MIDDLETOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE
MIDDLETOWN, RHODE ISLAND
February 15, 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
Lisa Birkett, Director of Student Services
David Annese, Director of Technology
Poe George, Director of Facilities, Transportation, and Safety
The Middletown School Committee Meeting was called to order at 3:30 p.m. by Chair Theresa Spengler. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Administrative staff members present were Donna Sweet, Erica Bulk, and Rebecca Silveira. Student Representative Landon Resendes was also present.
MOTION: 1) Tami Holden, 2) Greg Huet. To go into Executive Session to:
Consider and Discuss personnel matters relating to the Superintendent’s position 42-46-5 (a)(1)
Receive legal advice regarding outstanding administrators’ and nonunion employment agreements
Receive legal advice regarding formation and charge for superintendent screening committee
Unanimous vote.
MOTION: 1) Tami Holden, 2) Greg Huet. To reconvene into Open Session at 4:52 p.m. Unanimous vote.
Chair Spengler announced that NO VOTE was taken in Executive Session.
MOTION: 1) Tami Holden, 2) Greg Huet. To seal the minutes of Executive Session. Unanimous vote.
Principal Donna Sweet introduced Landon Resendes, Student Representative to the School Committee who is an accomplished Junior at Middletown High School. Landon applied and was chosen by a committee for this role. He is co-editor and Web manager of the Wave, Web manager of Tempo, member of Middleton Youth Leadership Council, writer, director and editor of the Newport Jazz Festival podcast, co-captain of the Mock Trial Team, and co-Founder of the Computer Club. He will serve as a conduit between the high school student body and School Committee.
No one present
· Middletown High School Program of Studies 2024 – 2025 was presented by Principal Donna Sweet. Link to presentation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vvuS4RAZYQkNrynn1N_Fh24NLin8AWE_/view?usp=drive_link
o MHS is currently exploring an 8-block schedule
Ø Typical student would still be taking 7 periods - 1 would be a FIT period (personalized learning time)
Ø Teachers would still be teaching 5 periods - 1 planning and 1 co-planning
o Putting higher demand on students provides them with more spread and more opportunity
o Mr. Christopher Richards has received approval to teach English classes for credit through RIC
o AP Physics and Physics will be offered next year by Mrs. Keely Connery
o Hire for
● Placing a budget request to hire someone to oversee Senior Projects and a CTE Director
● Civics Requirement for class of 2028 is currently embedded in US History
● Algebra 1 will be double-blocked – phasing out Algebra 1A & 1B so students may earn 2 credits
● Offering AP Pre-Calc & Trigonometry as half-year courses
● Financial Literacy can be a stand-alone or embedded in Algebra or Economics and can happen at GMS, does not have to happen at the high school
● No changes in World Language at this time
● Two Pathway tracks: Career or College Readiness
Mrs. Kraeger commended Mrs. Sweet for her thoughtful approach, and her Directors’ and staffs’ approach with an eye on the change and RIDE’s requirements, and the opportunities with the new school and the FIT block for the students.
Mrs. Sweet responded by saying the FIT block is great for students. This is a wonderful intervention model for our ELL students and students who need access to resource teachers, etc. This a nice multi-layer approach.
Chair Spengler asked if the high school would be implementing the 8-block schedule for the 2024-2025
Mrs. Sweet responded yes. The eight-block schedule would provide opportunities for our students that a lot of the community would like to see. We are in the perfect place at the perfect time. Aquidneck Island is flush with resources for our students.
Vice Chair Holden inquired if the eighth grade has been helpful in taking advantage of the offerings at the high school.
Mrs. Sweet said there were eighth graders currently enrolled in classes at the high school, but the new construction would be seamless and provide more fluidity.
Mrs. Kraeger asked Mr. Resendes to weigh in on this presentation at the March 21st meeting.
Mr. Resendes asked Mrs. Sweet if all students would be required to take 8 blocks.
Mrs. Sweet responded that it would be less than optional. Every student will have to take 7, and some will need to take 8 because of course availability. Many students are taking courses via VHS. If after Junior year a student has 21 credits, time may be freed up for them to have an internship or attend classes at RIC.
MOTION: 1) Tami Holden, 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee table the Strategic Plan until the March School Committee meeting. Unanimous vote.
MOTION: 1) Tami Holden, 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee approve the Consent Agenda. Unanimous vote.
| Middletown Public Schools Vouchers 1/16/24 – 2/9/24 | |||
| Vouchers | Date | Total | FY |
| 1151 | 1/19/2024 | $1,835,048.37 | 24 |
| 1152 | 1/2/2024 | $402,289.72 | 24 |
| | | | |
| | | $2,237,338.09 | |
· Approval of January 18, 2024, School Committee Meeting Minutes
MOTION
1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee adjust the agenda
FY24 SPECIAL REVENUE BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS
1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee approve the FY24 Special Revenue Budget Adjustments. Unanimous vote.
