[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6579311,"mediaKeyId","3091712-026eba1794efa5e2e0e3a16016bfe2b2","parentId",3091712,"title","Teachers and community members praise district support staff; committee recognizes multiple retirements","audioSeconds",2901,"startMs",108000,"endMs",3009000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3091712-026eba1794efa5e2e0e3a16016bfe2b2&start=108&end=3009","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3091712-026eba1794efa5e2e0e3a16016bfe2b2/thumbnail_108000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6579311/North-Smithfield/Providence-County/Rhode-Island/Teachers-and-community-members-praise-district-support-staff-committee-recognizes-multiple-retirements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6579311-33fb093583affc0d8b088be88fd0e6ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151833&Signature=YLyGjsGhmLbdGWhQcW0a6KR6T39oIT30K32~1wHUJp5B~C3cvkaExxdL4QX2X-SH2BdukkDM~JVNJDaTJyi52BkClVZRMdiEuyd8A0oAUnzGODCiKsZ6UM5gszyWiyIdqvQpMxtuQYHKQ2NXp3YXiqBMgwRpJ9VqAmFBJOr1GaE1RXRTfs0plSr-oiJScCuoVj3Ke5Qr9zenZVRQJ~e3gdUNSv4sGs9usJRgMjtmNYHm5O3MzVYpkXbeyEdX7pt2JXUdOAX5WEqEginDsrchKtU1b2m4qyRuffnLQquEnILOvKjKmGgsZJ~~II8Htvn6p-E3XRPf0OtTCUpgnxTooQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town Council of North Smithfield RI","date","2025-04-23T01:04:01.73Z","article","At the April 22 meeting, several teachers spoke during the public comment period urging the school committee to adopt a contract that values support staff's contributions to daily school operations.

Tracy Nangle, a teacher at North Smithfield who later was listed among retirees at the meeting, told the committee support staff and custodial employees keep facilities functioning and create a welcoming environment for students and families. \"They are critical to the smooth running of our schools,\" Nangle said.

Kathleen Fagan, a health and physical education teacher at the middle school, and Jamie Austin, a special education teacher at NSES, also described instructional assistants, custodians and office personnel as essential to student support, classroom functioning and school safety. Austin described reliance on instructional assistants for students with significant support needs and said, \"I personally could not run my classroom without them.\" The remarks were delivered as public comment; no formal committee action on the contract occurred at that time.

Later in the meeting the superintendent and committee recognized several longtime staff members who are retiring, naming Tracy Nangle (hired 02/2008), Gail O'Keefe (hired 02/2001), Colleen Carr (hired 02/2001) and Kelly Huback (hired 02/2007). The superintendent read service summaries for each and noted their years of service and roles in curriculum, literacy and science programs. Committee members expressed appreciation for the retirees' combined decades of service.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","NORTH SMITHFIELD SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING 4/22/25","oneSentenceSummary","Several teachers spoke at public comment urging the committee to support support staff contract proposals. The committee also formally recognized multiple staff retirements.","taxTitle","North Smithfield, Providence County, Rhode Island","taxId",79584,"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},6579315,"Superintendent outlines manganese exceedance, corrective plan and PFAS options for schools",118,2438000,2556000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3091712-026eba1794efa5e2e0e3a16016bfe2b2&start=2438&end=2556","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3091712-026eba1794efa5e2e0e3a16016bfe2b2/thumbnail_2438000.jpg","/articles/6579315/North-Smithfield/Providence-County/Rhode-Island/Superintendent-outlines-manganese-exceedance-corrective-plan-and-PFAS-options-for-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6579315-2dae8901ddecb86e7f1db6be68755e6e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151833&Signature=b6gnL3tAbtEF8kCUF86JFoITn~W6fJMxrPfVcchLfLd6fzX9Yfu2Kt~avVpdDGHcpMbWNr6nylN2Hb~EKtNodvvWRFz8m-hWaXloavZNmxF28lLgaq7N-w3fE24TNFxRF82Aj3goNw2GCr9~K8Bxf3e3RtIFoyU8kVUqG00ulMntyoTwbPwNeyAnx3R0XeCtq2lmyVDDJg9BIHY-CjvCdQNwOeFK2hOO~Xvo7agnL-PRXsT-DVPfz1reB0MRovp~q1DA5AsgJjf7ORn-dz0Xvb0t9OsC~J6itxEVzfwIwQpznaAJi5wLnl0ynqe~WfWpPOZgtgLGt~udMUdgca5q8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent St. James reported April 22 that testing at North Smithfield Elementary School showed manganese above the state cap, and the district has filed a corrective action plan with the Department of Health.

The superintendent said an initial test returned 1.28 milligrams per liter (the state cap cited in the record is 0.5), and a retest measured 0.596. The district engaged a consultant, NWSI, which recommended replacing the green-sand-plus filtration media at the point-of-entry treatment. The district has ordered the replacement media and will conduct follow-up laboratory and field testing: NWSI will perform biweekly sample tests until the media is replaced and at least two site visits after replacement, followed by monthly field testing for iron and manganese.

District staff said the replacement media has been ordered and that the cost on the quote was $4,499. The superintendent said the district will install the media \"shortly\" and that sampling will continue until levels are below the 0.5 cap at the point of entry.

On PFAS, the superintendent described two paths under consideration: (1) proceed with a planned pilot filtration project (the superintendent cited an approximate $650,000 engineering grant amount) to treat well number 2 near the athletic field, or (2) pursue a longer, more expensive project to extend town water from the Providence Pike corridor up to the school. Town officials have filed a grant application through Sen. Reid's office to help the town-side work, the superintendent said. She also said the town has options for 0-interest or immediately forgiven loan mechanisms to cover remaining costs, characterizing those structures as possible ways to close the funding gap.

