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 Rhode Island Association of School Committees, notice of a Feb. 28 legislative workshop.
• From Stephanie Pamula, an invitation to the March 2 opening reception of the Lawn School Art Exhibit at the Jamestown Philomenian Library.
Consent Agenda: The committee approved as amended the minutes of January 8 and 22 and February 5; and payment of bills. The committee also approved the appointments of Nick Alfred as track and field coach and Eric Bush as baseball coach.
Food Service Update: The committee reviewed the monthly report on meal sales. The food subcommittee will meet prior to the March 12 school committee meeting to discuss the status of the program.
Discussion of FY10 Budget: The administration responded to committee questions about technology capital expenditures, which will be spread over two years at the request of the committee. The school committee voted 4-0 to approve the FY10 school budget totaling $12,262,118, which includes the operating budget of $11,919,033 (a 2.42% increase over FY2009); the capital budget of $199.600 in capital reserve projects and $74,597 in technology expenditures; and a food service account of $68,888. The anticipated general fund contribution is $11,415,499, a 2.26% increase over the FY2009 budget. The approved budget assumes level funding of general state aid and impact aid.
Discussion of the Budget Presentation to the Town Council: Superintendent Lukon shared with the committee the powerpoint slides the administration will use in presenting the budget at the March 3 meeting with the town.
1st Reading, Policy on the Scholarship Fund: Committee members reviewed the policy and suggested several changes. The 2nd reading will take place at the March 12 workshop meeting.
Homeschool Request: The committee approved a home school request.
East Providence Resolution: The committee tabled until March 12 the discussion of the resolution in support of the East Providence School Committee. The postponement will allow Ms. Kaiser to confirm the status of a RIASC-generated resolution and compare it to the version received from the Rhode Island Statewide Coalition.
Report on Fall 2008 NECAP Results: Principals Almanzor and Melucci presented the 2008 test results and led the committee in a review of three years of scores by grade level as well as by cohort group (following the same group over three years).
Information and Proposals:
Superintendent’s Report: Dr. Lukon updated the committee on preparations for the upcoming visit of Chinese educators. The committee will welcome Mr. Xu Yonghui at the March 3 budget meeting with the Town Council.
Principal’s Report: Principal Kathy Almanzor shared the news that the Rhode Island Music Educators Association (RIMEA) selected an original composition by Jamestown 8th grader John Ragland to be performed at an upcoming annual conference. Fellow 8th grader Sam Hollister will play the piece at the conference.
Committee Reports:
Melrose School Improvement Team: SIT is preparing a document explaining what constitutes a 4, 3, etc., in the grading system. The group also discussed portfolio requirements and a Reading Week to be sponsored by SIT.
Lawn School Improvement Team: Lawn SIT discussed the need to provide education to help parents understand how to interpret report cards. The group also discussed the third annual Island Treasures, to be held on May 29.
SELAC: Dr. Fricklas updated the group on the progress of the school support system: the final report will be available in March. Parents expressed concerns about how the half-time psychologist position is working out. The NK Special Education Coordinator will attend the March 10 SELAC meeting to speak with parents of 7th and 8th grade special needs students. At the May 12 meeting, SELAC will host a certified financial planner to speak about planning for the future of a special needs child.
Facilities Committee: No report.
North Kingstown High School: Ms. Held reported on the adjournment of the Feb. 24 NK school committee meeting due to an overflow crowd that exceeded fire code regulations. Before the meeting was suspended, audience members spoke in opposition to cuts to the sports program and a reduction in the work year of the athletic director. The meeting has been rescheduled on Feb. 28 at Davisville Middle School. .
SORICO: Dr. Lukon reported that SORICO is initiating a search for a new director.
Legislative: Ms. Kaiser will attend the Feb. 28 RIASC legislative workshop.
Health and Wellness: Ms. Held reported that the group has requested that the school committee consider a policy prohibiting food at classroom birthday celebrations. The group also discussed the need for a traffic safety policy in response to ongoing hazardous conditions as students are dropped-off and picked-up.
The next workshop meeting of the Jamestown School Committee will be on Thursday, March 12. The next business meeting will be on March 19. All meetings begin at 7 p.m. in the Lawn Avenue School Library.