[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6561348,"mediaKeyId","3291177-3f0df40e409741d3cb9a662f6956237b","parentId",3291177,"title","Votes at a glance: Portsmouth School Committee actions on May 13 included personnel contracts, policies and transfers","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",85000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3291177-3f0df40e409741d3cb9a662f6956237b&start=85&end=85","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3291177-3f0df40e409741d3cb9a662f6956237b/thumbnail_85000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6561348/Portsmouth/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/Votes-at-a-glance-Portsmouth-School-Committee-actions-on-May-13-included-personnel-contracts-policies-and-transfers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561348-d25e8716fb69e12f53088d2d4c093fe6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177516&Signature=K3I3SAOXYnOqZ61XBFBxqpemRihYftuNENmslg0vwCA27Of3g-Q4SkTM4gifXk2UaixoNGNUmQmn9epRwjvP7WTsqJynbalepfEk9Hn9BTXCfiehQen4MHCZ-v89LG4-eieV1fnLj2LDmhVMU7~l7cnSW5G-8o7m-y7yLwNXqpFqlzSh7bQ6DNap9016yvOclR7QfwwSLPnLVUvzcMF-slx9wMPkIYIC365yYSPq~FDosX1o5en9tgjJOotuKi93pnpS~lBmVjtu8wQU5kltMx4N-gsdj3wo04Ofh8dRxch7SKkaHAOfqrOptYsq91p4imjdc1U5~uSXnwgPDbxerw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Portsmouth RI Live Stream","date","2025-05-13T23:05:10Z","article","The Portsmouth School Committee on May 13 took a series of unanimous votes (7–0) on minutes, personnel contracts, budget transfers, policies and contingency planning. The committee recorded no “no” votes and no abstentions on the items listed below.

Key votes and outcomes

- Seal executive session minutes of May 13, 2025: Motion made and seconded; approved unanimously (7–0).

- Approval of April 8 executive session and April 8 regular session minutes: Approved unanimously (7–0).

- Consent agenda: Approved unanimously (7–0).

- Contract renewal, network manager (Jacob Karen): Committee approved a three‑year contract renewal for the district’s network manager; unanimous (7–0). Dr. Kenworthy described him as a long‑time employee who rose through the department.

- Contract renewal, district operations manager (Rachel Marciano): Committee approved a three‑year contract renewal for the district operations manager, who oversees vendor relationships including First Student (transportation) and Chartwells (food services); unanimous (7–0).

- Reappropriate funds related to Portsmouth High School roof project: The committee approved linked fund reappropriations and transfers described in a separate article (unanimous, 7–0).

- Approval to begin procurement and timeline for the district’s next five‑year capital plan (RIDE stage 1/stage 2): Approved unanimously (7–0). Staff will issue an RFP for an owner's project manager and educational planner to begin the formal RIDE process.

- Distance learning plan, school year 2025–26 (if needed): Approved as an \"if necessary\" plan for weather or other emergencies; unanimous (7–0). Dr. Kenworthy said the plan is similar to plans approved in prior years.

- Budget transfers over $5,000: Committee approved transfers totaling $498,033.79 since the previous vote; unanimous (7–0). Staff explained most transfers reallocated salary lines to contracted services where vacancies or leaves required outsourced services, and moved district tuition line items as students changed placements.

- Out‑of‑district transportation resolution (transportation study commission draft): Committee approved a resolution supporting the transportation study commission recommendations, which seek smaller transportation districts and a statewide fund to help offset high‑cost long‑distance transportation for special populations; unanimous (7–0).

- Final read: Student use of cell phones and personal electronic devices (policy JICJ): Committee approved the final read; unanimous (7–0). Committee members noted the legislature is considering similar statewide legislation. The committee said it will revisit district policy if state law changes.

- Elimination of policy 6117 (early dismissal/cancellation) and adoption of a shortened inclement‑weather policy and accompanying protocol: Committee approved eliminating the older policy upon final approval of the new EBCD policy and protocol; unanimous (7–0).

Items discussed but not acted upon

- Policy GBGA (staff protection against blood‑borne pathogens) was discussed; no final action was taken at the May 13 meeting.

