NORTH SMITHFIELD SCHOOL COMMITTEE
MEETING

October 20, 2009

Kendall Dean School Auditorium

Members Present: R. Lafleur, C. Bonas, P. Vadenais, F. Johannis
Others Present: S. Lindberg, I. Scripsack, R. Mezzanotte, D. Jolin, C. Frayne, E. Butash, R. Brown,
B. Scungio, K. McAllister, D. Lovett, P. Leclerc, L. Benoit, P. Zwolenski, J. Riley
   
Meeting was convened at 5:31 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 four yea vote with Mrs. Flaherty noted as absent.

2. The meeting reconvened in Open Session at 6:30 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 September 14, 15, 29, 30, October 6 and 13, 2009 as written (4-0 vote).

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

Manual Checks $464,808.49; Net Payroll $635,912.95; Wire Transfers (Payroll taxes) $175,784.43;
Additional Vouchers $493,885.51; Grand Total approved $1,770,391.38.

Motion was made by C. Bonas, seconded by P. Vadenais & F. Johannis, and passed on unanimous vote (4-0 vote) to accept the Cash Receipt Report for the month of September 2009 in the amount of $128,953.26.

On motion by C. Bonas, seconded by P. Vadenais, the Committee unanimously voted upon recommendation of the Superintendent to accept the following resignations (4-0 vote):
Kimberly Rawson, High School Mock Trial Advisor, effective immediately
Stephen DeMeo, Boys’ Varsity Basketball Coach, effective immediately
Corey Coia, Girls’ JV Basketball Coach, effective immediately
Richard Enos, Boys’ Assistant Hockey Coach, effective immediately
Laurie Ganem, Hockey Cheerleading Advisor, effective immediately

10. On motion by F. Johannis, seconded by C. Bonas, the Committee unanimously voted upon recommendation of the Superintendent to accept the leave of absence request of Jennifer Fraioli, Gr. 5 Special Educator @ Halliwell School, beginning on or about January 10, 2010, and returning on or about March 16, 2010.

11. On motion by F. Johannis, seconded by C. Bonas, the Committee voted upon recommendation of the Superintendent to approve the leave of absence request of David Lowe, Custodian @ Halliwell School, beginning on September 18, 2009 through October 23, 2009, which is an unpaid leave on a three yea, one nay vote with Mr. Vadenais having voted nay.

12 .On motion by P. Vadenais, seconded by F. Johannis, the Committee unanimously voted (4-0) upon recommendation of the Superintendent to approve the appointment of Katherine Sylvia, (1.0) Special Education Teacher Assistant, assignment 1:1 at Halliwell School [this assignment could change based upon student needs] with an effective date of October 19, 2009.

13. On motion by F. Johannis, seconded by P. Vadenais, the Committee unanimously voted (4-0 vote) upon recommendation of the Superintendent to approve the appointment of Stephen DeMeo as NSHS Mock Trial Advisor, Stipend $400.00, 2009-2010 school year only.

14. 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 sport athletic coaches for the 2009-2010 school year only:
David Ruff  Varsity Girls’ Basketball  $3,000
Thomas J. Kozaczka JV Boys’ Basketball   $1,750
Brian Chuey  M.S. Boys’ Basketball   $1,750
Francis Clark  M.S. Girls’ Basketball   $1,750
Kelly McCann  Basketball Cheerleading Advisor $   800
Heather Costa  Varsity Gymnastics   $2,000
Melissa Titov  JV Gymnastics    $1,600
Paul Nadeau  Varsity Boys’ Hockey   $3,000
Bill Nangle  Varsity Girls’ Hockey   $3,000
Gilbert Lefort  JV Girls’ Hockey   $2,000

15. Superintendent’s Report:
Thank you to the administrators for the level of detail contained within their administrative reports.  This sentiment was echoed by the members of the Committee.
Special mention was made of a pilot program at the high school through Students Against Destructive Decision Making’s (SADD) “adopt a victim” program.  One of two high schools currently piloting the program.  Special thanks to the members of SADD, their supervisors – Ms. Houle, Mr. FitzGerald, and Ms. Narodowy – and our high school students for this wonderful program.
Facilities:  Stage and auditorium lighting panel “fried” this week.  Our master electrician looked at the panel and advised that it is no longer useable and obsolete.  This is considered an emergency situation and must be remedied quickly as concerts/events are scheduled in the auditorium.
Facilities:  The loading dock door came apart this week and this is considered a safety issue and again an emergency situation that must be corrected.  A quote was received in the amount of $3100 for installation of a new door.

