CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE

RHODE ISLAND

JOURNAL OF JOINT COUNCIL SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING

October 21, 2015

Council Chambers, City Hall, 145 Taunton Avenue, East Providence, RI 02914

6:30 P.M. Open Session

           

I.                   CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Rose called the meeting to order at 6:40PM.

           

II.                SALUTE TO THE FLAG

 

III.             NEW BUSINESS

 

The City Manager speaks about moving forward for the City and the School Committee to be able to have a working relationship and that each should take a moment to express what they would like to see happen from a meeting like this.

 

Chairman Tsonos states he is grateful to have this opportunity and it’s a step forward and hopefully there will be future meetings.  Adding this is good for everyone.

 

Mayor Rose stated he is interested to hear thoughts from everyone regarding the schools and the effect on economic development.  The schools are a very important part of the City, the most important part and he is glad to be here tonight.

 

A.    Plan and Coordination to Address Issues and Plans of the School Department

 

Chairman Tsonos requests School Committee Member Tony Ferreira speak on projections to repair the infrastructure which Mr. Ferreira passed out to everyone. He thanked all and stated that they were all on the right road. They have walked through 4 elementary schools to date.  They have issues to look at and are attempting to bring the maintenance staff up 4-5 more people.  He noted they have no maintenance program and need to employ more for facilities and they need to be sure these hires are the right employees for this job.  There are 5600 kids and 800 employees.  As long as these meetings continue they will show to the public they are doing the right thing.

 

Chairman Tsonos noted proper maintenance saves the City money and that if they don't maintain it will cost money in the long run.  The Chairman called on School Committee Member Jessica Beauchaine who participated in the walk throughs.   

 

Ms. Beauchaine noted that Mr. Ferreira mentioned 800 teachers, this doesn't include the other employees, there are roughly 800 teachers but the need is to maintain the teachers.  The City needs a maintenance plan to keep the teachers.  Around the 8 year mark is where the City loses teachers and that is where other communities push for their salaries to go up.  If the City is to look for businesses to come to East Providence for tax revenue then the schools are the shining star.  They come for them and they leave for them.

Mayor Rose stated that these are good points.

Assistant Mayor Cunha stated he has been working on the boarded up houses in the neighborhoods.  He noted it’s difficult to deal with the banks etc… but he has been working hard and is making some head way.

Councilwoman Capobianco asked what is the 8th year salary in comparison to other districts?

Ms. Beauchaine stated at top tier which is 7 East Providence is at $67,000.  Other cities and towns go beyond that tier for example Pawtucket goes to tier 10, at year 4 they are at $49,000  top tier is $72,000.

 

City Manager Kirby stated that the City needs to set some dates and get parameters and defined information.  There should be a meeting schedule for salary review and steps.  There is currently 42% dedicated toward education and we should do some analysis and get some data to become more competitive.  There could be a separate meeting to discuss goals, graduate rates and one night for infrastructure.

Councilwoman Capobianco said yes it requires quite a bit more review and she just wanted everyone to be aware of that difference.

 

Chairman Tsonos noted he would like to look down the road at future meetings of both City and Schools and only so much can be covered at this meeting but they can set an agenda going forward.

Mayor Rose stated that what they could do is set up for quarterly meetings going forward.  They would like to know more about other issues.

Councilman Conley stated the census shows things are really tight at the elementary level.  The plan proposed 700 kids and they were on the bus for a very long time and we fixed that issue.  We need to benchmark other communities. We are spending less on schools and more on the city.  At least there is a plan now where before it was crisis management so the State wouldn't shut us down.  East Providence High School is 60 years old. The question is do we need to find a way to build a new high school?  We need to think strategically.  He noted that he feels the City’s next step is to increase that funding and look at the data.  

Chairman Tsonos stated it is the City Council's right and responsibility to manage the money and the School Committee’s responsibility to track what we ask for.  The State is giving us some money and RIDE will match some of our funds for construction.  The School Committee discussed this at our monthly facilities meeting.

Mayor Rose stated perhaps one member of the City Council should be appointed to those monthly facility meetings. 

