[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6546649,"mediaKeyId","3585969-d5794aa96f42e1b80d788378ed876600","parentId",3585969,"title","Board approves homeschool petition, seals executive-session minutes and concurs with staff personnel recommendations","audioSeconds",138,"startMs",510000,"endMs",648000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3585969-d5794aa96f42e1b80d788378ed876600&start=510&end=648","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3585969-d5794aa96f42e1b80d788378ed876600/thumbnail_510000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6546649/Central-Falls/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/Board-approves-homeschool-petition-seals-executive-session-minutes-and-concurs-with-staff-personnel-recommendations","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546649-5d023f314ce17abddcc6e01fb17d2cb6/orig.mp4?Expires=1774927536&Signature=i-qm4Id5maWj8NVEyJ8ulf47Fv-ogF-LDkkQOPoCskIgnihsyrnu5xobmSqhMTTXn4iXfRKRHpDzU3F0RPQgghzdH84FrXzwHlxIKX2ldxMU7cCeR4xpOP0SjYTeJDQcFaQ9wg4E1PPxbVPR~lzLjAAW0G4NmP-P~qFRfhh9t5~-q~LEQSqoKdpAZ24ag5KwH3KMWPn4drEft5zsQcI3SuYvg2a7rHay8xXZhJ7CPesnrW7zfXREYa34SOU5-TM~Q7KZ9qd6KPGlmmcu18NK4f4Mpm~XTp7-xKnJxz42ympUpmqMpOh-yoY8quMiHD8b7vJs7j1xiftTCTpJEZfGKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Central Falls School District","date","2025-05-29T13:51:17Z","article","The Central Falls School District Board of Trustees approved several procedural and personnel actions at its May 27 meeting, including the unanimous approval of a homeschool application, sealing executive-session minutes and a board concurrence with a superintendent recommendation to terminate a non‑certified employee.

Public comment and a superintendent recommendation preceded the homeschool vote. The board voted to approve the homeschool petition for a kindergarten student after the applicant (identified in the transcript as Miller) described planned curriculum and compliance with applicable laws; the motion carried unanimously. A board member offered well wishes to the applicant after the vote.

After a half-hour executive session held under Rhode Island General Law 42-46-5 (personnel), the board reconvened in public and voted to seal the executive-session minutes in compliance with Rhode Island General Law 42-46-4 and 42-46-5. The vote to seal the minutes was taken by roll call; board members present voted in the affirmative and the motion carried.

The board reported that one vote taken during executive session was to approve the superintendent’s performance review. The board described the review in public session as a unanimous vote deeming the superintendent’s performance “a positive report.” The board also took a public vote to concur with the superintendent’s recommendation to terminate an employment relationship with a non‑certified employee; the motion carried following a motion by Board member Figueroa and a second by Board member Evans.

Other consent actions included approval of meeting minutes from April 15 (with Board member Martinez abstaining because she was absent from that meeting) and the routine human-resources memo, which included hires, displacements that preserved positions, and one retiree announcement. The board noted it avoided layoffs this year and will hold a mutual-consent job fair for displaced certificated staff to bid into open positions.

The board’s procedural votes and personnel actions were recorded on the public record in compliance with state open‑meetings law; staff said any additional personnel-related details remain confidential where required by law.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Trustees Meeting 5/27/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Central Falls School Board unanimously approved a homeschool application, sealed executive-session minutes, recorded a unanimous positive superintendent performance review vote taken in executive session, and concurred with a superintendent recommendation to terminate a non‑certified employee.","taxTitle","Central Falls, School Districts, Rhode Island","taxId",40270,"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},6546654,"Central Falls budget forecast shows upside and downside scenarios as aid and grants remain uncertain",1241,3021000,4262000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3585969-d5794aa96f42e1b80d788378ed876600&start=3021&end=4262","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3585969-d5794aa96f42e1b80d788378ed876600/thumbnail_3021000.jpg","/articles/6546654/Central-Falls/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/Central-Falls-budget-forecast-shows-upside-and-downside-scenarios-as-aid-and-grants-remain-uncertain","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546654-d9dee17859d87315c485648dcc50ea42/orig.mp4?Expires=1774927536&Signature=a8~VbHWTJJuQFKJKu4TfqdRAQmgjsHiJDdw2hc4SVa-O7kez~3YpOoMTeIsxtwrQLwXqSBoN~ikAUwnWPKL6YO7Jt4wmxpjHE~8PRpAiauw32p1wNx9vzwiMwLuAknubn0G~ODSYcK~0CyFpv8NxRa1joaCz5utD4XDiaDBa1~tutM4IReUTUHLk30eXta9kD9iht70QffMdoU-LwPVA93U~psTm2eEQGEPz7fyNS0STJCB6z7Fn2fckKxzDpvfBNBfIR5azvRI2B1MKPbyvxeKhw8-O8L2qb6wUjEX2U~vbEAWW6x5Mk9fyIA3LjNr-NHss2wDXIbD-Fwmax~D5bA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the May 27 Board of Trustees meeting, Director Simmons walked the board through an updated FY26 budget forecast that included both an upside scenario if proposed state and local aid arrive and a downside scenario if federal grant reimbursements are reduced.

