Jun. 13, 2024 - Regular Meeting

MIDDLETOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE

MIDDLETOWN, RHODE ISLAND

June 13, 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

Lori Miller, Interim Business Manager

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 4:02 p.m. by Chair Theresa Spengler.

Administrative staff members present were Erica Bulk and William Niemeyer. Town Councilman Peter Connerton and Student Representative Landon R. were also present.

** MOTION**:  1) Tami Holden, 2) Greg Huet.

Unanimous vote.

** MOTION**:  1) Tami Holden, 2) Greg Huet.

Chair Spengler announced that NO VOTE was taken in Executive Session.

** MOTION**:  1) Tami Holden, 2) Greg Huet.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Mrs.  Kraeger was presented with a dozen roses and thanked for her 46 years of service to Middletown Schools, 27 of which she served as Superintendent.

No public comment.

PROCLAMATIONS AND AWARDS

·         Student of the Week

Students of the Week were acknowledged by their building principals and received a book from the School Committee.

·         National French & Spanish Exam Award Winners

·         The National French and Spanish Exam award winners at J.H. Gaudet Middle School were recognized for receiving honorable mention, silver, and gold medals by the Foreign Language Department.

·         Band and Music Achievement Awards

The Middletown High School Band was recognized for receiving a Superior rating by the RI Music Education Association which is the highest rating a band can receive.  The high school has not earned this distinction in over 20 years.  Two outstanding Seniors were also recognized for their achievements in vocal and instrumental music.

·         Retirees

·         Middletown Public School 2023 – 2024 retirees were thanked for their service to the students, staff, and community over the years.

·         Teacher of the Year

Teacher of the Year Christine Clancey was recognized.

A brief recess was taken at 5:11 p.m. and the meeting reconvened at 5:15 p.m.

·         ****School Showcase – Aquidneck Elementary School

·         ****Link to presentation

·         https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tY3dcum5d-pNPYOTIdldu82JIJctKDXB/view?usp=drive_link

**Principal Erica Bulk  and ELL Teacher Maggie Luongo showcased the Multilanguage Learning program at Aquidneck Elementary School which served 52 students in FY24 compared to 38 in FY20.  **

o   ****MLL students at Aquidneck speak 11 different languages.

o   77% of MLL students are Middletown residents, 23 % are War College students.

o   Aquidneck works with the district translator and Director of Family Support to build relationships with their MLL families and promote family engagement.

o   Almost all teachers will have taken MLL endorsement or have registered to do so by the end of this summer.

o   Aquidneck received 5 stars (highest rating available from RIDE) for English Language Proficiency and School Quality and Student Success amongst its MLL students.

·         ****Student Representative Report

Student Representative Landon R. gave a report of recent activities and happenings at Middletown High School including:

o           Forty (40) students were inducted into National Honor Society.

o           A raffle was held for students who increased their PSAT scores from last year.

o           Student Government elections were recently held. Landon was elected Student Body President.

o           There has been positive feedback from students and teachers regarding the new copiers.

o           **Student Music Award Night and Student Scholarship Night were held this week. **

o           The last day of classes is today as well as the Senior Class trip to 6 Flags.

Get the FOAM Out is a $125k grant that will provide new kitchen appliances for our schools.

** MOTION**:  1) Tami Holden, 2) Greg Huet.

·         Approval of Vouchers and Invoices

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| 1226 | 4/18/24 | $73,098.12 |
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| 1237 | 4/26/24 | $1,694,545.17 |
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| 1238 | 4/1/24 | $397,484.53 |
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| 1239 | 4/3/24 | $6,439.28 |
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| 1259 | 5/17/24 | $966,258.64 |
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| 1260 | 5/1/24 | $406,931.11 |
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| 1261 | 5/3/24 | $6,368.12 |
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·            Approval of May 6, 2024, Joint School Committee, Town Council, and Building Committee Meeting minutes, and May 16, 2024,  Executive Session and School Committee meeting minutes.

·            Joint Meeting with Newport School Committee

·            Chair Spengler stated the School Committee has not pursued anything further with the Newport School Committee at this time.  They will consider meeting with them again in the fall of 2024.  Tiverton’s School Committee has also expressed an interest in meeting.

·            Shared Services Business Consolidation

·            **Link to presentation: **

·            https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EtuHIbRuI4njiJnL1MWBBmsk2vFSiLE5/view?usp=drive_link

Town Finance Director Marc Tanguay discussed the progress that has been made towards a shared service model between the Town Finance Department and district Business Office.

Mrs. Kraeger stated that the district is in the process of narrowing down the finalists for the School Business Administrator position.

Chair Spengler asked Mr. Tanguay if the Town would be taking over the Bond approval process.  By law, the School Committee is supposed to manage the budget.

Mr. Tanguay said the School Business Administrator would have access to the bank accounts.  The district and School Committee would still be doing the budget.  The budget process would remain the same.

