Budget Constraints Squeeze the New School Year

Gathering less than two weeks into the new school year, the North Kingstown School Committee focused mainly on money at its Sept. 13 meeting.

The evening began with a brief presentation by Kathy Yeager on student drug and alcohol use. She said a recent survey indicated most high schoolers don’t indulge, but they find alcohol and marijuana easily available.

That was followed by a presentation by Hilda Potrzeba of the Rhode Island Department of Education and two veteran teachers on a new state “induction” program to better train new teachers by using experienced mentors.

To help make up for four days that schools were closed due to the committee voted to change the school calendar and eliminate a student holiday on Sept. 29, Rosh Hashana. Teachers will be directed to avoid tests or deadlines that day for students who choose to stay home in observance of the Jewish holiday.

Committee members, with Larry Ceresi absent, then turned their attention to contracts, RFPs, budget considerations and a novel invitation:

They voted unanimously to ask the North Kingstown Town Council to a joint meeting on budget matters “as soon as possible.” School Committee Vice Chair Richard Welch, who proposed the meeting, said that once a date is set the public should be invited so taxpayers can tell council members how important they consider school support.

Committee member Lynda Avanzato concurred. Recalling last year’s budget process, when citizens turned out after the council had voted to freeze school funding, Avanzato said, “We’ve got to let people know that once the council has made its decision, it’s out of our hands.”

One issue directing the committee’s attention to money is new information on what teacher pension obligations could require – $2.5 million to $4 million in additional costs next year, according to Superintendent Phil Auger.

Bill Mudge asked if the school department could move quickly to produce grant proposals if federal stimulus funds proposed by President Barack Obama emerge from Congress. Mudge said such funds might help cover pension obligations or capital costs, such as a new roof for the . Auger and Business Director Ned Draper said they stand ready to respond.

In other economic-related actions the committee approved the following:

• a three-year contract for Auger, who will earn $138,000 annually to start.
• hiring two paraprofessionals for $74,794 to help Suzanne M. Henseler Quidnessett Elementary School educate several special education students who enrolled unexpectedly days before school began.
• advertising for a new assistant superintendent to fill the spot Auger vacated.
• issuing a request for proposals from outside vendors to provide food service.
• issuing a request for proposals to conduct an audit of school transportation services.

The meeting concluded with a contentious discussion of upcoming negotiations for next year’s contract to educate Jamestown students at .

Committee members Mudge, Joe Thompson and Melvoid Benson tried to use a proposal regarding next year’s contract to reopen a discussion
of the current Jamestown contract, which was approved in April. School staff responded to several informational questions about the current contract, but then Chair Kimberly Page wielded her gavel to limit comments.

In a split vote, the committee authorized Auger and Draper to meet with their school counterparts in Jamestown and discuss adding rising pension costs to the formula for setting tuition rates.