[{"_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",6425569,"mediaKeyId","5861928-a11278fa24e4ca2da86a2d4b9e2a1452","parentId",5861928,"title","District reports FY25 surplus, previews FY26 and a multi-year capital plan tied to RIDE memorandum","audioSeconds",1571,"startMs",7389000,"endMs",8960000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5861928-a11278fa24e4ca2da86a2d4b9e2a1452&start=7389&end=8960","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5861928-a11278fa24e4ca2da86a2d4b9e2a1452/thumbnail_7389000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6425569/South-Kingstown/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/District-reports-FY25-surplus-previews-FY26-and-a-multi-year-capital-plan-tied-to-RIDE-memorandum","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6425569-dd018530ab3733c444348345e4ee3f48/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442941&Signature=lJnvX4GIWxApzqMGSe1aK3kH~Cse2H8XU5z640SwByyENL0Ym8G7IxS8DciMDKfb-AEy1OKfXtP~Y9nnqS6fQ0Dp93MG6n64IpRnfbf3OSEjlX74WHG-dn9lTndGlQtia4dyw3IM8vjiZVbduHo0Pi7A5IhIJnCtQ2582hwD0CJh2C-v~95uUDsansrOJpUNHQQOhwWG-2bh-mO1Id-AYmbe3WbTb53gO6RQkAfWzGhXcuiGAVZfYqgSwLn5rLbHv6ZmsDyllsiC-BFLlVpU5Ljn0hSiVW5LnOiGb7b3lUpNsWVOZW9H8pgU3Gfi-zquQg0MHYYE6G4sYGZdsamhGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","South Kingstown School Committee","date","2025-10-01T02:03:29Z","article","School finance staff told the School Committee that fiscal 2025 closed with a modest surplus and that fiscal 2026 has started normally, then outlined a five‑year capital plan and the district’s place in a Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) memorandum of agreement that affects state reimbursement for eligible projects.

Tony Ferrucci (district finance lead for the meeting) reported that the preliminary year‑end position moved from an anticipated shortfall in July to a reported surplus of about $273,000; after the committee learned of roughly $40,000 in late bills received in the days before the meeting, Ferrucci said the audited position is likely to be roughly $230,000. “That audit is due by December 31 … and we are on track with them,” Ferrucci told the committee.

Patricia (district finance/CFO staff) presented a fiscal 2026 budget update: early revenues and expenditures were consistent with expectations two months into the fiscal year, with primary outlays for salaries, benefits, transportation and start‑of‑year materials. She reported no year‑to‑date transfers into capital as of that update and said the annual audit fieldwork had begun.

Why it matters: The district’s audit position and its available fund balance will determine how much unrestricted capital the committee can rely on for projects. Staff said the district’s unrestricted fund balance stood at roughly $4.8 million at fiscal‑year end; after planned uses the working estimate heading into fiscal 2027 is about $3.7 million. That fund balance, along with town capital planning and bond decisions, will influence which projects can be completed and whether the district must seek a new RIDE memorandum to secure state reimbursement on future work.

Capital plan and RIDE memorandum: Ferrucci described a reconciliation of multiple project lists and an effort to put all projects that RIDE has pre‑approved into the town’s capital tracking system. He said about $21.19 million of projects are in the town system across several years; the town submission the committee reviewed shows a draft FY27 target of roughly $2.5 million and a multi‑year town-level list that the district will refine with the town manager and finance director. Ferrucci stressed that RIDE already has a memorandum of agreement on file that covers roughly $150 million of district projects approved in prior reviews; the high school and Curtis Corner pieces alone account for about $117 million of the RIDE‑approved total (presenters cited a reimbursement percentage around the current rate of roughly half of eligible costs). He warned that the current MOA expires December 31, 2028, and that projects must be substantially complete by that date to qualify for the current agreement’s reimbursement terms; obtaining a new MOA can require a year‑plus lead time.

