[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,75,87,99,110],{"_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",6503138,"mediaKeyId","5603705-73bdb8c18e1438d60d2e05e6affc790c","parentId",5603705,"title","Committee approves interim director of facilities and school safety","audioSeconds",7975,"startMs",6867000,"endMs",14842000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5603705-73bdb8c18e1438d60d2e05e6affc790c&start=6867&end=14842","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5603705-73bdb8c18e1438d60d2e05e6affc790c/thumbnail_6867000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6503138/North-Kingstown/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/Committee-approves-interim-director-of-facilities-and-school-safety","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6503138-c7f83d162267b6030c0cdb9547954d85/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140810&Signature=aRdZSRGZ3b0ncmowX3S3bj-bw6mbQtg1syhh5JR9mglyY7~hXqRWvuFHiibsVXVoizZum3KhhgK5LdEwkqkRuzrpDm9Pvj-2IkdsETEsFMHCt5O~hemwnoMR8TIcLZ83wMBCLmO99THYNxqR2VYWf~z464lGCRkspqU34HOGC1JMOQhTMBAQoJZ29qeaWNhfbPcfh4xzkXpm8QXDE4J4n~4l-vNR2dRHqMwOLCIJynameXPozxUYztXK73FnukUJh9XIWdy5RpFIjzPor~ZcJr6d6o1vOQ70bOorUxqt1oJoLPlcV~vpAkb9rM4IXBXK3o68e9VhsQWsVXny4dN4Nw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Kingstown","date","2025-08-20T03:04:55.567Z","article","After the resignation of the district’s director of facilities and school safety, the North Kingstown School Committee approved Aug. 19 an interim appointment to cover the role while a permanent hire is completed.

The superintendent recommended David Kenoyer, retired director of facilities from Johnston Public Schools, and the committee approved an interim contract. The superintendent said Kenoyer began last week and had already started building inspections, overseeing summer projects and coordinating an interview process for a permanent replacement.

Why it matters: Facilities leadership is central as the district prepares school buildings for opening and implements capital improvement projects tied to bond work. The interim appointment aims to provide continuity during a period of active facilities planning and construction.

What’s next: Kenoyer will serve as interim director while the district interviews candidates for the permanent role and continues scheduled facilities work and inspections.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","North Kingstown School Committee Meeting: August 19th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The committee approved an interim appointment for the director of facilities and school safety after the previous director resigned; the interim is a retired facilities director from a neighboring district.","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},6503142,"Committee approves new closed‑captioning/indexing platform; IT says integration with town system required sole‑source rationale",88,7411000,7499000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5603705-73bdb8c18e1438d60d2e05e6affc790c&start=7411&end=7499","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5603705-73bdb8c18e1438d60d2e05e6affc790c/thumbnail_7411000.jpg","/articles/6503142/North-Kingstown/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/Committee-approves-new-closedcaptioningindexing-platform-IT-says-integration-with-town-system-required-solesource-rationale","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6503142-ac4ccbb2a2ca572b8edc14f82a9943f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140810&Signature=kGkpZDIQ-uaGm~cppatgjtQHmahQZrJA~ZfzvZQtH6sl26FC9pJ7Z4u2sRFU3fbwa5EQ3~BxFhosrY47-JPG23X5-dS~orxWcL9JZ6BXflrmTPxpNcPM3E0PKlCCR-V4MeiT3Y6M~SaCzuqRoHp53ocHYrTSSQt4X2YvgVzGilqP4lleAIziYTmIt4UzxdwBPQnryNH~EO56-VDlHNMQcFbzRJhcOno3Q47gsFH-0YEQk6nf1hynKf1g2h2JvqjuKP00OsFXtvlp~Qtl9AcOcvKrkXGSj1LTzQ2-EtcvvvX~HE8sJWKTD~rnUbczonLmHFaPI1gR2Bk22AoTPIQneQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","School committee members approved a software purchase on Aug. 19 to replace the district’s existing video platform. The IT supervisor, Chaz Pesenko, told the committee the new system will provide closed‑captioning, indexing and bilingual (English/Spanish) caption support and will integrate with the town’s platform. Pesenko said the vendor had agreed to extend technical support to accommodate the district’s transition and that his target for going live is September, with October as the latest practical date.

Committee members asked about the sole‑source designation. Pesenko and another staff member explained the purchase was justified as sole‑source because the town already uses the platform, and the district needs compatibility for indexing and accessibility features. The committee approved the purchase by voice vote.

Why it matters: The platform will provide real-time captioning, indexing and bilingual support for district video content and will support accessibility and recordkeeping needs.

