The regular meeting of the South Kingstown School Committee was held on June 26, 2007 at the South Kingstown High School Library at 7:00 PM, following a Professional Development
Sub-Committee Meeting at 6:30 PM.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Anthony Mega (Chairperson), Joseph Sweet (Assistant Chairperson), Maureen Cotter, Kevin Jackson, Natalie Herbermann, and Scott Mueller (arrived at 7:06 PM).
ADMINISTATORS PRESENT: Mary Kelley, Assistant Superintendent; John Ritchotte, Director of Administrative Services; and Doug Pierson, Peace Dale Elementary Principal.
I. Call to Order:
Dr. Mega called the June 26, 2007 School Committee Meeting to order at 7:02 PM. He advised that there was a Professional Development Sub-Committee session at 6:30 PM, which afforded School Committee members who attended the NSBA conference an opportunity to give a brief overview of the session they attended, which will be ongoing through the summer.
II. Delegations (Spotlights): None
III. Superintendent‘s Report:
1. Meeting Calendar:
Mary Kelley reviewed the calendar.
a. School Committee Retreat – July 13, 2007, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, The University Club at URI.
b. School Committee Meeting – July 17, 2007, 7:00 PM, High School Library.
c. School Committee Meeting – August 21, 2007, 7:00 PM, High School Library.
d. School Committee Meeting – September 11, 2007, 7:00 PM, High School Library.
e. School Committee Meeting – September 25, 2007, 7:00 PM, High School Library.
f. School Committee Meeting – October 9, 2007, 7:00 PM, High School Library.
g. School Committee Meeting – October 23, 2007, 7:00 PM, High School Library.
MSV (1) move to accept and place on file the Superintendent’s Report. Cotter, Herbermann (5-0-0).
IV. Comments from the Community: None
June 26, 2007 School Committee Minutes Page Two
V. Consent Agenda Items:
1. Approval of minutes meeting of: June 12, 2007
June 20, 2007
Executive Session Minutes of: June 12, 2007
2. Appointments:
3. Request(s) – Leave of Absence
4. Resignation(s)
5. Retirement(s) – Pulled from the Agenda
6. Bid Award:
a. #2203 – Active Directory Consolidation Project
b. #2204 – Professional Development
7. Invoice(s) – School Attorney(s)
Mary Kelley advised that Jennifer Enck who was on the agenda for appointment as
Assistant Principal at Peace Dale Elementary was present this evening with a supportive group.
Doug Pierson shared that it was an honor and pleasure to present Jen Enck for consideration as Assistant Principal. Jen is a product of the South Kingstown school district, graduate of South Kingstown High School, she went to URI and majored in Early Childhood Development, she also attended Rhode Island College and received a degree in Public Administration. Dr. Pierson also advised that Jen is very active in the community, is a personal trainer at a local gym, and she has been a teacher for eleven years. Recently, in March of 2007, she filled the role of the vacant Assistant Principal position; and prior to that she frequently substituted for the Assistant Principal and Dr. Pierson whenever they had to attend workshops or conferences. Dr. Pierson advised the Jen has developed a safety plan for Peace Dale, as well as evacuation procedures. She has also taken the large step in PBIS and will lead the committee at Peace Dale Elementary.
Jennifer Enck thanked Dr. Pierson for his kind words. She expressed that she is glad to give back to the community that has given so much to her and her education. She is looking forward to being a contributing member of an outstanding administration team. Working in the capacity of a being a teacher for ten to eleven years, has given insight into the inner workings of the school department, which has helped with the transition into this administrative role. She hopes to bring perspective that is helpful and assistive to teachers and staff in problem solving with moving forward with grade level expectations. She stated that working with students and families is something she takes seriously. Ms. Enck stated that she is
very appreciative for the opportunity to work in the community in the capacity as Assistant Principal.
Dr. Mega noted that Ms. Enck was the glue that held things together at Matunuck Elementary as they went through the transition of Principals years ago. He stated that he is pleased that she has reached the point that she wants to be.
MSV (2) move to accept the consent agenda as presented. Cotter, Jackson (6-0-0).
