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School committee votes: renews Sodexo contract, approves gym PO and signs off on layoffs and two policy updates
Summary
At its meeting, the Coventry School Committee approved the first annual renewal of its Sodexo food-service management contract, an updated purchase order for the high-school gym, second readings of Section 504 and tobacco-free policies, and a list of CTA layoffs; several routine procedural votes also passed unanimously.
The Coventry School Committee recorded multiple formal actions at the meeting. All motions noted below passed by recorded voice vote or were announced as carrying 5–0 unless otherwise stated.
Sodexo FSMC first annual renewal — Approved (5–0) The committee approved the first annual renewal of its food-service management contract with Sodexo as required by Rhode Island Department of Education procedures. District staff explained the renewal follows the original RFP and contract terms and that the renewal draft had been submitted to the district’s legal counsel for review. Finance staff and Sodexo representatives discussed projected profit-and-loss figures and the significant operational losses the meal program experiences in normal years (noting universal free meals during COVID were an exception).
Updated purchase order for Coventry High School (gym electrical work) — Approved (5–0) The committee approved an updated purchase order to complete electrical work in the high-school gym (see separate article). The superintendent said the work is within the project’s $2.5 million budget.
Section 504 policy (IHBA) — Second reading approved (5–0) Committee members voted to adopt the corrected Section 504 policy after a previously identified phone number was updated.
Tobacco-free schools policy (ADC) — Second reading approved (5–0) The committee adopted revised language to align the district tobacco-free policy with state law for staff, students and visitors.
CTA layoffs — Approved (5–0) Pursuant to state law requiring notification by June 1, the committee approved a list of CTA (teachers’ association) layoffs to allow personnel actions such as reassignments and posting of vacancies. The superintendent read a list of affected staff members; the district described that most layoffs reflect enrollment shifts, returning staff reclaiming positions, or position reconfigurations and that many laid-off staff are typically recalled or reassigned through regular posting and bumping procedures. The list read into the record included: Victoria Peters; Shannon St. Angelo; Rachel Zelzer; Britney Pusateri; Kara Shibley; Robin Broder; Jennifer Iose; Renee Barrera; Donna Couture; Bethany Saint Pierre; Renee Lascault; Michelle Woods; Marissa Wilson; Ashley O’Loughlin; and Brianna Casale.
Approval of minutes and executive session actions — Approved (5–0) The committee approved minutes from its May 8, 2025 meeting, a motion to seal specified executive-session records under cited R.I. general laws, and approval of executive-session minutes. The committee recessed into executive session earlier in the meeting under RI Gen. Laws 42-46-5(a) for student matters, homeschool requests and superintendent contract/evaluation discussion.
Schedule and adjournment — Approved (5–0) The committee set the next meeting for June 12, 2025 at 6 p.m. at the administration building and adjourned at about 8:30 p.m.
