December 14, 2000
Present: Chairman DiPrete, Mr. Canavan, Mr. Grove, Mr. Germani, Ms.
Gaines, Ms. Duff, Sen. Gallo, and Ms. Callahan.
(Mr. DiPrete requested that the order of the agenda be changed in order to
recognize the Blue Ribbon School nominee at the top of the agenda. There were no
objections.)
Recognition of Blue Ribbon School Nominee-John F. Deering Middle School
Mr. DiPrete recognized RIDE staff member, Steve Nardelli, to introduce the first
agenda item: the recognition of the John F. Deering Middle School as a national Blue
Ribbon School nominee. Mr. Nardelli briefly reviewed the selection process and
then introduced representatives from the school. Chairman DiPrete presented
the school’s principal, David Raiche, with a Regents' plaque in honor of the award.
Public Remarks
Dorothy E. McDonough, a parent of a special needs child from Cranston and also the
President of the Cranston Special Education Parent Advisory Board, praised the
Department for their work in developing the proposed regulations and responding to
the public comments and concerns.
Karen McGinley also addressed the Board on agenda item # 5, the Approval of the
Special Education Regulations urging the Board to use “CARE” – Confidentiality -
expressed concerns about the confidentiality of special needs students;
Accountability – wants to see standards and accountability practices in place;
Relationships with families and students; Enforcement – enforce regulations on a
daily basis.
Representing the Rhode Island State Special Education Advisory Committee, Natalie
Heberman, spoke to the Board encouraging them to include the proposed Restraint
Policy as part of the Special Education Regulations.
Chairman’s Remarks
Report on Meeting with the Rhode Island Association of School Committees
Chairman DiPrete reported that in response to the discussion at the meeting with
members of the Rhode Island Association of School Committees, the Regents have
agreed to meet twice a year with the Association and are recommending that the
Commissioner/Deputy Commissioner meet with them every other month.
Update on Commissioner’s Evaluation
Vice-Chairman, Bob Canavan reported that, as part of the Commissioner's evaluation,
he and Mr. DiPrete have interviewed 32 management and staff members. The transcripts
of those interviews have been sent to NASBE for review. The process should be
finished by the last week of January.
Approval of Minutes
The Regents' minutes of the meetings of October 26 and November 9, 2000 were
approved as presented.
Approval of Appeal
Edward Charland v. Pawtucket School Committee
Attorney for the Board, Howard Haronian, briefly reviewed the case in the matter of
Edward Charland vs. Pawtucket School Committee. After a brief discussion
concerning the hearing officer’s belief that the students testifying in this case
weren’t telling the truth, the question was moved.
MOVED AND SECONDED: THAT, in the Matter of Edward Charland vs. Pawtucket School
Committee, the Decision of the Commissioner is Affirmed.
VOTE: 7-1
(Because of a business conflict, Mr. Canavan abstained, but stated for the
record that he agreed with the vote; Ms. Duff voted against the motion)
Approval of Changes to Special Education Regulations
The Director of Special Needs, Tom DiPaola, reviewed the changes to the proposed
Special Education Regulations as described in enclosure 5 of the Regents package of
December 14, 2000. He then reviewed the process used in developing the
regulations, including reviews by state special education groups from outside the
state as well as inside the state. As part of the proposed changes Mr. DiPaola
discussed the recommendation that, in regard to issues on personnel, caseload, and
class size, further study is required to develop “time studies." It is
anticipated that recommendations will be made to the Regents in one year, at which
time it is proposed that the review of these Regulations be opened to address only
these personnel matters.
MOVED AND SECONDED: That, the Board of Regents Approve the Revised Regulations
Governing the Education of Children with Disabilities as described in enclosure 5 of
the Board of Regents package of December 14, 2000.
VOTE:
Approved unanimously.
Approval of Proposed “Restraint Guidelines” for Purpose of Public Review
Dr. DiPaola also introduced the proposed regulations on "Restraint Guidelines" for
Purpose of Public Review. Mr. DiPaola and Jennifer Wood, Legal Counsel for the
Department, briefly highlighted the proposed changes. Ms. Wood explained that
the proposed guidelines would depend on parental consent. She also said that these
guidelines apply only to special needs children.
MOVED AND SECONDED: THAT, the Board of Regents Approve the Proposed
Draft Regulations Governing Limitations on Physical Restraint for Purpose of Public
Review.
VOTE: Approved unanimously.
Recognition of National Board Certified Teachers and
National Board Certification Candidates
The Director of Certification, Doris Anselmo, and Kathy Swann introduced the newest
National Board Certified Teachers. They are:
Elizabeth Angelotti, Susan Barr, Phillip Capaldi, Nancy Carnevale, Lisa Carpenter,
Jane M. Carr, Kathleen Fleenor, Diane Foraste, Mary Anne Hanley, Deborah Jervis,
Judith A. Lundsten, Kathleen Fleenor, Paulajo Gaines, Laura Pesare, Kelly Proctor,
Mary Ellen Raposa, Leonore Rizy, and Maureen Spaight.
Ms. Swan gave members an overview of the process and Mr. DiPrete congratulated all
of the candidates.
Deputy Commissioner, Dr. Todd Flaherty, spoke to the Board about issues related to
the Central Falls School District, specifically the issue of the Central Falls
schools being overseen by its own Board of Trustees (as per the model of the other
state schools).
It was decided that the State and Charter Schools Committee and the Progressive
Support and Intervention Committee would hold a joint meeting to discuss the issue.
Commissioner’s Report
-
Report on Education Summit
Deputy Commissioner Todd Flaherty reported
that the High School Summit was held on November 17 and 18, 2000 in Newport.
By the middle of January there will be a final report: a Rhode Island Comprehensive
Blueprint for restructuring high schools. There was a discussion of awarding
incentives to those districts that do good things for kids (i.e., reduce drop-out
rates, etc). After the Commissioner signs off on the report the Regents will
receive a copy for their review and input before it is disseminated statewide.
-
Report on School Performance Targets
Deputy Commissioner Todd Flaherty spoke to the Regents on the setting of school
performance targets. He emphasized that in 1997, when Article 31 was passed,
every school in RI was required to set school performance targets. Now it is
time for us to make determinations about how the schools have done and to reset
targets. Members discussed the issue of some districts setting targets for the
schools instead of school improvement teams setting their own targets. Regent
Duff suggested that we look at the possibility of offering training to school
improvement teams so that they have “real” power to impact school improvement.
-
NEASC Accreditation
Dr. Flaherty reminded the Regents that over the previous summer they had signed the
NEASC agreement that "marries" SALT protocols with NEASC procedures. In light
of the recent failure of some of the local schools to pass NEASC accreditation this
year, we need to figure out how to help schools prepare for those visits.
Adjournment
With unanimous
consent, the meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.