June 26, 2007 School Committee Minutes Page Three
VI. School Committee Business:
1. Breakfast Program Pilot:
Mary Kelley reviewed the memo from Dr. Hicks on pages 23-27 in the agenda, which outlines his recommendation to the Committee to approve a pilot universal breakfast program at both middle schools for the 2007-2008 school year. She noted that he outlines several reasons why he sees this as an affective direction for us to take and an opportunity for us to pursue, as well as outlining success from other districts that have adopted this program. The emphasis at the middle school is because the numbers drop off at the middle school for free and reduced breakfast and because they are adjusting to an earlier start time then when they were in elementary school. The middle school population is accustomed to being supervised upon arrival, as they are not
driving in. There is a minimal cost to the district, approximately $1,000. Geoffrey Levy, of the Wakefield Mall is willing to subsidize any projected loss that might occur. Ms. Kelley noted that Dr. Hicks also takes us through the policy question that arises around this topic, as he outlines in the memo, both State and Federal mandates require us to be accountable for the performance of all students, regardless of the circumstances they may find themselves in. Whether a child is poor or is an English language learner, we are responsible for all. Also, the emphasis now from the Federal government for the requirement of Wellness Committees and Wellness policies and the importance of districts addressing the nutritional status of students as it impacts their readiness to learn. On a personal level, Dr. Hicks addressed the district’s need, as we are not performing well with students in the free and reduced lunch category and
providing the opportunity for them to have every opportunity to be successful, including a well balanced diet.
Ms. Kelley stated that the most compelling reason for moving forward with a universal breakfast program is the cultural impact. She advised that most students on free and reduced status do not participate because they feel alone. They don’t see themselves as part of the whole. We see this in free and reduced lunch responses to the SALT survey data. Many students feel disconnected with adults in the community. When all children are eligible for a universal breakfast program, it is not distinguishing between paid and free/reduced so the stigma is removed and begins to create a cultural shift in a school where all students feel they are part of an opportunity to share.
Dr. Mega shared his comments as Chairman of the Wellness Subcommittee. He advised that this started as a request from the George A. Wiley Center. Dr. Hicks did look at districts, with demographics close to ours, who participated in this program. Dr. Mega advised that the middle school was eye opening to the Subcommittee; noting that the participation in the breakfast program, as well as stigmatization and start time are a factor. The potential benefit of breakfast consumption is simply more than promoting breakfast it is actually having people eat breakfast. He also advised that this has been strongly
linked to improve cognitive performance in over 40 studies. This is a way to help us reach children with breakfast items was a factor for the Subcommittee.
Mr. Sweet stated that he supports this program and thanked the administration for developing this in a short period of time and for getting it ready in such a short time. He noted that there is a correlation with student achievement and the purpose of the Committee is to find
June 26, 2007 School Committee Minutes Page Four
VI. School Committee Business (Continued):
1. Breakfast Program Pilot (Continued):
things that improve academic achievement for students. This levels the playing field for all students. He also noted that at the NSBA conference, Bill Clinton stated that this is the first generation that is more unhealthy than their predecessor. This program will provide hands-on learning about what a healthy breakfast is all about.
Maureen Cotter asked how the program’s success would be tracked; and she question if any thought had been given on how to grow the program to the high school.
Mary Kelley advised that they have been looking at ways to track success by looking at the SALT survey results and also by taking a look at student achievement (student performance on PLP data and NECAP data). She also advised that this will be the beginning and that they would like to see how the first year goes before we decided what the next step will be.
Dr. Mega advised that if you accept the historical data that eating breakfast is good, administration validated information with a second questionnaire after the SALT survey, which indicated that 17% of children skip breakfast consistently and 37% skip breakfast at least on several days. Therefore, you can review data next year to determine, did breakfast in the middle school decrease those numbers.
Ms. Cotter advised that it is important to have clear ways to communicate with the community.
Mr. Jackson stated that the information is compelling and that this is a program to expand on. He noted that we can look at data to see if it is working and see if we can expand it if it is working.
Mr. Mueller stated that we need to identify what we will look at. He stated that he is hesitate to set student achievement outcome as the benchmark for success of the program, since we are doing a number of different things, we won’t know which variable had an impact.
Mr. Mueller stated that he has heard comments that this in not the job of the schools. He shared that this echoes a debate we had in 1993. Mr. Mueller recalled a comment that John Fratiello stated at that time where he stated, “I thought schools should educate kids, but in the end you can’t educate them if they are hungry.” Mr. Mueller stated that he is comfortable saying that families should do family things; but the cold reality is that schools should provide food because we cannot do our work if the students come to school hungry. This is a reasonable next step. It is economically, educationally viable and it is the right thing to do.
Mrs. Herbermann stated that she heard several members of the community share their concern about logistics, will the bus routes change and how much time will students have to eat?
June 26, 2007 School Committee Minutes Page Five
VI. School Committee Business (Continued):
1. Breakfast Program Pilot (Continued):
Ms. Kelley advised that the bus schedules will not change. Mr. Ritchotte advised that buses will run on schedule and students will have time to eat breakfast. Students who eat breakfast will sit separately from students who will not eat breakfast. They will have ten or more minutes to eat their breakfast and to get to class.
