Larry Ceresi Elected School Committee Vice-Chairman

Former School Committee Chairman Larry Ceresi was elected to the second-ranking leadership job of vice-chairman at Tuesday's North Kingstown School Committee meeting.

The position opened up when Richard Welch resigned as vice-chairman. Welch, man, is . Committee Chairwoman Kimberly Page and other committee members thanked him for his "dedicated service to the schools."

Ceresi was elected with the support of all attending committee members except Melvoid Benson. After the election, Benson attempted to submit a "no" vote from Bill Mudge, who was absent due to the death of his mother. School attorney Mary Ann Carroll said such a proxy vote was not allowed.

Welch, who led the committee's Facilities Subcommittee, proposed changing the makeup of the subcommittee, which advises the School Committee on infrastructure issues. He urged eliminating positions for the school director of special education and for a teacher and adding a slot for the North Kingstown director of public works.

Welch said that it is difficult for teachers and the special education director to participate in meetings, and that the town public works department is currently overseeing school construction.

However, Ceresi and Benson said that it is important to have input from teachers and the special education community. After two amendments to Welch's motion failed, the committee rejected the entire proposal. Ceresi asked the subcommittee to present a revised proposal.  

Welch asked the school staff to expedite a long-planned transportation audit. Administrative Services Director Mary King said she would present a report on getting the audit under way at the next school committee meeting.

Under new business, the committee also discussed a proposal from Welch to create an 11-member task force to study ways to reduce health care costs for the school system and employees. The committee postponed a decision on the task force.