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School committee approves moving preschool from Fishing Cove to Davisville Academy for 2025‑26
Summary
After a lengthy presentation and public comment, the North Kingstown School Committee voted to move district preschool classrooms from Fishing Cove to Davisville Academy for the 2025‑26 school year and to relocate Positive Pathways elementary services to Fishing Cove.
The North Kingstown School Committee on April 16 approved administration's proposal to move the district preschool program from Fishing Cove to Davisville Academy for the 2025‑26 school year.
District special education director Rachel (last name not specified) presented a plan showing how four preschool classrooms, therapy and sensory spaces, an early childhood office, and a small clinic for applied behavior analysis (ABA) could be established at Davisville Academy. Staff described the Davisville layout as having controlled, badged entrances and a secured courtyard that would allow preschool classrooms to be separated from other building users. The administration said there would be a vestibule entry and that the preschool would use an interior fenced playground adjacent to the classrooms.
Under the proposal, Positive Pathways — a structured elementary program for students with significant social‑emotional needs previously located at Davisville Academy — would move to Fishing Cove. Administration staff said the change would open space for OT/PT rooms, better conference and planning areas for preschool staff, and a storage room required to meet early childhood program standards.
Administration and early‑childhood staff described operational details: preschool enrollment is managed through a lottery, a wait list typically fills openings that occur over the summer, and the district anticipates additional referrals and a higher intensity of need among incoming early‑childhood students. Jackie DeLorenzo, early childhood supervisor, said the program has a wait list and that withdrawals over the summer are usually filled from that list.
Committee members asked about shared spaces (nurse, cafeteria, gym) and transportation, and they requested details about any construction, storage or furniture costs. The administration said capital needs and furniture costs would be drawn from existing budget line items and previously designated funds (the presentation referenced $150,000 in combined available funds and fund balance previously allocated for related moves and furniture); officials also said contractors could be asked to help recycle or auction surplus furniture rather than storing it.
After discussion and public comment, the committee voted to approve the move. Several committee members said they visited the buildings and found Davisville Academy appropriate for the preschool program; others asked for longer‑term planning and cautioned about future bond or building plans that might again alter preschool placement.
The motion carried following voice votes. (The meeting transcript records vocal 'ayes' and some dissent; a roll‑call tally was not recorded in the public transcript.)
