[{"_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",6743941,"mediaKeyId","5910938-59140733eb36fa4fdece178fa0a2dffd","parentId",5910938,"title","Smithfield School Committee approves Stage 2 submission for five‑year capital plan, flags funding gap","audioSeconds",4125,"startMs",545000,"endMs",4670000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5910938-59140733eb36fa4fdece178fa0a2dffd&start=545&end=4670","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5910938-59140733eb36fa4fdece178fa0a2dffd/thumbnail_545000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6743941/Smithfield/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/Smithfield-School-Committee-approves-Stage-2-submission-for-fiveyear-capital-plan-flags-funding-gap","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6743941-6510a736ce42ff36c2b5dcb9de73eabb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770948596&Signature=MYooZaI~mJ3a92mAJxMamZrU80kC-QVXZ3l70JA-nP9NpkUKfoLYX-qFyDxZF-ACSXh9uFpZBUuxmzqt2E9QZgsDLZLzhtzGmzpADAr1qoIMvkY1lsOn5FfErAy6MnctsPkj8X4RPrtZr2C8b~f3xwSAYzGjTwmbvfkXkkhpAeMFw50rnauURdy9qNW2qcxFjMoF1auu4nhKvKLaYhV2y7p07N3CvHVYDVxmI0gNCV66Hbdkkr3Qo85CPr9sQNS8mN5MkNHgZBNuZtONzSMbEWgRvHOzbUY6V1fVo8J3JfGdQWFeuWR2-Q~dA~FtKX4RusMR3oBhDyJOkPW~7sNN1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Smithfield, RI","date","2025-09-04T00:00:00Z","article","The Smithfield School Committee on Sept. 4 voted to approve a Stage 2 construction package to submit to the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE), with the caveat the town council must still sign off on funding at a Sept. 16 workshop.

The committee approved the motion to submit the plan “as presented,” with a voice vote recorded in favor and the motion carried. The Stage 2 package lays out a five‑year schedule of projects that staff and the school building committee prioritized after updating cost estimates and reimbursement assumptions.

Staff said the district started from a historic project list that had been estimated at roughly $4.3 million when it was first prepared, but more current estimates put the same scope near $6.8 million. The plan assumes a 35% reimbursement rate from RIDE for eligible capital work, a $500,000 town contribution in fiscal 2026 and $400,000 in each subsequent year; under those assumptions staff said the district still faces multi‑year shortfalls without additional town funding or scope reductions.

Key projects identified in the Stage 2 submission include seven sets of restroom renovations prioritized by need, a high‑school roof replacement (with staff recommending the work be phased across two summers to ease cash‑flow), an ISE classroom renovation, an upgrade of the fire alarm panel to a non‑proprietary system, and an emergency generator (which staff recommended be removed from the Stage 2 ask and pursued through alternative funding because multiple external stakeholders could contribute). Elevator replacement and extensive culinary/lecture hall work were removed from the current package after cost reviews indicated replacement would be required rather than renovation.

Staff described tradeoffs the committee weighed: bundling bathroom work can reduce contractor mobilization costs, but spreading the work across multiple years reduces those bundling discounts and increases escalation. Staff also walked the committee through cash‑flow spreadsheets that showed how RIDE reimbursements are applied (the 35% reimbursement for emergency projects is typically processed sooner than annual reimbursements).

Committee members and staff discussed several options to lower near‑term funding needs: drop lower‑priority bathroom sets from the Stage 2 submission, move the emergency generator to a later year or pursue grants/donations for it, and ask the town for a higher phased contribution (staff proposed a smaller incremental increase instead of a single large request). Staff cautioned that if town council rejects the Stage 2 ask the district would need to wait for the next RIDE submission window (Feb. 15) and that a rejection would likely delay summer 2026 work.

A staff member summarized the procedural consequence plainly: “If they vote no on the Stage 2 projects, it does not go to RIDE,” and the committee recorded its approval and directed staff to submit the materials to town council for the Sept. 16 workshop.

What’s next: The full Stage 2 package will be sent to town council ahead of its Sept. 16 workshop. If town council approves, the district will proceed with the RIDE submission; if town council votes no, the district will withdraw and rework the plan for a later RIDE deadline.

