MIDDLETOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE
MIDDLETOWN, RHODE ISLAND
May 16, 2024
Members Present: Theresa Spengler, Chair
Tami Holden, Vice-Chair
William O’Connell
Wendy Heaney
Excused: Greg Huet
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 4:03 p.m. by Chair Theresa Spengler.
Administrative staff members present were Donna Sweet, Erica Bulk, and Stephen Ponte. Student Representative Landon R. was also present.
MOTION: 1) Tami Holden, 2) William O’Connell. To go into Executive Session to receive legal advice on termination of employment relationship with a teacher assistant 42-45-5(a)(2) and to receive legal advice regarding employment contracts. Unanimous vote.
MOTION: 1) Tami Holden, 2) Wendy Heaney. To reconvene into Open Session at 4:34 p.m. Unanimous vote.
Chair Spengler announced that NO VOTE was taken in Executive Session.
MOTION: 1) Tami Holden, 2) Wendy Heaney. To seal the minutes of Executive Session. Unanimous vote.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Gregory Waksmulski, Jr. of Amnesty International USA, residing at 88 Pidge Avenue in Pawtucket gave accolades to the School Committee for their outstanding work in developing Middletown Public Schools’ Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Policy. Mr. Wasmulski asked if he could have permission to promote the policy to other areas in Rhode Island, as well as other states.
· School Showcase – Gaudet Middle School
Principal William Niemeyer presented the many ways the Gaudet community supports students as they journey through their middle school career. Gaudet focuses on:
o Academic Excellence and Accelerated Growth
o Feeding the “Need to Belong”
o Social Emotional Support
The “Need to Belong,” is supported by clubs, activities, and even classes at Gaudet. There is something for everyone including Art Club, Band, Chorus, Guitar, Ukelele, 6,7,8 Sports, Unified Basketball, Underwater Robotics, Game Club, Computer Club, Intramurals, Student Council, Aginnovation, and Rhody Squash.
The academic schedule includes a Thrive Block which provides a block of time for students to get exactly what they need; whether it be support or advanced opportunities for accelerated students.
Every student has an elective SEL (social emotional learning) class during their three years which centers on mindfulness, relationships, and navigating adolescence. This provides them with a connection to a significant adult, as well.
· Student Representative Report
Student Representative Landon R. gave a report of recent activities and happenings at Middletown High School including:
o Four students, including Landon compose the first ever Middletown Youth Leadership Council. They will be honored on Thursday, May 31st at which time they will be presenting the videos they have created highlighting the people who run the town.
o The Computer Science Club is offering Tech Time at the Senior Center one day per week after school to assist them with their electronic devices.
o MHS and Rogers High School Drama Clubs presented the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee on May 3rd and 4th
o The Freshmen Class traveled to Camp Grosvenor for Team Building
o Each week a student who embodies the school’s mission and values is awarded the Islander Pride pin by Principal Sweet. This is a new initiative.
o The MHS Unified Basketball Team has had an outstanding season. They won their last game by 20 points!
o AP Exams ended today. Test scores will be released in July.
· RIDE Review of District Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Policy
● Letter from ASCME, RI Council 94 to Commence Negotiations
MOTION: 1) Tami Holden, 2) Wendy Heaney. That the School Committee approve the Consent Agenda. Unanimous vote.
· Approval of Vouchers and Invoices
| Middletown Public Schools Vouchers 4/18/24 – 5/10/24 | |||
| Vouchers | Date | Total | |
| 1226 | 4/18/24 | $73,098.12 | 2024 |
| 1237 | 4/26/24 | $1,694,545.17 | 2024 |
| 1239 | 4/1/24 | $397,484.53 | 2024 |
| 1239 | 4/3/24 | $6,439.28 | |
| | | | |
| | | $2,171,567.10 | |
· Approval of April 2, 2024, and April 3, 2024, Executive Session minutes, April 22, 2024, School Committee minutes, and April 25, 2024, Executive Session and School Committee Meeting minutes.
· Joint Meeting with Newport School Committee
Mrs. Kraeger stated there was nothing new to report.
· EBEC Update postponed to June
· District Bus Survey
A survey was sent to all families asking if they needed bus service for the 2024-25 school year. To date, 764 responses have been received, with 90% of families stating they need service.
HOMESCHOOLING REQUEST
1)Tami Holden. 2) Wendy Heaney. That the School Committee approve homeschooling request 23-24-39. Unanimous vote.
LAYOFFS/NON-RENEWALS
1)Tami Holden. 2) Wendy Heaney. That the School Committee approve 2024-2025 layoffs and non-renewals. Unanimous vote.
