Committee delays vote on foster-grandparent/Volunteer MOU with AmeriCorps; requests local representative

The Cumberland School Committee on Sept. 25 discussed a memorandum of agreement to host a foster-grandparent program run by an AmeriCorps-affiliated organization to place volunteers at Ashton Elementary and voted to table the item so a program representative can attend a future meeting. Assistant/Attorney Mr. Adams and district staff said the agreement would bring volunteers to Ashton at no cost to the district; the organization would conduct background checks (BCI/fingerprints) and volunteers would not be left alone with students nor perform instruction. Committee members asked whether the senior center could partner locally instead of bringing volunteers from West Warwick and whether the program could be spread to other elementary schools rather than a single-site pilot at Ashton. Several committee members said they had not received prior notice of the item; members requested a representative from the sponsoring organization, and suggested staff arrange an appearance so committee members can ask about the volunteer recruitment, numbers, supervision, and exit clauses in the agreement. Teacher Elizabeth (last name in the meeting record) and a volunteer described positive past experience with foster-grandparent volunteers who read to students, ate with students and provided additional adult support in classrooms. Committee member Abbott said she would not vote in favor without the sponsor present to explain the request. Committee members agreed to table the MOU to the next meeting and asked staff to invite a program representative and provide details about liability, numbers of volunteers, and whether the senior center might be an alternate local source of volunteers. No vote to approve the agreement was recorded at the Sept. 25 meeting.