| School
Committee Meeting Minutes |
EAST PROVIDENCE
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
East Providence City Hall
145 Taunton Avenue
East Providence, Rhode Island 02914
School Committee Meeting
March 14, 2006
Open Session
Chairman Gouveia called the meeting to order at 6:30PM. All
School Committee Members were present: Robert Faria, Eileen
Lovett, David Medeiros, Mildred Morris and Antone Gouveia. A
motion was made by Mrs. Morris to move to Executive Session
in accordance with RI General Laws, Section 42-46-5 (a) (1)
Personnel, (a) (2) Litigation, seconded by Mr. Medeiros.
Vote 5-0.
Public session reconvened at 7:30PM. A motion was made by
Mrs. Morris to return to open session, seconded by Mrs.
Lovett. Vote 5-0. A motion was made by Mrs. Morris to seal
the minutes of the executive session, seconded by Mrs.
Lovett. Vote 5-0.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was led by Mr. Faria. A
Moment of Silence was observed in memory of Zachary
Dauphinee, a student at Whiteknact School, who passed away
recently after a battle with cancer.
Record of Previous Meetings – A motion was made by Mrs.
Morris to approve the minutes of previous meetings, seconded
by Mr. Medeiros. Vote 5-0.
Chair’s Report - Mr. Gouveia read a statement related to his
attendance at a recent City Council Meeting.
He wanted to clarify some of the information which had been
presented at that meeting, which he felt
was incorrect.
Student Recognition (Middle School Mediation Program) –
Officer Alexyon thanked the School
Committee for the opportunity to recognize 24 students from
Martin and Riverside Middle Schools who
were trained during February vacation and successfully
completed the School Mediation Program. Judge
Piraglia introduced the students and presented them with
certificates.
Student Recognition (Music Awards) – Mr. Vars, Director of
Bands at East Providence High School
acknowledged students selected for RIMEA Senior and Junior
Division All-State/Honors, band,
orchestra, jazz ensemble and chorus, and students selected
for Southern New England Band.
Student Recognition – Spelling Bee Winner – Erin Butler of
Riverside Middle School was recognized as
the City-Wide Middle School Spelling Bee Champion for the
2005-06 school year.
Student Liaison, John Butler presented his report.
Hearings - None
Reading of Communications – Mr. Faria read a letter
regarding good sportsmanship exhibited by the
High School Hockey Team at a recent game away from home. Mr.
Faria received information from RI
Association of School Committees regarding approximately 30
house bills regarding school legislation
related to transportation, special education and he asked
for more involvement in this process.
Report of Superintendent and Staff
Showcase of Schools –Students from Orlo Avenue School and
Waddington School performed.
Awarding of Bids – None
The Monthly Financial Statement reflects the budget given by
the City Council without recommendations
given by the auditors. Mr. Gouveia asked if all items were
included. Motion to accept by Mrs. Morris,
seconded by Mr. Medeiros. Vote 5-0. Mr. Vinhateiro advised
that last week, he, Mr. Gouveia, and City
officials met with the Auditor General to review the status
of the School Department’s budget along with
the audit report from B & E Consulting. The Auditor General
will be getting back to the School
Department. Mr. Gouveia felt it was important for the public
to understand that the Auditor General’s
office was very interested in the things East Providence is
trying to do to reduce costs in transportation,
special education and other areas. Mr. Vinhateiro has
provided the Auditor General with
further information which he requested.
Personnel Recommendations – Mrs. Rodericks presented the
following personnel items:
Appointments
Gail Costa Secretary , Martin Middle School (Temporary)
Edna Souza Secretary, Francis School (Temporary)
Isabel Evans Secretary, Oldham School (Temporary)
Christopher Dante Boys’ Tennis Coach
Motion: Mrs. Morris/Second: Mr. Medeiros. Vote 5-0.
Resignation
Richard Silva Head Coach, Academic Decathlon – High School –
Effective at end of 05-06 School Year
Motion: Mrs. Morris/Second: Mr. Medeiros. Vote 5-0.
Leave of Absence
Alex Butler Asst. Coach Boys’ Volleyball – High School
(One Year only)
Motion: Mrs. Morris/Second: Mr. Medeiros. Vote 5-0.
Personal Leave of Absence
Sophia Sotis Spanish Teacher High School
2006-07 School Year
Motion: Mrs. Morris/Second: Mr. Medeiros. Vote 5-0.
Facilities Report – Harry Mutter reported that a contract
has been signed with RISE for lights in the
Waddington School and Riverside Middle School gyms.
Installation will begin during April vacation at
Waddington. At Martin Middle School, the intercom system is
in need of repairs and they are currently
working with a private telephone company to repair the
interior phone system. At the Administration
Building, three stairwells are being painted. Information
was also presented to the School Committee
regarding electrical usage in all buildings.
Field Trip Requests – A motion was made by Mrs. Morris to
approve a field trip request from the Career
Center for students to attend the DECA ICDC National
Competition in Dallas Texas beginning April 28
to May 3, 2006, seconded by Mr. Medeiros. Vote 5-0.
Requests for Home Schooling – Dr. Jacqueline Forbes
recommended that the School Committee approve
a request to home school a student. Motion was made by Mr.
Medeiros to approve, seconded by Mrs.
Lovett. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Faria, aye; Mrs. Lovett, aye;
Mr. Medeiros, aye; Mrs. Morris, aye; Mr.
Gouveia, aye. Vote 5-0.
School Calendar 2006-2007 – Mr. Vinhateiro recommended that
the School Committee approve the
calendar and corresponding payroll calendar as presented.
School is scheduled to begin on September 6,
2006 and end on June 18, 2007. A motion was made by Mrs.
Morris to accept the calendar, seconded by
Mrs. Lovett. Vote 5-0.
Report of Sub-Committees - Mrs. Lovett reported on Family
Involvement Committee activities. The
next FIT meeting will be held on March 29, 2006. Activities
are being planned for Earth Day on April
29, 2006. Mr. Medeiros advised that information will be sent
out this week. A grant writing workshop
will be held on March 27th at 6:30PM and all are invited to
attend.
Unfinished Business – None
New Business
Mr. Vinhateiro advised that the East Bay Collaborative is in
the process of purchasing property in
Warren, which will save them considerable money. Mr.
Vinhateiro asked the School Committee to
support a resolution to give support to this purchase, as
our assessment will decrease as a result of this
purchase. Mr. Gouveia asked about the liability, either
legal or financial. Mr. Silva, School Department
attorney, will review all materials to ensure everything is
in order and there is no financial liability. Mr.
Vinhateiro advised that the state law has been amended to
allow the educational collaboratives to own
property. In response to Mrs. Morris question about where
the money will come from, Mr. Vinhateiro
said it is not our financial responsibility, but we will
realize a reduction in our assessment for next year.
A motion was made by Mr. Medeiros to approve, seconded by
Mrs. Morris. Roll Call Vote: Mr.
Faria, aye; Mrs. Lovett, aye; Mr. Medeiros, aye; Mrs.
Morris, aye; Mr. Gouveia, aye. Vote 5-0.
Mr. Vinhateiro received a request from Mr. Amaral, Athletic
Director, to form a Club LaCrosse Program
for boys and girls at East Providence High School. The
proposal has been endorsed by the principal and
there is no cost to the School Department as this is paid
for by volunteers and grants. Motion by Mrs.
Lovett to approve, seconded by Mr. Faria. Vote 5-0.
Payment of Bills
Warrant # 634 2/21/06 $1,409,632.41
Motion: Morris/Second: Medeiros. Vote 5-0.
Warrant #635 2/22/06 $ 194,621.78
Motion: Morris/Second: Medeiros. Vote 5-0.
Question and Answer Period - None
A motion was made by Mrs. Morris to adjourn at 9:30PM,
seconded by Mr. Medeiros. Vote 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia A Iannelli, Executive Secretary
David A. Medeiros, Clerk of the Committee
|
|