Simmons said the district’s baseline assumptions include ongoing personnel and operating costs plus added expense tied to opening the new high school. The district’s analysis showed an upside case that would bring total revenue to about $55.4 million (including a student-success factor increase that remains a legislative assumption) and a modest budgetary reserve; an alternate scenario that assumes a 15% reduction in federal grant availability (a change RIDE has flagged as possible) would require the general fund to absorb approximately $215,000 and could push the district toward roughly a $1 million deficit.

Simmons highlighted three revenue items that remain uncertain: a possible $443,000 contribution from the city (which staff said is likely but not confirmed), a governor’s recommended supplemental aid item of about $1.3 million still subject to the legislative process, and federal grant availability and E-Rate calculations. Simmons said the district’s multilingual-learner categorical (MLL) funding was currently shown at about $3.1 million in state proposals but warned that federal and categorical funding rules remain in flux.

Board members asked specific questions about how the high school opening would affect utility and property-service costs and how legacy operational costs for the existing high school would be handled during transition. Simmons said the new high school will add operating costs and that property/services and utilities are expected to rise (bidding for construction and larger footprint could push property-services contract growth to 5–6% and utilities higher than a typical 3% CPI assumption). He said legacy-site costs and demolition/timing remain active discussions with the school-building committee and the city.

Simmons recommended the board adopt a tiered budget for the June vote, allowing staff to present a final recommendation once federal, state and local funding lines are clarified. “We don’t know,” he said at one point when describing the number of unresolved variables; the board set a June vote date for the fiscal 2026 budget but was told material changes remain possible until the state and federal determinations are final.

Superintendent comments referenced prior ESSER investments that helped launch programs such as C2-3 and noted staff are aiming to sustain successful MLL work through categorical funding and grants where possible. The board asked to receive final local contribution confirmation and noted negotiations with unions and other outstanding items are being paused until budget certainty increases.","Director Simmons presented a three-tier FY26 budget forecast showing a possible $55.4 million upside if recommended state aid materializes and a potential $1 million deficit if federal grants are reduced; the board was told a June vote is expected but major revenues remain unresolved.",{"_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},6546659,"Central Falls reports mixed ACCESS results and will expand dedicated English-language supports",1555,927000,2482000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3585969-d5794aa96f42e1b80d788378ed876600&start=927&end=2482","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3585969-d5794aa96f42e1b80d788378ed876600/thumbnail_927000.jpg","/articles/6546659/Central-Falls/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/Central-Falls-reports-mixed-ACCESS-results-and-will-expand-dedicated-English-language-supports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546659-15e61014ab788d6a7db0bdc2111d6d9a/orig.mp4?Expires=1774927536&Signature=BwVW~r6gIFicYmNvN702GYzeaaEENb-ZyR2tqRgx5TCjzbMFEHDtWq3dZPJWwLJEeW7sw0PsNC1w5oNojMNuEBnEvwp8LjBb4Hr4RxDd3qyewG-S8tMTjjtEz2HHOTg1BLD-SXn-G~xZoEuIEpLdhST6xggviO0vTaNw8jyD29UawUKI46o9-rzUAFZAVMiASId5HQnphVNmHGF~pBrugt2yYa3qOHJjNUtlHLJ8gfFK-VBu08yljuzbv2ij7d2gsUfugJ9y8t9CRYPpUS3S9owmNXoguhXv3cHdzVm7B48e3aMqECCY8o7wOauPmXyK5ZK6mHPscnVIuIiFfAWFnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Central Falls School District officials presented ACCESS English-language proficiency results and a plan to expand dedicated English-language instruction across the district at the May 27 Board of Trustees meeting.