What’s next: IT expects to test and deploy the system over the coming month and will integrate indexing and captioning into the district’s video workflow.","The committee approved purchase of a new captioning and video indexing system; district IT said the town uses the same vendor and integration, plus bilingual captioning, drove a sole‑source determination.",{"_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},6503148,"High school student urges wheelchair‑accessibility buttons at media center and cafeteria doors",48,670000,718000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5603705-73bdb8c18e1438d60d2e05e6affc790c&start=670&end=718","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5603705-73bdb8c18e1438d60d2e05e6affc790c/thumbnail_670000.jpg","/articles/6503148/North-Kingstown/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/High-school-student-urges-wheelchairaccessibility-buttons-at-media-center-and-cafeteria-doors","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6503148-52e43ea416366aba1f6c8b9dbac0af38/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140810&Signature=n06JC7ZrqJCDndzKfU6by~dWyVvjEUr9JC79IqsZGgu3EAFRJJZY61rTg3oD2kpaNj6ZmP~5qxbz6xB10qA1FI9PrP-dbINxeclk6OqhyQF1MqUtzwWD3OCHGDTaxHz5beZtHZVW4DGufJEjt1CSX~ukmWJki5Ilfews-IUVDufSakI063rkuxYDKnfOd91EpVJKlK1956mZYeWzd6oMAam-gkOsUY0G1SHCWU2AcJT2PkoUs6Jr3QowDRmTw25Yg8BRWglVLKBj5eijJ10GjTsf6EWXQxDJ8beyblaTwBJl~0hOqc9a3bpW-xtQFduRT6O2TX9MdqjTTqAEoeL0vg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A North Kingstown High School senior addressed the school committee during public comment on Aug. 19 to request improved wheelchair accessibility at the high school. The student, Sofia Azalina, said her brother is wheelchair‑bound and that two locations in particular — the media center (library) and the cafeteria doors — would benefit from handicap push‑button door openers so students could enter independently.

Sofia described the challenges she and her brother faced, saying she often needed a second person to hold doors while she pushed her brother’s wheelchair through. She urged the committee and administration to consider installing automatic door openers at those two high-traffic locations.

The superintendent acknowledged the public comment during the subsequent facilities update and noted ongoing work to prepare buildings for the school year. Committee members did not vote on the request during the meeting; the superintendent said facilities staff would continue to monitor building readiness and projects in the coming weeks.

Why it matters: Automatic door openers improve independent access for students with mobility impairments. The committee receives formal budget and facilities requests annually and must balance accessibility upgrades with other capital and maintenance priorities.

What’s next: The facilities team will assess needs for the high‑school entry points and include accessibility work in upcoming project lists, subject to budget and scheduling.","A senior and public commenter asked the school committee to install automatic door push‑buttons at two high‑school entry points to improve independent access for wheelchair users.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6503153,"School committee approves conscious-discipline contract for Quinesset Elementary",0,7383000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5603705-73bdb8c18e1438d60d2e05e6affc790c&start=7383&end=7383","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5603705-73bdb8c18e1438d60d2e05e6affc790c/thumbnail_7383000.jpg","/articles/6503153/North-Kingstown/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/School-committee-approves-conscious-discipline-contract-for-Quinesset-Elementary","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6503153-0999ba258d7e77cc8d9145ccbd6faf90/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140810&Signature=ZYl7Qe467OASrOQN3JkDX2KPlMFKT4U9FRGkq6MWIyPgcgBMH7yFS0V87CYI0DZkKZjcjE754wlKN9xmsRJtGyV4e2F9wsexVl6KTbOAhdJawi8WTOggHTJZkeGdiRsqLkA5Ak1Kk4h-DKn95tHPaAqsasEG4DQz5WJROsga7kVtjzaH3Hk8B8amAYug70SzTmYpLSW8cBEh-UEMO0ak3HtKADGEyCQDrgIqwdBhyiQ1SjA1zXIvi7Mn2PJI~8jE7xMEoTuMJGyeLC470dL4zJXjIs3f~7aQIiX3X~BVw8W61EBFaH5rwotmZ6X-R1kk6k7GS3Ed9n0fQhXUlVinwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The North Kingstown School Committee on Aug. 19 voted to approve a conscious-discipline contract at Quinesset Elementary School. The program, funded through Title I resources at Quinesset, will continue and include ongoing training for staff, administrators said.

At the meeting, member Jen Remond asked whether the conscious-discipline approach would be expanded to other elementary schools. Lydia Hanhardt, the district’s Title I coordinator, said the district has not budgeted to expand conscious discipline beyond Quinesset because the Quinesset training was paid for with Title I funds that are not available to non-Title I schools. Hanhardt described the district’s current approach as “infusing” conscious‑discipline language and practices into family communications and classroom materials rather than holding a single, stand‑alone event.

Committee members voted in favor of the contract. The motion passed by voice vote; members said the training aligns with the district’s other positive behavioral supports and with Title I family-engagement expectations.

Why it matters: The conscious-discipline program is an approach to social-emotional learning and classroom management designed to provide consistent social and behavioral structures for students; the committee’s decision keeps the program in place at Quinesset but does not expand it to other schools at this time.

