The regular meeting of the South Kingstown School Committee was held on October 24, 2006 at the South Kingstown High School Library at 7:00 PM.

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Wendy Bucci (Chairperson); Scott Mueller; Anthony Mega; Joseph Sweet; Anne Whaley; and Ella Whaley.  

MEMBERS ABSENT:  Maureen Cotter.

ADMINISTATORS PRESENT:  Robert Hicks, Superintendent; Mary Kelley, Assistant Superintendent; and John Ritchotte, Director of Administrative Services.  

I.      Call to Order:

        Wendy Bucci called the School Committee meeting of October 24, 2006 to order at

7:03 PM.  

II.     Delegations (Spotlights):  Member Recognition:

        Members Wendy Bucci and Ella Whaley were recognized for their years of service to the Committee and presented with gifts from their fellow Committee members.  

        Wendy Bucci stated that she appreciated the work all of the Committee members have done, she expressed thanks to the talented staff, and noted that she believes that our schools are in an excellent place and that our community should be proud.  She also thanked her family.

        Ella Whaley thanked each member for their contribution to the Committee.  She stated that Wendy Bucci has brought the Committee to another level that has brought many years of success.  Mrs. Whaley thanked administration and all of the administrators for the stability they have brought.  She also expressed that the district is in a good place.  

        Members Sweet, Mega, Mueller, and Whaley shared their appreciation for the years of service to the Committee and community by Wendy Bucci and Ella Whaley.

        Nancy Santucci, resident, thanked Ella Whaley for her years of services and stated that she looked forward to seeing Mrs. Whaley in her next endeavor.  Ms. Santucci stated that Wendy Bucci has served the people for five years and that they have worked through their differences, yet remained friends.  She noted that Wendy has been proactive for all children and for serving with dignity and grace.  

        Kathy Fogarty, Town Council member, stated that she wanted to honor two women that she respects.  She stated that she looks forward to working with Ella Whaley and noted that she has given tirelessly to students in South Kingstown and North Kingstown and her Girls’ Scout Group.  Ms. Fogarty shared that she felt there was a disconnect with the Town Council and School Committee; however, Wendy Bucci has helped the Council to understand the goals and objectives of the students in South Kingstown.  She stated that she believes that the communication between the Town Council and the School Committee has never been better.   She presented Ella Whaley and Wendy Bucci with a parting gift.  

October 24, 2006 School Committee Minutes                                           Page Two

·       The Committee addressed with Comments from the Community:

IV.     Comments from the Community:  

 

        Mark Wahl, resident, expressed his concern regarding the ride to school on Bus #15.  He shared that his kindergarten son is on a bus with high school students.  Mr. Wahl advised that he called Mr. Sweet, Mr. Ritchotte, and Mr. Holmes to express his concern and was advised that there was no policy regarding high school students riding the bus with elementary students and, therefore, nothing could be done.  

        Dr. Hicks responded that this was part of our parochial students riding the elementary buses and that this has been part of our system going back many years.  He further stated that setting up a separate transportation system, taking parochial students home, would require additional buses for the district.  He acknowledged that this was the first time that he was aware of a concern being raised.  

        After discussion, Mr. Mueller recommended that this matter be brought back to the Committee for review and requested that the Superintendent put together some numbers on how many high school students are being transported and also to remind the Committee of what our policy is regarding the removal of students from the bus, due to behavioral issues, and what our options are.

        Maria Hunter, Peace Dale parent, also shared concern regarding Bus #15, stating that she believes there is a big disconnect with DATTCO.   She noted that there is a monitor on Bus #15 for a specific child.  Dr. Hicks explained that monitors were placed on buses for the entry and discharge of students and that bus drivers bear the responsibility for discipline on the bus.    

        Patricia, parent, shared her concern about the policy for students to read 25 books per year; and stated that she has observed that this requirement has taken the joy out of reading for her child and has just become another chore.  She noted that students will only pick easy books to meet the requirements, rather than read a challenging book.  Patricia also expressed concern that students are to write summaries about the books they have read, but only during learning center (one hour per week), and that they are not allowed to bring their summaries home due to concern with plagiarism.  She stated that she has not seen any data that the reading of 25 books is improving schools.  Patricia recommends that a student be required to read 30 minutes per night.  

