[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6666715,"mediaKeyId","2312750-bbd2bd255c658826c2836477cf0dad2f","parentId",2312750,"title","Votes at a glance: Cumberland School Committee (Feb. 13, 2025) — calendar, handbook, bills and resolutions","audioSeconds",5635,"startMs",43000,"endMs",5678000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2312750-bbd2bd255c658826c2836477cf0dad2f&start=43&end=5678","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2312750-bbd2bd255c658826c2836477cf0dad2f/thumbnail_43000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6666715/Cumberland/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/Votes-at-a-glance-Cumberland-School-Committee-Feb-13-2025-calendar-handbook-bills-and-resolutions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666715-b0974b23cf67c2e1dbfe942f88f3f3e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1776183167&Signature=NskGo4BmhSdcTZwmuPvzzXz~hV3bJILLRuBISTb1YEHolU8Y~yLoK7f1-Le68dTThtl3sxUxgJ09OY0peUnsxZf-LR~7rngRaqMCdY65ULmY3HuTb3PlCViMs7eZdPcJmDbXjEv024fEopRAuPfnE3f0dawzxKcJEy9dhnbI~wuRCg90aOZDXyyZr6khO08NelTYOv70m2ykJekTkzcQy3Dmv6yAWuTAxgBZ9xr612eElUxVQcPsYzKvmZwvPxc753WgDHXGKVmPWsddCzHxAxgbN4QvWzfgVy93o4QCOG~~EmBrs5jMfZrxYJxyTSVbHcA~uTEarFnEilOpv0xcgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cumberland","date","2025-02-14T02:14:00.787Z","article","This summary lists formal actions taken during the Cumberland School Committee meeting on Feb. 13, 2025. Each motion below is drawn from the meeting record; where the transcript did not provide a clear numerical tally or provided conflicting tallies, that is noted.

- Approve agenda — Motion by Miss Smith, second by Miss Feather. Outcome: approved, 7–0 (recorded at meeting).

- Approve consent agenda (minutes, bus inspection report, enrollment and transportation reports, residency/truancy report) — Motion by Miss Shea, second by Miss Smith. Outcome: approved, 7–0.

- Executive session: approve issuance of subpoena (as modified by council) in response to a request from a party to an appeal under policy K5 — Reported vote in executive session: 6–0 (committee report out to public session).

- Vote to seal executive session minutes — Motion by Ms. Seay, second by Mr. Bacon. Outcome: approved, 7–0.

- Approve 2025–26 school calendar, Option A (full February break) — Motion by Miss Feather, second by Mr. Dean. Outcome: approved 6–1 (Ms. Smith recorded as opposed in the public vote).

- Overnight field trip: Cumberland High School chorus student to Eastern honors chorus in Cromwell/Hartford region (one student; parent-arranged chaperone; funds from fundraising/donations) — Motion by Ms. Shea, second by Mr. Reagan. Outcome: approved, 7–0.

- Approve amended high school handbook relating to searches/screening (definitions and confirmatory breathalyzer language added; refusal to submit treated as admission for event-entry purposes) — Motion by Ms. Feiler (Feather read the language), second by Ms. Shea; amendment to add the definition subsection moved by Ms. Smith, second by Ms. Goldstein; amendment approved 7–0; final motion approved 7–0.

- Approve teacher A separation agreement / retirement resignation per proposed separation agreement — Motion by Ms. Shea, second by Mr. Bacon. Outcome: approved; transcript contained conflicting tallies (one announced line said \"that carries 7 to 0\" and another nearby line stated \"6 in favor, 1 opposed\"); committee record should be checked for the official tally.

- Approve homeschool instruction requests for 2024–25 school year — Motion moved (mover not specified in transcript), second by Miss Feather (per record). Outcome: approved, 7–0.

- Approve amended policies I12, I13, I15 and B2 (multiple measures, proficiency-based grading opportunities, curriculum assessment/grading mapping, and school committee governance/operations) — Motion by Miss Feather, second by Miss Smith. Outcome: approved, 7–0 (policy subcommittee had previously voted 3–0).

- Approve payment of bills — $2,273,221.27 — Motion by Miss Smith, second by Miss Shay. Outcome: approved, 7–0.

- Approve resolutions heard in fiscal subcommittee (SC PR 2-2025-09, -10, -12, -13, -14, -15); resolution SC PR 2-2025-11 was tabled — Motion by Miss Smith, second by Miss Shea. Outcome: approved (those listed), 7–0; #11 tabled.

- Vote to go into executive session under R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-46-5 — Motion by Ms. Smith, second by Mr. Dean. Outcome: approved, 7–0.

