[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6064069,"mediaKeyId","3256915-65e5c6eaff21a69caa75303fbdfbec91","parentId",3256915,"title","Finance director: no bids for student transportation; committee approves budget transfers and vehicle replacements","audioSeconds",268,"startMs",8316000,"endMs",8584000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3256915-65e5c6eaff21a69caa75303fbdfbec91&start=8316&end=8584","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3256915-65e5c6eaff21a69caa75303fbdfbec91/thumbnail_8316000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6064069/Rhode-Island/Finance-director-no-bids-for-student-transportation-committee-approves-budget-transfers-and-vehicle-replacements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6064069-eda7e5ade195374fe1655be518530cbd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770950655&Signature=IuBQ620A~SqZ~qAWGZEo65dQDSLu4H2np1an-X-aKEYI2Ute0vsZ6D25WKHh7CRId8oLVXplbBFyADaDT9yl023FNK0pSZENprs1WV3zrg7PNAnW17dgbjOmoljM6X~d78y3FBHOcyPvZTUskhFdDPwozfkH7MOzlY-wiw13bO1OjwC96EzBzvV~wsxvG0W~Nq~au0ssrMqhcY3L~d~0HiqVKjisjuwlH79txEHDxq6myXEc5kJXfDpr5S-F21~wSUBasCNJbYzVVSooKBHFKTLv4eX-WQwPj7pyM34-utA9xqsFpjp-IuLdIXwuNWbPQHjT4~e4x6-XOlXo0I99Pg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Westerly, RI","date","2025-05-07T00:00:00Z","article","The Westerly School Committee heard its financial report May 7 and approved budget transfers to cover a series of capital and technology needs after district finance staff reported no bids were received for outsourced student transportation.

The finance director told the committee, “We did not receive any bids,” for the student transportation services contract; two vendors attended the mandatory pre‑bid meeting but did not submit proposals. As a result, the district will maintain transportation operations internally for now. Committee members were told using the state MPA vendor is an alternative but would be more expensive.

Year‑to‑date projections through March 31, 2025 show salary and compensation lines projected under budget by approximately $275,000, and employee benefits projected under budget by about $651,000, primarily due to vacancies. Purchased services and miscellaneous costs were projected over budget for items including out‑of‑district transportation, liability insurance and settlement costs; miscellaneous costs included $147,000 for confidential settlement costs the finance director said were confidential when asked.

The finance director presented seven transfers (items 1–7) totaling $251,695 drawn from salary and fringe savings; the transfers were approved by the committee. Highlights included:

• $31,571.20 for camera system software upgrade and cloud service.

• $49,969.48 for classroom phones and phone system upgrades (phones for State Street will move into the new building).

• $27,670 for uninterruptible power supply replacements at the high school.

• $37,364 for transportation routing software and replacement maps.

• Replacement of two transportation minivans (2017 Dodge Caravans) that are in poor condition; one has over 178,000 miles and the other over 191,000 miles.

• $15,120 for PowerSchool scheduling consultation and $1,180 for CodeHS software in the CTE program.

With current projections the district showed a surplus of $665,778; approval of Transfers 1–6 (and a subsequent transfer) would reduce that surplus to approximately $414,083.

The committee voted to approve the transfers by motion and second; the chair called for the vote and members answered “Aye.”

