[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6651871,"mediaKeyId","2497347-9dfd36076aafad9dd8bf1aa883f59ce1","parentId",2497347,"title","District staff present cost comparison for bringing custodial services in-house versus ABM contract","audioSeconds",176,"startMs",10206000,"endMs",10382000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2497347-9dfd36076aafad9dd8bf1aa883f59ce1&start=10206&end=10382","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2497347-9dfd36076aafad9dd8bf1aa883f59ce1/thumbnail_10206000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6651871/North-Kingstown/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/District-staff-present-cost-comparison-for-bringing-custodial-services-in-house-versus-ABM-contract","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6651871-12aeceec7e90bfaea83b977b753fbbd4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445443&Signature=hZq431aMELvojCqnI-Kq5V8BcV3Wqjgaxw7IGkTOmkzurStzivuDYp0d81aIe8QZpq68xnrkerOj8NlURRK1DkDEOp0kKPAj1DficOpjPNNxx3a1JppNbLaoPHvcxkD0US8nXjA663d0DaSxACNZ4Rxxn0gJ9TZT1Ws09a2HaQZDrnW0IaFdgqIA17T34BevzgVaG-M-d-iU6atcdVAoCQ10G6gVzSY21284oL8OUuG4b9j3fJQMwT6y0-B9u5K7uHrCTGq-WYWz7C~LrYFBrn0Mp41HAeUyHapSbrFJR0dowWoz6lOwBIFTm2DxxFdtBcCs0YRJAaM-sREauPYyAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Kingstown","date","2025-03-05T03:26:29.17Z","article","Facilities staff presented preliminary financial analyses of the district’s custodial services procurement on March 4, comparing the current ABM contract to a proposed in-house staffing alternative.

The district’s current contract with ABM covers approximately 30 custodial employees at a quoted average hourly rate included in the presentation. Facilities staff reported an annualized ABM cost of about $1.8 million (30 employees at $16/hour in the district summary). Staff proposed a hypothetical in-house model in which the district would hire 35 custodial staff at a $21/hour baseline; that model was estimated to cost roughly $2.6 million annually. The presentation included per‑employee annual cost examples (approx. $62,000 per employee at current rates versus approx. $77,000 per employee under the proposed in‑house assumptions) and noted a 90‑day notice requirement to ABM if the district opted to end the contract.

School Committee members asked for a side‑by‑side spreadsheet and additional time to review the figures. Facilities staff agreed to circulate a more detailed comparison of assumptions (benefits, headcounts, hourly rates, overtime and other line items) and to provide clarifying documentation. The committee did not vote on any contract action at this meeting.

Ending: Facilities staff will publish a detailed spreadsheet comparing the ABM contract and the proposed in‑house model for committee review; committee members requested time to evaluate the assumptions before any direction to administration or motion to change vendors.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","North Kingstown School Committee Meeting: March 4, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Facilities staff presented a preliminary cost comparison showing the current ABM custodial contract at approximately $1.8 million per year and a proposed in‑house staffing model at about $2.6 million per year, and the School Committee requested a detailed side‑by‑side spreadsheet for review.","taxTitle","North Kingstown, School Districts, Rhode Island","taxId",73306,"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},6651874,"North Kingstown wins $134,033 arts initiative grant; district to allocate funds across art and music programs",1387,7392000,8779000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2497347-9dfd36076aafad9dd8bf1aa883f59ce1&start=7392&end=8779","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2497347-9dfd36076aafad9dd8bf1aa883f59ce1/thumbnail_7392000.jpg","/articles/6651874/North-Kingstown/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/North-Kingstown-wins-134033-arts-initiative-grant-district-to-allocate-funds-across-art-and-music-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6651874-9f90cad65a154baa0d2bafeb4f9a3eee/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445443&Signature=ED84~s2nlNEIvwnC7Ef-qURkstHX-w1dHcWD7boblOlDplbIgzcXqR-L1SOy813WPc5fn4KZFWc3nv1kbGsYprdbMMvijIKmh37i6Xt5shKug9CNRxFB4xZzYCH0idLfjgJre5azoQKUCdHKDe9xUEb5IMg8iDbleXi7D5Ll7uMtX8xVPOz4D~W~iFPEa7NemuQQR9aybsvebJo07mi~AumcS2fKEyODnzxN8~YBOC2X94sMziWDZW720s3sJGG1mfEz~MJGnqz0VHdr1700qXv9ZapvQvUZgS2pjlGD~~1JQcOHTlVmTmxoCG2Cxaq7HZPlK1sIIsqBCmtCE47WwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The North Kingstown School Department announced at the March 4 meeting that it has been awarded a $134,033 Arts Initiative grant from the Rhode Island Department of Education to support music and visual arts programs.

