[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6517764,"mediaKeyId","5399927-d5c5958ae754249a3662b2dcf1e4115d","parentId",5399927,"title","School building committee reports first construction bids, vibration monitoring and tight schedule for new high school work","audioSeconds",453,"startMs",4965000,"endMs",5418000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5399927-d5c5958ae754249a3662b2dcf1e4115d&start=4965&end=5418","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5399927-d5c5958ae754249a3662b2dcf1e4115d/thumbnail_4965000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6517764/South-Kingstown/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/School-building-committee-reports-first-construction-bids-vibration-monitoring-and-tight-schedule-for-new-high-school-work","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6517764-1fa4b4cac1e16bcc82de64d7217c42e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163404&Signature=dG6KfThmEbjPv0aCYSSoPBw2EGzjvRIFiIuIbKbqdVVAYti0eRfk1FvgwZ13TzwkBD8PT-GfVE3CxjchEpxBR57j5AGb~qUozBMOARsDpJhJVs6TtJuwf5s695uuyxZluOfsu9~jWbKogBV~eYAgLjSVjwEZt2lI5~sAhbl-6ZJJNlmTNfKZFk3Ar7UX7fh3~RqK8PHx07Ist-SOMoyvbW1Nod7Ge9AdjGpcXZBRW82-QksRiIUvCHDlY2tYygTGaNDyBRnaJrxNw1vWdCVks4rRPo1BLGmPWuDG21MfC5JGvf6jxFgBmUySCFUaoUryMywNtjViMgm7JqxiHQLnhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","South Kingstown School Committee","date","2025-07-16T12:55:53Z","article","The South Kingstown School Building Committee reported progress on the high-school project after the town council approved three initial bid awards intended to start site work.

Committee members said the awarded packages include pre-construction surveys, perimeter fencing of the work area on Hazard Field, and reconfiguration of a bus drop and roadway near the cafeteria. The project manager and contractor Gilbane will place vibration monitors and perform pre-construction condition surveys for nearby properties to document baseline structural conditions before heavy construction begins.

“We're creating a new roadway, new bus route in the front… but in doing so, we're installing the perimeter fence around what will be the work area on Hazard Field,” the committee reported. The team said vibration monitoring and pre-work surveys aim to protect neighboring properties and respond to resident concerns about construction impacts.

The committee discussed a recent public complaint about geothermal options; the project team reviewed how geothermal had been evaluated in prior public meetings and told members the design meets efficiency goals and is “solar ready.” Committee members emphasized transparency: documentation from past meetings and technical evaluations has been available to public bodies and residents, they said.

Committee leaders outlined a compressed schedule: the town council is expected to take a key vote on Aug. 12, with initial site mobilization planned for the following day. The committee said Curtis Corner field work remains part of the overall plan but will proceed in parallel after the high-school schedule is stabilized.

What’s next: The school building committee will meet again July 24 to review contractor coordination and field plans; the project team will continue community outreach and monitor pre-construction vibration and survey data.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","South Kingstown School Committee Executive Session and Business Meeting 9.12.23","oneSentenceSummary","The school building committee reported that three first-phase bid awards were approved by the town council, contractors will install vibration monitors and perimeter fencing, and the project team emphasized a tight schedule with key approvals slated for mid-August.","taxTitle","South Kingstown, School Districts, Rhode Island","taxId",51093,"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},6517769,"School committee adopts \"Thrive\" mission and core beliefs, aligning strategy to equity audit",1046,5997000,7043000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5399927-d5c5958ae754249a3662b2dcf1e4115d&start=5997&end=7043","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5399927-d5c5958ae754249a3662b2dcf1e4115d/thumbnail_5997000.jpg","/articles/6517769/South-Kingstown/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/School-committee-adopts-Thrive-mission-and-core-beliefs-aligning-strategy-to-equity-audit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6517769-e513c74e4531487b670af4bb210d0f08/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163404&Signature=d9d9d5CgB6JVwR5s76OHeG4YCE8HoUniZYp3mfvBx2hQyXtJNz0icgLF5YoNFLBFJwHJ9O6sycYqCejs~R5aF2e7GDzDLPmuRzIWQxtL607AclyVl5sDWudY4QwGJI679zfp4OrTXocOXFAU6lVwXjTGiYTuqlZyBpk1UmIVRPxUk2StdCiJLY8Mat8~gblavJpC5zhTCynv~rkKsTWe6qqTnVOW2msTkiWDzBKOeUyBdzpu1WPfyQRddw98QXqIb9hGdjPRBBbd66e1oMl~P508kcbcrt6eETHQZrwZVnT3udgsv77r5YJws1pcDJL5~OAqbsEg4wWf5PW7cBouVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The South Kingstown School Committee voted to adopt a short mission statement and a core-belief framework designed to guide the district’s strategic planning and align actions with recommendations from an equity audit.

