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.
Letters received:
• From State Representative Deb Ruggiero, inviting the School Committee and Town Council to meet to share legislative concerns and needs.
• From the Rhode Island Association of School Committees (RIASC), announcing an upcoming meeting with Constellation Energy.
Consent Agenda: The committee approved the minutes of December 3 and 17; and payment of bills. The committee also approved the appointment of Lisa Kerr as Lawn School drama coach and accepted the resignation of teacher Chris Kent.
Food Service Update: Superintendent Marcia Lukon shared the latest figures on the number of meals sold.
Tuition Contract Revision: The committee approved by unanimous vote the proposed changes to the current NK tuition contract, which included language clarifications and the addition of a rollover clause. Ms. Kaiser explained that the rollover clause is being added independent of the ongoing high school review and is not an indicator of the outcome of that review.
Shared Services Roundtable: Ms. Kaiser reported that she will attend the January 30 meeting and update the committee at a future meeting.
State Transportation System – Possible Withdrawal: Superintendent Lukon reported that the latest estimates by RIDE indicate that Jamestown’s participation in the statewide transportation system will not save the town money (and in fact will cost the district money). Because Narragansett and North Kingstown are not participating in the state system, the state is unable to replicate the savings Jamestown achieved in collaborating with those two towns on out-of-district bus runs. The Superintendent also shared that the service provided by the statewide system has not been satisfactory. RIDE has alluded to plans to make districts that lose money “whole,” but the details of that plan have not been worked out. With school committee consent, the superintendent is consulting with RIDE to explore the possibility of withdrawing from the system.
High School Review Schedule/Timetable: The committee agreed to table this item until a future meeting due to the Narragansett School Committee’s request to meet jointly on January 27 (at Lawn, 7 p.m.).
JESPA Contract Approvals: This item was tabled until the next meeting.
Information and Proposals:
Superintendent’s Report:
The Jamestown Rotary has invited Dr. Lukon to speak to them about her visit to China.
Principal’s Report:
Principals Almanzor and Melucci reported on activities at the two schools, including presentations by Island Moving Company, the installation of the Weather Bug, and the newly formed drama club.
Committee Reports:
Melrose School Improvement Team: Melrose SIT discussed podcasting and webinar technology; student achievement and differentiated instruction; and plans to review the teacher/student survey data.
Lawn School Improvement Team: Lawn SIT discussed the grading system; the need for more student involvement in parent-teacher conferences; the Feb. 3 Rigor, Relevance and Relationships night; and book options for the One School One Book program.
SELAC: The meeting featured a presentation on the needs of children with sensory issues.
Facilities Committee: The group discussed the 5-year capital improvements plan; reviewed the projects completed this year; looked at the need to upgrade the Lawn sound system; and examined the status of the equipment in the Lawn kitchen.
North Kingstown: The NK School Committee discussed the Race to the Top application; the results of the RIDE visit assessing progress on the performance-based graduation requirements; and a decrease in private school enrollment. The committee approved the addition of AP psychology, business math and two German electives to the high school class offerings.
SORICO: No meeting.
Legislative: Ms. Kaiser reported that she testified at the State House at a hearing on unfunded mandates held by the Senate Committee on Government Oversight; and at a hearing on management rights held by the House Labor Committee.
Policy: The sub-committee is reviewing policies pertaining to transportation; background checks for parent volunteers; and credit for out-of-state teaching. The Director of Pupil Services is reviewing the policy on the discipline and restraint of special education students.
Teacher Evaluation Committee: The sub-committee awaits the publication of the RIDE evaluation guidelines.
Health and Wellness: The group discussed whether the policy prohibiting food in classroom celebrations applies to food used as part of the curriculum in pre-K and kindergarten; and agreed to seek a clarification. Julie Kallfelz added to the Wellness report by updating the school committee on plans to complete the walking trails, fitness trail and Lawn playground (stage 1) this summer.
The Jamestown School Committee will hold budget workshops on January 28 and February 4 and 11. The committee will hold a joint meeting with the Narragansett School Committee on January 27. All meetings are held at 7 p.m. in the Lawn School library.