Mrs. Herbermann shared other questions that community members have shared: What will the menu be? Are we conscious that what we are offering is healthy? Mr. Ritchotte advised that the plan with Chartwells is to offer a hot meal, which will be reimbursable by the government.
Kathleen Gorman, Professor of Psychology at URI and Director of the Feinstein Center for a Hunger Free America, spoke on behalf of a group of about 50 local residents who have formed a task force on hunger in the South Kingstown community. She advised that they have attended Wellness Subcommittee meetings to talk about school breakfast. She stated that she wanted to
emphasize how important the evaluation piece is. We would be more than willing to evaluate in any way, shape, or form collecting data. We should not expect achievement scores to jump next year. Nationally what we do see is improved attendance and tardiness. The universal piece is important in making it okay for everyone. If children come to school without eating, it is difficult for them to learn. We appreciate your looking at this.
Mr. Sweet stated that research on the school breakfast shows improved attendance and tardiness, and students are more engaged in school with adults and other kids. School engagement is a protective factor to deter students from getting involved in the Juvenile Justice System.
MSV (3) move to adopt the proposal to establish a middle school breakfast program and to evaluate it one year out. Mueller, Jackson (6-0-0).
Dr. Mega acknowledged the efforts of the Wellness Subcommittee, representatives from URI and the George A. Wiley Center, Mr. Geoffrey Levy, and Central Administration for bringing this to the table on such a short time-line.
2. Administrative and Exempt Contract Renewals:
Dr. Mega asked for any comments or questions regarding the administrative and
non-union salary recommendations from Dr. Hicks outlined on page 28 of the agenda.
MSV (4) move to adopt the administrative and non-union salary proposal prepared by
Dr. Hicks for the 2007-2008 school year, as outlined on page 28 of the preparatory materials. Mueller, Jackson (6-0-0).
June 26, 2007 School Committee Minutes Page Six
VI. School Committee Business (Continued):
3. Professional Development Sub-Committee Report:
Dr. Mega advised that the Professional Development Subcommittee met on July 13, 2007 and discussed issues in regard to the upcoming retreat. He advised that the Subcommittee looked at three planned outcomes: 1) Updated progress on the goals set last year; 2) determine what the “non-negotiable” goals discussed at the joint session should be; and 3) determine a data collection structure for progress monitoring regarding #2. Dr. Mega reviewed the structure of the retreat day as outlined on page 29 of the agenda. He noted that this will be a joint meeting with Central and building-based Administrators.
Ms. Cotter stated that the Subcommittee wanted to make sure that the data book is not quite as extensive as last year. She asked for feedback on what has been proposed.
Mr. Mueller asked about the last line of the third bulleted item. He asked if they will set individual school-based goals for performance at the retreat. Dr. Mega responded that he thinks school-based goals potentially can be discussed; however, he didn’t get the sense that was a point that we absolutely would have to reach, but it lends itself to discussing the issue. He noted that administrators may bring concepts and goals to the table that are modified based on their school needs.
Ms. Kelley stated that her recollection was that there was a discussion about having a cohesive plan and that district and school goals were aligned. She added that we will be a pilot district for the new school improvement plan model and that the elementary schools will work as one.
Mr. Mueller stated that he thinks the discussion about group level goals would take place in the administrative structure. He did note that the Committee owns a significant piece of the district goals, but he is not sure the Committee has enough data to discuss each school.
Mr. Sweet stated that on the Accountability Subcommittee they spent some time looking ahead by asking how do we determine our growth and how do we determine our benchmark. He advised that they looked at cohort districts to determine which district had the higher rating in a certain area. Mr. Sweet said that as we look at the data and if something jumps out, we can talk about it (what’s happening here and how do we get up to par with other districts).
VII. Comments from Committee Members:
Mr. Jackson welcomed the new School Committee member, Richard Angeli. Dr. Mega also stated that he hopes Mr. Angeli will be part of the Retreat. The Committee typically has an orientation for new Committee members. Dr. Mega advised that he would be happy to reach out to Mr. Angeli about orientation.
June 26, 2007 School Committee Minutes Page Seven
VIII. Executive Session: Personnel:
MSV (5) move to recess to Executive Session under Title 42, Ch. 46, Section 5 of the General Laws of Rhode Island for Personnel at 7:53 PM. Cotter, Mueller (6-0-0).
Dr. Mega advised that the individual has been notified and has not opted to have discussion in Open Session.
IX. Adjournment:
MSV (7) move to seal the Executive Session minutes and to adjourn at 9:15 PM. Cotter, Mueller (6-0-0).
Respectfully submitted,
Robert Hicks, Clerk
South Kingstown School Committee
RH:djf