Superintendent James Pedraza presented the proposed language and the strategic-planning subcommittee’s recommendation to remove the word “draft” and formally adopt the mission: “In partnership with the community, our students will thrive.” He also recommended adoption of the Thrive core-belief framework: trust, high expectations, respect, inclusion, voice and equity. Pedraza said the framework synthesizes stakeholder input, research and the equity-audit findings.

The superintendent described next steps that would follow adoption: the strategic-planning subcommittee would craft a vision of a graduate, develop measurable key performance indicators for each Thrive pillar, and curate research and resources to support implementation. “This is not just a slogan on a wall,” Pedraza said, describing plans to link each Thrive pillar to research and performance indicators.

Committee members from across the table praised the short mission statement and the explicit ties to the equity audit. One member asked about alignment with an existing high-school “vision of a graduate”; Pedraza said the mission and core beliefs are intended to undergird K–12 work and that the committee would ensure alignment. A committee member asked about participation in the strategic-planning survey; the superintendent reported the survey included caregiver responses with representation across schools and noted the survey included families of students with IEPs and 504 plans.

The motion to adopt the mission statement and Thrive core beliefs passed by voice vote. Committee members said the subcommittee would continue drafting performance metrics and an implementation plan and would provide further community-facing materials that link each Thrive pillar to research.

What’s next: The strategic-planning subcommittee will develop a vision statement, measurable goals and an implementation plan that the committee plans to monitor in coming months.","The committee adopted a concise mission—\"In partnership with the community, our students will thrive\"—and a core-belief framework (Trust, High expectations, Respect, Inclusion, Voice, Equity) developed during the district’s strategic-planning process and tied to an equity audit.",{"_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},6517774,"School committee approves additional grade 2 section at West Kingston, funded from FY2026 contingency",1948,4012000,5960000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5399927-d5c5958ae754249a3662b2dcf1e4115d&start=4012&end=5960","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5399927-d5c5958ae754249a3662b2dcf1e4115d/thumbnail_4012000.jpg","/articles/6517774/South-Kingstown/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/School-committee-approves-additional-grade-2-section-at-West-Kingston-funded-from-FY2026-contingency","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6517774-1e210490871d2f98fd3f7ff50335181e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163404&Signature=QJWAJXeUOdMKkyGpUuobF8kie7Y9eo2OC8v~kT~RrtOdLkmPsEIs5R2jU2daMqN8ivtNj6jd3dYu5I5Th3DmA6pouViKcOBDOq8unMDOSsF7sHmxeB9cA345ubeS2QB5j6lh0bR9OT4-cI2lFwxphhXIlEX-qbMV7DnFuOrOqfgNr17Ej5P1w-qA6U7oXJdp4HdUs7X7CqFs83K7OxW4UQrTE1kWJQumwuYtsaOTRr5BFkWp1jJ1jglEcMM5VFvhx6aZeP~ATkvZ3~ikGrwMfxYUNnFWDX8Z1Mp7TDjNBeFieixc9y2SiWSqh5XqUG4Sj~9N72c6UaFjZkrnf3prsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The South Kingstown School Committee approved the superintendent’s recommendation to add an additional grade 2 classroom at West Kingston Elementary School to equalize class sizes across the district.

Superintendent James Pedraza recommended adding the section after the district’s enrollment reconciliation showed West Kingston’s grade 2 roster had grown from last year’s count and could reach parity with other schools if an additional section were added. “It is my recommendation for the committee tonight to add an additional grade 2 teacher at West Kingston Elementary School,” Pedraza said.

Pedraza said the district ended last year with about 44 second-graders at West Kingston, with registrations and transfers bringing a projected total near the mid-40s; Pease Dale’s second grade has a comparable total. He cautioned that class-size rules in the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) set maximums for grades 4 and 5 and that transportation costs could result if the district placed students at other schools instead of opening a section.