Committee discussion and next steps: Members asked for clarification on what is preapproved under the existing MOA, the timing of the town’s capital request calendar and the December joint meeting with the town council. Ferrucci and district staff said they will submit the town‑level capital list to the town finance office, coordinate scheduling for town and committee capital discussions and advise the superintendent and committee on fund‑balance availability and prioritization. The committee did not vote on capital priorities at the meeting; staff framed this as an advisory update for follow‑up discussions with town leadership.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","South Kingstown School Committee Meeting 9302025","oneSentenceSummary","District finance staff reported a small fiscal‑year‑end surplus for FY25 after late bills, presented an FY26 status update and outlined a five‑year capital plan while cautioning that the district’s current RIDE memorandum of agreement for school construction reimbursement expires at the end of 2028.","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},6425579,"South Kingstown committee approves 60% construction documents as site work advances on new high school",1917,5029000,6946000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5861928-a11278fa24e4ca2da86a2d4b9e2a1452&start=5029&end=6946","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5861928-a11278fa24e4ca2da86a2d4b9e2a1452/thumbnail_5029000.jpg","/articles/6425579/South-Kingstown/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/South-Kingstown-committee-approves-60-construction-documents-as-site-work-advances-on-new-high-school","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6425579-9a813305b8500c90192ddb56e758a707/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442941&Signature=f3SPeTPaUPreqLxpXYSHgAdrL8-Q14s3Rlu-DMzkdk2lAE5uA8fGh9xQUmYDKHYgD-CY2s-~nwzZr0KWsqHvHcuSuy2x~Mf-upDflhsbUHZSPqOf6BirrMl3fW-Gd79jXD0avsQjPghgO659nyXFd2VvWXFMTePvD~8UNv--rDW83Z1WJvtX0swhY2S2Nva-hMRVi9NEKuC2OKOmCmbyBgWovxsev~YpTA17nmRsU531bwiM-rpChW52rBOn8leBS1dwbakXgRR1BaVseuMOcZTs20Zv0kN~nz7H2MqmhGIzSjEIsdGBRzb3-W-XUTus1Igzb0YdPECIdykS7R8zew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The South Kingstown School Committee on Tuesday approved the district's 60% construction document submission to the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) for the new South Kingstown High School and heard an update that construction is underway and on track for a fall 2027 opening.

The vote to submit the 60% construction documents — a required RIDE milestone on the project’s review path — passed on a voice vote. Architects and the owner's project manager told the committee that initial enabling work and site preparation are complete, bids on early packages were received, and the project team is preparing the full building permit application and the guaranteed maximum price (GMP) due in November.

The submission is a formality in RIDE’s review process but a key step toward locking project scope and reimbursement eligibility. Philip Conte of Studio JAED, the architectural team on the project, described the schedule and design orientation for committee members. “The red vertical bar indicates the time that we are in now,” Conte said while showing the schedule graphic. Justin Jones, Left Field’s site representative and the daily field presence for the owner’s project manager, summarized recent site activity: “The biggest activity on-site over the last week … is the stripping of topsoil to prep for the necessary structural sub grading,” and he described erosion-control measures and a planned temporary power switchover for the existing building.

Why it matters: The committee must submit RIDE-required documents to preserve state reimbursement on approved work and to proceed toward a guaranteed maximum price that will define the community’s final construction cost commitment. At the meeting staff said the construction budget for the high school sits at about $116.2 million for the building work, with an overall project budget — including furniture, technology and a contingency for Curtis Corner and soft costs — shown at roughly $150 million. Early procurement and the initial bid package brought the project close to staff estimates; presenters reported an early estimate of about $115.5 million for construction, roughly $700,000 under that line item at this stage.

Key details: Justin Jones told the committee that control points and erosion controls are in place, roughly 6–7,000 cubic yards of material have been hauled off-site, and structural fill and grading have begun. He said excavation for utilities and footings was expected to begin the following week with concrete subcontractors mobilizing in about two weeks. Conte and Left Field staff said they expect the GMP to be finalized in November and described the GMP as the contract amount that will be “locked in” once accepted by the committee and town. Presenters and committee members repeatedly cautioned that schedules can be affected by unforeseen site conditions or weather, but both the design team and the site representative said they were tracking toward substantial completion in summer 2027 for a fall 2027 school opening.

Budget and procurement notes: The team explained separate contingencies: an owner’s contingency held outside the construction budget for change orders or unforeseen conditions, and a contractor contingency included inside the GMP contract (presenters said that contractor contingency is typically 3%). The project team also described a design-and-estimate allowance and an assumed 2.5% escalation factor in the 60% estimate. The committee was told that arriving at the GMP will require continued bidding of remaining trade packages and coordination with the construction manager at risk.

