[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,75,86,98,110],{"_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",6635973,"mediaKeyId","2616141-47b9b46300ef4a1870ec7308a9fce0a1","parentId",2616141,"title","Votes at a glance: committee approves agenda, policies, bills and resolutions (March 13, 2025)","audioSeconds",3293,"startMs",39000,"endMs",3332000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2616141-47b9b46300ef4a1870ec7308a9fce0a1&start=39&end=3332","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2616141-47b9b46300ef4a1870ec7308a9fce0a1/thumbnail_39000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6635973/Cumberland/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/Votes-at-a-glance-committee-approves-agenda-policies-bills-and-resolutions-March-13-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6635973-13c36af731b49f1e78f29e196a9d289f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776552742&Signature=KrWGOpTRzt4HOvNkuhu4TQqZOR~S-XEYzw-PwHvBLLrr6I1ikLj6Rzzvil96EYw6L~yh11~o4200v3ENEQUKeM6ZYS3nPqWgAYsHNTSLbCl~y3U-JpK4f4lO4~-6rDZeQO-MU3zeU4NXbhu~ApbqWrwRaqHdG9GZZso0ySbCKuyA2h6NGlBhbwiAjxAi4QBNijnI79BVwwEc~XAxRts5D5M9HEJxam6CUahbEmo94YLcQ6Lwm3EcL09R4-tQRsriL4i5z6UO0P-FUCXChATowZhWEy7uh-SIjPlsPHfoRaTE7E56fk1FCzwV14Qp9ze7B5BM~sL4fWmwWPgDCe-abQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cumberland","date","2025-03-14T01:14:49.16Z","article","At its March 13, 2025, meeting the Cumberland School Committee recorded unanimous votes on agenda items, policy readings, fiscal items and three resolutions related to construction and furniture.

Key actions and outcomes (all recorded 7–0 unless otherwise noted):

- Approval of the meeting agenda: motion carried, 7–0.
- Consent agenda (residency/truancy report, transportation report, enrollment report; approval of minutes tabled): motion carried, 7–0.
- Vote to confirm HR letters to non‑tenured teachers (committee's Feb. 20 vote to accept superintendent's recommendation to non‑renew to serve as the committee statement of cause in accordance with section sixteen‑thirteen‑two): motion carried, 7–0.
- Approval of homeschool instruction requests for the 2024–25 school year: motion carried, 7–0.
- First reading approval (vote to approve first reading) of two new policies: Multi‑Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and K–8 McKinney‑Vento Homeless Assistance Act policy: motion carried, 7–0.
- Approval of amended policies: G8 Personnel Assignment System; B3 School Committee Meeting Procedures; K–5 Appeals Process (second reading and vote to adopt): motion carried, 7–0.
- Payment of the bills in the amount of $2,121,608.96: motion carried, 7–0.
- Approval of three resolutions (listed in agenda as SCPR 2025‑19, SCPR 2025‑20 and SCPR 2025‑21) related to Community School and B.F. Norton construction and furniture additions for the new CTE business classroom: motion carried, 7–0.
- Adjournment: motion carried, 7–0.

The committee did not adopt any emergency or contested policy changes; the budget presentation was informational and not a vote item. Where the transcript referenced statutory procedure for nonrenewal, it cited \"section sixteen‑thirteen‑two.\" The committee recorded all action tallies as unanimous for items called and voted during the meeting.