Ending: District staff said a budget transfer to true up lines would be prepared prior to year end; the committee may revisit transportation contracting options at a future meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Westerly School Committee 5/7/25","oneSentenceSummary","Westerly’s finance director reported May 7 that no bids were received for the district’s student transportation contract; the committee approved budget transfers and authorized replacement of two worn minivans.","taxTitle","Westerly, School Districts, Rhode Island","taxId",79918,"location","Rhode Island","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6064075,"Westerly committee approves Class of 1975 gift to mount peace sign on Westerly High bell tower",1360,6888000,8248000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3256915-65e5c6eaff21a69caa75303fbdfbec91&start=6888&end=8248","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3256915-65e5c6eaff21a69caa75303fbdfbec91/thumbnail_6888000.jpg","/articles/6064075/Rhode-Island/Westerly-committee-approves-Class-of-1975-gift-to-mount-peace-sign-on-Westerly-High-bell-tower","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6064075-c010d34ae01b0a68e2e148458394875a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770950655&Signature=VvSvxsSpGknJoAT8X--BWdKMwl7p6nxyuk0Qccjmn3RzI8JL-EpN3qjIgfyDNHZsIRDWpbKBeo6Bux8z96b2W6S0PPNc0L8FDk8R8GO2a8zL4~usslOTXozu2uBWmEfaL3xCB9dJwcgmd8CJsfv-UdInlpb03KNv8jlb1kvZXLRNd2A5MycmhqCdibaVP1AErlDszupEvBAa59oeU7p6sItc6Hsi~eIyXyNiH6wKPi2Eu46TxRl51c1RbMnEbsTAgn-qwC9~Tcdo3S1I3vhO39Mc3PFSTf~ejF9SVKdKQOl6Ay55NHU~R39Ui6LeDgc86EdxpL6mHV4mJLjIUaLd5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Westerly School Committee voted May 7 to accept a gift from the Westerly High School Class of 1975 to install a peace sign on the school’s bell/horn tower.

Paul Asanaro, a member of the Class of 1975 and a registered architect, presented the proposal and said, “My name is Paul Asanaro. I’m a registered architect.” He described a 33‑inch stainless‑steel cutout peace sign, three inches in cross‑section, made of marine‑grade 304 stainless steel, and said his class donated professional services and had received local fabrication bids. Asanaro told the committee the lowest local fabrication bid to cut the piece was $1,375 and that with welding and mounting the total would be about $1,600; his class planned to donate the professional work.

Committee members asked that the project be reviewed by the Building Subcommittee and by facilities staff because the sign would be a permanent fixture on district property. A committee member noted the tower’s existing mechanical equipment and that some obsolete cabling and devices could be removed as part of the work. The assistant noted that the district has custody and control of the building and therefore the School Committee must approve permanent installations.

Chairing members took a roll‑call style poll vote on the donation. Committee members voiced support and the chair declared the motion passed; one member recorded reservations about approving a permanent fixture without prior subcommittee review but voted in favor. The committee asked district staff and the Building Subcommittee to review installation logistics and anchors before work begins.

Ending: The donor said the class hoped to have the installation in place for graduation; the committee approved the donation and requested follow‑up review by the Building Subcommittee and facilities staff before physical work begins.","The School Committee approved a Class of 1975 donation to install a stainless‑steel peace sign on the bell/horn tower of Westerly High School. Presenter said services were donated; several members asked for building-subcommittee review before installation.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6064079,"Westerly School Committee approves permanent building subcommittee charter to oversee capital projects",924,6017000,6941000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3256915-65e5c6eaff21a69caa75303fbdfbec91&start=6017&end=6941","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3256915-65e5c6eaff21a69caa75303fbdfbec91/thumbnail_6017000.jpg","/articles/6064079/Rhode-Island/Westerly-School-Committee-approves-permanent-building-subcommittee-charter-to-oversee-capital-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6064079-02462a1b136b90a04eb9d903405da9fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1770950655&Signature=ZYRjo0QacmT1NZ~WQQ6fIrbUTsFCOmqOm4N90gSGomH0L3vf2YFE5RBhCssOqpHu~jQD5ri~~Nj6UpJ1yhLhU2mGKexPBDsX0aaTfMN6Vfcz6MJ0TZn113IMRIiw8XmR3XETRn6HGHl~lZuHUpPWybSN-hMFR5HUDHC9LsquqFnHjlKXIgdIg8C4I-K-22W~8i8769abBQx50GMK93AGEnbU2zhmQLprH-1LK~8LT6dCtq9mdcjJoIpq1qtNl3T8SFhgiwMj5Jzoz20kSPJ0d0KLjf4LEPSeR6Z3yis7Got7tv29PPN8jKYZh7gGqmuDVK343Ht17bJVONj9500bbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Westerly School Committee voted May 7 to adopt an updated charter making the Building Subcommittee a standing committee and expanding its scope to include evaluation of facility conditions, management of annual capital improvement expenditures, and seeking reimbursements and outside funding.