District staff also said the Department of Health has grant funding to test private wells for PFAS; the department plans a public information session at the high school auditorium tentatively set for May 19 to explain testing availability and results. The superintendent said she would circulate details to the community when available.","District staff reported a manganese exceedance at North Smithfield Elementary, ordered media replacement to fix filtration, and described two PFAS remediation options and an informational workshop for residents.",{"_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},6579319,"School committee allows lower insurance limit for Northman 5K; members caution about liability",1045,1149000,2194000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3091712-026eba1794efa5e2e0e3a16016bfe2b2&start=1149&end=2194","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3091712-026eba1794efa5e2e0e3a16016bfe2b2/thumbnail_1149000.jpg","/articles/6579319/North-Smithfield/Providence-County/Rhode-Island/School-committee-allows-lower-insurance-limit-for-Northman-5K-members-caution-about-liability","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6579319-17366741c97d03b03cdb70f48189969e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151833&Signature=QpcEtgamn7iylllFUZQukm4xtBeSkuyciy8lOMWmLqxRiQ5Acm7A28FO5hQXGcagIl1S4yNWRAwkvRNyMoHEhiCjl9lojr9CYXlF0R8Pch7ghHAA5sPZfreprefZOue-dhd027nc2xkpluiN605xWUybVfOE-1gySfG2W0O7p-uepxOm1dOz2MLul6VXN1i7LV-lo5w~AN4hMHbYwi0omLSorE61kYdylp5fk6lE491-vBPGK8wV7eXB7zcI1CqtQGD3DevrnHGnVjcmhzH57gnbj2q2eSINTfgGj4MFRqCoyKrewvBPiut5d5YhefEWRrU7njSqUQWTcFPGZOpeHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The North Smithfield School Committee voted April 22 to allow the Northman 5K to obtain liability coverage at the lower 1-to-3 million dollar tier rather than the district's usual $3 million minimum for facility renters.

Committee members spent significant time discussing liability and how rental events intersect with the district's insurance guidance. Alicia (district staff) explained the district asks renters to match its coverage because \"$1,000,000 does not go as far as it used to\" and that the district's liability trust will not cover third-party public events held off campus.

Speakers described the Northman 5K as a community event that has been run in partnership with the NSAA in recent years; students revived the event as a senior project after a several-year hiatus. Committee members and staff said road closures and police presence are part of event planning, and an outside company is coordinating race logistics.

Committee members expressed concern about setting a precedent by routinely accepting lower coverage, and several urged the event organizers to obtain higher limits if possible. One member said the lower premium might be modest and suggested fundraising to cover a higher-policy cost; another member said approving the reduction was a calculated risk given the short timeline and that without approval the race might not run.

A motion to approve the reduced insurance limit for this event was made and seconded; the committee voted in favor by voice vote and the motion passed. Committee members asked staff to seek additional quotes and to report back, and suggested future senior projects that involve public events be planned with earlier notification to allow time for insurance arrangements or town sponsorship.","The committee granted a temporary reduction in required insurance for the Northman 5K senior-project event, after discussion about risk, insurance costs, and the event's community scope.",{"_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},6579324,"School committee approves memorial plaque for former elementary volunteer",415,701000,1116000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3091712-026eba1794efa5e2e0e3a16016bfe2b2&start=701&end=1116","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3091712-026eba1794efa5e2e0e3a16016bfe2b2/thumbnail_701000.jpg","/articles/6579324/North-Smithfield/Providence-County/Rhode-Island/School-committee-approves-memorial-plaque-for-former-elementary-volunteer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6579324-ad9304c2be9aa4fbef028499eac88265/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151833&Signature=YJJ5BQcpyEpsXFD4L8pBLAnRuvooKt8sw5ZuYLBkEaq~2doT8XSvNVMsS4jgQhIz-48Cd0tY1wdif5~HJNIh0AumHcSuTmhMfEhJPOgOR0HY97N0gjsWlK1JDpc5lOiVNtD0dCVSA769zwfDpjAvxXjo~1Wy5f75YbFUW3rC~csQY~G8lfSHVNFHHOzJXWy6byTYL6Gr8DD9CICMT~Pvk4uqiK88Afv8GOl8CvM3XgvBOC2inFUQUj~9NZo~MQOLu3X1PXOPRXVYOZlkb8zGDRfgesZxBFaGbC6Th0YL09tdcs0N8IYZRLayxto3HNlKWhD6~--u9rj-lNcqxF6lmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The North Smithfield School Committee on April 22 approved a request to install a memorial plaque honoring Ellie Letourneau at the elementary school library.

The motion to approve the request was made and seconded during new business after a student presented the proposal as part of a senior project. The committee voted in favor; members responded \"Aye\" and the motion passed.

The student who introduced the request described the plaque as a way to honor a family member who volunteered and later worked in the building. The student said the plaque was ordered and expected to arrive within a week; a dedication ceremony was discussed for May, with details to be coordinated with school staff.

Committee members asked whether approving the plaque would conflict with the district's formal naming and dedication policy. District staff said the policy can be a lengthy process and characterized the plaque as a more immediate, personal dedication rather than a formal renaming of a facility. The committee approved the request with that understanding.

The committee did not review or vote on a final plaque design at the meeting. A committee member asked whether final design approval was needed; the chair clarified the motion approved the request to place the plaque and that staff would follow up on details.

The committee moved on with other business after the vote.","The North Smithfield School Committee approved a request to place a memorial plaque honoring a late volunteer at the elementary school library after a student requested the dedication as a senior project.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Teachers and community members praise district support staff; committee recognizes multiple retirements

Superintendent outlines manganese exceedance, corrective plan and PFAS options for schools

School committee allows lower insurance limit for Northman 5K; members caution about liability

School committee approves memorial plaque for former elementary volunteer