FY24 GENERAL FUND ADJUSTMENTS
1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee approve the FY24 General Fund Adjustments. Unanimous vote.
1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee approve the contract with the USGA for use of the Gaudet parking lot. Unanimous vote.
SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH COMMITTTEE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee approve the Roles and Responsibilities of the Superintendent Search Committee. Unanimous vote.
SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH SCREENING COMMITTTEE
1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee approve the Superintendent Search Screening Committee. Unanimous vote.
| Name | Position |
| Kimberly Behan, Ed. D. | Professor, Salve Regina University |
| Lisa Birkett | Director of Student Services |
| Ed Brady | Building Committee Chair |
| Peter Connerton | Town Councilman |
| Neal Harrell | Lacrosse Coach & Parent |
| Jesse M. Rodrigues, Jr. | Community Member - Senior Citizen |
| Nicole Sams | Parent & Business Owner |
| Theresa Spengler | School Committee Chair |
| Donna Sweet | Middletown High School Principal |
| Alicia Wise | Parent & Special Ed Advocate |
| Lisa Wood | NEAM President |
MHS 2024 – 2025 PROGRAM OF STUDIES
1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee approve the Middletown High School 2024 – 2025 Program of Studies. Unanimous vote.
K-12 STRUCTURED LITERACY SPECIALIST JOB DESCRIPTION
1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee approve the K-12 Structured Literacy Specialist Job Description. Unanimous vote.
RESIGNATIONS
1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee approve the following resignations:
Unanimous vote.
Resignations:
o Emily Walker, 4 Hour TA, GLA, 12/22/2023
o Melissa Ramirez, 4 Hour TA, FA, 1/31/2024
o Patricia Berkeley, 4 Hour TA, GLA, 1/30/2024
Retirements Effective End of 2023 – 2024 School Year
· Budget Workshop Dates – February 27th, March 5th, 14th, and 21st at 4:30 p.m.
· Joint Meeting with Newport School Committee
Mr. Huet requested the Newport Superintendent and Mrs. Kraeger set a date for a joint meeting of the Newport and Middletown School Committees to discuss how they can reduce costs.
Report on recent personnel actions by the Superintendent
HIRE EFFECTIVE JANUARY 9, 2024
Paula Guarino, Beyond the Bell Teacher K – 8, JHG
HIRE EFFECTIVE JANUARY 29, 2024
Shannon Maher, 4 Hour TA, GLA
HIRE EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 1, 2024
Madison Tobin, BTB Teacher, FA
HIRE EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 5, 2024
Kendra Butler, 6 Hour Special Education TA, FA
Connor Leighton, 4 Hour TA, GLA
Grace Flynn, , 6 Hour Special Education TA, FA
HIRE EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 7, 2024
Alexandria Salazar, 4 Hour TA, GLA
HIRE EFFECTIVE MARCH 11, 2024
Eric Godin, Varsity Baseball Coach, MHS
Kristy Wentline, Varsity Softball Coach, MHS
Jake Cathers, Assistant Varsity Softball Coach, MHS
HIRE EFFECTIVE MARCH 18, 2024
Neal Harrell, Varsity Boys’ Lacrosse Coach, MHS
Blair Alexander, Varsity Girls’ Lacrosse Coach, MHS
Kathryn Hamilton, Girls’ JV Lacrosse Coach, MHS
Joanna Mankin, Track & Field Head Coach, MHS
Gerald Haas, Varsity Golf Head Coach, MHS
Kristen Gerety, Varsity Boys’ Tennis Coach, MHS
APPOINTMENT EFFECTIVE JANUARY 22, 2024
Maggie Luongo, ELL Teacher
APPOINTMENT EFFECTIVE JANUARY 31, 2024
Patricia Berkeley, 6 Hour Special Education TA, GLA
APPOINTMENT EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 1, 2024
Melissa Ramirez, 6 Hour Special Education TA, FA
APPOINTMENT EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 12, 2024
Caroline McNamara, .2 ELL Teacher, MHS
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORTS
1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee receive the Superintendent’s Personnel Report. Unanimous vote.
MOTION: 1) Tami Holden, 2) Greg Huet. To adjourn from School Committee Meeting at 5:31 p.m. Unanimous vote.
Respectfully Submitted,
Theresa Spangler, Chair