·            Link to presentation:

·            https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mgi9RSZEpI7P7ysGlNbmJlM20duICopQ/view?usp=drive_link

·            Donna Humphries of Chartwells presented highlights, accomplishments, and a financial overview of the 2023 – 2024 school year, as well as plans for the coming year including student engagement, equipment upgrades, sustainability initiatives, and an expanded  Farm Fresh RI partnership.

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·            Chair Spengler asked if the items in the Extra Extra Bars at the Elementary schools could be individually wrapped to prevent the spread of germs to which Ms. Humphries replied yes.

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·            Chair Spengler also asked if the new appliances being installed at the schools could be moved to the new buildings once they were built.  Mrs. Kraeger stated that the architects have taken them into account when creating their plans.

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·            School/Town Grants

HOMESCHOOLING REQUEST

1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee approve homeschooling request 23-24-40 and 23-24 -41. Unanimous vote.

TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT – FACILITIES DIRECTOR

1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee approve the employment termination of the Facilities Director. Unanimous vote.

CONTRACT FOR FOOD SERVICES – CHARTWELLS

1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee approve the contract with Chartwells for Food Services. Unanimous vote.

1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee approve the contract with the YMCA for the Transition Program. Unanimous vote.

1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee authorize the Superintendent or designee to enter into an agreement with one or more school districts to attend Middletown’s Transition program. Unanimous vote.

1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee approve the Amendment to the Cell Tower Agreement with AT&T. Unanimous vote.

CONTRACT FOR NURSING SERVICES – BAYADA

1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee approve the contract with BAYADA for 2024-2025 Nursing Services. Unanimous vote.

CONTRACT FOR COUNSELING SERVICES – RISAS

1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee approve the contract with RISAS for 2024-2025 Counseling Services. Unanimous vote.

REVISED JOB DESCRIPTION -  CAREER COORDINATOR

1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee approve the revised job description for Career Coordinator. Unanimous vote.

REVISED JOB DESCRIPTION -  SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST

1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee approve the revised job description for School Psychologist. Unanimous vote.

AMENDED CONTRACTS

1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee approve the Amended Contract for Superintendent of Schools, and Contracts for Building Principals and Clerical Staff. Unanimous vote.

1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee approve the Out of District Tuition for the Transition Program. Unanimous vote.

1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee approve the Surplus of District Copy Machines. Unanimous vote.

RESIGNATION

1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee approve the resignation of Maria Coleman, Math Teacher at Middletown High School effective August 26, 2024. Unanimous vote.

·               Personnel

Report on recent personnel actions by the Superintendent

APPOINTMENTS EFFECTIVE MAY 3, 2024

Meghan Ford, ESY Coordinator, Student Services

APPOINTMENTS EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2024 – AUGUST 2, 2024