What’s next: District staff said they will continue training at Quinesset and integrate program language into communications sent to families.","The committee approved a Title I-funded conscious-discipline contract and heard that the program will be maintained at Quinesset but not expanded districtwide this year; administrators said Title I funding is a limiting factor.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6503156,"School committee hears revised bond plan after cost review; walls at three elementaries set aside",4539,7911000,12450000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5603705-73bdb8c18e1438d60d2e05e6affc790c&start=7911&end=12450","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5603705-73bdb8c18e1438d60d2e05e6affc790c/thumbnail_7911000.jpg","/articles/6503156/North-Kingstown/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/School-committee-hears-revised-bond-plan-after-cost-review-walls-at-three-elementaries-set-aside","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6503156-cf3a4ea2944203787d9e75ced34f46e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140810&Signature=b36UU6mXCl0lfnyGJFMzW39gXP46Qqc6XqqOKOPpv8zE6OOdVUAnboUqmEF6PNt50rk1IXFu6ST90LL~5s8naGUq8~AVISBUzCYmGV5SQaeJkMia8wmCXzd9JQaS~35SpEEMq3HdVFkwKDl6Ksjy~tq3-dmoe9ySYVc7GaVLh79mHDB7T4FPz6BryLOKo5NzfjECkrRLdRP1zv8y14qtnq23Uy6DDFPLNgRN3MkPG7cCkB3C1EfHKWD4t2XtnQamnYcGDIQwDyF6IVCv-JXPQNHmR3ihFgruKJVFhgxGNNi-JsjsZ5VgXHRwC48nWo6bDl77XH~z~-KRzONwrU5lgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","North Kingstown School Committee members received a detailed update Aug. 19 on the district’s 2024 bond-driven capital improvement projects and a revised plan for Wickford Middle School.

The presentation, led by Perkins Eastman architect Tina Greco and project managers from Paradigm and BBBW, walked the committee through the latest “compact three‑story” layout for Wickford Middle School, site changes to reduce curb cuts, and an emerging list of prioritized work across the district. Sam Ryder, project manager with Paradigm, said the team submitted drawings and narratives to the cost estimator on Aug. 6 and expects formal estimates soon. The team told the committee it plans to file a Stage 2 submission to the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) in September and to return to the committee with a recommended Stage 2 addendum.

The presentation emphasized two practical drivers behind the revised plan: (1) updated, higher-than-expected pricing for converting several older elementary buildings from their original open-plan layouts into classrooms with permanent full‑height walls, and (2) the district-wide need to prioritize roofs, accessibility, secure entries and media-center upgrades. Perkins Eastman and DPW/architects estimated that converting Stony Lane, Quinesset and Fishing Cove elementaries to full permanent walls — with the mechanical, electrical and structural upgrades those conversions trigger — could total roughly $30–32 million. That projected cost would largely consume available bond funds if pursued now, the consultants said, leaving insufficient funding for the other district needs that voters were told the bond would address.

“Once you start removing open-plan systems and create real classrooms, you are into a gut renovation — new ceilings, mechanical capacity, electrical and code compliance,” the architect team told the committee. The consultants recommended removing the open-plan conversion (the permanent-walls scope) from the immediate base bid and treating many of those items as add alternates to preserve the ability to complete roofs, secure vestibules and other infrastructure work across all schools.

Several school committee members pushed back. Member Sherry Kennedy and others said voters were told the bond would address classroom walls at the three named elementary schools, and they expressed concern that reclassifying that work as add alternates could mean voters’ expectations will not be met. Member Jen Remond said she did not feel comfortable “locking into a three‑year Stage 2 submission” that substantially changes what the bond was sold to accomplish without more direct communications to the public.

Consultants and administration emphasized that the Stage 2 package submitted to RIDE typically includes a total ask that can exceed the bond amount (that is, the submission can include more scope than the town bond budget anticipates) so that any bond premiums, contingency or future funding could be applied later. The team said exact priorities for the bond base bid vs. add alternates will be revisited once the detailed cost estimate from the estimator is returned later in August.

The committee requested the cost estimates before taking further action and agreed the administration and the building advisory committee will return to the school committee with a prioritized list at the Sept. meeting prior to any final Stage 2 sign-off.

Votes and formal action: the committee did not adopt the revised CIP as presented; members asked for the cost estimate and a return presentation before a formal vote on the reprioritized plan.

Why it matters: The bond affects capital work at every North Kingstown school — roofs, HVAC, security and learning-space changes — and the committee must balance spending that preserves all buildings against more costly renovations at a subset of schools.

What’s next: The consultants expect to deliver detailed cost estimates by late August; the committee will review those figures and the building advisory committee’s recommendation at its September meeting before the Stage 2 RIDE submission.","District architects presented a redesigned Wickford Middle School and a reprioritized capital-improvement plan after updated cost estimates; committee members voiced concern that original promises to voters (including permanent classroom walls at three elementary schools) may not be achievable within current bond funding.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves interim director of facilities and school safety

Committee approves new closed‑captioning/indexing platform; IT says integration with town system required sole‑source rationale

High school student urges wheelchair‑accessibility buttons at media center and cafeteria doors

School committee approves conscious-discipline contract for Quinesset Elementary

School committee hears revised bond plan after cost review; walls at three elementaries set aside