MIDDLETOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE
MIDDLETOWN, RHODE ISLAND
September 19, 2024
Members Present: Theresa Spengler, Chair
Tami Holden, Vice-Chair
William O’Connell
Greg Huet
Wendy Heaney
Also Present: William Niemeyer, Superintendent of Schools
Michelle Fonseca, Assistant Superintendent
Lori Miller, Interim Business Manager
Lisa Birkett, Director of Student Services
David Annese, Director of Technology
The Middletown School Committee Meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m. by Chair Theresa Spengler.
The Student Representative to the School Committee was present as well 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.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
MOTION: 1) Tami Holden, 2) Greg Huet. To go into Executive Session to receive legal advice regarding potential settlement regarding a special education hearing matter. 42-46-5 (a)(2).
Unanimous vote.
MOTION: 1) Tami Holden, 2) Greg Huet. To reconvene into Open Session at 4:42 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.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
PUBLIC FORUM
No public comment.
Chair Spengler clarified the role of the district Military Consultant. Please see Addendum A.
PROCLAMATIONS AND AWARDS
· Teacher of the Year
Mr. Niemeyer recognized Middletown High School Guidance Counselor Christine Clancey as the NEAM 2023 – 2024 Teacher of the Year.
INFORMATION
Mr. Niemeyer stated that Megan Mainzer will be receiving the Individual Community Excellence Award at the 2024 Boys & Girls Club of Newport County Annual Awards Celebration Friday, September 20, 2024.
· 2024 – 2025 School Committee & Administration Contact Sheet
· EBCAP HeadStart and MPS Interagency Agreement
Chair Spengler asked if a breakdown of the students in these classrooms by district had been provided.
Mrs. Birkett stated that she was not privy to this data, as her department was only aware of the Middletown students for whom they provided screening services.
Mr. Huet voiced concern over discipline in the HeadStart classrooms.
Mrs. Fonseca said it had been a bit bumpy at first, but the classrooms were well controlled.
Mr. Niemeyer said he spoke with both building principals who confirmed the classrooms had no issues.
Chair Spengler asked if the HeadStart students used the playground, bathrooms, and cafeteria.
Mrs. Fonseca stated that the students used the bathrooms, as well as a section of the playground, but ate lunch in their classrooms.
CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION: 1) Tami Holden, 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee approve the Consent Agenda. Unanimous vote.
· Approval of Vouchers and Invoices
| Middletown Public Schools Vouchers 8/14/24 – 9/18/24 | FY24 | ||
| Vouchers | Date | Total | |
| 1295 | 6/30/2024 | $429,565.33 | |
| 1037 | 7/19/2024 | $39,225.22 | |
| 1028 | 8/8/2024 | $7,944.15 | |
| 1027 | 8/2/2024 | $414,822.85 | |
| 1026 | 7/15/2024 | $7,980.45 | |
| 1025 | 7/1/2024 | $429,709.91 | |
| 1024 | 8/19/2024 | $288,507.60 | |
| | | | |
| TOTAL | | $1,617,755.51 | |
· Approval of August 15, 2024, Executive Session and School Committee meeting minutes.
ACTION ITEMS
HOMESCHOOLING REQUEST
1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee approve Homeschooling Requests 24-25-23, 24-25-24, 24-25-25, 24-25-26, 24-25-27, 24-25-28, 24-25-29, 24-25-30, 24-25-31, 24-25-32, 24-25-33, 24-25-34, and 24-25-35. Unanimous vote.
2024 – 2025 STUDENT HANDBOOK REVISIONS
1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee approve the revisions to the 2024 – 2025 Student Handbooks for Aquidneck Elementary, Forest Avenue Elementary, Gaudet Learning Academy, J.H.Gaudet Middle School, and Middletown High School. Unanimous vote.
JOB COACH JOB DESCRIPTION
1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee approve the job description for a Job Coach. Unanimous vote.
BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST JOB DESCRIPTION
1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee approve the job description for a Behavior Specialist. Unanimous vote.
Mr. Huet asked that acronyms be spelled out in any and all job descriptions for clarification pruposes.
PARAPROFESSIONALS’ CONTRACT
1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee approve the September 1, 2023 – August 31, 2025, Agreement between Middletown Paraprofessional Association/NEARI/NEA and the Middletown School Committee.
. Unanimous vote.
SETTLEMENT REGARDING SPECIAL EDUCATION MATTER
1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee approve the settlement regarding a Special Education matter. Unanimous vote.
CONTRACT TO MANAGE OUT-OF-DISTRICT IEPs
1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee approve the contract to manage out-of-district IEPs.Unanimous vote.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO CENTRAL OFFICE ADMINISTRATORS JOB DESCRIPTION
1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee approve the job description for the Administrative Assistant to Central Office Administrators. Unanimous vote.
