Jamestown Schools: A School-Community Partnership
"SCAN," issued by the Superintendent’s Office in conjunction with the School Committee, is designed to inform staff members and interested others of matters discussed and actions taken by the Jamestown School Committee at its most recent meeting. SCAN does not represent meeting minutes.
Workshop Discussion Topics
Report of High School Review Committee: Ms. Held explained that the review committee was convened in July 2009 by the school committee to conduct a review of Narragansett and North Kingstown High Schools as part of the five-year review process of Jamestown’s high school options. Ms. Held outlined the review process and thanked the students, faculties and administrations of Narragansett and North Kingstown High Schools for their participation and provision of information. Committee members comprise Kathy Almanzor, Chair, Principal, Lawn School; Superintendent Marcia Lukon; Director of Student Services Gwenn Spence; Special Education resource teacher Sandra Reynolds; School Committee member and parent Julia Held; Jamestown Education Foundation president and parent Sally Schott; and Lawn School Improvement Team co-chair and parent Ann Zainyeh. The review committee presented the report data on the two high schools, including enrollment figures; academic, elective and AP course offerings; athletics and extracurricular clubs; special education services; the guidance program; intervention for at risk students; library/media facilities; technology; school environment; NECAP test results; SAT and AP scores; and awards and recognition The review committee concluded that both schools are viable options for Jamestown; however the committee found no compelling programmatic reason to recommend changing high schools at this time. The committee acknowledged that the report is one of many factors to be considered by the school committee in making its decision. In response to questions from the audience, Ms. Kaiser identified the factors the school committee will consider in addition to the programmatic data collected by the review committee. She cited community support for education, district leadership, stability of school culture, potential statewide regionalization plans, parent input, and cost as additional factors under consideration. Mr. Whitehouse added that the final decision must take into consideration both the needs of the students and those of the taxpayers. Ms. Kaiser stated that the committee anticipates making its decision well before the Nov. 1 annual deadline for notifying North Kingstown of a change.
Race to the Top – Partnership Agreement for Participating School Districts: The school committee approved by unanimous vote the memorandum of understanding outlining Jamestown’s responsibilities as a participating district in RI’s Race to the Top grant project. The superintendent explained that the school department’s agreement to participate presumes that associated costs will be funded by the grant and hence not negatively impact the operating budget.
JESPA Contract Approval: This item was tabled until the next meeting.
The next business meeting of the Jamestown School Committee will be on January 21. Budget workshops will be held on February 4 and 11. All meetings are held at 7 p.m. in the Lawn School library.