Justin Hopkins, chair of the Building Subcommittee, presented the proposed edits and told the committee, “This is your document, so there’s no ego here,” explaining the updates had been discussed at three building committee meetings before reaching the full committee. Hopkins summarized the changes: add evaluation of facility conditions and projected student population, establish a five‑year capital improvements prioritization, permit engagement of outside consultants for major projects, and formalize membership and staggered terms.

The charter retains the subcommittee’s original objective to recommend future configurations and facility improvements for Westerly Public Schools and adds a specific charge to pursue RIDE reimbursement and other funding sources. Hopkins said the district is pursuing a Stage 2 application from the Rhode Island Department of Education that would allow the district to receive a 35% reimbursement on eligible capital investments if approved.

Membership language in the charter aligns with RIDE guidance and includes at minimum: a school committee member, superintendent (or designee), director of building maintenance, planning board representative, a Westerly Public Schools educator, local budget official or finance committee member, and a community member with architectural/engineering or construction experience. The charter recommends eight members and allows up to 12, with two alternates and four‑year staggered terms for nonpermanent members.

The committee voted on a motion to approve the revised charter; the chair called for the vote and members responded “Aye.” The motion carried with no recorded opposition. Committee members said the formal charter should preserve institutional knowledge built during the district’s building projects while providing clearer parameters for future capital work.

Ending note: The charter authorizes the Building Subcommittee to make recommendations and to present consultant nominations to the School Committee for approval; the committee may dissolve the subcommittee at its discretion.","The committee approved an updated charter to make the Building Subcommittee a standing body with expanded duties including five-year capital planning, seeking RIDE reimbursement and outside funding, and advising on consultant selection.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6064083,"Westerly School Committee votes to nonrenew certain teaching contracts under R.I. law citing fiscal exigency",55,5512000,5567000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3256915-65e5c6eaff21a69caa75303fbdfbec91&start=5512&end=5567","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3256915-65e5c6eaff21a69caa75303fbdfbec91/thumbnail_5512000.jpg","/articles/6064083/Rhode-Island/Westerly-School-Committee-votes-to-nonrenew-certain-teaching-contracts-under-RI-law-citing-fiscal-exigency","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6064083-9a28fd216b2cc67646a0d5cbc559e9af/orig.mp4?Expires=1770950655&Signature=H3zpYlT~WldLNtRxgy7bLehU3d8cxTJuLe7PoKlhpX5x0LpJ4Mk-pZTUbiK33LoWjn1js62NN~YsvlMfbbXVcosslQ5nwHRSynuol7FAh~yhzcE88DNEUDioTaDEm49KqGvN37fUYf0P5y42j-7OuqTfzAfhuUhiB-vSJXv~pCP0gkQVm5YZvkpWjBqrIL6ZXqOp-Yqnqa2gRNNHhEDEFfL0Vd6StbXRRDph--HXO51tmj3oFp4o33tFdyJDpJi1UCkjHa-7lZhy3GYMas~lzHVv0y8mg4~bjuFG-YE8tzEGY8Dw7jnDbCIaSmX65pbyLaJz7r6JChlHyOBU-tZgGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Westerly School Committee voted May 7 to nonrenew certain teaching contracts under Rhode Island General Laws 16-13-3, citing fiscal exigency or program reorganization as set forth in a personnel settlement.

The action was taken by voice vote after a motion and second; there was no discussion recorded before the committee chair called for the vote and members responded “Aye.” The chair said, “It passes.”

The decision was presented as an implementation of a personnel settlement and was described on the agenda item as nonrenewal “due to fiscal exigency or program reorganization.” Committee members did not elaborate in public at the meeting and the chair did not identify individual contracts or teachers affected.

What happened: the committee made a formal motion, received a second, and approved the nonrenewal by voice vote. The committee recorded no further debate and the chair stated that the motion passed.

Why it matters: R.I. Gen. Laws 16-13-3 governs nonrenewal of certificated appointments; a nonrenewal based on fiscal exigency or program reorganization can affect staffing levels, classroom assignments and program delivery.

