Sep. 19, 2024 - Regular Meeting

MIDDLETOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE

MIDDLETOWN, RHODE ISLAND

December 12, 2024

Members Present:         Greg Huet, Chair

Wendy Heaney, Vice-Chair

Theresa Spengler (former Chair)

Tami Holden (former Vice-Chair)

William Nash

Also Present:                   William Niemeyer,  Superintendent of Schools

Lisa Birkett, Director of Student Services

David Annese, Director of Technology

The Middletown School Committee Meeting was called to order at 4:30 p.m. by Chair Theresa Spengler.

The Student Representative to the School Committee was present as well as Gaudet Learning Academy Principal Kaitlin Gibbins, J.H. Gaudet Middle School Principal Gerald Haas, Middletown High School Principal Donna Sweet, and Town Councilman Peter Connerton.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Theresa Spengler started the meeting and then turned it over to the Superintendent

Superintendent conducted the Nomination and  Election process of the Chair

Greg Huet as Chairman 1)Wendy Heaney  2) Bill Nash * *That the School Committee approves the election of Greg Huet as Chairman of the Middletown School Committee. ** ** The nomination of Greg Huet has the majority of votes of the school committee and is now Chair.

Newly elected Chair conducted the nomination and election of the Vice-Chair and Clerk

Wendy Heaney as Vice-Chair  1)Bill Nash  2) Theresa Spengler  * *That the School Committee approves the election of Wendy Heaney as Vice-Chair of the Middletown School Committee. ** ** The nomination of Wendy Heaney has the majority of votes of the school committee and is now Vice-Chair.

Bill Nash  as Clerk  1)Wendy Heaney  2) Theresa Spengler  * That the School Committee approves the election of Bill Nash ** as Clerk of the Middletown School Committee.* ** The nomination of Bill Nash has the majority of votes of the school committee and is now the Clerk.

New Chair comments to Committee members

1.       That the School Committee looks forward and not dwell in the past

2.       That all members be prepared for each meeting and be on time

3.       For making a point after being recognized by the Chair that those points are made in a concise manner

4.       That each member act in a transparent manner in your reaction as a member of this committee

5.       To inform the Chair in advance if you are not able to attend any scheduled meeting.

6.       Honesty be at the forefront of all transactions with all committee members.

Expectations of Chair

1.       To do his best to run an efficient meeting and to keep the members informed of issues in a timely manner

2.       To keep members informed of issues in a timely manner

3.       To establish a strong working relationship with the Superintendent

4.       To establish strong working relationships with Town Council members and other community leaders to assist the Superintendent and the Committee in advancing stated goals of the Middletown School District’s Strategic Plan and Mission Statement.

5.       To offer candid, straightforward and honest assessments in dealings with fellow Committee members, the Superintendent, Town Council Members, community leader and our taxpayers.

In closing, we have many difficult challenges facing us. We are facing a budget season that will test each of us to find new and more economical ways of meeting our mission. We are amid significant changes in our Facilities Department and Business Office, while at the same time, we are in the process of developing a new fiscal year budget, building two new schools and renovating others. Many of our policies are outdated and require revision. Major issues that are presently impacting us, or will soon be impacting us, include: special education funding, regionalization discussions, contract negotiations, absenteeism rates, cell phone policies, issues associated with the growing Multi Language Learners population, support of IT infrastructure/services and capital improvement funding. There are no easy answers, and much must be done, the clock is ticking, and time is precious. We cannot afford to waste precious time, (your time, my time. staff time, taxpayers time and parents time) on trivial matters. I view this meeting as the time to solely conduct the important Business of the School District – nothing else.  We (Teachers, Staff, Committee Members, Town Council Members and Community Members) all need to work together to make this School District the most effective and efficient District possible; it is what the taxpayers expect, the parents demand and what the students deserve.

No public comment.

·         Student Representative Report

o    Middletown High School presented the production of Almost, Maine.

o    Islanders Committed created a Thankful tree with leaves of what they were thankful for.

o    Islanders Committed offered a movie night to watch The Grinch.

o    Some MHS students met with the architect for the new Middle/High School building.

o    The new Student Representative will be presented to the committee in January.

·         School Attorney Training /Orientation to School Committee Members.__ __

·         Meeting Dates and Times 2025 School Committee Meetings.

·         Nomination of Sub Committee Assignments.

·         Town Council Brief presented by Superintendent Niemeyer on the overview of current issues and challenges the school department faces.

o    Middletown Schools had a near complete turnover in administrative staff over the last two years.

o    The new Middle High School committee continues to seek input from staff members, principals and the design team.

o    Staffing has been a barrier to the success of MPS.  The issues vary from recruitment, retention because of pay, or our location. At this point in the school year, we still have vacancies that we need filled to support students. When a school district doesn't have sufficient or effective staff, there are financial and education consequences attached to the issue.

o    The IT Department continues to cycle through implementation of our 1:1 replacement plan.

o    MPS is reestablishing the preventative maintenance of important parts of our facilities.

o    Much of our maintenance equipment is past its lifespan and in need of replacement. We are working on a reasonable plan for addressing the needs.

o    Over 10% of the MPS student body identified as English Language Learners.  Our programming must evolve to best educate our MLL and all our students.  We are on track to be in compliance with RIDE regulations by the end of the school year.

o    We have successfully paid for and implemented a new, required curriculum for English and Math in the district. We took advantage of ESSER funds to finance those materials.

** MOTION**:  1)Wendy Heaney  2) Theresa Spengler

·                     Approval of Vouchers and Invoices

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| 1011  | 11/22/2024  | $1,490,487.05    | FY25    |
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·                        Approval of November 21, 2024, School Committee meeting minutes.

