Superintendent reports CTE machinist progress, playground delivery and top state school rankings

Superintendent DuPont summarized a range of operational and programmatic updates at the Nov. 4 School Committee meeting.

DuPont noted a district-wide recognition in the U.S. News & World Report 2026 rankings: multiple North Kingstown elementary schools appeared in the state’s top 25, Rigford Middle School ranked third among middle schools, Davidson Middle School ranked eighth, and North Kingstown High School ranked sixth statewide. DuPont congratulated staff and students and said rankings factor academic achievement and other state data.

DuPont provided a status report on the district’s new machinist/CTE program. The district hired a machinist instructor who previously taught at CCRI and has placed manual milling machines and lathes in the manual shop; two CNC milling machines are being inspected overseas with expected delivery in late November. The superintendent said students have completed OSHA-10 certification and most have finished the first of three required NIMS certifications. The district has applied for a Champlain Foundation grant to fund an additional CNC machine and plans a ribbon-cutting/open house in spring after students can demonstrate the equipment.

DuPont said playground equipment for the early-learning center was delivered the week of the meeting but installation was delayed by weather; the vendor planned to begin installation on the following Monday pending inspection. He also reminded the committee of a CTE open house the following evening and recapped recent bus-safety-week activities and materials produced by district staff.

Committee members thanked DuPont for the updates and asked follow-up questions about timelines and next steps for the machinist equipment and the playground inspection and opening.