November 28, 2001

A regular meeting of the Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education was held at the Shepard Building, 255 Westminster St., Providence, RI 02903 and convened at 4:10pm.

Present: Chairman DiPrete, P. Guida, J. Gaines, S. Duff, M. Mancieri, V. Perez, C. Callahan, and P. Crowley

Public Remarks: There were no public remarks

Chairman's Remarks: The chairman had no remarks

Approval of Minutes: MOVED AND SECONDED: THAT, the minutes of the November 14th, 2001 meeting be approved as presented. VOTE: Approved unanimously.

Approval of FY 2002/2003 Budget:

Director of Finance, Lita Orefice, reviewed in detail the budget for FY 2002/2003 as presented.

The group discussed how the Regents' proposed budget aligned with the Governor's target request. Regent Callahan asked that the Regents re-look at the program operations piece. She thought that the 5.5% increase is too low and will not allow the Regents to address issues related to High School reform. Regent Mancieri expressed his frustration that the Regents are asked to approve a budget that they really have little control over.

MOVED AND SECONDED: THAT, the Board of Regents approve the Education Budget for FY 2002-2003 as presented.

VOTE: Approved 5-1 (Regent Callahan voted against the motion).

Commissioner's Report:

Deputy Commissioner, Todd Flaherty reported on the following:

• There will be a hearing on Friday, November 30, 2001 at 4:00pm before the Senate Finance Committee;

• re: Reauthorization of ESA - Congress has reached an agreement about the ESA education bill and it appears that it will pass. The States haven't been told all of the details but it looks as if there will be an affect on adequate yearly progress and yearly testing of students. We will keep the Board apprised as details emerge.

• A Progressive Support and Intervention meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, December 6th, 2001 at 4:00pm and the proposed process should continue as much as possible within the current budget constraints.

Regent Mancieri urged members to consider that, because the Department/State can't "do everything," part of the proposed process to assist failing schools/districts should fall to the local communities. Deputy Flaherty spoke to the Board about the work already in place in collecting school-based information and the intervention process - that could include partnerships with local communities and agencies.

Executive Session:

As per RIGL 42-46-5, the meeting adjourned at 4:40pm for Executive Session. The meeting reconvened to open session at 5:10pm.

Present: Chairman DiPrete, P. Guida, J. Gaines, S. Duff, M. Mancieri, V. Perez, C. Callahan, and P. Crowley

Personnel Issues: Commissioner Flaherty informed the members of the Board that the Commissioner's raise would be going before the Executive Pay Board for approval on Friday. He explained that the Pay Board was being asked to approve two 3.5% raises for the Commissioner - one effective July 1, 2000 and the second July 1, 2001.

Adjourn:

With unanimous consent, the meeting adjourned at 5:15pm.