BID AWARD FOR MHS GRADUATION SOUND SYSTEM
1)Tami Holden. 2) Wendy Heaney. That the School Committee approve the three-year bid award to Stagecraft Audio in the amount of $11,900 in 2024, $11,900 in 2025, and $12,900 in 2026 for Middletown High School graduation video and sound services. Unanimous vote.
FY24 GENERAL FUND ADJUSTMENTS
1)Tami Holden. 2) Wendy Heaney. That the School Committee approve the FY24 General Fund Adjustments. Unanimous vote.
COUNCIL 94 CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS
1)Tami Holden. 2) Wendy Heaney. That the School Committee approve commencement of negotiations with Council 94. Unanimous vote.
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT – TEACHER ASSISTANT
1)Tami Holden. 2) Wendy Heaney. That the School Committee approve the employment termination of a Teacher Assistant. Unanimous vote.
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT – BUSINESS OFFICE
1)Tami Holden. 2) Wendy Heaney. That the School Committee approve to terminate the employment relationship with Administrative Support Personnel C individual, Benefits Clerk individual, Accounting Technician. Unanimous vote.
Mrs. Heaney inquired as to what was being done to fill the terminated positions.
Mrs. Kraeger stated the Town has been interviewing for these positions. Mr. Tanguay, the Town Finance Director will be addressing the consolidation and shared services with the school department at the June School Committee meeting.
CAREER COORDINATOR JOB DESCRIPTION
1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee approve the Career Coordinator job description. Unanimous vote.
MHS CO-OP SPORTS
1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee approve the addition of schools to Co-op Hockey and Wrestling teams with Middletown High School. Unanimous vote.
RETIREMENTS
1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee approve the retirements of:
· Timothy Watters, Science Teacher, Middletown High School, effective last day of 2023-24 school year
· Ann Breen, 6 Hour Special Education Teacher Assistant, Aquidneck Elementary, effective August 29, 2024
Unanimous vote.
· Personnel
Report on recent personnel actions by the Superintendent
APPOINTMENTS EFFECTIVE MARCH 11, 2024
Kristen Coffey, Social Worker, FA & AQE
APPOINTMENTS EFFECTIVE MARCH 28, 2024
Carlie Rodrigues Baptista, Long-Term Substitute 5th Gr Teacher, GLA
APPOINTMENTS EFFECTIVE MAY 6, 2024
Abigail Link, Long-Term Substitute Art Teacher, MHS
Aleah Myer, Long-Term Substitute 5th Gr Teacher, GLA
Leigh Kidman, Building-Based Substitute Teacher, FA
APPOINTMENTS EFFECTIVE MAY 8, 2024
Anna Lofgren, Long-Term Substitute 7th Gr ELA Teacher, JHG
APPOINTMENTS EFFECTIVE MAY 15, 2024
Michael Sylvia, Night Custodian
APPOINTMENTS EFFECTIVE MAY 20, 2024
Jamie Comeau, 3rd Gr Teacher, AQE
APPOINTMENTS EFFECTIVE MAY 27, 2024
Alexa Stevens, Long-Term Substitute Special Education Teacher, AQE
· Enrollment Report as of 5/16/24
AQE 312, FA 314, GLA 284, JHG 456, MHS 546, Transition (18 – 22 yrs. of age) 4
Special Ed Out of District 40, Total: 1,956
Choice Out(CTE/GED) 45, Choice In (CTE) 13
· Financial
Interim Business Manager Lori Miller provided a financial synopsis to date.
The district recently became certified to obtain their own Medicaid reimbursement number which will increase Medicaid reimbursement dollars significantly.
The Town did not approve $500k for contingency funding. This will be made up by savings in copier and TA expenses, but no budget cuts.
· Teaching & Learning
Preliminary MLL exit results:
o 184 MLL Students total
o MLL student exits – MHS 7, GMS 7, GLA 4, AQE 0, FA 1 = 19
o 2022 – 2023 had 24 MLL students exit, 170 total
Currently have 230 students enrolled for ESY K – 8 Beyond the Bell.
Partnering with RISPE to offer MLL endorsement to 30 teachers this summer.
· Student Services
Partnering with the YMCA to house the Transition Academy and offer work opportunities.
· Technology Department
o Transitioning Business Office over to new financial information system.
o Teachers have completed the IT Educator Survey.
o Coordinator of Student Information Systems provided customized PowerSchool training to principals and front office staff.
1)Tami Holden. 2) Wendy Heaney. That the School Committee receive the Superintendent’s Personnel Report. Unanimous vote.
MOTION: 1) Tami Holden, 2) Wendy Heaney. To adjourn from School Committee Meeting at 5:44 p.m. Unanimous vote.
Respectfully Submitted,
Theresa Spangler, Chair