What happens next: Staff said the GMP will be presented in November for committee consideration. The committee approved the 60% construction document submission to RIDE at the meeting by voice vote; presenters will continue procurement, site work and submittals for steel and concrete as the project moves forward.

Votes and actions at the meeting included the motion to approve the 60% construction document submission to RIDE, which passed by voice vote.","The School Committee voted to approve a 60% construction document submission to the Rhode Island Department of Education and heard an update that site work, utility switchover and early procurement are underway as the project moves toward a November guaranteed maximum price and a planned fall 2027 opening.",{"_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},6425571,"School committee approves one-day New York City field trip for South Kingstown High students",82,6964000,7046000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5861928-a11278fa24e4ca2da86a2d4b9e2a1452&start=6964&end=7046","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5861928-a11278fa24e4ca2da86a2d4b9e2a1452/thumbnail_6964000.jpg","/articles/6425571/South-Kingstown/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/School-committee-approves-one-day-New-York-City-field-trip-for-South-Kingstown-High-students","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6425571-3d493d0523e2b56aef37a032bbfe214f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442941&Signature=bcYLoqXKkUe2-erruf9X4m7IZ5kc4-d~uArRBSpPoYLPFReu~-rZ6t0r76jdIYuOo-N7rqAuM8F-V5caKFPQuGqVoqAZEWZnm0VKZtHTRHCKku1Eg-PqVFnGyqKAmp-RLYUnTTi7nWLObM9agZl78L6XsKEc5b2EXhRmHoe3GrTrDyJeHbCryxhAkALsnc-pJ~cIjJJu-umb9YmbrJ5sfCvqgqexlaNOyprkXUKn7mAPwH4gZUxZLbpL9yZK1Ph~OpIYZxHBwNNgUlfDzzni1cUTWxSbs~53mT2WnpP~5apJS8gzCKtLq8y5n~WAwqnrYf4i8D3cat6eTu5-jYYRrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The School Committee approved a one-day music department field trip to New York City for South Kingstown High School students on May 9. The itinerary calls for museum time at the Museum of Modern Art, attendance at a Broadway performance and a group dinner; the district expects about 100 students, two buses and eight adult chaperones.

Teacher and trip organizer (identified in the meeting as Mr. Benz) told the committee the trip will depart in the morning and return late the same day, and that the music department plans at least one product fundraiser similar to prior years’ cookie-dough sales. He said the department has previously accommodated every student who wished to attend, including providing financial support for students who cannot pay. Committee members asked that fundraising follow district policy and procedures; the presenter said staff will coordinate with central office to ensure compliance.

The motion to approve the trip and to allow fundraising passed by voice vote.","Committee approved the music department’s one-day trip to New York City on May 9 for about 100 students to visit MoMA and attend a Broadway performance; staff said the district will follow its fundraising policy and provide assistance for students who cannot pay.",{"_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},6425574,"School committee approves lease allowing Gilbane offices in Hazard Building during construction",488,7251000,7739000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5861928-a11278fa24e4ca2da86a2d4b9e2a1452&start=7251&end=7739","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5861928-a11278fa24e4ca2da86a2d4b9e2a1452/thumbnail_7251000.jpg","/articles/6425574/South-Kingstown/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/School-committee-approves-lease-allowing-Gilbane-offices-in-Hazard-Building-during-construction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6425574-d4f34492d22955818e9105a099da4b93/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442941&Signature=XXZLEBMWNy1OlFBmwx5-hMHspmPUjruDjKZ6rwACkOg3FlrG1qGolqf3xdqd0XyxzzpoD3xAfJ6ndw56nqviNoZc8gdthgj6jaK0v0Hz9HVyTzTG9B4Z53n0fbNcgC~8MJMra7wDQAUlkOke2moYu4E-LAAjtaggU6hqZqqA4ncptkS0EEGoFfaNYnka~Fb8QN8p9gxwA5YAxiLGINMbGr9Cv5Tv2MDUTzm5ogV-qLLFPhlpvzWb09cxHm4i8PZ-urPEWCVphb9T1prNnWezixbQ2ReodduX-d3AJQTY4OAOFxf7~yUtxNl4FGOqnbcYN6PkkC2bWi0dlOLSAeir2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The South Kingstown School Committee approved a lease that allows Gilbane Building Company to use two office suites and associated bathrooms on the third floor of the Hazard Building during construction of the new high school.

