NORTH SMITHFIELD SCHOOL COMMITTEE
MEETING

November 17, 2009

Kendall Dean School Auditorium

Members Present: R. Lafleur, C. Bonas, P. Vadenais, F. Johannis (arrived at 6:03 p.m.)
Others Present: S. Lindberg, I. Scripsack, M. Chevrette, R. Mezzanotte, J. Lahar, D. Jolin,
C. Frayne, E. Butash, R. Brown, J. Riley, K. Hubacz, K. Ryan
   
Meeting was convened at 6:00 p.m.

On motion by P. Vadenais, seconded by C. Bonas, the Committee voted to move into closed session pursuant to RIGL42-46-5(a)(2) Collective Bargaining NSTA, Litigation, on a three yea vote with Mrs. Johannis and Mrs. Flaherty noted as absent.

2. The meeting reconvened in Open Session at 6:40 p.m.

3. Good & Welfare:  There were no requests to address the Committee.

4. Roll call was taken with four members noted as present.  Mrs. Flaherty was noted as absent.

On motion by P. Vadenais, seconded by F. Johannis, the Committee unanimously voted to retain the minutes of closed session as closed to the public pursuant to RIGL42-46-7(c), and RIGL42-46-5(a)(2), as previously outlined (4-0 vote).

6. On motion by C. Bonas, seconded by F. Johannis, the Committee unanimously voted to approve the minutes of October 20 and November 2, 2009 as written (4-0 vote).

7. The following disbursements for October 2009 were approved on motion made by C. Bonas, seconded by P. Vadenais, and passed on unanimous vote (4-0 vote):

Manual Checks $436,113.37; Net Payroll $1,017,642.99; Wire Transfers (Payroll taxes) $282,786.95;
Additional Vouchers $625,219.26; Grand Total approved $2,361,762.57.

Motion was made by C. Bonas, seconded by F. Johannis, and passed on unanimous vote (4-0 vote) to accept the Cash Receipt Report for the month of October 2009 in the amount of $3,980,436.38.

On motion by C. Bonas, seconded by P. Vadenais, the Committee unanimously voted upon recommendation of the Superintendent (4-0 vote) to accept the resignation of Thomas J. Kozaczka from the position of Junior Varsity Boys’ Basketball coach effective immediately.

10. On motion by F. Johannis, seconded by P. Vadenais, the Committee unanimously voted upon recommendation of the Superintendent to accept the leave of absence request of Kim Whiteley, Gr. 5 teacher @ Halliwell School, beginning on or about January 4, 2010, and returning on or about April 15, 2010.

11. A motion was made by Mr. Lafleur based upon the Superintendent’s recommendation to approve a continued unpaid leave of absence request for medical reasons for Mr. Lowe, custodian at Halliwell School, through November 20, 2009.  No second was received. 

12. On motion by P. Vadenais, seconded by F. Johannis, the Committee unanimously voted (4-0 vote) upon recommendation of the Superintendent to approve the appointment of the following winter sports athletic coaches for the 2009-2010 school year only:
Thomas Jones, Assistant (JV) Boys’ Hockey Coach, stipend $2,000.00
Robert Watts, Assistant Boys’ Hockey Coach, VOLUNTEER
Katelyn Averill, Assistant Girls’ Hockey Coach, VOLUNTEER
Jenna Adamo, Hockey Cheerleading Advisor, stipend $800.00

13. Superintendent’s Report:
H1N1 clinic @ NSES was successful.  17 school employees of NSES volunteered their time to ensure success.  The Superintendent and Committee expressed their thanks to these volunteers.  306 students vaccinated; over 1000 people through the clinic
The DOH has approved moving the H1N1 clinic scheduled for Halliwell School to the Middle School.  Parents will be notified of this change in venue.
The administrators are in the process of updating the Strategic Plan.  A summary will be provided at the December meeting. 
Mr. Lindberg noted that the Technology Department will begin a staggered roll-out of the Parent Portal in our Student Information system in the next month.
The Trust is taking over GHGRI.  Progress is being made for a smooth transition.
Facilities:  Have been addressing the lack of ventilation at the high school; 90% of exhaust fans/fresh air make up units is complete.

14. Business Manager’s Report:  Mrs. Scripsack noted that today was the last day of the school department’s audit.  James N. Nadeau Company, our auditing firm, will present their findings at the December meeting.

15. Correspondence Received:  Thank you notes were received from Mrs. Joyce whose father was a former Superintendent and Mrs. Couture advising that they were very happy with the placement of Dr. Joyce’s sign at the athletic fields at the high school.

16. Legislative Update:  Nothing to report at this time.

17. Middle School Construction Project Update:  Nothing to report at this time.

18. FY09 Operating Budget:  Nothing to report at this time.  This item will be dropped from the agenda in December.

19. FY10 Operating/Capital Budget:  Nothing to report at this time.

20. On motion by P. Vadenais, seconded by F. Johannis, the Committee unanimously voted (4-0 vote) to reinstate ice hockey rental funds in the amount of $10,000 originally reduced from the FY 09 operating budget.

21. Dr. Chevrette showed a PowerPoint presentation to advise the Committee on training our staff and administrators have received with the subject of Classroom Instruction That Works (McRel).  There were 27 participants in the train-the-trainer model as presented by McRel.  Classroom Instruction That Works includes instructional strategies identified by the Midcontinent Research for Education and Learning that have a high probability of enhancing student achievement for ALL students in ALL subject areas at ALL grade levels.  The strategies are based upon an analysis of 30 years of research on instruction and the experience of thousands of educators.  It will be rolled-out in our district beginning in the 2010-2011 school year to our staff.