** HOMESCHOOLING **  1)Wendy Heaney 2) Theresa Spengler

HR RESOURCE MANAGER 1)Wendy Heaney  2) Theresa Spengler    That the School Committee approve the Human Resource Manager Job Description, second and final reading. ** ** Unanimous vote.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS POLICY 2450 ** 1)Wendy Heaney  2) Theresa Spengler    *That the School Committee approve the ** Residency Requirements Policy 2450 . *Unanimous vote.

DISPLAY OF MATERIALS/FLAGS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY 1)Wendy Heaney  2) Theresa Spengler  That the School Committee approved the second and final reading of the ** Display of Materials/Flags on School Property. Unanimous vote.

** SURPLUSING OF OUTDATED UNIFORMS**  1)Wendy Heaney  2) Theresa Spengler

CONTRACT FOR RHODE ISLAND STUDENT ASSISTANCE SERVICES ** 1)Wendy Heaney  2) Theresa Spengler  That the School Committee approve the Contract for Rhode Island Student Assistance Services. Unanimous vote.

SCHOOL ATTORNEY TRAINING /ORIENTATION FOR SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERS 1)Wendy Heaney  2) Bill Nash That the School Committee approve training by the School Attorney to the School Committee for two hours on issues related to their School Committee responsibilities. at a time to be determined. Unanimous vote.

MEETING DATES AND TIMES FOR THE 2025 SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETINGS 1)Wendy Heaney  2) Bill Nash That the School Committee approve the 2025 School Committee Meeting time and dates as follows: Meetings will begin at 5:30 PM on 23 January, 13 February, 20 March, 24 April, 15 May, 26 June, 17 July, 21 August, 18 September, 16 October, 20 November and 18 December. As this is the School Committee Reorganization Meeting, Bylaws require to establish 2025 School Committee calendar meeting dates and times. ** ** * 1)Wendy Heaney 2) Bill Nash  4-1 vote.  Theresa Spengler opposed.

*All meeting dates have been coordinated with the Superintendent and the Building Committee. The traditional third Thursday of the month was utilized to the greatest extent possible.  All School vacation periods and holidays have been taken into consideration.

NOMINATION OF SUB COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS ** 1)Wendy Heaney 2) Bill Nash  That the School Committee approve the Motion to delay the nomination of Sub Committee Assignments until the next regularly scheduled School Committee meeting in January 2025, with the stipulation that members provide preferences for assignment in writing and in priority order to the Chair with a copy to the Clerk no later than two weeks prior to the scheduled January 2025 School Committee Meeting. Unanimous vote.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

·                     Personnel

RESIGNATION EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 13 , 2024

Lucas Lussier, Business Office Manager, Central Office

APPOINTMENT EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 3, 2024

John Cunic, AP Coordinator, MHS

NEW HIRE EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 3, 2024

Kaydie Edwards, 6 hr Teacher Assistant, FA

NEW HIRE EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 9, 2024

Christine Micheletti, Human Resource Manager, Central Office

1)Wendy Heaney  2) Theresa Spengler  ** **That the School Committee receive the Superintendent’s Personnel Report. Unanimous vote.

·                     Enrollment Summary

AQE 306, FA 300, GLA 255, JHG 435, MHS 521, Transition 8, Special Ed Out of        District 38, Choice In (CTE) 10, Choice Out (CTE/GED) 70

·                     Financial

Superintendent Niemeyer gave a  provided a financial synopsis to date

• This report reflects the period of July 1, 2024, to November 30, 2024.

• This period represents 41.67% of the fiscal year and 30% of the school year.

• Total actual revenue as of 11/30 is $14.2 million. This represents 28.68% of total

budgeted revenue.

• Total actual expenditures as of 11/30 is $13.15 million. This represents 26.55% of total

budgeted expenses.

• Net Income as of 11/30 is $1.06 million*

·                     Teaching & Learning

Beyond the Bell

The program is serving approximately 148 elementary school and 130 middle

school students enrollment breakdown is as follows:

● K-3 Aquidneck Elementary School - 53 students

● K-3 Forest Avenue Elementary School - 53 students

● 4-5 Gaudet Learning Academy - 42 students

● 6-8 Gaudet Middle School - 130 students (includes intramural)

·                     Student Services

o    The Transition Academy Shoppe is open at the YMCA.

·         The Transition Academy’s community outings for the month of December include The Christmas Carol and a trip to watch a play in East Greenwich

·         The SELAC Meeting was well attended last month. There were many news faces! The group has since started a Facebook Page and they had a social gathering Dec 10 from 6:00-8:00 at a local restaurant to foster positive parent relationships.

·         The DOSS has been working collaboratively with the new Student Success Officer and behavior specialist to create plans for students .

·         Courtney Hancur has started filling out the state mandated Bright Stars application for preschool which will be implemented in the fall of 2025

·         Our faculty and staff continues to do an excellent job logging for Medicaid and it is showing our reimbursements

·         Technology Department

o    The IT Team has made significant progress in overhauling the district’s report card system.

o    Cybersecurity remains a critical focus for the IT department. Earlier this week, the IT Director attended a Cyber Security Education Summit, which provided valuable insights into enhancing security protocols and safeguarding district resources.

·         Facilities

·         Interviews for Facilities Director will be held in the coming weeks.

·                     Building Committee Update

·               Next meeting will be on December 18, 2024 at 5:00pm

·                     Middletown Prevention Coalition

o          Will be working towards ideas of fundraising

** MOTION**:  1)Wendy Heaney  2) Theresa Spengler

Respectfully Submitted,

Greg Huet, Chair