Superintendent Dr. Duva noted Fish and Cove Elementary recently raised $6,800 for leukemia and lymphoma research as an example of school-based arts and community service initiatives. The arts grant award will be distributed across elementary, middle and high school art and music programs, the administration said; principals and fine-arts coordinators provided requests for equipment and programming and the district has sought to allocate funds equitably by school level.

Requested purchases include iPads and digital art supplies for elementary classes, pottery equipment and pottery wheels, digital resources and storage cabinetry for high-school art, and several musical instruments for the district music program, including baritone and tenor saxophones and a marching bell set. Administrators said elementary art funds will be similarly distributed across buildings so each elementary art program receives a comparable allocation.

The administration said it will compile the final purchase orders and post a spreadsheet showing specific items and dollar amounts; the School Committee asked for the preliminary request list and an updated list showing what is actually purchased once procurement is complete.

Ending: District staff will finalize purchase orders, share a spreadsheet of proposed allocations and then publish the final allocations once procurement is complete. No committee action was required to accept the grant award at this meeting.","The district reported a $134,033 arts initiative grant from the Rhode Island Department of Education. The administration said funds will be divided among elementary, middle and high school arts and music programs for digital art supplies, instruments and other items; administration will publish a detailed listing of planned purchases.",{"_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},6651880,"School committee begins review of 'Safe Schools' policy after public questions about SROs and law-enforcement access",1655,5770000,7425000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2497347-9dfd36076aafad9dd8bf1aa883f59ce1&start=5770&end=7425","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2497347-9dfd36076aafad9dd8bf1aa883f59ce1/thumbnail_5770000.jpg","/articles/6651880/North-Kingstown/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/School-committee-begins-review-of-Safe-Schools-policy-after-public-questions-about-SROs-and-law-enforcement-access","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6651880-24456a32dd3399a7539116c59662e62b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445443&Signature=bZNDoTIgrQLoZeTuQAyOhExIPSvq8SXFQ2eJfkIKmvZGiBJYgAP6g~JtdTIDyt03cb-v3AaEmPbQIoGQyFiIzYxrClDk8rq~ygFt0gwFewoJJhhJTNClGOoZeY8GK0jDAxaDorfhpSi-lscPGkEQK9-6c7uj5PXsH9y2LCvq2gVu5PjIVo~BBlFFC4eF26O-d2G444Aw8v~uIuPYFkrAytksPXJbISESIj7nHImtcvYcoBFOv4xTf-bd4E4pMAWhBAvhgWDiqzvyW4oE4~XzP8huv6jwy9SxUeQm~ugKvSZTc9K6E8PnijnJPlE32~qNS3YZIwrNPK7FzmDmprIxJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The School Committee held a first reading, March 4, of a proposed new KL \"Safe Schools\" policy designed to formalize procedures for limiting access to nonpublic areas of school buildings to authorized individuals.

Pam Panero, a parent and former family with law-enforcement ties, urged the committee to explicitly recognize the role of school resource officers (SROs) and other officers who mentor and support students, noting the policy as drafted could be read as restricting beneficial interactions.

The draft policy cites state obligations that require schools to control access to nonpublic areas; it also states, as written, that law enforcement officers will not be allowed to enter nonpublic areas without a judicially issued warrant, court order or parent/guardian consent. During discussion, committee members and administration representatives clarified the policy was not intended to curtail routine SRO engagement or partnerships with the Police Department, and they said the wording can be refined before a second read.

Jennifer Lima (policy committee) moved to discuss the new KL policy on a first read and the advisory committee recommended language edits to ensure the policy distinguishes routine SRO activity from outside law enforcement access. Committee members asked the administration to consult legal counsel and, if necessary, town-level safety advisory bodies about whether the policy belongs within school-safety policies or under a separate section for law-enforcement access.

Chair Erin Earl and legal staff agreed to review the draft and proposed edits; the committee will consider revised language at a subsequent meeting. No vote to adopt the policy occurred.