Provenance: Staff presentation and discussion of cash‑flow and project prioritization (start 00:09:05); motion and vote approving Stage 2 (start 01:17:27).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Smithfield School Committee September 4, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Smithfield School Committee on Sept. 4 voted to approve a Stage 2 construction package to submit to the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE), with the caveat the town council must still sign off on funding at a Sept. 16 workshop.","taxTitle","Smithfield, School Districts, Rhode Island","taxId",73323,"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},6743932,"Smithfield panel revises virtual‑learning plan to allow full‑day virtual instruction during extended closures",747,5188000,5935000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5910938-59140733eb36fa4fdece178fa0a2dffd&start=5188&end=5935","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5910938-59140733eb36fa4fdece178fa0a2dffd/thumbnail_5188000.jpg","/articles/6743932/Smithfield/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/Smithfield-panel-revises-virtuallearning-plan-to-allow-fullday-virtual-instruction-during-extended-closures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6743932-801512db054a7e97eed44f3324027d18/orig.mp4?Expires=1770948596&Signature=K6RI7MPQystHIaDZCQ6UlZdZLWMdvfxEsjhKft3HVhpXjlVrJyabdu4S33R79aA0KzFog7GrnyUGybGbzqbuOeopobdcyRrOJ2mvPkzi9ZS-SmzCETap07kweq4Bgp2Jgjuz1drc-3q3zeXfkP7pq2ojw8sw9B9XRj8cIsmXepILpjSBWIWtpnvruQX2e7~E17Hpf9-5HYF41v0Z07TWm1tCVmGDNpjr8gDx7lbNb6U3dUuGAP-4e0wMBNoIHvFWnS13UCi5bhpYw6G81xmTQRHxQobLKnd8vgcyaU72O6QfoQbwGCEU~SXDkPa-vA5OFUHHAMLKqyrZ7oQfg6-Mxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Smithfield School Committee on Sept. 4 approved a revised district virtual‑learning plan that gives the superintendent authority to switch from a minimum three‑hour virtual day to a full 6.25‑hour instructional day in the event of extended closures.

Superintendent (unnamed) explained the change was prompted by a June 2024 amendment to Rhode Island General Law 16‑2‑2 and updated RIDE calendar reporting. The amendment requires districts to meet 1,080 total school hours and 990 instructional hours across the 180‑day school year, and RIDE will now collect day‑length information rather than only a day‑open/closed flag. The superintendent said that using three‑hour virtual days for multiple consecutive closures could leave the district short of required hours.

\"If we are going to be shut down for multiple days, we need to be sure we meet the 1,080 hour requirement,\" the superintendent said during the presentation. The revised plan calls for using three‑hour virtual instruction for single, limited events but shifting to a full 6.25‑hour virtual day when a closure is expected to extend beyond a few days so the district does not later need to lengthen the school day or add makeup days.

The superintendent and principals told the committee the change is intended as an insurance policy; staff emphasized it is not the preferred instructional model and would only be used in extenuating circumstances. Committee members asked about accommodations for students who cannot participate in full‑day virtual instruction; the superintendent said the plan includes provisions for special education and other accommodations and that staff would pursue alternative in‑person supports where feasible.

The motion to approve the modified virtual learning plan passed by voice vote.

Provenance: Superintendent presentation on virtual plan changes (start 01:26:28); committee motion and vote (start 01:38:32).","The Smithfield School Committee approved a change to the district virtual‑learning plan that allows the district to declare full 6.25‑hour virtual days during extended closures to ensure the district meets state hour requirements.",{"_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},6743937,"Smithfield committee signs off on invoices, consent agenda and budget transfers",4897,123000,5020000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5910938-59140733eb36fa4fdece178fa0a2dffd&start=123&end=5020","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5910938-59140733eb36fa4fdece178fa0a2dffd/thumbnail_123000.jpg","/articles/6743937/Smithfield/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/Smithfield-committee-signs-off-on-invoices-consent-agenda-and-budget-transfers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6743937-39df7554a3c0e6bdffe19625c879e375/orig.mp4?Expires=1770948596&Signature=kM-Jz7ygWXDziZHpzN7syWqLq696hGxmB5KS9LfMQ1aPIFPKygYp~6urCR4U68TtkNSPQuqvJXAX-NYA6~wIZ1BwANtUsU-a6myD2GUKw9io3aypK4T6~XeUS3l2s9bxMRTLuFDZY5Gm7f0BH5sfxhmyJqXUwSt0Z-mBlXn~NiZEgmY9HualuXG6XnnKT4shwdPLoE5bTQWZWF8SZAFTNU1sjOOsgjJeW5k121aDCytbehIXGH9w9W6Q1aSGz2Wtj-EaSvM~3S8PX1z17DESPYb-RqneKWms~G~Ai0niaiJS5T4BBeXAUthRVT7M9bmwWzLwoJwXZcI80H2ZTEcwHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Smithfield School Committee on Sept. 4 approved routine consent agenda items and a series of professional invoices and payment applications tied to ongoing capital work.

