[{"_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",6675483,"mediaKeyId","3410566-b4a009decf57ff4142dac80e250e29a9","parentId",3410566,"title","North Kingstown committee revises policy to affirm participation by transgender and nonbinary students","audioSeconds",1835,"startMs",10565000,"endMs",12400000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3410566-b4a009decf57ff4142dac80e250e29a9&start=10565&end=12400","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3410566-b4a009decf57ff4142dac80e250e29a9/thumbnail_10565000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6675483/North-Kingstown/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/North-Kingstown-committee-revises-policy-to-affirm-participation-by-transgender-and-nonbinary-students","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6675483-7381129fb91890cffa1b451a0813b43b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202652&Signature=cTLq9L~eYyUqtN-k6OmOsw3xYmxGj-B1sHlZVzL~YUH3GC3k563L8IQW~w-OHLIBLHH4~-FYZqsrc474s13rNKqU~Qv~wZkzdGum8xz4QyLPeHrk0nE9xtDtGKrL1EV06nRvvr6YG~d3e2IR2GCGLTRdf7SOOvGBoBgjY9Y8GMOVpWkyEB9QKyn3pdYpUx70zKKqO4feeB8yjo68bs1yT6smVib4Qo2bz1oGZsdQtV6B9ZN7m7ZfIlIOLtBcY26R0meMrSm3VBzpFhglCcCdlRFMYN-~knqlC0KxX6HM2g5cN4GGTrxtfphNoqAySLcEQuRyOYNeuCrNgmYE8pUURw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Kingstown","date","2025-05-20T00:00:00Z","article","The North Kingstown School Committee on May 20 approved revisions to its nondiscrimination policy to clarify that participation in physical education classes, intramurals and interscholastic athletics is to be based on students’ gender identity, with building principals instructed to follow district policy in making eligibility decisions.

The new language expanded the policy’s title and scope from \"students\" to \"individuals\" to indicate the district’s intention that these protections also apply to employees. The draft also added a line, requested by the committee, to the district bullying definition noting that cyberbullying can include social-media deepfakes or imagery created with AI technologies.

Public comment on the item included appeals from teachers and community members urging the district to preserve protections for transgender and gender-diverse youth. One speaker told the committee the state Interscholastic League’s recent change to eligibility language left districts to set consistent policies; committee members incorporated federal- and state-level legal updates into the revised policy language.

The policy passed in a recorded committee vote; the committee chair noted the vote carried by a 3–2 margin. The committee amended the draft to include the AI/cyberbullying sentence before approving the policy.

What happens next: The district will publish the revised policy and administrators said principals will apply the policy language when addressing questions of student participation in P.E. and athletics.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","North Kingstown School Committee Meeting: May 20th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The committee updated its nondiscrimination policy to clarify participation in P.E., intramurals and interscholastic athletics based on students' gender identity and added cyberbullying language referencing AI-generated content; the change passed after committee debate.","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},6675487,"School committee debates FY26 budget changes, seeks alternatives to staffing cuts",1470,12026000,13496000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3410566-b4a009decf57ff4142dac80e250e29a9&start=12026&end=13496","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3410566-b4a009decf57ff4142dac80e250e29a9/thumbnail_12026000.jpg","/articles/6675487/North-Kingstown/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/School-committee-debates-FY26-budget-changes-seeks-alternatives-to-staffing-cuts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6675487-14041ec897b5ed4cade0c7e2123ee7f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202652&Signature=mc5KRvYT7~UHuO1JFs3Be7vBuQz8EYroTQNSH9pDDdD5hsr~B6fm5NTXlieKktY-KfpLbqemqhWH4E8XY1prjJZucABJrZc2BUL64gPpa4TgsMzAkmFjQI9fy6LBl-8PUtQeYL8WrFrl3VnJkANAxSq221waPuS-Nqf66556S-DOEJwOMvMkfAvQrIyLE~7LkGr3ba6xos7MCcKrJDRFuq~2Y9T9Drz4svtwyGpo9gfi8-9w7o~THTPWdEzOnsHwRMGv1ZtDy7HuE1sbbcp3nZBbPDPW7Ex8M9plHT0qq0eATxv7eKDks5rCHr60BZMnx0tpqrZRkP001sLnU6LOjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The North Kingstown School Committee reviewed a preliminary FY26 budget shortfall of about $953,000 at its May 20 meeting and debated ways to close the gap without reducing staff.