Ending: The committee will return the KL Safe Schools policy for revision and legal review. The administration will work with legal counsel to ensure the policy protects student safety while preserving positive SRO relationships and routine, non-adversarial police engagement in schools.","The School Committee conducted a first reading of a new 'Safe Schools' policy that formalizes protocols for law-enforcement access to nonpublic school areas; speakers asked for explicit language to preserve existing relationships with school resource officers and clarify that routine positive interactions with local police are not restricted.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6651885,"Discipline advisory panel recommends PBIS training, summer code-of-conduct work and restorative-practice training",504,9510000,10014000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2497347-9dfd36076aafad9dd8bf1aa883f59ce1&start=9510&end=10014","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2497347-9dfd36076aafad9dd8bf1aa883f59ce1/thumbnail_9510000.jpg","/articles/6651885/North-Kingstown/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/Discipline-advisory-panel-recommends-PBIS-training-summer-code-of-conduct-work-and-restorative-practice-training","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6651885-e6b300ac3eb7de13c685b35ef0cf2dcc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445443&Signature=VA8pqmVJ-5ABH3bKu4jhHnnQDFgWhWVjYh9xb3Cj4i4hsC99g6aXKIhOUJgDSh2o6oXhFV8trggf0nUUuLP-jyxe6jNAMkPGyLdxQaCzzWFEjijRooU-veREIs1guwcVT5B5~9DydL7G7kYY2UYePoyP~n5Aq4loe9Bb2~sfim~QwuJlDyZ8g~18jD8Fuxi4a-hGSwdv1gb2DQpZNSQlpVItC2CB-g3lD-auZr-SxkvbZ69er6cVZnh0CvzKlzUd9gSPHYd8cwp0IjREBT5axbG2htJMfCt35jgUdqlqNLL2xuypWQ4Dg2BSJiQ6OA~VL3tRReMYDhciaXFL8NsrHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A temporary advisory committee on district discipline presented a set of recommendations to the School Committee on March 4, urging a districtwide alignment of disciplinary philosophy and recordkeeping.

The panel reported uneven approaches to discipline across buildings and inconsistent entries in the student information system (Aspen). To address that, the committee recommended sending administrators (middle- and high-school leads and elementary administrators) to PBIS training this May, asking administrators working over the summer to draft a district-wide code of conduct, and establishing a “train-the-trainer” restorative-practices program so leaders in each building can implement consistent restorative discipline strategies the following school year.

The committee also flagged Aspen as an imperfect tool for documenting behavior incidents; members urged clearer entry standards or alternative tracking so the district can monitor disparities and measure intervention outcomes. Committee members praised student participants for frank feedback and recommended that students, families and teachers be included in the code-of-conduct drafting process.

The temporary committee’s chair and supporting members told the School Committee they have completed their assigned review and suggested either renewing the advisory group in a different form or transferring responsibility for implementation and monitoring to administrators and district staff. Committee members asked the administration for a plan describing who will do post-recommendation work, timelines and how the district will continue to gather student and family input.

Ending: The committee asked the administration to describe next steps — who will lead implementation, whether the advisory group should be re-chartered for monitoring, and a timeline for training and handbook updates. No binding policy changes were adopted at this meeting.","A temporary advisory committee on district discipline recommended the district send administrators to Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) training, ask administrators to draft a consistent code-of-conduct over the summer, and formalize restorative-practice training for staff.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6651888,"North Kingstown parents press school committee to delay redistricting; call for more data and temporary classrooms",4565,3501000,8066000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2497347-9dfd36076aafad9dd8bf1aa883f59ce1&start=3501&end=8066","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2497347-9dfd36076aafad9dd8bf1aa883f59ce1/thumbnail_3501000.jpg","/articles/6651888/North-Kingstown/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/North-Kingstown-parents-press-school-committee-to-delay-redistricting-call-for-more-data-and-temporary-classrooms","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6651888-2891d9d950a6e8ff5c23f9378b8f76c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445443&Signature=fQqAA3lrtVo5U0uW2yjVCHJ7~XNb7exF6eBRnrdzqVgDIPwQov8bqsPuX6ux8c~Rmd70BgQGB-4bowLWzrUvZjpxWlLdQeQAVNCpS6G66k~GLvyGqAupB4EhdMzoFJx~JsM9SoC7cH--H51x7VMaHXT-UaSwqub8K5~9oa5PhqBJ8hsvDxQ2B5AGdBAZRKGDuxNi5NDOd5FcU1bKN~BRecmm-8HPBkW8wBi7NJJ5-qAHpfHNORcHmh9nCVM8KkXnYAVQVPy9VsruBkNcQvNbf08WHIbUroc6yC79OdT6Ws61PQaMVsDrNDHdKOcUixKwSnhtTEAnWNtPk64p5~fPHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hundreds of North Kingstown residents packed the March 4 School Committee meeting to voice opposition to draft redistricting scenarios that could reassign entire neighborhoods, including Reynolds Farm and parts of Hamilton, to different elementary schools.

