The School Committee voted to create a one‑year Coordinator of Counseling and Administrative Support position to provide additional administrative capacity at Smithfield High School and to absorb certain CTE responsibilities.

Superintendent presented a job description and rationale: the new position is a stipend appointment (a $12,000 stipend above the incumbent’s teacher contract), intended to be filled by a veteran faculty member moving into a temporary administrative role for one year. The administration described the change as a cost‑management measure: by repurposing the dean position and backfilling the faculty vacancy with a lower‑step teacher, the district estimates net savings (including benefits) in the tens of thousands of dollars.

During discussion the superintendent and finance staff outlined how the math interventionist and special‑education staffing needs compete for limited operating funds. The administration estimated a step‑one teacher salary at roughly $49,900 and said the coordinator stipend structure would allow the district to capture savings that could support one of the higher‑priority instructional hires this year.

NEA leadership indicated support for testing the one‑year position as a transitional measure. Committee members asked for measurable success criteria; the administration described expected responsibilities (counseling coordination, MTSS support, schedule facilitation and CTE oversight) and said it will present measurable goals and regular updates during the year.

On a motion to approve the coordinator template, the committee voted in favor. The motion passed; the administration will finalize the job description, post the position and return to the committee with implementation details and performance measures.