        Dr. Hicks responded that this is part of our curriculum K-12, as well as part of the curriculum at the State and National level.  He advised that the district has put systems in place to make sure that students are honest about what they have read.  He stated that he believes 25 books is a reasonable amount and would hope that students would read more and pick books that they like.    

October 24, 2006 School Committee Minutes                                       Page Three

IV.     Comments from the Community (Continued):  

        Ella Whaley asked if any guidelines were in place that if a student reads a book in class, it would count towards the 25.  Mary Kelley advised that is what they have been discussing.

        Mr. Mueller noted that there is no difference in terms of the value of reading, but the discussion is about the instrumentation; and how do you get that to happen over a universal community.  It is more to do with how kids experience reading and how families work with it.  

Mr. Mueller stated that what is true here is that kids would enjoy reading and hope that it would become a life long habit.  He added that as long as a child is reading, maybe not living it, they are developing skills of reading.

·       The Committee moved to the Consent Agenda.

V.      Consent Agenda Items:

Dr. Hicks recognized Arlene Sisto’s retirement, effective December 1, 2006, noting that she has served in the district since June, 1989.  He thanked her for her dedication and services to the school district.

Dr. Hicks also recognized the appointment of Judy Saccardo, as Pupil Personnel Director.  He thanked the individuals that served on the screening committee and recognized them for the time given during the process.  He advised that they reviewed seven applications, five were selected for interviews, and two finalists were forwarded for a second interview.  

Dr. Hicks noted that Judy Saccardo comes from the position of Director at RITAP and also served for eleven years in Bristol Warren.  

1.      Approval of minutes meeting of:  October 3, 2006

                                                October 10, 2006

                                                October 16, 2006

Executive Session Minutes of:   October 3, 2006

                                        October 16, 2006

2.      Appointments:   

3.      Request(s) – Leave of Absence

4.      Resignation(s)

5.      Retirement(s)

6.      Invoice(s) – School Attorney(s) – Pulled from the Agenda

        MSV (1) move to accept the consent agenda.  E. Whaley, A. Whaley (6-0-0).    

October 24, 2006 School Committee Minutes                                       Page Four

III.    Superintendent‘s Report:

        1.  Meeting Calendar:

        Dr. Hicks reviewed the calendar and advised the Committee that a hearing needed to be scheduled.  After discussion, the Committee agreed to schedule the hearing after the regular Committee meeting on November 14, 2006.  

School Committee Wellness Sub-Committee Meeting – October 30, 2006, 4:00 PM, Administration – 307 Curtis Corner Road.

School Committee Professional Development Sub-Committee – November 1, 2006, 8:00 AM, Bagelz, 99 Fortin Road, Kingston.

School Committee Meeting – November 14, 2006, 7:00 PM, High School Library.

School Committee Meeting – November 28, 2006, 7:00 PM, High School Library.

School Committee Meeting – December 12, 2006, 7:00 PM, High School Library.

School Committee Meeting – January 9, 2007, 7:00 PM, High School Library.

School Committee Meeting – January 23, 2007, 7:00 PM, High School Library.

2.      RTI:

           Mary Kelley advised that Response to Intervention (RTI) was rolled out this week to staff.  She shared a Power Point Presentation that outlined What It Is?; RTI:  a philosophy; RIT:  a system; RTI:  a shared responsibility; RIT:  a way to know if what we’re doing is working; Builds on RI’s Work; Some shifts in emphasis; Some key concepts and practices; Foundation of effective general education; Progress Monitoring Assessment; The Expanding Circle of Support; and The Problem Solving Approach.

             Mary Kelley advised that RTI has begun as a K-8 model and that it is not part of the High School.  She stated that the research states that RIT should begin as an incremental process.  She noted that at the High School, we are waiting to build on the success at the elementary and middle school.  Ms. Kelley shared that she has been involved with two situations where RIT has been implemented and that she has been enormously impressed:  one at the elementary level and one at the middle school level.  

·       Dr. Hicks advised the Committee that he just received the classification information

for the High School, noting three subgroup targets, which will affect classification:  math for special needs students, ELA, and free and reduced lunch.  Dr. Hicks expects the information to be released publicly.

           Dr. Mega stated that he wanted to get a sense of how many free and reduced students met the targets.  Dr. Hicks advised that these are not actual student scores, but are cumulative index scores over a three year period.  Dr. Mega stated that he would be interested in seeing raw data.