District staff said about 72% of multilingual learners had individual RIDE (Rhode Island Department of Education) ELP targets for 2024–25; of those students, 39% met the targets set by RIDE. Elementary grades generally showed stronger target attainment than secondary grades, and staff singled out L.R.I.S. (LRIS) as a bright spot, reporting that 71% of LRIS students with targets met them.

The results matter, staff said, because RIDE’s ELP indicator factors into school- and district-level accountability and because the data help identify which students need more targeted support. Director Hare (presenting the ACCESS results) noted changes to RIDE targets this year that make multi-year comparisons limited and emphasized that the district is treating this year as a new baseline.

Staff provided disaggregated findings: non-long-term English learners (non-LTELs) met targets at about 42% while long-term ELLs (LTELs) met them at about 33%. Year-of-service analyses showed larger median score growth for students in their first three years of service and lower growth for students with many years of service. When growth was examined by home language, students who speak Spanish at home showed larger average gains; students whose home language is Portuguese or Portuguese creole had more mixed results.

Tiffany (MLL lead) said the district has increased staffing to support multilingual learners this year and will expand programming next year. “I’m happy to say that we’re actually in a really good place,” she told the board, then described new roles added this year: an assistant MLL director (Sarah Pereira), a 50% family liaison (Kate Berndian), and a data specialist focused on MLL students with disabilities.

Staff reported program participation and exit numbers: 43 multilingual learners exited MLL services during the school year; an additional 46 students were identified as potential exits pending fall testing (students with scores in the 4.5–4.7 range could exit after meeting testing criteria such as RICAS/PSAT/SAT). The district provides a targeted program known as C2-3 (dedicated ELD for students at levels 1–2.9); staff said C2-3 served more than 200 newcomers this year and produced higher target-attainment rates (about 57% for C2-3 participants vs. about 36% for non-participants). Janelle (MLL staff) and other presenters were careful to say the data are not causal but are being studied further.

Based on this year’s results and new state MLL regulations, the district plans several changes for 2025–26: rename C2-3 to “MLL enrichment,” expand it to serve students at levels 1 through 4.7 during the school year and summer, provide an explicit, dedicated ELD block for every K–12 student at levels 1.0–3.9, and offer integrated language/content supports for students at 4.0–4.7 (with supplemental after-school options where schedules allow). The district will also roll out progress-monitoring tools (TEL and Summit K–12) more frequently next year to allow multiple data checkpoints beyond the current twice-a-year schedule.

Staff also highlighted Seal of Biliteracy achievements: 24 students demonstrated English proficiency for the seal this year; several students earned silver or gold ratings in world-language assessments. Christina Sanchez Serrano (CTE director) said expanded AP Spanish enrollment next year is likely to increase Seal of Biliteracy numbers.

Board members asked about program scale, funding, and how participation varies by school. Tiffany said categorical MLL funding for the district remains listed at $3.1 million in current state proposals but that final funding details remain uncertain until state and federal budgets are finalized. The district will continue to pilot curriculum and coach teachers to integrate language objectives into content instruction.

Board members and staff said they will continue data dives over the summer and present any additional accountability comparisons after RIDE releases state averages. Staff emphasized that next year’s implementation will be phased and contingent on final budget and staffing decisions.","District staff presented ACCESS English-proficiency results showing 39% of tested multilingual learners met RIDE targets, highlighted pockets of strong performance, and detailed plans to expand and rename the C2-3 program into a K–12 MLL enrichment/ELD strategy for next year.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves homeschool petition, seals executive-session minutes and concurs with staff personnel recommendations

Central Falls budget forecast shows upside and downside scenarios as aid and grants remain uncertain

Central Falls reports mixed ACCESS results and will expand dedicated English-language supports