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Superintendent reports hires, facilities fixes and plans full‑day staff wellness fair
Summary
Superintendent Kenworthy announced two short‑term hires, resignations, school events and a temporary fix for Melville heating; the district plans a May 23 staff health and wellness fair and included wellness funding and program requests in budget planning.
Superintendent Dr. Kenworthy reported personnel changes, facility updates and program highlights to the committee on Jan. 14. He announced two hires — a one‑year library media specialist at Melville and a general school lead at Hathaway — and two resignations. He also noted winter coaching appointments at Portsmouth High School.
On facilities, Kenworthy clarified Melville had heating issues over the break caused by the district’s internal distribution system, not the newly installed classroom units. Facilities staff implemented a temporary fix by raising the boiler output temperature and adjusting pumps while contractors work on a long‑term repair.
Kenworthy reminded the committee that the District Building Committee will meet at Hathaway on Jan. 15 and that a public tour of recently completed bond projects (bathrooms, HVAC, elevator) will follow at approximately 4:30 p.m.
Mrs. McGuire outlined staff wellness programming available through the Rhode Island Interlocal Trust, including Health Matters challenges, an EAP through Coastline with in‑person options in Warwick, and Blue365 discounts through Blue Cross Blue Shield Rhode Island. She said the district will devote a full professional development day to staff wellness and host a district‑wide health and wellness fair on May 23 with local vendors and keynote sessions; staffing and vendor coordination are underway.
Kenworthy also noted the FY 2026 budget process is underway; schools and departments submitted requests and leaders presented to district administrators. He said budget development will continue with the finance subcommittee and the full committee will review a first draft on Feb. 11.
Ending: Kenworthy closed by reminding the public that Jan. 17 is a professional development day and Jan. 20 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day; the next full meeting is Feb. 11.
