRE EFFECTIVE March 16, 2026
Sam Gilbert, of Boys Assistant Varsity Lacrosse Coach, MHS
Kristen Gerety, Boys Tennis Coach, MHS
Brody Szako, JV Softball Coach, MHS
Vincent Gardner, Varsity Track Coach, MHS
RESIGNATION EFFECTIVE March 24, 2026
Elizabeth Medeiros, 4hr Teacher Assistant, GLA
RESIGNATION EFFECTIVE April 2, 2026
Jordan Potter, School Data Support Personnel, GLA/GMS
APPOINTMENT EFFECTIVE April 9, 2026
Meghan Ford, Extended School Year (ESY) Coordinator
Megan MacGillivray, Summer Beyond the Bell Coordinator, K-3
Shannon Dugan, Summer Beyond the Bell Coordinator, K-3
Laurie Oliviera, Summer Beyond the Bell Coordinator, 4-5
Casey Bowman, Summer Beyond the Bell Coordinator, 6-8
RESIGNATION EFFECTIVE June 30, 2026
David Alves, Business Office Manager, MPS
7.2 Status Report
Teaching & Learning
● Summer programming planning is underway for Beyond the Bell, running July 6–30
● Program will include PK–8 academic intervention (half-day) and K–5 enrichment camp
● The district received an $83,750 grant from the Van Buren Foundation for Valley Elementary courtyard planning and design
● At Gaudet Middle School, grade 8 students completed student-led civics projects as part of new state requirements
● The district received a substantial grant from the Van Buren Foundation for the design phase of a new CTE program that is designed in partnership with Electric Boat. It is also an opportunity to have adult workforce development within our new middle high school.
● Continued focus on professional development around progress monitoring and eligibility
● Ongoing transition planning for students moving between schools next year
● Preparing for Extended School Year (ESY) services, including academics and related services
● Addressing winter storm damage repairs across facilities
● Entering a two-year transition period with building moves and reconfigurations
● Potential relocation of PreK–Grade 1 to Aquidneck for Forest renovations
● Facility use will be restricted:
■ Final summer allowing outside use of Gaudet and current high school
■ No external summer use in future at new schools
● Ongoing multilingual communication to support families (Spanish & Portuguese)
● Planning back-to-school shopping event with Salvation Army
● Coordinating MLL end-of-year event at MHS
● Strong collaboration with community agencies to support families, especially those experiencing homelessness
● Managing transportation and attendance support for vulnerable students
8. Information -
10.1 Rhode Island Right to Read Act -
Superintendent Niemeyer commented that Middletown is in compliance with the Rhode Island Department of Education.
10.2 E-Bike Notice
**This notice went out to the families of Gaudet Middle School as a reminder that the Rhode Island law states that riders of e-bikes must be 16 years of age or older. **
9. Reports/Updates of Officers -
9.1 School Building Committee - check out the website for the new building
**9.2 Middletown Prevention Coalition - April wraps up Wellness month with numerous activities available for the community including: Dodgeball, BIngo, Mental Health First Aid, **
9.3 Policy Committee - continues to meet monthly to update and review policies
9.4 Others as required - None
MOTION: 1) Wendy Heaney, 2) William Nash
To adjourn from the School Committee Meeting at 6:13 p.m. Unanimous vote.