DMS Bond Vote Set for April 3

A date has been set and voters will hit the polls on April 3 to decide the fate of a $6.4 million bond to repair the failing roof at Davisville Middle School and mandated by state or federal law.

School Superintendent Phil Auger announced the date of the bond request vote at the Feb. 28 North Kingstown School Committee meeting. Auger said it is crucial that the roof work take place this summer, and the committee approved a $38,700 contract for architect and engineering services to be carried out by Rowse Architects of Providence.

That recommendation will be forwarded to Town Manager Michael Embury for immediate action. According to school officials, the town manager has asked that all contracting for the middle school repair work go through the town finance process, and that a town purchase order be issued for the work.

Auger said that that the deficit in the current school budget, originally estimated to reach $1.9 million, is now projected at about $300,000. The deficit shrunk mainly because vacant positions have been left empty, winter weather has been milder than expected, and staff has made other savings, said School Finance director Ned Draper.

However, Draper said, unbudgeted expenses, such as those related to special education, could still arise.

Several school committee members expressed their thanks to Draper and wished him well at his new position in the budget office at the Rhode Island School of Design.

"The School of Design's gain is our loss," said Melvoid Benson.

Tuesday’s meeting, the committee also honored the North Kingstown High School newspaper, “The Current Wave,” which was recently recognized for honors earned from Quill and Scroll – an international high school journalism honor society.

The committee also named high school teacher Joseph Gilmartin as the new football head coach. The NKHS varsity football was winless this past year, going 0-8.