Notes on procedure and records: where the transcript gives a clear mover/second and tally, that is recorded above. Where the transcript records conflicting tallies (notably the teacher separation vote), the committee's official minutes and clerk's record should be consulted for the authoritative vote tally. All motions, where named, are attributed to speakers listed in the meeting transcript; if a mover or seconder was not spoken aloud in the record, that field is recorded as \"not specified.\"","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cumberland School Committee 2/13/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Cumberland School Committee approved the 2025–26 school calendar (Option A), amended the high school handbook search/screening language, approved payments and multiple resolutions, and took other personnel and procedural votes. A summary of formal actions, movers, seconds and recorded outcomes follows.","taxTitle","Cumberland, School Districts, Rhode Island","taxId",73254,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6666719,"Cumberland committee approves amended high school searches, breathalyzer language after debate",1766,3813000,5579000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2312750-bbd2bd255c658826c2836477cf0dad2f&start=3813&end=5579","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2312750-bbd2bd255c658826c2836477cf0dad2f/thumbnail_3813000.jpg","/articles/6666719/Cumberland/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/Cumberland-committee-approves-amended-high-school-searches-breathalyzer-language-after-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666719-6abd52ab3be9c19c819c55b573362b3f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776183167&Signature=K1QdxUT8zJPF0-SE02z3zhISMCZjF-D-GO~3rY7BzneBEbZcnQlOiKlbAI6QWNddy0S3ErnIMPGrFbrxH6~~XKv2JPOtyxnf8N9FRh3KimGaEa3tgw-lwfrV-YpVd7tgWh3to~YkdrL8XxHjzjqEPr0k2xJLnL4hw7uyXfH2GdTzdLG~Z-poBQsA0H-lJa3QS1G1p4vriDveSVdiT5SCJFIJEqY4~g~qX9HfTspMXtEcrsK6yYJdOD6RRJ0S8SufJkKC3jXiQVMpWEQouIQJVS3iS5d5cRn3PxsUpSeCzGdD-nF4f50vOI6kg382EH70T-VhJKNrlhMH7e3RJOgr8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cumberland School Committee on Feb. 13 voted unanimously to amend the high school student-parent handbook to clarify search and breath-screening procedures at school-sponsored social events.

The committee approved revised language that defines an initial electronic screening (a passive sensor \"wand\") for all participants at certain social events, and a confirmation breathalyzer when the initial screen is positive. The change also added a definition for \"screening\" and specified that refusal to submit to screening will be treated as admission for the purposes of enforcing event rules. The final vote approving the handbook as amended was 7-0.

Why it mattered: Committee members raised constitutional and fairness concerns during more than an hour of discussion. Several members said existing handbook language was vague and had been inconsistently applied over years; proponents said clearer language would reduce arbitrary application and support student safety.

What the committee heard
- High school administrators described the current process and a two-step approach. Principal Jim Costa demonstrated the passive screener and asked students to \"blow out the orange dot like you have blown out the candles in your birthday cake,\" describing it as a noninvasive, initial check. He said a positive passive result leads to a private, confirmatory breathalyzer test and that administrators had not previously excluded students for low positives at events.
- Costa said the district has used electronic screening for about 12 years and that the physical breathalyzer confirmation had been used rarely; one false positive he recalled involved face paint.
- Several committee members raised concerns about training, notice to parents and constitutional issues. Committee member Mr. Dean said he had \"a lot of issues with the fact that for the last 12 years that this has been done in violation of the school policy that's in the handbook\" and asked how staff are trained. Legal counsel noted the policy language should match practice and suggested careful drafting; Mr. Adams (counsel) discussed how motions and amendments should be handled procedurally.
- Members debated whether screening should be applied to all students entering an event or only on \"reasonable suspicion.\" Proponents argued that screening every participant reduces claims of selective enforcement; opponents urged more analysis of the legal and training implications.

Votes and next steps: The committee's policy subcommittee had approved amended language and the full committee later voted to add the definitions read into the record, then approved the amended handbook (final vote 7-0). Committee members directed that additional policy details and any outstanding questions about notice and procedure be handled through the policy subcommittee for refinement.

Exact language change: The handbook now distinguishes \"screening\" (electronic, passive check) and a follow-up breathalyzer (a device requiring a blow into a tube) and adds that screening for the presence of alcohol may be conducted for participants in school-sponsored social events; a positive screen may result in a confirmatory breathalyzer. The handbook text specifies that refusal to submit to screening will be treated as admission for event-entry purposes.