Ending

Committee members scheduled follow-up fiscal workshops to review the superintendent's FY26 proposed budget; no contested ballots or roll-call dissent was recorded during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cumberland School Committee 3/13/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Cumberland School Committee approved routine motions and several policy and fiscal items 7–0, including payment of bills, first readings of two policies, amended policy adoptions and three construction- and furniture-related resolutions.","taxTitle","Cumberland, School Districts, Rhode Island","taxId",73254,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6635978,"Teacher of the Year recognized; STEAM Night, winter sports and personnel changes highlighted",0,124000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2616141-47b9b46300ef4a1870ec7308a9fce0a1&start=124&end=124","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2616141-47b9b46300ef4a1870ec7308a9fce0a1/thumbnail_124000.jpg","/articles/6635978/Cumberland/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/Teacher-of-the-Year-recognized-STEAM-Night-winter-sports-and-personnel-changes-highlighted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6635978-30cf3aa792261ab5d7ec433113402fe5/orig.mp4?Expires=1776552742&Signature=oynJzA2SDksf4jL6GhPmocIg-uWWiq3JkeSu1tPAG5oRUEKF6O128zg0zDxf5eR8MyjbKPpGQbb6~8iinegZX3YMxARHgtFtbg3M0ifipojYduKWoWrLeb71aSqy4uAZDPNtjEQSxS1DTxCvbFhaXkXe9CWjIbRnhns0d2eraYrOYsPj0zkaIIiLcYDpM-5KIRa4Rb1tv28RF5yhhCBENnkvg~GdblEsBoEhvw832Eoj-yCpulWIxZQ4O6v87CEamOp7Umo~s1Ruroal2H0eTBMj9kvY10n2IY4mBeBGIRe6VKpfWCHJNWhjgF5B~zZGJMfCujjl8rxqXR7mNzeMjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Dr. Philip Thornton opened the meeting by recognizing the district teacher of the year from Garvin Memorial Elementary School and introducing Melissa O'Neil, 2025 Rhode Island State Teacher of the Year, who helped co‑facilitate a recent STEAM Night at Garvin.

The Garvin teacher described four STEAM stations — Ozobots coding, squishy circuits using conductive Play-Doh, make-and-take Critter Bots and ArtBots using electronic toothbrushes and pool noodles — and said families responded with “email after email and pictures” praising the event. Melissa O'Neil thanked Garvin staff and families for hosting and said she looked forward to further collaboration.

Athletics and extracurricular honors included recognition of wrestlers Benjamin Badney and Sam O’Connell for all-state honors, Aubrey Hastings for winning a state title by pin in 65 seconds and then earning all-New England honors, and swimmer Jared Zito for state-record times and considerations for All-American recognition. The district also honored its Unified Swim Program team for a title-winning relay at Brown University.

Personnel announcements were made by the HR manager. The committee recorded a retirement effective June 30, 2025: Brenda Bush, Grade 2 teacher at Garvin Memorial, after 30 years of service. Two resignations were noted for teachers currently on leave: Melinda Spates, science teacher at the high school, and Jennifer Goodwin, former special education coordinator. The committee also received a one-year unpaid leave request for the 2025–26 school year from Kimberly Baldwin, special educator at Cumberland Hill.

Ending

The committee did not take separate personnel votes during the meeting beyond recording the announcements. The recognition items were delivered during the superintendent's report; athletic recognitions were presented by the athletic director.","The committee honored the district teacher of the year and a visiting Rhode Island Teacher of the Year for a STEAM Night at Garvin Memorial, recognized winter athletic and unified-team achievements, and recorded personnel announcements including a retirement and resignations.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6635983,"Community School renovation on schedule; B.F. Norton design wins planning-board approval",318,758000,1076000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2616141-47b9b46300ef4a1870ec7308a9fce0a1&start=758&end=1076","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2616141-47b9b46300ef4a1870ec7308a9fce0a1/thumbnail_758000.jpg","/articles/6635983/Cumberland/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/Community-School-renovation-on-schedule-BF-Norton-design-wins-planning-board-approval","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6635983-2fdf4ba1e3f911c4c80bbd9c9d7171a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1776552742&Signature=Xvn7E5mB~zf3WAhCPtmay21mG2g3meOFXiRXg6DWFp~zrkeDAHF8odBWWaxoLSgQhbpLD1nbZ0MCeyzwZzdDOiAT3QH~wN0Lz-oJiSafrpPLqNTHeQ0psbG2b6UFENR6yyyUSN9C2yQCjdKa02mtTf8TujlOck7oDCO3sUPZnManWk5C24KseYiMfeEfcWUqQzNERsJQuJjUnrpFkL2LaNKJB46OEVz3aWWlcllwdQoaPKc8epLUA7KCoqnJdfh4o1VjxAiED0qf9auTrpt-0vdslHRL2ld~cechO6KRR93I18jOFoNyt~tkHnPOEhSQd9SXGpx8qXG7zRs~taD-CA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District construction manager and Superintendent Dr. Philip Thornton reported that renovation work at the Community School is on schedule and that design approvals for the new B.F. Norton building have moved forward.