Early in the meeting the committee approved open minutes from August meetings, regular bills totaling $36,583.08 and direct checks of $19,781.62. Members also approved fiscal 2026 budget transfers.

During the capital project portion of the agenda, the committee approved several consultant and contractor invoices and payment applications as presented: SLAM architects invoice No. 3 (not to exceed $3,190.50) and invoice No. 4 (not to exceed $55,350); a Colliers project invoice (not to exceed $11,967); Red Oak invoice No. 2 (not to exceed $238,160) and invoice No. 3 (not to exceed $19,950) — the latter to be held and paid at the superintendent's discretion pending close‑out documentation; and a Clean Care (payment application #1) payment application (not to exceed $231,800). Each motion to approve those payments was made, seconded and passed by voice vote.

Committee members recorded the routine approvals without extended debate and directed staff to proceed with normal processing of the authorized payments.

Provenance: Consent agenda approvals and bill totals (start 00:02:03); invoice approvals (starts at 01:23:20 onward).","Committee approved routine consent items including minutes, bills and multiple professional invoices for architectural and construction services; payments and payment applications for SLAM, Colliers, Red Oak and Clean/Lien Care were authorized.",{"_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},6743928,"Smithfield committee adopts revised facility‑usage policy, separates rental fee schedule for administrative updates",304,5616000,5920000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5910938-59140733eb36fa4fdece178fa0a2dffd&start=5616&end=5920","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5910938-59140733eb36fa4fdece178fa0a2dffd/thumbnail_5616000.jpg","/articles/6743928/Smithfield/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/Smithfield-committee-adopts-revised-facilityusage-policy-separates-rental-fee-schedule-for-administrative-updates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6743928-ab24ad4d0d3aed5fa0e999fddb06a432/orig.mp4?Expires=1770948596&Signature=ScMoL7yoU4Sw01EFJ~PCjUTj42m2yinF7ndnRn-MdkzHQATXcBJlMSKn3LYBmWQVgwGs3j5wTOmfwwLJ~DsjkuXTwf-IMTCgFUpO-IRzH963u1fu7uauiYul-hudR1BmHc9dWcmwRY1V2~xx~p9h5qbmqO48vfghl5t3tFmPxz5-d0x--x-XQf8xnM-X92nktAN691RkW0u0MfM-pD9mpO~VBnqE4w1SDOOyJ7vYAm9-nuN2JCGJZ6yfHDtteT0JYiYPM~SBj2r8~A7KthjeO6Cyzev50q46I79gxDAKLi-XlbgzGSI3P3wjiYM-pzygBdePBvW88Sf42WSC26rx-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On Sept. 4 the Smithfield School Committee approved a revised district facilities‑usage policy and agreed to separate the rental fee schedule from policy so the superintendent could update fees administratively.

During the second reading staff described the proposed change: keep a policy governing allowable uses and requirements while maintaining a separate fee schedule that can be revised without returning to the school committee. Justin Martin and other staff presented a proposed fee schedule that updated charges in many categories from their 2016 levels; staff said the intent is to recover custodial overtime and specialized A/V staffing costs for outside events.

Committee members expressed concern about fee increases for nonprofit or youth groups. Staff clarified that many local youth and town recreation programs are either exempted or charged a lower, subsidized rate and that most community partners will not face the full commercial fee. For example, staff said the district has an arrangement with local recreation groups that limits weekend custodial charges.

The committee voted to approve the policy with an added cross‑reference to the separate rental fee schedule and asked staff to add a column or clarifying note showing town recreation and commonly exempted user groups to the administrative schedule to increase transparency.

Provenance: Policy second reading and fee discussion (start 01:33:36); motion and approval (start 01:38:20).","The committee approved a revised facilities usage policy and instructed staff to maintain a separate, administratively managed rental fee schedule. Members said community and town recreation groups will be treated differently and staff clarified outside groups typically bear custodial and overtime costs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Smithfield School Committee approves Stage 2 submission for five‑year capital plan, flags funding gap

Smithfield panel revises virtual‑learning plan to allow full‑day virtual instruction during extended closures

Smithfield committee signs off on invoices, consent agenda and budget transfers

Smithfield committee adopts revised facility‑usage policy, separates rental fee schedule for administrative updates