Administrators said the district uses the same class of passive equipment used by some police departments, and training for building administrators is provided by the vendor. The committee did not direct suspension or a change in enforcement practice beyond adopting the clarified handbook language; members asked that notice procedures (posting/handouts/permission slips) be confirmed by administration and the policy subcommittee.","After a lengthy discussion about student searches and breath screening, the Cumberland School Committee voted 7-0 to amend the high school handbook to clarify screening and breathalyzer procedures for school-sponsored social events, adding uniform screening language and definitions and a confirmation breath test protocol.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6666724,"Municipal attorneys brief Cumberland School Committee on common litigation risks and how to limit exposure",3144,131000,3275000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2312750-bbd2bd255c658826c2836477cf0dad2f&start=131&end=3275","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2312750-bbd2bd255c658826c2836477cf0dad2f/thumbnail_131000.jpg","/articles/6666724/Cumberland/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/Municipal-attorneys-brief-Cumberland-School-Committee-on-common-litigation-risks-and-how-to-limit-exposure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666724-b42e5784451c15488b1755f05172d333/orig.mp4?Expires=1776183167&Signature=G-p2WRq~yqR~5BSUxLnOaiP3xf9-CiunznwsQPGBgaVScWaMY7QCXWR7ntHKDA1hlYs3MTIozxzjLLE5rOpzG35cIKurgvcP-HR4U4sza4HHImQXkCOuwHZbvygKp-WG-dtEVVY3QJd~WSEztDntJmMprdjFZbmlqVflPmQ0It9vnCvA9inyl0PddFFEimddWDR6FfNPgnsWWLJdCBFC9eBGOI2DkSY2N9~o0B7oJ1wThgvsc~Mezcge-vEuj7WPqdVBF2QQ2fkpjJ6mSxq2No1NpjS6MNA-rDOcOOcOldHscePQVwadfz3k53-LrE4L1Skv9OQHEanwcCnHmX8Uew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mark DeSisto and Sarah Boucher of the DeSisto law firm told the Cumberland School Committee on Feb. 13 that municipalities and school departments should expect occasional lawsuits and take steps to reduce risk.

The presentation, arranged by Superintendent Phil Thornton, reviewed categories of litigation the attorneys said commonly involve school committees: employee discrimination and harassment claims, retaliation claims, negligent hiring/training/supervision, Title IX (student-on-student and staff-on-student sexual misconduct) and slip-and-fall or other negligence suits. \"I can tell you as we say to all town councils and school committees that we speak to, you're going to get sued,\" DeSisto said.

Why it matters: the attorneys framed the risks as a predictable part of governing in the current legal environment and urged the committee to rely on district counsel, maintain up-to-date policies and document personnel actions carefully. Sarah Boucher said documentation is essential when disciplining or terminating staff: \"When you have a problem employee ... it's very, very, very important to document that,\" she said.

Key guidance delivered to the committee included:
- Rely on district legal counsel and the Interlocal Trust resources for investigations and litigation strategy. DeSisto warned school committees not to conduct their own fact-finding after complaints: \"If you don't listen to your lawyer ... and someone from the town council or the school committee does their own investigation, you've killed the school. You've killed the town.\"
- Keep personnel records and handbooks current. Boucher described discovery problems that arise when records are incomplete: officials told counsel there were no handbooks in discovery, then later discovered an older handbook existed, complicating defense.
- Document progressive discipline and give employees notice and an opportunity to be heard where required. DeSisto and Boucher referenced procedural protections (for example, notice and hearing concepts such as in Loudermill-type situations) and stressed that proper process reduces exposure.
- Treat harassment and retaliation claims seriously and consider independent investigations when allegations arise. DeSisto described how jokes or offhand comments can become harassment claims and urged avoiding informal investigatory shortcuts.
- Be mindful of Title IX obligations. Boucher outlined that claims fall into two broad litigation patterns: student-on-student harassment that migrates into the school setting and incidents that occur during school programs or activities (buses, prom, overnight events). She said the department must treat conduct that affects a student's ability to participate in school programs as potentially implicating Title IX.
- Preserve and forward legal documents promptly. Boucher warned about the court's default rule if a complaint is not answered in time and urged staff and committee members to forward any summons or legal paperwork immediately to counsel.
- Anticipate discovery of texts and emails. DeSisto emphasized that committee members' emails and many text messages can be discoverable and advised caution in written communications: \"Every text that you put in now ... you should assume that it's coming out.\"

Committee members asked practical questions about conflicts between state and federal guidance (including Title IX). DeSisto noted the supremacy clause generally requires following federal law where a true conflict exists but said the \"devil is in the details\" when federal and state rules differ.

The presentation concluded with an invitation to consult counsel and the trust for policy reviews, investigations and training. \"Use them. Rely on them,\" DeSisto told the committee.

The committee did not take a vote on policy changes during the presentation; the attorneys' remarks were advisory and procedural.","Mark DeSisto and Sarah Boucher, attorneys who represent municipal clients, told the Cumberland School Committee that litigation against school districts is common and urged clear policies, documentation and use of counsel when harassment, discrimination, retaliation or Title IX issues arise.","actionData","errors"]

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Votes at a glance: Cumberland School Committee (Feb. 13, 2025) — calendar, handbook, bills and resolutions

Cumberland committee approves amended high school searches, breathalyzer language after debate

Municipal attorneys brief Cumberland School Committee on common litigation risks and how to limit exposure