Thornton said crews are installing framing and 12 air-handling units at the Community School, converting a former cafeteria and library space into classrooms and common areas, and that the elevator shaft has been cut so the elevator can be installed. He said the team addressed a buckling flooring area with a decision to install LVT specialized flooring and noted new drainage work in restroom areas. “This building is probably in the roughest shape of all the buildings we have done,” Thornton said, but added “it’s all being taken care of.”

On B.F. Norton, Thornton said the project cleared the planning board's first review and received a second approval at the town level. He provided exterior renderings showing a raised rear elevation, a preserved green space and a proposed play area with an added fence. Thornton said the design team added an ADA walking path, bike parking for roughly 30 bicycles with 3-to-10 rack calculations, and relocated a World War I memorial to a prominent front position.

Thornton also said the project remains “very close to budget” while the team continues to track material costs and tariffs and holds weekly team meetings on Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. He suggested a committee tour in April to view interior progress.

Ending

No formal vote was taken on construction items at the meeting. Committee members asked clarifying questions, including whether the Community School elevator will be a full elevator rather than a smaller lift; Thornton confirmed it will be a standard elevator intended to handle wheelchairs and other loads.","Administrators reported construction progress at the Community School renovation and presented updated renderings and planning approvals for the new B.F. Norton facility; the project team said on-site work and budget tracking are continuing.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6635988,"Superintendent proposes $83.4 million FY26 budget, asks town for $1.7 million increase",406,3184000,3590000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2616141-47b9b46300ef4a1870ec7308a9fce0a1&start=3184&end=3590","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2616141-47b9b46300ef4a1870ec7308a9fce0a1/thumbnail_3184000.jpg","/articles/6635988/Cumberland/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/Superintendent-proposes-834-million-FY26-budget-asks-town-for-17-million-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6635988-0c70a5972d08f366c1ddea15073133cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1776552742&Signature=ZIbUMEkGt5Ybivq6Ux1awNYlCkOE8JZRk~jz8HqFC1OcxcSpdJVOe5vRkCI6I8baY-tC51-bIcyenkU8GzZVNNW6U2QNdjmFqqrj55T2ora9XTQ92mCFdqDii~LesRPdqH-A1UtSfrGT6aXnoQwMqg4KL6gMk2lfMTv9t7tn9KR1OrNhJ7ddixrCTRFJbtiNpvFGNH9WKv9X5wvk4NfFqgHisjNtIsrlGd8r-ByfaUgaItwekQubaWYCyvfkzdw2W4vvNy5EutzoxlF9vaXyUaVq~rXaup5NRLVLrke9dqK0XlduQtSCKaPNPX-tqWUgXCVmhwK1LBO2s~xN4Op8gQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Dr. Philip Thornton presented the Cumberland Public Schools' proposed fiscal year 2026 budget Thursday, asking the town for an additional $1.7 million while warning the district must use fund balance to cover remaining gaps.

Thornton described the total “all in” budget as $83,445,398, a roughly 4% increase over the prior year. He said salary costs total about $47.7 million and employee benefits about $17 million, leaving salary and benefits north of $66 million — roughly 80% of the district's spending. Thornton said pension costs are up about 6.5% and medical costs about 4%.

The proposal assumes a $1.6 million increase in state aid and requests $1.7 million from the town (a 3.39% local increase). Thornton said the administration plans to use $1.29 million of fund balance as part of the package; earlier years used $2.2 million of fund balance and the district's undesignated fund balance was described in the meeting as ranging near the district policy range of 2%–4%.

Assistant Superintendent/finance presenter Tim McGrath reviewed revenue and major spending areas, noting out-of-district tuitions and transportation are large non-personnel expenses and that the budget projects roughly $2.7 million for tuition to Blackstone Valley Prep for an estimated 300 students. McGrath also said the budget now shows an E-rate reimbursement as revenue for information-technology purchases and described the town's non-MOE capital fund as a one-time source planned at $300,000 in the proposed package.

Thornton said the administration considered staffing and one-year grant positions in carving savings and is not proposing cuts to programs he described as “the offense” that keep Cumberland in a higher-achievement, lower-cost quadrant compared with other districts.

Committee members asked for follow-up detail. Ms. Smith, chairing the fiscal subcommittee, said budget workshops are scheduled; the committee set a March 19 workshop and opted to wait to decide a potential March 24 meeting after that session.