Next steps/limits: The committee did not provide itemized contract or staff lists at the meeting. No additional public details about which positions or programs are affected were provided. The committee returned from executive session later in the meeting and stated that “there were no votes taken in executive session.”

Ending note: The committee offered no timeline for implementation or additional public sessions to review affected positions; members present may raise follow-up questions at future meetings.","The Westerly School Committee voted to nonrenew certain teaching contracts under Rhode Island General Laws 16-13-3, citing fiscal exigency or program reorganization as set forth in a personnel settlement. The motion passed with no discussion.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6064064,"Westerly CTE students win multiple medals; five named to Team Rhode Island for national SkillsUSA",262,107000,369000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3256915-65e5c6eaff21a69caa75303fbdfbec91&start=107&end=369","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3256915-65e5c6eaff21a69caa75303fbdfbec91/thumbnail_107000.jpg","/articles/6064064/Rhode-Island/Westerly-CTE-students-win-multiple-medals-five-named-to-Team-Rhode-Island-for-national-SkillsUSA","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6064064-9497e8e3d64c23782e34240287054922/orig.mp4?Expires=1770950655&Signature=YCHgARgKq8uDYiVkM~-R0Ensa9FJfC41~554KWGyv2RUfk41kCR-c26dhgrTcH-WUMJmKr4fzuBR53p0964O0PY8WmWyqIknNosHdAUAXcmeavgPqwkbWdMR-5k59VYmKqZtp9Evd2P29vVyFupEYsM2m9p-dJf~mkZ4PNpkeKXC-FYfWdBoICRPGZSxsVTLbIXJlLEqcyxIVGxoYg4XCH~AM340kcrbzu23zOvdlne9Fz4JT7Q28hQLZMFbXihVAJhtHDau-TCv~~EaVA0ifI~mn10p~cnrALvp1M7a~0aEnq1e9Z6eNsXFPZDYZD6dbTqG-ReEbl9pfcj6clY3-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Westerly School Committee recognized Career and Technical Education students May 7 for medal wins at the Rhode Island SkillsUSA state competition; five students who earned gold medals were invited to represent Team Rhode Island at the national championships in Atlanta in June.

A CTE program representative told the committee, “We are so excited to, recognize our student champions,” and described the school’s in‑house competitions that select students for the state level. The district had 10 students competing in 10 contests, with three first‑place gold medals and six third‑place bronze medals. The presenter listed winners including Ruby Calabrese and Sofia Bowen (gold, aesthetics); Kira Paquette and Celeste Rena (gold, nail care); Brady Cassidy (gold, medical math); plus several bronze medalists in aesthetics, nail care, EMT, medical terminology, culinary arts, baking and pastry.

The presenter said the gold medalists—Brady Cassidy, Ruby Calabrese, Sofia Bowen, Kira Paquette and Chloe Wilk—have earned places on Team Rhode Island for the national competition scheduled for late June. The committee applauded the students and CTE staff for the program’s growth and quality.

Student representative Sarah Arnold read a student report noting teacher appreciation week, AP exam week activities at Westerly High School, recent athletic results across spring sports, and recognition for the WHS production of Hadestown at the Ocean Community Star Awards. Arnold said, “We wish all our students the best of luck with their AP exams and applaud them for their outstanding work throughout the year.”

Ending: Committee members offered congratulations and asked for samples next time from the culinary department; no formal action was required.","Westerly CTE students won three gold medals and six bronze medals at the Rhode Island SkillsUSA state competition; five gold medalists were invited to compete at the national SkillsUSA championships in Atlanta in late June.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Finance director: no bids for student transportation; committee approves budget transfers and vehicle replacements

Westerly committee approves Class of 1975 gift to mount peace sign on Westerly High bell tower

Westerly School Committee approves permanent building subcommittee charter to oversee capital projects

Westerly School Committee votes to nonrenew certain teaching contracts under R.I. law citing fiscal exigency

Westerly CTE students win multiple medals; five named to Team Rhode Island for national SkillsUSA