Middletown School Committee approves separation agreement, budget calendar, contracts and policy readings; recommends names for new schools

The Middletown School Committee on Thursday approved a series of motions including an employee separation agreement, the district budget calendar and several contracts and policy readings, and recommended that the Town Council name the new buildings Middletown Middle School and Middletown High School.

The committee unanimously approved a sealed employee separation agreement after reconvening from executive session. The committee also approved the district's budget calendar and a new substitute pay schedule. Superintendent Billy Niemeyer presented the items before the votes.

The committee approved a contract with Khan Academy (including a partnered offering identified in the agenda materials as a Khan sub-service for SAT/ACT preparation) and authorized first and/or final readings of multiple policies: Policy 9000 (facilities use) and Policy 4180 (background investigation check) were approved on first and final reading, and Policy 1041 (school committee policy process) passed its first reading.

Separately, the committee voted to authorize town staff to pursue a feasibility study related to a project labor agreement for the new middle-high school construction project. Members described the study as a preliminary step to determine whether a project labor agreement, which can involve coordinated bargaining with labor unions for large projects, would be beneficial for the district's construction timeline and workforce needs.

The committee also approved a motion to forward to the Middletown Town Council the recommendation that the new buildings be named "Middletown Middle School" and "Middletown High School." Members said the town council has final authority over building names and discussed ensuring that historical names and memorials from existing buildings be preserved in the new project.

Other formal actions approved included sealing the minutes of the executive session and the slate of subcommittee assignments for the school committee.

On fiscal context, Niemeyer told the committee the district's revenue forecast will be revisited at a revenue conference scheduled for Jan. 27 and said the district is starting the budget process with an "anticipated $660,000 shortcoming from last year." He also said enrollment stands at 1,862 students this year, about 92 fewer students than the same point last year.

Assistant Superintendent Fonseca and interim Business Manager Brian Hyde provided reports on accountability data and business office operations. Fonseca summarized the Rhode Island Department of Education accountability results under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), noting district strengths in school quality and student success and areas to target such as the graduation rate for English learners. Hyde said the business office is updating reporting formats and moving financial systems to a cloud-based platform to improve transparency.

Motions were made and seconded on the floor; recorded roll-call tallies were not specified in the meeting record for most items. Where votes were taken, the chair called for "All in favor? Aye." No motions reported here failed. No specific names of employees were disclosed in public minutes for the separation agreement, and committee minutes from the executive session were ordered sealed.

The committee adjourned after routine reports and public notices about upcoming items, including a planned start date of Feb. 3 for Edward Collins as the district's shared facilities director.

Votes at a glance (motions mentioned on the record and outcomes): - Adjourn to executive session (pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws cited on the record): passed. - Seal executive session minutes: passed. - Approve consent agenda: passed. - Approve employee separation agreement: passed. - Approve budget calendar: passed. - Approve substitute pay change: passed. - Approve Khan Academy contract (including the SAT/ACT prep partnership): passed. - Approve Policy 9000 (facilities use) first and final reading: passed. - Approve Policy 4180 (background investigation check) first and final reading: passed. - Approve Policy 1041 (school committee policy process) first reading: passed. - Authorize feasibility study for a project labor agreement (new middle-high school): passed. - Recommend to Town Council the names Middletown Middle School and Middletown High School: passed. - Approve subcommittee assignments (as amended): passed.

A full set of meeting materials and linked documents was posted with the agenda; committee members and staff encouraged residents to review posted documents and attend building-committee meetings for the new school project.