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Votes at a glance: Portsmouth School Committee actions on May 13 included personnel contracts, policies and transfers
Summary
The School Committee unanimously approved a set of routine and substantive items May 13, including personnel contract renewals, policy changes, budget transfers and approval of a distance‑learning contingency plan.
The Portsmouth School Committee on May 13 took a series of unanimous votes (7–0) on minutes, personnel contracts, budget transfers, policies and contingency planning. The committee recorded no “no” votes and no abstentions on the items listed below.
Key votes and outcomes
- Seal executive session minutes of May 13, 2025: Motion made and seconded; approved unanimously (7–0).
- Approval of April 8 executive session and April 8 regular session minutes: Approved unanimously (7–0).
- Consent agenda: Approved unanimously (7–0).
- Contract renewal, network manager (Jacob Karen): Committee approved a three‑year contract renewal for the district’s network manager; unanimous (7–0). Dr. Kenworthy described him as a long‑time employee who rose through the department.
- Contract renewal, district operations manager (Rachel Marciano): Committee approved a three‑year contract renewal for the district operations manager, who oversees vendor relationships including First Student (transportation) and Chartwells (food services); unanimous (7–0).
- Reappropriate funds related to Portsmouth High School roof project: The committee approved linked fund reappropriations and transfers described in a separate article (unanimous, 7–0).
- Approval to begin procurement and timeline for the district’s next five‑year capital plan (RIDE stage 1/stage 2): Approved unanimously (7–0). Staff will issue an RFP for an owner's project manager and educational planner to begin the formal RIDE process.
- Distance learning plan, school year 2025–26 (if needed): Approved as an "if necessary" plan for weather or other emergencies; unanimous (7–0). Dr. Kenworthy said the plan is similar to plans approved in prior years.
- Budget transfers over $5,000: Committee approved transfers totaling $498,033.79 since the previous vote; unanimous (7–0). Staff explained most transfers reallocated salary lines to contracted services where vacancies or leaves required outsourced services, and moved district tuition line items as students changed placements.
- Out‑of‑district transportation resolution (transportation study commission draft): Committee approved a resolution supporting the transportation study commission recommendations, which seek smaller transportation districts and a statewide fund to help offset high‑cost long‑distance transportation for special populations; unanimous (7–0).
- Final read: Student use of cell phones and personal electronic devices (policy JICJ): Committee approved the final read; unanimous (7–0). Committee members noted the legislature is considering similar statewide legislation. The committee said it will revisit district policy if state law changes.
- Elimination of policy 6117 (early dismissal/cancellation) and adoption of a shortened inclement‑weather policy and accompanying protocol: Committee approved eliminating the older policy upon final approval of the new EBCD policy and protocol; unanimous (7–0).
Items discussed but not acted upon
- Policy GBGA (staff protection against blood‑borne pathogens) was discussed; no final action was taken at the May 13 meeting.
Where votes lacked named movers or recorded roll‑call: Several motions in the meeting were moved and seconded without a named mover recorded in the public audio transcript; in those cases the committee recorded the voice vote and the outcome (unanimous, 7–0).