On staffing procedures, Pedraza said the district would follow the CBA: the vacancy would be posted to the district’s current membership as an expedited two-day posting; if no current staff applied, the district would recall a teacher from the recall list on day three. “It would be an expedited 2 day posting…and then, in order to fill that position and then deal with any effects, if there were no…nobody going or looking to move to that position, we would then go to the recall list,” Pedraza said.

Committee members agreed the short-term fiscal impact would likely be small and recommended using the previously identified $130,000 contingency to fund the new section for FY2026. Committee members noted a possible shortfall depending on the recalled teacher’s step level; if necessary, a modest shortfall would come from fund balance, the committee said. The motion to add the West Kingston grade 2 section passed by voice vote.

What’s next: Administration will post the position, implement CBA recall procedures if needed, and report back to the committee on final staffing costs and any budget adjustments.","Superintendent recommended and the committee approved adding a grade 2 teacher at West Kingston Elementary to balance class sizes; the position will be posted to existing membership with recall-list procedures and funded initially from the district's $130,000 contingency.",{"_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},6517779,"School officials present revised FY2026 budget; committee adopts update with $130,000 contingency",814,3197000,4011000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5399927-d5c5958ae754249a3662b2dcf1e4115d&start=3197&end=4011","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5399927-d5c5958ae754249a3662b2dcf1e4115d/thumbnail_3197000.jpg","/articles/6517779/South-Kingstown/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/School-officials-present-revised-FY2026-budget-committee-adopts-update-with-130000-contingency","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6517779-693781473100778b2fe7a5fc36ecf016/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163404&Signature=Ugzz2rsEdNVeLkDJc0QsrZByvL2IMarzV~VmuTX1G7ngyP9GJGavs1UQOM-YEdK9efr0BKEeSH5TY7aSr4YhdpXecZJMIYb6QJ3ORGlrrxkRPAeLWQ2BJd3ozqxlmKT2GdBFiqdUP68S7tjQZ7pEsyvbljImKpN94nNShxNfUCr-WbNFY6~UJiUynpgRxxnpZLXKo3gMaPktf~we3PNBsXFSdxOj52SUTlikrC5rB3j8zGpKAh6hyQ36fUPlmN6WnyTu8rXLqqEvSixCv1AaY~nRVEC5o2gKr80fPX0masgP~FeVlsVq--MoH~Lzes87GjIsEr3qUqBD39hAxto7Cg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The South Kingstown School Committee approved an administrative recommendation to adopt a revised FY2026 general fund budget after the district’s finance team reconciled changes since the March adopted budget.

Tony Ferrucci, the district finance officer, told the committee that the town enacted a level municipal appropriation that left the district about $500,000 short of what it had expected. That shortfall was largely offset this year by one-time funds from the district’s departure from a self-insurance cooperative and by somewhat higher state aid totals. “You went to a new style program where you're paying premiums to the trust...the funds that were remaining in the cooperative…are now available,” Ferrucci said, explaining the one-time $608,000 transfer the district expects. Ferrucci also said recent state aid calculations increased the district’s revenue by a little over $100,000.

On the expenditure side, Ferrucci reported salary increases of about $93,000 compared with the adopted budget and a reduction in fringe-benefit costs of roughly $87,000. Taken together with other adjustments, Ferrucci said the district shows about $130,000 available as an undesignated contingency for FY2026. He cautioned the committee that the $608,000 cooperative payment is one-time and will not be available in future years, so long-term balance will require either revenue increases or cost reductions.

Committee members thanked Ferrucci and administration for the detailed reconciliation and asked that the contingency be tracked in the district’s accounting system. A motion to accept the budget update carried by voice vote; the minutes note that member Brad Shear had stepped out and was not part of the vote.

District leaders said the $130,000 contingency will be held to address immediate priorities identified by the superintendent and that any ongoing commitments beyond FY2026 would need separate approval and funding. Ferrucci told the committee the administration had set a clear, line-item presentation and would provide further detail on specific object codes and any remaining open FY2025 encumbrances.