City Manager Kirby stated that tonight is the genesis of this project so they can look at the whole picture.  If both City and School were to pick some topics to look at for example facility issues, quality of education, standards to achieve performance, teacher salaries, budget and looking to next year working together with a budget addressing the school needs as best we can.  

 

Mr. Ferreira stated that he respectfully disagrees with some comments that these issues have been concerns right along and things go on meeting after meeting, such as facilities meetings to discuss the new door project.  Also there have been funds coming from RIDE.  The only other project completed was the handicap ramp and sidewalks.

Assistant Mayor Cunha stated the School Committee should get their quotes then budget money for example the Human Resource Department was a priority allocation that the School Committee wanted. 

Mr. Ferreira stated he is only one individual and he didn't see that list before it went to City Council.  

Councilwoman Capobianco stated it was made that day when members of the City Council asked them for a list of priority items they gave them to us.  She trusted that the Superintendent knew what she was giving the Council and supported that.

Mayor Rose stated the two bodies should have quarterly meetings so they both know what is going on.

Chairman Tsonos added this brings to light exactly why these meetings are important so we don't have to do what we did this year and hold a last minute meeting.

Ms. Beauchaine stated that the list of what is most important she believes should contain the vents which need to be done but if you are only give 4-5 priority items there are so much more.  

 

Councilman Britto noted there was $3.2 million over the required $10 million in the rainy day fund. If we can identify these issues we can put aside a million, when we have an issue or concern or problem let’s not wait down the road let’s address the issue, let’s start planning 8 months to a year in advance.   

Mayor Rose stated when you have someone working on the project let them finish unless it’s an absolute emergency.

 

Tony Feola Acting Facilities Director was called to the podium by the Chairman noting there is one city and school plumber and one electrician.  There are 83 violations for fire.  Sprinklers are needed.

Councilman Britto stated perhaps instead of 5 custodians they should hire 3 and then add 1 plumber and 1 electrician.  

Mr. Feola stated they are literally filling vacancies these are not new positions.  This is something we need to start working on now for next year.  

City Manager Kirby discussed the $10 million Rainy Day Fund.

Councilwoman Capobianco stated the schools already have the money for the fire alarm system.

Assistant Mayor Cunha stated they could fix the plumbing at the high school but if the infrastructure is coming down what good is it maybe they need a new high school. 

Mayor Rose stated they should set up 2 members with an evaluation to focus on the high school.  They could go to the representative and the senators and the federal delegation members if they need help.  He would love to see the high school near Jones Pond.

Mr. Ferreira stated after $1.3 million was spent on the pool and it was shut down he was very upset with the process. 

Mayor Rose stated we need to do a real evaluation.  Truly evaluating and asking for assistance to get the money.  This is the start let’s focus on this by January so we have something and a plan to move forward.

Mr. Feola invited the City Council and City Manager to see the schools.

City Manager Kirby made the suggestion of forming a joint subcommittee that would investigate and provide a short term analysis of the high school on whether to keep it or not setting a 5 week timeframe.

Councilwoman Capobianco asked if they need subcommittees when they have professionals to do this, do other communities do this?

Ms. Beauchaine stated if we have to beg for money then we feel like we have to form these committees.

Mr. Ferreira explained the hiring of 5 maintenance employees noting they have 7 maintenance subs working in the system now on full time jobs that are currently vacant and they are taking 5 of those subs and moving them to full time, year round positions. 

Mayor Rose stated at the future sessions he would like to have quarterly meetings and to start with one project and have a subcommittee and each of us choose would 2 representatives at our next meeting.  Anyone else who wants to take the tour of high school is welcome to do so.  We should meet again sometime in January for the next quarterly meeting.

Ms. Beauchaine stated teacher negotiations are coming in 2017 and they should start to look at that in the spring.

City Manager Kirby stated they will work through the administration to put things together.

 

The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 11, 2016 at 6:30PM.

 

B.     School Department as it Effects Economic Development

 

C.     Future Sessions between the City and School Committee

 

IV.             ADJOURNMENT

 

A motion to Adjourn at 8:09PM is made by Councilwoman Capobianco, seconded by Councilman Britto and on a roll call vote it is unanimous. 

 

Approved By Council:  December 1, 2015

Attest:  _______________

                 City Clerk