22. On motion by C. Bonas, seconded by F. Johannis, the Committee unanimously voted (4-0 vote) to wave the rules and move forward for immediate consideration Agenda Items XIII.2, Discussion/Consideration Regionalization Feasibility Study by J&W Doctoral Student, and XII.6, Update School Committee Request of Burrillville, Lincoln, Smithfield regarding Regionalization.

23. Mr. Steven Ruscito, Principal at Middletown High School and J&W Doctoral Student, addressed the Committee regarding conducting a study concerning regionalization.  Some areas to be explored are costs (up font & long-term), local control, quality of education, busing, teacher contracts, and services such as plumbing, electricity, etc.  NSSD would set the parameters/purpose of the study.  It would be time intensive.  The study could push toward regionalization or away from depending upon the results and interpretation of the data.

24. Mr. Lafleur noted that no responses have been received from our neighboring districts of Burrillville, Lincoln, or Smithfield regarding our request to begin discussions with the Superintendents and School Committees regarding possible regionalization.

 Consensus of the Committee is to determine at a later date whether a feasibility study is warranted based upon responses received from the above-mentioned districts.

25. Mr. Lindberg asked that the Committee formally support beginning serious talks with the Town for consolidation/collaboration.  Mr. Lafleur will be the School Committee representative for this small working group.  Mr. Lindberg will forward a letter to the Town Council President as well as the Town Administrator requesting to begin discussions.

26. Reconsideration of LOA Approval Vote for Ms. Petsch:  Based upon advice of Legal Counsel, this vote can not be reconsidered even though additional information was received after the original vote was cast at the August meeting.  The Superintendent will be much more diligent in his research for all future requests for leaves of absence from the staff.

27. Update Facilities Manager Search:  Mr. Vadenais advised that one meeting was held to review applications received through SchoolSpring.  The position was re-posted in order to allow all candidates to complete their applications including original letters of reference not just names.  All candidates were notified via e-mail that the position was being re-opened in order to allow them to complete their application packets.  The next meeting of the search committee will be held on November 19th.

28. On motion by P. Vadenais, seconded by F. Johannis, the Committee unanimously voted (4-0 vote) to table the Kids Care Program Presentation until the December meeting.

29. On motion by P. Vadenais, seconded by F. Johannis & C. Bonas, the Committee unanimously voted (4-0 vote) based upon recommendation of the Superintendent to accept the donation of student dictionaries presented to our Grade 3 students at Halliwell School from Verizon Telephone Pioneers on behalf of our school community.  A letter of thanks will be sent from the Committee.

30. On motion by P. Vadenais, seconded by F. Johannis, the Committee unanimously voted (4-0 vote) based upon recommendation of the Superintendent to accept the monetary donation in the amount of $66.00 for the athletic program from the North Smithfield Professional Firefighters as presented by Fire Marshal Gartland to the district.  A letter of thanks will be sent from the Committee.

31. On motion by F. Johannis, seconded by P. Vadenais & C. Bonas, the Committee unanimously voted (4-0 vote) based upon recommendation of the Superintendent to accept the monetary donation totaling $4,750.00 from the Girls’ & Boys’ Hockey Parents’ Booster Clubs to help defray the cost for the purchase of new away jerseys and hockey socks.  A letter of thanks will be sent from the Committee.

32. The Northmen Athletic Club will be invited to attend the School Committee’s December meeting.

33. On motion by P. Vadenais, seconded by F. Johannis, the Committee unanimously voted (4-0 vote) based upon recommendation of the Superintendent to approve the facilities fees waiver request for RIIL/Ponagansett to use our athletic complex for their football game Division III playoff game.  Approximate fees will be $300 for field rental and site supervisor costs.

34. On motion by P. Vadenais, seconded by F. Johannis, the Committee unanimously voted (4-0 vote) based upon recommendation of the Superintendent to approve the facilities fees waiver request for RIIL/Woonsocket to use our athletic complex for their football game Division II playoff game.  .  Approximate fees will be $300 for field rental and site supervisor costs.

35. Mr. Lindberg advised the Committee that he has approached the NSYSA leadership to discuss possible use of our athletic complex turf field in the future in order to save wear/tear on the soccer fields at NSES on an as needed basis. 

36. The School Committee appointee to serve on the Town’s Charter Review Commission is Mrs. Johannis.  A letter will be forwarded to Mrs. Todd, Town Clerk, to notify her of their selection.

37. Mrs. Johannis departed the meeting at 8:20 p.m.

38. On motion by C. Bonas, seconded by P. Vadenais, the Committee unanimously voted (3-0 vote) upon recommendation of the Superintendent to approve the 1st reading of revised policy #IV.D.1, Graduation Requirements.

39. Mr. Mezzanotte will discuss the PE/Health credits with the Guidance Director and advise the Committee of his findings.

40. On motion by P. Vadenais, seconded by C. Bonas, the Committee unanimously voted (3-0 vote) upon recommendation of the Superintendent to approve the purchase of two (2) laptop carts from Dell in the amount of $5,693.98 from E2T2/Article 31 funds.

41. Mr. Lafleur noted for the record that the Town Council approved the release of $57,051.00 of technology funds for the purchase of Promethean Smartboards.

42. On motion by P. Vadenais, seconded by C. Bonas, the Committee unanimously voted (3-0 vote) upon recommendation of the Superintendent to approve the disposal/recycling of technology equipment as submitted.

43. On motion by C. Bonas, seconded by P. Vadenais, the Committee unanimously voted to adjourn.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:27 p.m.

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