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 the 8th grade class, thanking the school committee for advertising in the yearbook.
• From NK Superintendent Phil Thornton, announcing U.S. News and World Report’s selection of NKHS as one of two Silver Medalist schools in RI (with Classical HS in Providence). Among the reasons NKHS received this recognition were higher-than-average test scores and a high percentage of students taking/and passing AP courses.
• From the Rhode Island Association of School Committees, reporting that the RI Senate Government Oversight Committee has scheduled a January 12 hearing on education mandates.
Consent Agenda: The committee approved the minutes of November 19; and payment of bills. The committee also approved a parental leave of absence requested by Michele Desrosiers.
Food Service Update: Superintendent Marcia Lukon shared the latest figures on the number of meals sold.
Tuition Contract Revision: Dr. Lukon reported that the NK superintendent and business director have reviewed the proposed contract rollover language and that both sides will now submit the language to their respective attorneys before seeking the approval of the two school committees.
Shared Services Roundtable: Ms. Kaiser reported that she attended a Dec. 5 meeting of the roundtable. In preparation for the next meeting, participants will ask their district’s business manager and special education director to identify the easiest and most cost-effective areas in which services could be shared.
403(b) Retirement Plan: The committee approved the adoption of a 403(b) plan, as required by the IRS.
Information and Proposals:
Superintendent’s Report:
Dr. Lukon attended a meeting at which RI Education Commissioner Deborah Gist reported that RI was one of eight states invited to Washington to meet with consultants about the submission of a Race to the Top grant application. In order to be considered for the first round of awards, RI must submit its RTTT plan in early 2010. The Commissioner asked districts to endorse the RTTT plan as either a “participating LEA (local education agency)” or an “involved LEA.” At its January 7 work session, the school committee will discuss the required commitment and vote on a level of participation.
• The superintendent also shared a spreadsheet detailing Governor Carcieri’s recommended revisions to the current year’s state aid.
Principal’s Report:
Principal Melucci reported on Melrose activities, including the 1st grade field trip and the upcoming second grade insect show and kindergarten musical. Ms. Almanzor shared the success of the 5th and 6th grade band concert and the 7th and 8th grade chorus and band concert, both performed on the Lawn stage (brought into service after a 17-year-hiatus!). She reported that 90% of 8th graders met the middle school proficiency standard on the state technology literacy assessment. She also shared that Mrs. Barone and Mr. Kaczynski are creating units of study to accompany the Weather Bug Weather Station and aquaculture tank being purchased through the NASA grant.
Committee Reports:
Melrose School Improvement Team: Melrose SIT watched a “webinar” on preparing children for the workplace.
Lawn School Improvement Team: Lawn SIT discussed the success of advisories, the updating of teacher websites, and the positive feedback received on report cards and student-led conferences. The group also continued to plan an community information night on “rigor and relevance.”
SELAC: The group continued to discuss ESY (extended school year) services. On Jan. 12, SELAC will sponsor a workshop on sensory needs.
Facilities Committee: No meeting.
North Kingstown: Ms. Held was unable to attend the most recent meeting, but reported that the NK school committee was scheduled to vote on course additions at the high school. Courses under consideration included AP psychology, consumer/business math, and two German electives.
SORICO: No meeting.
Legislative: Ms. Kaiser reported that she attended a hearing on municipal shared services and learned that former school committee member David Dolce is serving as an appointee on the Senate Municipal Shared Services Commission.
Policy: No report.
Teacher Evaluation Committee: No report.
Health and Wellness: No report.
The next workshop meeting of the Jamestown School Committee will be on January 7; the next business meeting will be held January 21. All meetings are held at 7 p.m. in the Lawn School library. On January 8, at the Conanicut Grange/Senior Center, the school committee will hold a goal-setting retreat at 4 p.m. and meet with the Town Council at 5:30.