Where votes lacked named movers or recorded roll‑call: Several motions in the meeting were moved and seconded without a named mover recorded in the public audio transcript; in those cases the committee recorded the voice vote and the outcome (unanimous, 7–0).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Committee Meeting: 5.13.25","oneSentenceSummary","The School Committee unanimously approved a set of routine and substantive items May 13, including personnel contract renewals, policy changes, budget transfers and approval of a distance‑learning contingency plan.","taxTitle","Portsmouth, School Districts, Rhode Island","taxId",72703,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6561353,"School committee approves $900,000 local commitment for Portsmouth High School partial roof replacement and launches 5-year capital plan timeline",669,3351000,4020000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3291177-3f0df40e409741d3cb9a662f6956237b&start=3351&end=4020","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3291177-3f0df40e409741d3cb9a662f6956237b/thumbnail_3351000.jpg","/articles/6561353/Portsmouth/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/School-committee-approves-900000-local-commitment-for-Portsmouth-High-School-partial-roof-replacement-and-launches-5-year-capital-plan-timeline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561353-86b9a40193acdda252e3186a1994f052/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177516&Signature=Aq8-NO9Gr3KOZ7V-iikaxUfFGXFd7onkS3YlDDcUs-t6MXd5Hh4m06JCC7YtVtCbNARSzAp5rNnlqCr4r4eXlEdGcfccnvHwAJVF70CKKLwFjTcs4JWzxG0iRlkNbptWxkULhdKm8C0pip94zVnnMC2LDqi8FaUEYqGcypFOqApGSD0P5dIuwOtvbblNQpYFQrBJKBh33EhPtEgT7wJRdiNMx3YRhZDTr7Hcp09kU-VNRhBxCbZ~Hbo2GYLXHZtLSNsreih1sVwIkfnTGpHkpeotrtIfnjo4Be8JYRk0kJ1XNMqEKInIyfds-nVcTrMdqkNtquklBgZqTVKkSuXKEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Portsmouth School Committee voted unanimously May 13 to free and reallocate district funds so the town and school department can move forward with a partial roof replacement at Portsmouth High School and to begin work on a new five‑year capital plan for the district.

The committee approved three linked actions: unrestricting $340,000 of general fund balance that had been reserved for an OPEB (other post‑employment benefits) trust, reappropriating $660,492 from general fund unrestricted balance to the school capital projects fund, and reappropriating $900,000 from the school capital projects fund toward the high school partial roof replacement. All three related items were discussed together and then approved on a single vote, recorded as unanimous (7–0).

District finance staff described the accounting steps. “Unrestricting this fund balance will make it available for the roof project,” Mr. D'Oro explained, noting that the district does not maintain an OPEB trust and pays retiree health costs on a pay‑as‑you‑go basis (recent annual costs were described at about $60,000–$75,000). After the transfers, staff said roughly $350,000 would remain in the general fund unrestricted balance (the district’s rainy‑day fund) and an estimated $943,453 would remain in the school capital projects fund after other encumbrances.

Committee members asked about timing and eligibility for state housing aid through the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE). Mr. D'Oro said moving money into the capital projects fund or issuing bonds is required to make projects eligible for housing‑aid reimbursement and that the town and school must follow RIDE’s stage 1/stage 2 approval process. “Only projects that are part of a RIDE‑approved stage 2 are eligible for state housing aid,” Mr. D'Oro said.

The presenters described the town’s contribution and contingency commitments: builder impact fees of about $572,000, an additional town contribution of roughly $496,000 to reach the bid amount, and a town‑held contingency of $393,800 for any change orders uncovered during demolition. The committee did not alter the amounts in those town commitments; the motion before the committee was the school department’s internal fund reallocation to meet the previously agreed $900,000 school contribution.

Separately, the committee unanimously approved a proposed timeline to begin the district’s next five‑year capital plan process with procurement of an owner’s project manager (OPM), selection of an educational planner and, if needed, architects and engineers. Staff noted the state has recently conducted a facilities assessment but staff may include a local assessment as an alternate in vendor requests if RIDE’s statewide documentation is not available in time. Staff estimated the combined cost of stage 1 and stage 2 work at “at least $500,000.”