District staff said the arrangement will save roughly $750,000 to $1 million compared with providing temporary double-wide office trailers on site, and that the lease includes conditions intended to protect students and operations. Those protections include a designated side entrance with keypad access, issuance of access cards only after background checks, signage limiting access to allowed floors, insurance and indemnification clauses tied to the town's contract with Gilbane, and an immediate termination clause for any violations.

Why it matters: The district said using existing space in the Hazard Building avoids the expense and logistics of temporary modular offices and reduces additional site impacts; staff emphasized that the leased area is physically separated from instructional spaces and that building access will be controlled.

Key details: A staff member who drafted the lease told the committee that Gilbane requested space for about 12 people and that each individual who will be issued an access card must complete a full background check; visitors who cannot be background-checked must be accompanied by a cleared district employee. Rent was set at a nominal $1 per month as legal consideration; presenters said the rent is intentionally tokenized to document consideration but that the district's primary benefit is cost savings and reduced site disruption. The lease incorporates insurance limits drawn from the town's contract with Gilbane and includes indemnification language. Committee members stressed that the rental area has been used for district operations previously and said the location provides easier oversight than temporary trailers.

The motion to approve the Hazard Building lease passed by voice vote.","Committee approved a nominal lease allowing Gilbane Building Company to occupy two offices in the Hazard Building during construction; staff said the arrangement saves about $1 million compared with temporary trailers and includes background checks, insurance and immediate termination rights for the district.",{"_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},6425567,"Committee amends bylaws to allow a summer workshop to include a business meeting and self‑evaluation review",370,11730000,12100000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5861928-a11278fa24e4ca2da86a2d4b9e2a1452&start=11730&end=12100","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5861928-a11278fa24e4ca2da86a2d4b9e2a1452/thumbnail_11730000.jpg","/articles/6425567/South-Kingstown/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/Committee-amends-bylaws-to-allow-a-summer-workshop-to-include-a-business-meeting-and-selfevaluation-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6425567-2bed148f310d4523bc9aaf824feff7d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442941&Signature=gfMNuBTClOPdiIZG7dlJ65Px9kzT6AUxH1AIDgVDYzijWrXWFupHCFEbot-6GmHigMZQS4~y-m6B4dE7VrWcioDY-zEQX97i8kvF6qomRkY8VCFUMKtcxBpWKxg5iSx82p7X4~ByHUQCBRaDU~LWMAE3BDU4CgJZtLv~Z~jo6zvEXBo7cN7WYSX9MV-ppCKmOkupOBPS0RguoqoZuJmzCZSOdVSbtM~1~NYh8OP7rpGFsKP7VyhlHwt7hLrO-LEMdL5otwGUFv-UCiOH1UZU2qFhOqtbkXybt204vm8XT~EKVC8Oc6BkUXIwGA41pLkeykyhqoXt6K~sCsp9QKC0rQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The School Committee approved a change to its bylaws clarifying that the annual summer workshop may include team building, review of the committee’s self‑evaluation, shared goal‑setting, development of a strategic planning calendar and, if needed, a business meeting.

Committee members discussed ensuring public access and livestreaming if the business meeting is held during a workshop that historically has been scheduled earlier in the day or at alternate venues. Members asked that the workshop language be consistent (the committee opted to use the term “workshop” in the bylaw) and that procedures for livestreaming and public notice be followed. The change was accepted at second reading and approved by a voice vote.

Why it matters: The amendment gives the committee explicit, bylaw‑level flexibility to hold a formal business meeting as part of its annual workshop while preserving rules governing public access and meeting notice. Members noted that past workshops have been held at several district venues and that some previous workshops were livestreamed in full; any future business meeting at a workshop will require the same public‑meeting access as a regular meeting.

The committee approved the amendment on the second reading at the meeting.","The committee approved a second‑reading amendment to its bylaws specifying that the annual summer work session may include team building, review of the committee self‑evaluation, shared goal‑setting and a business meeting; members noted livestreaming and public access requirements.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District reports FY25 surplus, previews FY26 and a multi-year capital plan tied to RIDE memorandum

South Kingstown committee approves 60% construction documents as site work advances on new high school

School committee approves one-day New York City field trip for South Kingstown High students

School committee approves lease allowing Gilbane offices in Hazard Building during construction

Committee amends bylaws to allow a summer workshop to include a business meeting and self‑evaluation review