Ending

The committee did not vote on the budget Thursday and scheduled at least one workshop to review line-item detail. Members and administrators said they would provide personnel and object-code backup documents for committee review before the next workshop.","Superintendent Dr. Philip Thornton presented the FY26 budget summary at the Cumberland School Committee meeting, describing a $83,445,398 all-in proposal, with a $1.7 million (3.39%) request to the town and use of fund balance to cover a projected shortfall.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6635993,"Residents and educators criticize committee members' podcast comments about school 'pecking order'",1402,1096000,2498000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2616141-47b9b46300ef4a1870ec7308a9fce0a1&start=1096&end=2498","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2616141-47b9b46300ef4a1870ec7308a9fce0a1/thumbnail_1096000.jpg","/articles/6635993/Cumberland/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/Residents-and-educators-criticize-committee-members-podcast-comments-about-school-pecking-order","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6635993-a58828845ec836e10170dbac80ffe73a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776552742&Signature=AhWPv65ciPut~qRt~NwYX~t~fuS7IWQ2sJ48Rf165vbfd1lFYqpUz6vruU6RfXAkc9aJYfaFBiq4OaBBvTiLe~~ZVctWjGjrgKOQ8D3G6-aimcbCFtNYcPgw3Ip9Uj40HxDayrz93TawyoJkIuqQy4qLrw37~DopwgVFmxGUWwz7G47CvBYRQvhEJohjX2m9nQE2O9SViZ1n0spoaNqIddiYwbIETgqA9y9o-Cdw6kpoj1KQiFI30h7x~owFHFD~AhkFw~Vm6Wy8Zw7UREUdIMhzWdlkPB79Xf2kiof-camrsBSi0qMrcEMJRRVk-M1LLKKZNg5YSjqeAtIJQDyt7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Michelle Carter, principal of Garvin Memorial Elementary School, and a stream of teachers, principals and residents used the Cumberland School Committee's public-comment period Thursday to condemn remarks by two committee members on a local podcast that described a perceived “pecking order” among the district's elementary schools.

Carter told the committee she considered Cumberland her community and said remarks on the Cumberland Unfiltered podcast were “damaging” to educators and families. “Use your position to unite us and empower us to grow,” she said.

The public outcry focused on comments by committee member Jason Dean, which several speakers said publicly disparaged B.F. Norton School. Sandy La Riviere, principal of B.F. Norton, said calling the school “bottom of the pecking order” was “disrespectful” and asked committee members to “focus on lifting all schools up.”

Teachers and staff made similar points. Renee LaRue, a 19-year Cumberland educator and B.F. Norton building representative for the teachers' association, said the podcast remarks “undermine the efforts of the dedicated educators” and “demoralize teachers.” Jessica Macedo, a reading specialist, cited demographic and economic differences between schools and criticized the podcast for lacking context: she said B.F. Norton has higher percentages of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch and more multilingual learners, factors she said were not discussed on the show.

Jason Dean addressed the committee during public comment and said the podcast comments were his words. “I apologize that I offended you. Honestly, I really do,” he said, then explained he had been referring to how parents react to school rankings when redistricting occurs. He also said his intent includes “reuniting Cumberland” and raising performance across schools.

Several residents criticized Dean's response as insufficient. Mark Vieralo called Dean's remarks “ignorant” and said the podcast showed little factual backing. David Caruso told Dean, “You don't get it,” in a brief public rebuttal.

Committee members and speakers emphasized the districtwide consequences of public statements by elected officials. Carrie Feather, a committee member who spoke during public comment, said she believes in “all of our schools and all of our students.”

The committee did not take any formal disciplinary or procedural action on the remarks during the meeting. The public-comment period concluded before the committee recessed for a scheduled five-minute break.

Ending

Speakers asked committee members who host or appear on public programs to consider the impact of their words on staff, families and enrollment. No new policies or formal censure were proposed or adopted during the public-comment portion of the meeting.","Principals, teachers and residents used the Cumberland School Committee public-comment period to condemn remarks by committee members on a local podcast that ranked schools and described B.F. Norton as lower in a perceived hierarchy; committee member Jason Dean apologized but defended his intent.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: committee approves agenda, policies, bills and resolutions (March 13, 2025)

Teacher of the Year recognized; STEAM Night, winter sports and personnel changes highlighted

Community School renovation on schedule; B.F. Norton design wins planning-board approval

Superintendent proposes $83.4 million FY26 budget, asks town for $1.7 million increase

Residents and educators criticize committee members' podcast comments about school 'pecking order'