Superintendent Dr. Duva and finance staff presented increases that include higher transportation costs, health and dental premium increases, an unexpected rise in solar-credit transfers to the town, and vendor and tuition increases. \"That totals $953,490 that we had to make up for,\" Duva said.

Administration proposed revenue offsets and operational reductions totaling roughly $289,600, plus an additional town appropriation to cover health and dental increases. Committee members also identified potential nonrecurring options: using fund balance for one-time items such as tree removal and considering enterprise-account transfers for certain expenses. Several members urged exhausting nonstaff cuts and one-time funds before removing positions.

Discussion focused on whether to reduce curriculum and wellness spending or eliminate one of three staff positions under consideration: an elementary FTE, an equity/belonging coordinator and a middle-school math interventionist. Members repeatedly said they preferred avoiding personnel cuts and asked administration to return with an updated budget that increases projected investment revenue (based on current year performance) and a conservative calculation of anticipated retiree breakage to close the remaining gap.

No formal staffing reductions were approved May 20. The administration agreed to recalculate the FY26 budget with the suggested revenue adjustments and nonrecurring expenditures and to present a revised, balanced proposal at the committee’s next meeting.","Committee members and administration discussed nearly $953,000 in cost increases for FY26 and explored offsets including extra town appropriation, higher investment revenue and retiree breakage to avoid cutting staff positions.",{"_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},6675491,"School committee names Paragrine Group OPM, hires DBVW for middle school design",650,8574000,9224000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3410566-b4a009decf57ff4142dac80e250e29a9&start=8574&end=9224","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3410566-b4a009decf57ff4142dac80e250e29a9/thumbnail_8574000.jpg","/articles/6675491/North-Kingstown/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/School-committee-names-Paragrine-Group-OPM-hires-DBVW-for-middle-school-design","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6675491-d0841f985c782c7d02a7655743f05d3b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202652&Signature=PCt7psrhXt7hIuU8mrykfBPBeuL40EjJTWlzgO5Z0dlvPcvjGbd2xS8PYt4tSLeifGu3bfn8FblQlX60CeFNETr7wXcZYeCytXPTN4-7SktNOTMTbIYNOprOFuFaN3dXq8FnuFvwcd1m9gm71zwi-Sa3eBCP0Ox7EJ~m2jyilfwFTuy3miFDUnhEm-GlsAWMqSh-1G~pLANkSY7j38KrW8vHGSeHCNoMV3nMvDmwVy6gY3pu12Abq4xd4kDqDm84MvkHfbjUpC2eVCGyjZUJwJybmV4-Y58QYfbAm-reQRgwa-QKsEA77fPi11QI4NXHI89MiYrjD1VZqRoiyNdBTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The North Kingstown School Committee voted May 20 to move forward with firms recommended by its building subcommittee for the planned replacement middle school: Paragrine Group for owner’s project management (OPM) and DBVW for architectural and engineering services.

Chris Murphy, chair of the building subcommittee, outlined the two-week selection process that included written submissions and interviews. \"Based on the presentations, the answers to the interview panel questions, the overall interview itself and in-depth conversations immediately post interviews, the interviewees for each submission were ranked,\" Murphy said, reading the subcommittee’s unanimous recommendation.

The committee then voted to authorize negotiations and contracts. The OPM agreement with Paragrine Group was approved after the district received a cost proposal that the administration said is within the program budget.

For the architectural services RFQ, the subcommittee ranked DBVW first and recommended the district enter negotiations. During the vote on the RFQ, one committee member recused due to a professional relationship; another member announced a negative vote. The motion to proceed with DBVW carried.