Parents said the advisory committee’s draft plans rely on data they contend are inconsistent or incomplete and urged officials to wait for an updated demographic study expected in early April before making decisions that would take effect next school year. A number of speakers recommended temporary modular classrooms or paying teacher overage costs as less disruptive alternatives.

The advisory committee on redistricting, school start times and transportation has reviewed multiple draft scenarios. Superintendent Dr. Duva told the committee: “We are at the beginning stage. Last meeting we had, we looked at some scenarios. None of those scenarios are final, and there is no decision and no recommendation being made tonight.” He said the administration is continuing analysis and will post updated information as it becomes available.

Why this matters: The proposals would reassign children who now attend neighborhood schools, sometimes within walking distance, to schools several miles away. Parents, many of whom bought homes specifically to be in certain school districts, warned of social and academic disruption, longer commutes, and potential impacts on school funding distribution and community cohesion.

Residents offered specific critiques of the advisory committee materials presented at a Feb. 25 meeting. Logan Nicholas, a Reynolds Farm resident, told the committee the charts in the advisory packet “are inaccurate and misleading,” citing misreported building capacities and inconsistent totals across scenarios. Michael Portal, another Reynolds Farm parent, said scenario spreadsheets showed different totals for the same grades across scenarios and identified “missing” students in one scenario’s accounting. Sean Taylor, also from Reynolds Farm, said the neighborhood is a high-growth area and warned the advisory committee’s assumptions likely undercount future kindergarten enrollments.

Several speakers pressing the committee emphasized alternatives to broad redistricting. Laura Nicholas, a registered nurse, described an administrative decision to move North Kingstown pre-K from Fishing Cove to Davisville Academy, which she said will free classroom space at Fishing Cove; she asked whether that capacity could be used to avoid displacing currently enrolled students. Multiple parents suggested adding a modular classroom at Hamilton Elementary, a temporary measure used elsewhere, to preserve neighborhood placements while the district develops a longer-term plan.

Committee members and the advisory group responded to the public’s concerns by committing to improved transparency and further review. School Committee Chair Erin Earl said the advisory meetings are public and recorded and encouraged families to attend or watch the recordings. Committee members asked the advisory group to provide multi-year enrollment projections, not only next year’s numbers, and to document how scenarios were created so the public can follow the analysis.

Key procedural items and next steps: The committee and administration said an updated demographic/projection study (stage-2 demographic submission referenced by the district) should be available in early April and will be shared with the public. The advisory committee has scheduled additional meetings (next publicly noted meeting: March 11) and indicated it will analyze alternative scenarios, transportation impacts and start-time options. The School Committee signaled it prefers a longer-term, data-driven plan rather than a hasty one-year fix.

Votes and formal motions tied to the meeting’s agenda items included the School Committee’s approval to move the redistricting presentation earlier on the agenda to accommodate the large public presence. No binding redistricting decision or vote was taken at this meeting.

Ending: The committee asked the advisory body to return with clearer, multi-year projections, alternatives to involuntary transfers (including modular classrooms or adjusted staffing), and documentation showing how the committee arrived at any proposed boundary changes. Families and the committee agreed to reconvene after the district posts the updated demographic study so public input can inform any future recommendation to the School Committee.","Hundreds of residents spoke against draft redistricting scenarios presented to the North Kingstown School Committee, urging officials to wait for an updated demographic study, improve transparency and consider modular classrooms or other temporary measures rather than moving neighborhood students next year.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District staff present cost comparison for bringing custodial services in-house versus ABM contract

North Kingstown wins $134,033 arts initiative grant; district to allocate funds across art and music programs

School committee begins review of 'Safe Schools' policy after public questions about SROs and law-enforcement access

Discipline advisory panel recommends PBIS training, summer code-of-conduct work and restorative-practice training

North Kingstown parents press school committee to delay redistricting; call for more data and temporary classrooms