The votes were recorded as unanimous: 7–0 in favor of the linked fund reappropriations and the capital planning timeline. No member voted against the measures and no abstentions were recorded.

The committee’s actions enable the town to seek an emergency housing‑aid approval from RIDE in the current fiscal year; staff said that approval, if granted, could allow the town to recover part of the cost later through the state program.","The Portsmouth School Committee voted unanimously May 13 to reappropriate funds and approve a funding package that commits $900,000 toward a partial roof replacement at Portsmouth High School and to begin the RIDE stage 1/stage 2 capital planning process.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6561357,"Portsmouth High Model UN students report awards, host first student-run PatriotMon conference",2253,408000,2661000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3291177-3f0df40e409741d3cb9a662f6956237b&start=408&end=2661","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3291177-3f0df40e409741d3cb9a662f6956237b/thumbnail_408000.jpg","/articles/6561357/Portsmouth/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/Portsmouth-High-Model-UN-students-report-awards-host-first-student-run-PatriotMon-conference","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561357-e09b3064f187dd6f94b4cf1bc5db2c31/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177516&Signature=Vss68hNQjnFb~N1wpsvuIeAAD6tqAI9nTe8AeVma6Gu1cRi-qIyGpG7537v5xrPLsK5D1kZ7VQSL6vZeyKbi2ysbsX76CA4fySgt9wgiP4WvT1MgNDNFbRMzxis1juYakM8VVs2WgPKKLA06bP~hRFtrfqg4fgWJU62foyrEI1hYjuA~hCgoxhw5FhKJLyqc0Sq7phXIz-rNdjBSE-DcvKVdc-nDeGdyaUiyZB2HQOpgqpbjmiXI~q7ezDue9fDv3565Ue6DWAAJYpSyjS9d-3pTmAnanTXu8N5X-WpBgICwpwo2RYatgn0tmUs5lXNAvj3iO6G~rnegeT1ygUz65g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Portsmouth High School students told the Portsmouth School Committee on May 13 that the school's Model United Nations team carried a large delegation to regional conferences this year, won multiple awards and held the program's first student-run conference, PatriotMon.

The presentation, led by advisor Dr. Cassidy and four senior captains, highlighted travel to conferences including NYU’s EmpireMUN, Boston College and other regional events; a team of 31 students participated in at least one conference this school year. “It was one of the best years of my life,” student leader Sophia Turner said, adding that the experience prompted her to pursue international politics next year at Georgetown University.

The captains described fundraising, membership and mentorship as keys to the season. Ashley Murphy, a graduating captain who also managed the program’s social media, said fundraisers helped keep the program “as affordable and accessible as we could,” and that conference costs average roughly $300 per conference for participants. Elena Sun noted the team successfully hosted PatriotMon in January, welcoming schools such as East Greenwich, Lincoln and Wheeler and running a one-day conference with multiple committee rooms and volunteer student staff.

School Committee members commended the students. The superintendent, Dr. Kenworthy, said district staff and committee members had attended many end-of-year events and praised the students’ leadership. The committee presented certificates of recognition to the team captains and delegates at the meeting.

The students outlined plans for next year: continuing signature Boston conferences (Bozeman/BosMUN and EagleMonk), returning to NYU’s EmpireMUN when feasible, and running a second PatriotMon, with returning and new captains already planning the event. Student leaders said they will continue fundraisers and recruitment to expand participation.

The committee did not take formal action on the presentation; members affirmed support and encouraged continued community engagement and fundraising.

The committee recessed for a short break after the recognition and then moved on to business items.","Portsmouth High School students recounted a year of Model United Nations conferences, awards and fundraising, and described hosting the district's first student-led conference, PatriotMon, during the May 13 School Committee meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Portsmouth School Committee actions on May 13 included personnel contracts, policies and transfers

School committee approves $900,000 local commitment for Portsmouth High School partial roof replacement and launches 5-year capital plan timeline

Portsmouth High Model UN students report awards, host first student-run PatriotMon conference