RESIGNATIONS
1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee approve the resignations of
o Melissa Richard, Special Education Teacher, MHS, effective August 27, 2024
o Donna Colucci, .5 Preschool/PreK Special Educator, AQE, effective September 8, 2024
o Timothy Spatz, Network and Systems Administrator, effective September 10, 2024
Unanimous vote.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
· Personnel
HIRES EFFECTIVE AUGUST 29, 2024
Cara Duncan, Speech and Language Pathologist, FA
Aleah Meyer. Math Teacher, MHS
Rebecca Allison, Chemistry Teacher, MHS
Kelsey Vieira, Grade 2 Teacher (One Year Only), FA
Megan Macgillivray, K Teacher, FA
Eimile Garvey, Preschool/Pre K Educator, AQE
Brandi Carter, Ph.D., Science Teacher, MHS
Ana Geraghty, Grade 3 Teacher, FA
Allison Powers, Grade 3 Teacher, FA
Sarah Toracinta, Special Ed. Teacher, GLA
Alexa Stevens, Special Ed. Teacher, AQE
Carlee Williams, K Teacher, AQE
Stephanie Beltran, Math Teacher, MHS
Mary Allen, K Teacher, AQE
APPOINTMENTS EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 3, 2024
Joanna Mankin, JV Volleyball Coach, MHS
APPOINTMENTS EFFECTIVE AUGUST 29, 2024
Courtney Hancur, 1.0 Coordinator of Child Outreach/Early Childhood
Howard Silversmith, M.D., School Physician
Ashley Crozier, .8 School Psychologist, AQE & FA
TRANSFERS EFFECTIVE AUGUST 29, 2024
Tina Murphy-Reynolds, Special Educator 6 - 8, JHG
Alana Guglielmo, Special Education Teacher, AQE
Tara Mellow, K-12 MLL Teacher, MHS
Mercedes Woodward, Grade 3 Teacher, AQE
Samantha Judson, Grade 2, FA
Sarah Elie, Special Education Teacher, AQE
Diana Stamp, Grade 1 Teacher, AQE
Amy Dunn, Grade 4 Teacher, GLA
HIRES EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 3, 2024
Halle Morrow, 4 Hr Teacher Assistant, FA
Nicole Croteau, 4 Hour Teacher Assistant, FA
Jessica Ferraro, Building-Based Substitute Teacher, GLA
HIRES EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 9, 2024
Maria (Jess) Mulvaney, Math Teacher, MHS
Kimberly Howland, Spanish Teacher, JHG
Kristina Hughes, Special Education Teacher, MHS
Kaitlyn Duggan, Intensive Special Education Teacher, AQE
Calley Macarelli, Early Childhood Special Educator, AQE
HIRES EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 16, 2024
Tanaysia Hicks, Special Education Teacher Assistant, AQE
HIRES EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 30, 2024
Matthew Medeiros, Network and Systems Administrator
Lucas Lussier, School Business Administrator
· Enrollment Summary
AQE 303, FA 305, GLA 258, JHG 433, MHS 525, Transition 7, Choice In (CTE) 17, Choice Out (CTE/GED) 53,
Financial
Interim Business Manager Lori Miller provided a financial synopsis to date and stated that the district would be receiving Medicaid reimbursements now that they had secured their number from the state.
· Teaching & Learning
o Mrs. Fonseca wrote a grant to fund a K-5 ELA – Reading and Writing coach as well as a K-3 Math coach.
o The 6th – 8th grade has been piloting a Science curriculum and K – 5 will join in the pilot, and the high school has been reviewing Biology curriculums.
o Submitted a new grant last Friday for McKinney Vento homeless students for 65,000.00.
o At the end of the 2024-2025 school year 85 teachers will have MLL endorsements
o Right to Read training is in its final year – hope to have 100% of our teachers meet this requirement.
· Student Services
o Mrs. Birkett hosted the Facilitated IEP Team from RIDE that met with building principals over the summer on how to run effective meetings.
o Transition Academy is up and running. One of the students is giving tours of the YMCA as their day job. The School Committee is welcome to visit any time.
o Poppy Davis was chosen out of 10,00 entries to have her photo featured in Times Square as part of Downs Syndrome Society 2024 Video
o Channel 12 Small but Strong Series featured one of our students.
· Technology Department
o Students in grades 5 – 9 received new Chromebooks
o Teachers had their choice of a new PC, Mac, or Chromebook
o Kim Colicci is working to generate report cards in a student’s native language in PowerSchool
o Registration team is busy handling last minute registrations
· Facilities
o Custodial staff has been busy cleaning and moving classrooms and preparing buildings for the new school year.
o Bus driver orientation is scheduled for August 22nd.
Mrs. Holden asked if there were any viable candidates for the Facilities Director position to which Mr. Niemeyer replied that he and Shawn Brown would be reviewing applications in the coming week.
1)Tami Holden. 2) Greg Huet. That the School Committee receive the Superintendent’s Personnel Report. Unanimous vote.
REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES
· Policy Sub-Committee
o The Policy Subcommittee met with Mr. Niemeyer to begin work on updating the Memorials and Naming policies.
Mrs. Holden asked if this would impact the plan in place for memorial plaques at the new school.
Mr. O’Connell asked if the policy prohibited naming something after someone who was still alive.
Mr. Huet stated that the new policy would require the Town to approve any memorial or naming. He also said that he was the one who drafted the Town’s policy on memorials and naming and that he did not think there would be an instant when the Town would not approve something that the School Committee had approved. However, he felt it necessary for the Town to make the final say since school grounds are Town property.
· Building Committee Update
o The next meeting will be September 25, 2024.
· Middletown Prevention Coalition
o Family Day at the Beach is scheduled for September 28th from 4 – 8p.m. at Second Beach.
Chair Spengler congratulated the Administration team on a successful opening of the schools.
Mr. Huet inquired as to when the new School Business Administrator would be starting, to which Mr. Niemeyer replied September 30th.
Mr. Huet asked when School Committee Orientation and training would take place for the new member.
Chair Spengler stated that the School Attorney would need to be consulted regarding a date. Last time orientation was held it was in December.
ADJOURN FROM MEETING
MOTION: 1) Tami Holden, 2) Greg Huet. To adjourn from School Committee Meeting at 5:29 p.m. Unanimous vote.
Respectfully Submitted,
Theresa Spangler, Chair