16. Correspondence Received:  Nothing to report at this time.

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

18. Middle School Construction Project Update:  Mr. Vadenais advised the Committee that the Town of North Smithfield and North Smithfield Middle School, designed by RGB, received a plaque from National Grid that recognized them for superior energy efficiency, responsible use of energy resources, and supporting the well-being of building occupants.  This plaque will be displayed at the Middle School.

19. FY09 Operating Budget:  Nothing to report at this time.

20. FY10 Operating/Capital Budget:  Two emergency situations developed this week; namely, (1) stage/auditorium lighting at the high school and (2) replacement of loading dock door at the high school with is an issue of safety.

21. On motion by P. Vadenais, seconded by F. Johannis, the Committee unanimously voted (4-0 vote)to authorize the Superintendent to contact RGB for development of bid specifications for stage lighting in the high school auditorium.

22. On motion by F. Johannis, seconded by C. Bonas, the Committee unanimously voted (4-0 vote) upon recommendation of the Superintendent to move forward with the replacement of the loading dock door at the high school and utilize the quote received in the amount of $3100.

23. Mrs. Joyce’s request to address the Committee was rescinded.

24. On motion by F. Johannis, seconded by P. Vadenais & C. Bonas, the Committee unanimously voted (4-0 vote) upon recommendation of the Superintendent to approve a waiver of one (1) – three (3) NSPTO events per year of facilities use fees only not personnel costs.

25. On motion by F. Johannis, seconded by P. Vadenais, the Committee unanimously voted (4-0 vote) upon recommendation of the Superintendent to allow the CCRI Girls’ Soccer Team to practice on our turf field and waived facilities fees contingent upon the presence of a Site Supervisor.

25. Mr. Lindberg noted that the Facilities Advisory Group met with the NS HOOPS Association regarding their submitted Use of Facilities request.  As submitted and strictly following the policy, the fees would amount to $35,000.  This group serves 200-210 North Smithfield children.  The HOOPS Association completely understood that the school department can not absorb these costs.  The HOOPS Association reduced their original request from 557 hours to 450 hours.  The Facilities Advisory Group is currently working on a flat fee for facilities fees with no exemption from personnel costs.  This item will be placed on the November agenda for School Committee consideration.  Mr. Lindberg also noted that their flyer distribution form will be approved prior to the November meeting.

26. An update was provided to the Committee regarding the athletic management fee recovery for 2009 fall sports.  Approximately 10% of fees have been recovered.  The Committee asked that letters be sent to the parents who have supported the athletic management fees and will be distributed through the Athletic Director.

27. On motion by P. Vadenais, seconded by F. Johannis, the Committee unanimously voted (4-0 vote) upon recommendation of the Superintendent to accept the donation of behalf of our school community from Christine Juhr, a URI student, of 62 backpacks to NSES and Halliwell.

28. On motion by P. Vadenais, seconded by F. Johannis, the Committee unanimously voted (4-0 vote) upon recommendation of the Superintendent to accept a monetary donation presented through North Smithfield Fire & Rescue Services to the athletic program from community members, Mr. & Mrs. Labarre, on behalf of our school community.

29. On motion by P. Vadenais, seconded by F. Johannis, the Committee unanimously voted (4-0) voted upon recommendation to accept monetary donations from our Football Parents Club to help defray the cost for both the purchase of a protective mat covering for the track to be used during football and soccer games and the purchase of new football uniforms that ensured all athletes had matching uniforms for the season on behalf of our school community.

30. On motion by F. Johannis, seconded by P. Vadenais, the Committee unanimously voted (4-0 vote) upon recommendation of the Superintendent to accept the donation of technology equipment from Bryant University on behalf of our school community.

