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.
Old Business
FY10 Budget: The school committee supports the budget presented to the town council, which assumes a 2.26% increase in town contribution and maintains the current level of services for students. Ms. Kaiser noted that the committee expects further savings to be realized as health insurance rates are finalized. In discussing the March 3 school budget presentation to the council, members of the committee and audience expressed concern that the committee is being asked to work toward a budget goal that has not yet been publicly discussed or defined by the council. The committee reiterated its desire to partner with the town council, but agreed that no further reductions to the budget should be considered before the council provides specific direction to the committee in the form of a maximum allowable school budget figure.
East Providence Resolution: The school committee voted 3-1 to endorse a resolution in support of the East Providence School Committee as the RI State Labor Relations Board considers an unfair labor practice complaint brought by the East Providence Education Association.
2nd Reading, Elizabeth Stone Scholarship Fund Policy: The school committee approved the policy by unanimous vote. The committee made an addition to the application (not part of the policy) providing additional information about the benefactress.
Workshop Discussion Topics
Food Service: Ms. Kaiser reported that the sub-committee had met and had agreed to issue an RFP (request for proposals) from food vendors for the upcoming school year. The state requires each district to issue an RFP or to contract with the state vendor, Aramark. (Issuing an RFP does not prevent the committee from accepting a bid from Aramark.).
The next business meeting of the Jamestown School Committee will be on March 19. All meetings are held at 7 p.m. in the Lawn School Library. The budget hearing with the Town Council will be on March 31 at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall.