The following is a copy of the Cumberland School Committee Meeting minutes, provided for information purposes only.  The text has been reformatted for easier reading and links inserted to relevant websites.

To view meeting agendas and minutes please visit the RI Secretary of State website.

There was a special meeting of the Cumberland School Committee
held on Monday, November 21, 2011 at the Cumberland High School
Transitional Building Cafetorium, 2602 Mendon Road, Cumberland,
Rhode Island.

Members Present: Jeff Mutter, Lisa Beaulieu, Linda Teel, Erika Sanzi,
Earl Wood. Dan Pedro arrived at 7:10 p.m. and John Gibbons was
absent from this meeting

Administration Present: Dr. Philip Thornton, Superintendent, Dr.
Susan Carney, Assistant Superintendent, Joseph A. Rotella, Director
of Administration.

Agenda Item #1: Chairman Convenes Meeting

Chairman Mutter convened the meeting at 7:00 p.m.

Agenda Item #2: Pledge of Allegiance
Agenda Item #3: Approval of Agenda

Mr. Wood made a motion to approve the agenda, 2nd Mrs. Teel,
approved 5-0. Mr. Pedro had not arrived at this point.

Agenda Item #4: Presentation/Discussion of Anti-Bullying Research

Dr. Thornton started out by stating that Jay Masterson, AssistantPrincipal at North Cumberland Middle School, met with about 25 people (students, parents, administration), about 10 months ago to discuss anti-bullying and to put together an updated policy for our
schools. Mr. Masterson worked in conjunction with Lawrence P. Filippelli, Ed.D., Assistant Superintendent of Scituate Schools and the president of The Education Consortium, LLC. Dr. Filippelli gave a brief presentation on how kids and teens socialize today. He began
with Facebook and how each child may have his or her personal information on the page, name, age, contact information, email address, birthdate, etc., some have pictures of events, friends, etc.

He talked about how pictures on Facebook can be tracked back to the actual location that the picture was taken – if it was originally taken by one of the many smart phones- this can be very dangerous. He talked about the results of a poll that he took with 4,000 Rhode Island students – he said the results were very alarming. Seventy one percent of teen girls have admitted to “sexting” and sixty seven percent of boys have admitted to it. Overall 70% of the students answering the questions said they had sent pictures – or rather were
“sexting” – girls sending their boyfriends a sexy present, but then after the romance goes sour, these pictures of these girls get circulated all over the internet. He also noted that 1 in 5 teens has also sent a “sexting video”.

He then went on to talk about cyber bullying – years ago bullying used to stop at 3 o’clock when school got out, but now it goes all day and all night. Thirty three percent of all teens between the ages of 12 and 17 have had mean, threatening or embarrassing things said about them online. All instant message conversations, emails, text messages, etc., all leave a digital trail that can be tracked by law enforcement. Students need to realize that if threats spill over into school, they can be held accountable there as well. He talked about
the zero tolerance policy, but warned against it because some students that have never had a problem before eventually get to a breaking point and retaliate against the bully and sometimes end up doing the same thing to that bully that was done to them. He advised
the School Department and the School Committee to follow the policy exactly – follow the procedures – he noted some examples of court cases that were tossed out because the School Department had not followed the policy exactly. Mr. Rotella asked for some case
examples so that he could review them and beware of mistakes that had been made and that cost the School Department to lose the case – Mr. Rotella wants to make sure that if they ever had to go to court, they would make the case and the discipline stick.

Agenda Item #5: Presentation/Discussion of Student Training

Mr. Masterson started off by stating that they are not trying to get students in trouble, they are trying to teach them what is right and what is wrong. He said the training would be given to administration first, then students, then parents – after the policy is adopted. Mr. Masterson gave a presentation of Middle School Bullying – it gave various types of students that are bullied, what bully’s look and sound like, why bullying is sometimes not noticed, why students don’t always report it – because of retaliation, why telling someoneabout a bully is not tattling, why it is helpful if you do tell a teacher, etc., about a bully because you could be saving someone from being hurt. He went on to say that 38% of students, who observe bullying, do nothing about it – 33% actually try to help. This is a district wide, school wide, every student involvement program – there will be a task
force for bullying at each school – Mr. Masterson will work with Dr. Thornton regarding the task force. Mr. Masterson thanked everyone that worked on this policy, he especially mentioned the students because they were right in the middle of everything and were a very important part of this team.

Agenda Item #6: Reading of Amended Policy – IGAE Anti-Bullying Policy

Mr. Mutter asked Mr. Rotella if they had to read the amended policy. Mr. Rotella said that it would be on the website and copies would be available in the Superintendent’s office and there were copies available at this meeting, he then suggested that the SC wave the reading of this policy – Mr. Mutter wanted to make sure that it would not be a mishap if they did not read this policy and Mr. Rotella said that it is definitely okay not to read it.

Agenda Item #7: Public Comment

No public comment at this time.

Agenda Item #8: Discussion and/or Vote to Approve Amended Policy – IGAE Anti-Bullying Policy

Mr. Mutter noted that the Policy Committee had reviewed this policy and had recommended it forapproval tonight. Mrs. Teel made a motion to approve the amended
policy – IGAE Anti-Bullying Policy, 2nd Mr. Wood, approved 6-0.
Mr. Mutter and the entire SC thanked Mr. Masterson, Dr. Filippelli, and the task team.

Agenda Item #9: Adjournment

Mrs. Beaulieu made a motion to adjourn, 2nd Mrs. Teel, approved 6-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Meeting minutes respectfully submitted by Linda A. Jackvony

The following is a copy of the Cumberland School Committee Meeting minutes, provided for information purposes only.  The text has been reformatted for easier reading and links inserted to relevant websites.

To view meeting agendas and minutes please visit the RI Secretary of State website.

APPROVED – 1/12/2012

There was a regular meeting of the Cumberland School Committee held on Thursday, December 8, 2011 at the Cumberland High School Transitional Building Cafetorium, 2602 Mendon Road, Cumberland, Rhode Island.

Members Present: Jeff Mutter, Lisa Beaulieu, Linda Teel (arrived at 7:33 p.m.), John Gibbons, Daniel Pedro, Earl Wood. Erika Sanzi was absent.

Administration Present: Dr. Philip Thornton, Superintendent, Dr. Susan Carney, Assistant Superintendent, Joseph A. Rotella, Director of Administration

Agenda Item #1: Chairman Convenes Meeting
Chairman Mutter convened the meeting at 7:30 p.m.

Agenda Item #2: Pledge of Allegiance

Agenda Item #3: Approval of Agenda
At this time Chairman Mutter asked everyone for a moment of silence in memory of Superintendent Condon (former Superintendent of Cumberland) who recently passed away.

Mr. Wood made a motion to approve the agenda, 2nd Mr. Pedro and Mr. Gibbons, approved 5-0. Mrs. Teel had not arrived at this point.

Agenda Item #4: Consent Agenda
A. Approval of Minutes – 1) Regular Meeting 11/10/2011 and 2) Special Meeting 11/21/2011.  Mr. Wood made a motion to approve Regular Meeting 11/10/2011 and Special Meeting 11/21/2011, 2nd Mr. Pedro and Mrs. Beaulieu, approved 6-0.

Chairman Mutter asked if “A” under New Business Agenda Item #10 –Demonstration of Technology in the Classroom, could be moved up to follow the Student Government Report.

No one had any objections.

Agenda Item #5: Student Government Report
There was no report at this time.

Agenda Item #10: New Business –

A. Demonstration of Technology in the Classroom – (this item was moved up on the agenda) – Mike Chandler, Director of Technology, introduced Mrs. Benevides from B.F. Norton School. Mrs. Benevides talked about how she and her students use their laptops and the technology associated with them.

They use Discovery Education and her students do their work, take tests and she teaches and corrects their tests with their technology.  Her students can take a test on a Friday, she corrects it right away on the computer and on Monday when the students come in she knows what she has to go over again or if she can move ahead to the next chapter.

They use Google Docs for Science right now and all of the students work is right there. They use E Pals for global collaboration – students communicate with other students all over the world – kids that do not speak English can communicate with our students
because of computer technology. At the end of Mrs. Benevides presentation Dr. Thornton said that this is the vision they have with the technology dollars that get approved each year and this is exactly how the money should be used.

Agenda Item #6: Superintendent’s Report
A. Update on Full-Day Kindergarten – Dr. Thornton started off by saying that it has been several weeks of trying to get an initial model together, but tonight he will share with everyone what he has to date.

He started off by talking about some of the findings that shows the benefits and impact that full day kindergarten has on children. Some researchers say that children attending full day kindergarten show greater reading and mathematics achievement gains than those in half-day classes. Others say it can produce long term educational gains, some say that the child will be more successful later on in school, another study showed that the children will reap ongoing benefits in their academic careers. Dr. Thornton also talked about a
Harvard Study that said that students who learn more in Kindergarten earn more as adults, and that they are more successful overall. The NESDEC study done in 2010 for Cumberland also stated that Cumberland would be serving its students and its taxpayers well by planning to add appropriate space for an expanded Pre-School Program and the beginning of full day Kindergarten. Next Fred Schockaert, Deputy Director of Special Services gave a presentation regarding the numbers currently in our schools, first about the gap from half day kindergarten to first grade here in our district – there is a big gap especially in the Community and Cumberland Hill Schools.

He talked about the 16 out of 35 school districts that do offer full day kindergarten and also mentioned that all of the charter schools offer a full day program. Mr. Schockaert also reviewed a chart that showed current classroom use so that everyone could see where there could be some room or possibly have room with some minor changes – he noted that Pre –K, Kindergarten and first grade classrooms need to be on the first floor due to fire codes. He reviewed projected classroom distribution with full day Kindergarten that showed what the enrollment could be with updated boundaries, the number of classrooms that would be needed and the classroom size or number of students per classroom. All in all Mr. Schockaert thought that full day Kindergarten is tight, but doable – he also noted that there is a projected enrollment decline that has been taken into consideration and noted that the charts would be posted on the website.

Dr. Thornton reiterated the fact that full day kindergarten is good for the students. He plans on bringing forth final recommendations for consideration after the first of the year. He said it will work, it will be a little tight with some numbers, but it can work. The best use of existing buildings is what we are currently utilizing. There will be a little purchasing such as cubbies and rugs for the kindergarten students, but not an excessive amount. The full budget outlook willcome after the first of the year. Mr. Pedro wanted to make sure that the bus situation gets reviewed. Mr. Wood asked about the bell times remaining the same and Dr. Thornton said they had not reviewed that yet. Mr. Gibbons asked what the timeline is to implement and Dr. Thornton said he would like to see it implemented next September.

Agenda Item #7: Chairperson’s Report
There was no report at this time.

Agenda Item #8: Comments from the Public
No comments at this time.

Agenda Item #9: Reports of Standing Committees
Mr. Wood stated that the Fiscal Management Sub Committee met earlier in the evening and he made a motion to pay invoices totaling $1,492,440.69, 2nd by Mr. Pedro, approved 6-0.

Agenda Item #10: New Business
B. Discussion and/or Vote to approve school sponsored field trips of long duration – Mr. Mutter stated that the School Committee has never approved field trips before – Dr. Thornton said there is a policy.

Mrs. Beaulieu asked if these were new requests and Mrs. Gould said they were similar to previous years. Mr. Gibbons asked if any of these trips are paying stipends to the chaperones and Mrs. Gould said that some get free passage. Mr. Gibbons would like to see these trips bid on from various vendors – he believes if they get bidded out,the costs could go down. Mrs. Gould said that Grad Nite is currently bid out. Mr. Gibbons wants them all to be competitively costed out.

Mr. Mutter asked Mr. Rotella if all of the trips in front of them fit the guidelines in our policy and Mr. Rotella said yes they did. Mr. Wood asked what the criteria are for allowing students to go on these trips.

Mrs. Gould said everyone is eligible, but Grad Nite requires good attendance and a certain grade average, but she added that if someone had a history of poor discipline, they would not be allowed to go on any of the trips. Mr. Pedro made a motion to approve the
trips as presented, collectively, 2nd Mr. Wood, failed 4-2. Mr. Gibbons then made a motion to approve all of the trips listed in 2012 but not the trip listed for 2013, 2nd Mrs. Teel, approved 6-0.

C. Discussion and/or Vote to approve terms of written use of school facility agreements currently in place – Mr. Gibbons made a motion to keep current terms in place through this fiscal year, 2nd Mrs. Beaulieu, Mr. Gibbons noted that the current policy needs to be
looked at and Mr. Mutter said that any past agreement that was used with the previous Superintendent will be honored, motion was approved 5-0, Mr. Gibbons abstained.

D. Discussion and/or Vote to approve SC-PR-12-2011-020: Outdoor Freezer Purchase – Mr. Wood made a motion to approve SC-PR-12-2011-020 for an outdoor walk-in freezer at Cumberland High School in an amount not to exceed $23,176.80, 2nd Mrs. Beaulieu,
approved 6-0. Mrs. Beaulieu noted that this freezer would replace one at the high school that can no longer be repaired.

Agenda Item #11: Personnel Recommendations
Mr. Rotella had the following recommendations:

Retirement
I request the advice and consent of the School Committee on the retirement of Dale Payson, Custodian at Cumberland High School, effective 12/16/2011.

Appointment
I request the advice and consent of the School Committee on the appointment of Brian Batalau, Boy’s Soccer Coach at Joseph L. McCourt Middle School, effective 12/9/2011. (Budgeted)

Leaves of Absence
I request the advice and consent of the School Committee on the FMLA Maternity Leave of Kerri Caplette, Grade 5 Teacher at JJM Cumberland Hill Elementary School, effective 1/30/2012 with a return date of 5/14/2012. (Budgeted)

I request the advice and consent of the School Committee on the Maternity Leave of Judith Sanford, Grade 4 Teacher at B. F. Norton School, effective 4/6/2012 to the end of the 2011-2012 school year. (Budgeted)

Mr. Gibbons made a motion to approve the above recommendations as presented, 2nd Mr. Pedro, approved 6-0.ADDENDUM #1

Appointments
I request the advice and consent of the School Committee on the appointment of Jonathan Gibbs, Boy’s Soccer Coach at North Cumberland Middle School, effective 12/9/2011. (Budgeted)

I request the advice and consent of the School Committee on the appointment of Andrea O’Donnell, .5 FTE Guidance Counselor at John J. McLaughlin Cumberland Hill Elementary School, effective 12/9/2011. (FTE: 1; Step: 1; Advance Lane: Masters (pending
verification); Co-pay: 16%. (Budgeted)

I request the advice and consent of the School Committee on the appointment of Christine Skawinski, One-on-One Teacher Assistant at Community School, effective 12/9/2011. (Budgeted)

Mr. Rotella made one change to above recommendations – he said that Andrea O’Donnell should be .5 FTE and Step 3. Mrs. Beaulieu then made a motion to approve all of the appointments, 2nd Mr. Pedro, approved 6-0.

Agenda Item #12: Comments from the Public
Mrs. C. (Band Boosters) noted that the holiday concert was standing room only and wanted to make sure that we keep the momentumgoing.

Agenda Item #13: School Committee Comments (School Liaison
Reports)
Mr. Pedro noted that the Annual Winter Wonderland Celebration would be held at Diamond Hill State Park on Sunday, December 11th at noon. There will be pictures with Santa and the Cumberland Band will play at 1:30. The Belle Chimes Choir and the OCYL Choir will also be performing.

Agenda Item #14: Vote to go into Executive Session for Discussion
on Items Referred to in R.I.G.L. 42-46-5:
A. Personnel Matters – Exception (1)

1)CTA/ICSE

B. Negotiations/Litigation – Exception (2)

1)CTA/ICSE
2)Potential Litigation
3)ICSE Contract Negotiations

C. Reconvene into Open Session
D. Vote to Seal Minutes of Executive Session

Mr. Mutter asked if there would be an Executive Session tonight and Mr. Rotella said yes, there would be. Mr. Wood made a motion to go into Executive Session, 2nd Mrs. Beaulieu, approved 6-0.

Agenda Item #15: Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 9:03 p.m.
Meeting minutes respectfully submitted by Linda A. Jackvony