What comes next: The administration will finalize scope and negotiated contract terms and bring the cost proposal to the committee and the town council for final approvals and appropriation, as required. Officials said that after contract execution the OPM and architect will move into schematic design and the district’s capital improvement timeline.","After interviews, the committee voted to retain Paragrine Group as owner’s project manager and DBVW for architectural and engineering services for the district’s planned middle school. One member recused from the architectural vote.",{"_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},6675496,"Demographer forecasts small districtwide enrollment gains over next decade",3073,3152000,6225000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3410566-b4a009decf57ff4142dac80e250e29a9&start=3152&end=6225","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3410566-b4a009decf57ff4142dac80e250e29a9/thumbnail_3152000.jpg","/articles/6675496/North-Kingstown/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/Demographer-forecasts-small-districtwide-enrollment-gains-over-next-decade","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6675496-f89fc6c0a2ec6a73872a5ac651832f18/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202652&Signature=k57E~QUJHS0-mN9kg7F2QlnkVwC2TQVbbuTYxvB0N~cAwe8xKXF7FgFF-xGOADSA1m2zdKywSPVe-w1UNhPLcSleiJawfuNWCG98h0BuSIaA5K8sowVcJ4E6heOZ4OOZD0jgjrmhENb7xYYUwZI5RtXFildMD~xu3TwVGKULSp9cjTC4AUICmp~K4~Y5V6wQntl8AKQBy6MKuQK5CMTqlB816cWBk2jGc90dbw15cR7jNTYZJumXF~UMRhNGzYUYLR3uiVuhzUhTO9MdNe5LRNE4Ox~QEu0qcn5kJ6tQSu0b843AmZGZu6NY3ZwJlIrt140UNGfEqEIRCaOgIe7iqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A demographic study presented May 20 to the North Kingstown School Committee projects modest enrollment growth over the next 10 years, with elementary and middle school populations rising and high school enrollment remaining largely stable.

Cropper GIS principal Matthew Cropper told the committee his team produced a full population forecast for each attendance area before forecasting school enrollment. \"We were hired to do a demographic study for your school department that is basically a 10-year enrollment forecast,\" Cropper said.

The report found the district's total population is expected to remain relatively stable, with the school-age population showing small increases in elementary and middle grades. Cropper summarized the district totals: \"Your total district enrollment is 3,786 right now, and that's anticipated to be at about 3,900 at the end of this forecast.\" The forecast projects elementary enrollment to rise from about 1,568 this year to roughly 1,633, middle school enrollment to climb toward about 900, and high school enrollment to stay near current levels.

Why it matters: District officials said earlier delivery of comparable forecasts helps with facility planning, staffing and the district capital improvement plan. Cropper emphasized that local housing turnover and new construction are the main drivers of enrollment change; his team assumed about 260 existing home sales per year and roughly 20 new housing units annually in its baseline scenario. The firm also factored in fertility, mortality and migration trends and noted that interest-rate or economic shifts could alter outcomes.

School leaders asked about how the study handled the COVID-era disruptions and the 2020 census. Cropper said demographers treat 2020 as an abnormal year and use pre-COVID trends plus rebound data to calibrate forecasts. He also described how cohort “bubbles” in single-year age groups can create short-term dips or rises as those cohorts move through grade spans.

The consultant’s full report, including attendance-area detail and assumptions about public/private and charter ratios, will be used by the district for enrollment planning and to inform upcoming capital decisions.","Cropper GIS presented a 10-year population and enrollment forecast for North Kingstown showing modest growth in elementary and middle grades, stable high school numbers and a projected district total near 3,900 students by 2035.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

North Kingstown committee revises policy to affirm participation by transgender and nonbinary students

School committee debates FY26 budget changes, seeks alternatives to staffing cuts

School committee names Paragrine Group OPM, hires DBVW for middle school design

Demographer forecasts small districtwide enrollment gains over next decade