31. Items to be included in the November School Committee meeting agenda:
Thank you to Northmen Athletic Club which has been developed as one common support group for all athletics for the work they have done and continue to do in support of athletics.
Reinstatement of monies to pay for hockey practices/ice time.
Town/School Collaboration:  begin formation of small working group to begin the process.

32. The School Committee acknowledged the following people who will serve on the Town’s Task Force for Review of Halliwell School; namely, Mr. Leclerc, Mrs. Johannis, Mr. Perry, Mr. Nordstrom, Mr. Chamberland, Mr. Silvia, Mr. Black, and Mr. Lindberg.

33. On motion by F. Johannis, seconded by P. Vadenais, the Committee unanimously voted (4-0 vote) to adopt and affix their signatures to a Resolution relating to school funding for state aid which will be sent to our Representatives and Senators.

34. Mrs. Bonas departed the meeting at 7:40 p.m.

35. On motion by F. Johannis, seconded by P. Vadenais, the Committee voted to adopt and affix their signatures to a Resolution regarding opposition to mandatory binding arbitration legislation for teachers’ contracts which will be sent to every Senator and Representative as well as Town Councils and School Committees and Governor Carcieri on a three yea vote with Mrs. Bonas not present for the vote.

36. Mrs. Bonas returned to the meeting at 7:45 p.m.

37. On motion by C. Bonas, seconded by P. Vadenais, the Committee unanimously voted (4-0 vote) to authorize letters to be sent on behalf of the School Committee to the Superintendents in Smithfield, Lincoln, and Burrillville as an inquiry to hold a joint meeting to discuss possible regionalization.

38. On motion by F. Johannis, seconded by P. Vadenais, the Committee unanimously voted (4-0 vote) to send a letter to the Town Council requesting the amount of funds remaining in the bond for the purchase of Promethean SmartBoards from the FY09 Capital Budget are released to the school department.

39. On motion by P. Vadenais, seconded by F. Johannis, the Committee unanimously voted (4-0 vote) upon recommendation of the Superintendent to move forward with the purchase of Promethean SmartBoards with prices from the PA bid list.

40. Verizon Cell Tower Proposal Discussion/Action:  The letter from Senator Tassoni will be forwarded to Mr. Scungio, Legal Counsel, to ascertain if it is legally possible to incorporate the language stipulating that all monies accrued from rental of this property and future rentals, ie., Sprint, T-Mobile, or any others that may join the rental of this property [high school grounds], will be allocated for sports programs for North Smithfield Schools to avoid the pay for play issue into the Verizon agreement.  Mr. Lindberg will discuss with Mr. Scungio to determine if it is necessary or prudent to search for an attorney who has represented clients or had direct involvement in this process.

41. On motion by P. Vadenais, seconded by F. Johannis, the Committee unanimously voted (4-0 vote) upon recommendation of the Superintendent to accept the Indemnification Agreement between the North Smithfield School Committee and Laprade Studio and authorized the Chair to sign.

42. Mr. Vadenais will act as the Committee’s representative on the Facilities Manager Screening Committee.

43. On motion by P. Vadenais, seconded by F. Johannis, the Committee unanimously voted (4-0 vote) to table the bid award for an Energy Performance Contracting Consultant.

44. On motion by P. Vadenais, seconded by F. Johannis, the Committee unanimously voted (4-0 vote) to approve the Superintendent’s recommendation for the purchase and installation of technology equipment requested by teachers who were awarded the E2T2 grant from Dell in the amount of $28,355.85 and Greenpages in the amount of $13,486.20.

45. On motion by P. Vadenais, seconded by F. Johannis, the Committee unanimously voted to approve the Superintendent’s recommendation to table the VMWare Software Purchase.

46. On motion by P. Vadenais, seconded by C. Bonas, the Committee unanimously voted (4-0 vote) to send a thank you letter to Ms. Carolyn Dias, RIDE, on behalf of the Committee for the upgrade to our district’s RITEAF lines.

47. On motion by P. Vadenais, seconded by F. Johannis, the Committee unanimously voted (4-0 vote) upon recommendation of the Superintendent to approve disposal/recycling of the obsolete technology assets as listed in back-up information.

48. On motion by F. Johannis, seconded by C. Bonas, the Committee unanimously voted to adjourn.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

Download Minutes: 

Download Minutes in PDF Format