Chariho committee sends elementary school boundary policy to subcommittee; waives fundraising policy so two PTOs can fundraise for playgrounds

The Chariho Regional School Committee voted to refer proposed revisions to its voluntary change of elementary district policy to the policy subcommittee and added an amendment requiring the subcommittee to meet in a timely manner or return the item to the full committee’s June agenda.

Chair Louise Dinsmore called for discussion after Member Jessica Purcell presented language she said would address families displaced by recent elementary redistricting and the district’s consolidation from four to three elementary schools. The committee agreed the matter was substantive and better vetted in subcommittee; the motion — including the amendment that the policy must come back to the full board if the subcommittee cannot meet in time — passed unanimously.

Why it matters: The revisions are intended to clarify how siblings and newly enrolled students are placed when attendance zones shift, and whether families can request transfers to match older siblings’ schools. Members emphasized transportation implications and compliance with existing state rules around school of residence.

In separate action on an item requested by Member Linda Lyall, the committee approved a temporary waiver of the district’s fundraising and commercial activity policy so parent‑teacher organizations at Richmond Elementary School and Ashaway (referred to in the meeting as Ashway/Ashaway) could begin fundraising for playgrounds. The motion—amended to explicitly include both schools and to recognize PTO participation—was approved unanimously after discussion with district staff about existing capital planning and a possible contribution of reused playground equipment from Hope Valley.

District officials said they are coordinating with the Rhode Island School Building Authority (often referenced as “Bridal” in meeting materials) to include Richmond (and later Ashaway) playground work in the district’s Stage 2 capital plan for campus improvements. Superintendent Gina Picard said the state project manager and the district’s project manager had confirmed the playgrounds could be addressed as part of the broader elementary capital planning process; the Richmond playground is being prioritized.

Ending: The policy will be worked on in subcommittee promptly and the PTOs were cleared to fundraise. The committee also asked staff to pursue any feasible state capital funding and to ensure any moved playground equipment meets ADA standards and state approval before reuse.