What’s next: The committee adopted the revised budget; administration will return with any recommended allocations for the contingency and will monitor FY2027 revenue assumptions, given the one-time nature of some FY2026 funds.","CFO presented a revised FY2026 general fund budget showing a $255,000 revenue increase driven by one-time cooperative funds and extra state aid; the committee adopted the update and set a $130,000 contingency for possible district needs.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6517784,"South Kingstown school committee votes to relinquish Wakefield Elementary to town; residents urged to press council",1184,1991000,3175000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5399927-d5c5958ae754249a3662b2dcf1e4115d&start=1991&end=3175","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5399927-d5c5958ae754249a3662b2dcf1e4115d/thumbnail_1991000.jpg","/articles/6517784/South-Kingstown/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/South-Kingstown-school-committee-votes-to-relinquish-Wakefield-Elementary-to-town-residents-urged-to-press-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6517784-a2caef0daaa0d7f52be63ba72b0e0771/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163404&Signature=kqgbijNm0LQJspy1a~fRvH9nuEuvMlaDNGzGp6HjzxRIoGH7TIvqWOZESRuLMmnXICgKk74o7xLykHfBtEQ17-h1upuq7MudZr~yV6useeKjO2Veba16whUVrkDhij3M42-w6ABA~VmIMxiHlBhH1kNFNcOcrZltH7FrKGmA-Q9EBhv7~HhKXzQR2qEkybdFxKzfG7PW8zkX1Zr~Yj3ZkUC4POTDLN6rphyPoUE0acikuOfKyL98Kdugec6e1SLdjOAJT2~shUalmcDtegjflvkNdOFnjnPfmhXwMLfL5832boGnwTObNduevJnPdhOYpcHhYv7Xn1YOIcskV9Oi3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The South Kingstown School Committee voted to relinquish care, custody and control of Wakefield Elementary School to the town after a public comment period in which neighbors urged the committee to delay the transfer.

Residents told the committee the Wakefield site and adjacent playground are important neighborhood assets and asked the district to pause the handoff so the town can consider preserving public space and reuse options. Superintendent James Pedraza recommended the transfer, saying the district does not foresee reopening the building for instruction given current enrollment and facilities.

The recommendation mattered to neighbors because the committee’s action moves the legal title and decision-making to the town council. “I asked the committee to postpone the transfer in order to fully evaluate options and weigh what the future impact to the community would be,” public commenter Bridal Apuzzo said. Marissa Salisbury said, “It is inevitable that if the land gets turned over to the town, it will end up in the hands of a developer,” and warned that a proposed site plan would leave just 16 public parking spaces that could be taken up by residents of any new development.

Chair Carol Vetter responded to public concerns by noting a state requirement the committee cited earlier in the meeting: “We’re mandated that if we close a school, the building returns to the town. So we don’t have a choice.” Vetter and other committee members told residents the town council—not the school committee—will decide how the town uses the property and encouraged neighbors to bring their preferences to the council and municipal staff.

Committee members acknowledged the playground’s local significance and discussed possible protections residents might press the council to adopt, including a reverter clause that would return the site to the district for educational use if enrollment needs change. Superintendent Pedraza said district staff had been working with the town and community on logistics such as removal of educational materials and a plan to preserve a time capsule, but that detailed plans for celebrations or further actions were not yet finalized.

The school committee approved the recommendation to relinquish the building by voice vote. The motion, which passed without a recorded roll-call tally in the transcript, transferred responsibility for the building and adjacent grounds to the town of South Kingstown. The committee’s action does not itself set any specific reuse plan; that authority now rests with the town council and town manager.

Residents and committee members said they will take their concerns about playground maintenance, parking for town events, historical dedications (including references to the Nancy Brown playground and other named site features), and potential clauses to preserve educational reuse to the town council.

What’s next: The town council will consider how to use and manage the site. Committee members asked residents to attend town-council meetings and submit written requests to the town manager and councilors to advocate for preservation and specific protections.","The South Kingstown School Committee voted to relinquish care, custody and control of Wakefield Elementary School to the town, prompting public pleas to the town council to preserve playgrounds, parking and the option to return the building to educational use.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

School building committee reports first construction bids, vibration monitoring and tight schedule for new high school work

School committee adopts "Thrive" mission and core beliefs, aligning strategy to equity audit

School committee approves additional grade 2 section at West Kingston, funded from FY2026 contingency

School officials present revised FY2026 budget; committee adopts update with $130,000 contingency

South Kingstown school committee votes to relinquish Wakefield Elementary to town; residents urged to press council