October 24, 2006 School Committee Minutes                                       Page Five

III.    Superintendent‘s Report (Continued):

           Ella Whaley stated that she would be interested in knowing how many students did not take the test.  Dr. Hicks advised that our participation rate has to be 95%, or you do not meet the benchmark.  

            Mr. Sweet stated that he thinks that we over-interpret NECAP testing and that we need to look at the breadth in South Kingstown.  He stated that this signifies that there is a segment of the high school that we are not reaching.

           Mr. Mueller stated that his concern is that the way we have structured the testing process, we are testing children on a curriculum that no longer exists.  He stated that we should focus on the changes we have already made in schools.  

·       Dr. Hicks also advised the Committee that we have received the first statement of the

year and that the charter tuition is less than expected.  He noted that we are operating with our budget for this year.    

            Mr. Sweet asked how many children are in charter schools.  Dr. Hicks advised that there are 155 children in charter schools.

        MSV (2) move to accept and place on file the Superintendent’s Report.  E. Whaley, Sweet (6-0-0).  

IV.     Comments from the Community:   Previously Addressed

V.      Consent Agenda Items:  Previously Addressed

VI.     School Committee Business:

1.   High School Proficiency Based Graduation Requirements:

        Dr. Hicks shared information regarding the PBGR, as it applies to the class of 2008, seeking approval of the phase in process.  He advised that it details which components of the portfolio will be required.  

        MSV (3) move to approve the Phased Implementation of the Proficiency Based Graduation Requirements.  Mueller, E. Whaley (5-0-0) (Dr. Mega was not present during the vote).

October 24, 2006 School Committee Minutes                                       Page Six

VI.     School Committee Business (Continued):

2.      Policy 2115 – Tobacco/Non Smoking:

Dr. Hicks advised that this policy is a complete rewrite of the policy based on a model

policy from the State.  He advised that two things are different:  we are required to make smoking cessation programs known and also to have appropriate no smoking signage in the community.  

        Mr. Mueller had a question regarding the paragraph covering Tobacco Use Prohibited … asking if we are in a position for youth over 18, if their behavior calls for disciplinary action and they are not on our property.  Dr. Hicks stated that we have a right to enforce school rules at school events.  

Mr. Mueller asked whether the Superintendent anticipates a difference of collection of smokers at the edge of the property.  He stated that if we push students to the edge of our property, we push them to someone else’s property.  Mr. Mueller questioned if there was a way to address this problem.  Dr. Hicks stated that he did not expect a change and added that limiting smoking ends with our property.  Mr. Mueller recommended that the Superintendent have a conversation with Mr. Alfred to discuss if there is a way to moderate this.  

        

3.      Policy 8310 – Substance Abuse Prevention and Discipline:

Dr. Hicks stated that we wanted to include a policy about intervention and to have

standards very clear about consequences and to bring probation consequences in line.  He further stated that he saw us moving away from a policy by which a student’s verbal ability influenced the severity of the consequences, noting that the mechanism could fall disproportionately.  

        Acknowledging that there is no use of tobacco products on school property, Mr. Mueller asked the Superintendent to inquire with Mr. Alfred if this is similar to town property.  

4.      Communication Sub-Committee Report:

Wendy Bucci advised that this item is not on the agenda for voting.  She stated that there

is one piece missing regarding public comment?  Dr. Hicks stated that the changes in the Professional Development Sub-Committee are editorial, not substantive; adding Accountability Sub-Committee to the By Laws; and noting that this is intended to model the charge to the Sub-Committee.  

        Mr. Mueller stated that the discussion in the accountability section is strong, the use of public comment is important, and that he does not agree (as it currently stands) with removing from the Committee’s review, how policies will be implemented.

October 24, 2006 School Committee Minutes                                       Page Seven

VII.    Comments from Committee Members:  

        Wendy Bucci again thanked the Committee members and the community for allowing her the opportunity to serve on the Committee.  

VIII.    Executive Session for Collective Bargaining:

MSV (4) move to recess to Executive Session under Title 42, Ch. 46, Section 5 of the General Laws of Rhode Island for Collective Bargaining at 9:12 PM.  Mueller, Mega (6-0-0).  

IX.     Adjournment:

        MSV (6) move to seal the minutes of the Executive Session and adjourn at 9:30 PM.  Mueller, Mega (6-0-0).      

                                                Respectfully submitted,

                                                Robert Hicks, Clerk

                                                South Kingstown School Committee

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