Shannon Dugan, BTB K-3 Intervention Coordinator

Laurie Oliveira, BTB 4 – 5 Intervention Coordinator

Casey Wright, BTB 6 – 8 Intervention Coordinator

Kathryn Mangano, BTB 9 – 12 Intervention Coordinator

APPOINTMENTS EFFECTIVE JULY 8, 2024 – AUGUST 2, 2024

Sarah Alexander, ESY Special Ed. K – 1 Teacher

Kerri Allder, ESY Special Ed. Life Skills TA

Casey Amaral, ESY Spec. Ed Grade 2 TA

Emma Rose Asher, ESY Speech & Language Pathologist

Patricia Berkeley, BTB Grade 5 TA

Robyn Borges, BTB MLL K – 8 Teacher

Laurie Bradley, ESY Special Ed. Grade 5 TA

Kelly Brennan, ESY Special Ed. Grade 2 Teacher

Whitney Bucci, BTB Grade K – 1 TA

Kendra Butler, ESY Spec. Ed. Grade 3 TA

Johanna Cadoret, BTB Kindergarten Teacher

Kerry Carlin, ESY Spec. Ed. Kindergarten TA

Nancy Champagne, BTB Grade 2 TA

Brittanie Clarke, BTB Grade 4 Teacher

Jamie Comeau, BTB Grade 2 Teacher

Elizabeth Coogan, BTB Grade 2 TA

Haley Ann Cooley, BTB K – 8 Teacher

Andrea Culipher, BTB Grade K – 1 TA

Amy Dunn, BTB Grade 4 Teacher

Caroline Farrow  BTB PreK – 12 Nurse

Eimile Garvey, ESY Spec. Ed. Kindergarten Teacher

Paula Guarino, BTB Grades 7 & 8 Teacher

Jennifer Holubesko, BTB MLL K – 8 Teacher

Morgan Holubesko, ESY Spec. Ed. Grade 5 Teacher

Samantha Judson, BTB Kindergarten Teacher

Shelby Lee, ESY Spec. Ed. Intensive K – 2 TA

Susan Leys, ESY Special Ed. Grades 6 – 8 Teacher

Jenine Maher-Peri, ESY Spec. Ed. PreK TA

Christina McFadden, ESY Spec. Ed. Grade 4 TA

Laura McSweeney, ESY Special Ed Grade 6 – 8 TA

Chelsea Mello, BTB School Social Worker

Tara Mellow, BTB Grade 1 Teacher

Jennifer Mulcahey, ESY Special Ed. K- 2 Teacher

Alicia O’Brien, BTB, Grade 7-8 TA

Kristen Pacheco, BTB Grades 6 & 7 Teacher

Rebecca Palumbo, ESY Spec. Ed. Grade 4 TA

Kimberly Pearce, BTB Grade 2 Teacher

Francesca Pellegrino, BTB Grade 2 Teacher

Mary Plunkett, ESY Spec. Ed. PreK TA

Denise Porter, BTB Grades 4 & 5 TA

Caroline Prezioso, BTB Grade 3 Teacher

Amy Quintal, Part-Time ESY Spec. Ed. Grade 3 Teacher

Mackenzie Randall, ESY Special Ed. Grade 6 – 8 TA

Chloe Richardson, ESY Special Ed Preschool Teacher

Christa Robinson, BTB Grade 1 Teacher

Carlie Rodrigues Baptista, BTB Grade 5 Teacher

Dena Silvia, BTB Grade 1 Teacher

Rachel Stalnaker, ESY Spec. Ed. Grade 1 TA

Alexa Stevens, ESY Spec. Ed. Grade 4 Teacher

Kelsey Vieira BTB Grade 5 Teacher

Kyla Vieira, ESY BTB MLL K – 8 Teacher

Keri Walsh, BTB Grades 6 & 7 Teacher

Helen Westall, BTB Grade 3 Teacher

Robin Westmoreland, ESY Spec. Ed. Grade 2 TA

Carlee Williams, BTB Grade 2 Teacher

Abigail Williamson, BTB Grade 4 Teacher

·               Enrollment Report as of 6/13/24

AQE 310, FA 311, GLA 285, JHG 450, MHS 541, Transition (18 – 22 yrs. of age) 4

Special Ed Out of District 41, Total: 1,942

Choice Out(CTE/GED) 45, Choice In (CTE) 12

·               Financial

Interim Business Manager Lori Miller provided a financial synopsis to date including an additional $130k in Impact Aid.

The district recently became certified to obtain their own Medicaid reimbursement but has not been able to process this to date.  If the district is able to process it before June 26th that money will be put into surplus.

·               Teaching & Learning

o   Summer Beyond the Bell, ESY, and MCOZ K – 8 enrollment is currently 225 and will run from July 8 – August 1, 2024 at Guadet.

o   State Assessment ACCESS scores/PSAT Sat scores will be shared at the July School Committee meeting.

o   Awarded a $281,500 grant from van Buren to fund:

-          9 – 12 MLL Instructional Coach

-          12 teacher registrations for MLL endorsements

-          12 teacher stipends for MLL endorsements

-          Establishment of MLL Family Collaborative

o   Michelle Fonseca and Jamoya Ridgell from EBCAP have been asked to speak

o                about Beyond the Bell at van Buren’s Building Community Event on July

o                31st

o   Partnering with RISPE to offer 30 teachers MLL endorsement in June & 17

o                more teachers MLL endorsement in August.  The Superintendent, Assistant

o                Superintendent, and building principals will be in a yearlong URI MLL

o                endorsement program beginning in September.

o   District PD Survey will be sent out to teachers next week.  Results to be

o                shared at next School Committee meeting.

·               Student Services

o        Extended School Year scheduling is underway and will begin July 8.

o        Early Childhood Outreach Coordinator is working with Early Intervention to transition children to Middletown Public School Services.

o        Safety Care trainings will begin this month.

o        Three Special Education Teachers are obtaining their Wilson Reading certification.

o        Several districts have inquired about sending students to our Transition Academy.

·               Technology Department

o   New copiers have been installed throughout the district.  There are five (5) additional new.

o   Student Chromebook collection has begun.

o   Superintendent transition plan has been put in place.

·            Facilities Department

o   USGA Senior Open is week of June 24th.  Emails will go out soon about parking logistics.

o   Free parking will be offered this weekend for the Norman Bird Sanctuary’s annual BioBlitz.

o   Gaudet has been designated as a community cooling center this summer.

o   Water samples showing higher than normal lead readings were due to the faucets, not the actual water.  Those faucets will be replaced.

1)Tami Holden. 2) William O’Connell. That the School Committee receive the Superintendent’s Personnel Report. Unanimous vote.

Chair Spengler thanked Interim Business Manager Lori Miller, and Special Education Consultant Georgia Fortunato for their assistance and dedication to the district this past year.

·               Building Committee Update

o   Architects are focused on exterior materials for the new schools.  Feedback from Building Committee was they wanted a less industrial look so the buildings would blend in better with the existing architecture in the community.

·               Middletown Prevention Coalition

o   The MPC’s budget has been cut in half.  It does not have to be a grant-funded program and could be funded by the Town.  However, the Town has decided to go in another direction.

o   Coalition leadership will be meeting at the end of June to consider funding options.

** MOTION**:  1) Tami Holden, 2) Wendy Heaney

Respectfully Submitted,

Theresa Spangler, Chair