Portsmouth School Committee approves routine contracts, distance-learning plan and student-device policy in unanimous votes

At its May 13 meeting the Portsmouth School Committee approved a slate of routine but consequential business items, including two three-year contract renewals, an if-necessary distance-learning plan for 2025—1, budget transfers and a final-read adoption of a student personal electronic device policy.

Contracts: The committee unanimously approved a three-year contract renewal for the district network manager, Jacob Karen, and a three-year renewal for district operations manager Rachel Marciano. Superintendent Dr. Kenworthy described both as long-time district employees and said they oversee critical district functions including IT, bus-company relations and facilities scheduling.

Distance-learning plan: The committee approved an "if necessary" distance-learning plan for 2025—26 that would allow the district to move to remote instruction in the event of a weather emergency or other scenario. The plan is largely unchanged from versions approved the previous two years and will be filed with RIDE after the committee—s signature.

Budget transfers: School business staff presented 14 budget transfers totaling $498,033.79 (transfers over $5,000) and 113 transfers under $5,000 totaling $48,728.85; transfers were described as largely technical reallocations (for contracted services and out-of-district tuition lines) and were approved unanimously.

Transportation resolution and policy actions: The committee supported a draft resolution from the regional Transportation Study Commission that would reduce district sizes to shorten routes and create a fund to offset long-distance, high-cost statewide transportation for homeless students, students in foster care and high-cost special education placements. Committee members noted one bill citation in the draft appeared inconsistent with the referenced bill text and asked staff to clarify the citation.

Student device policy: The policy subcommittee brought a final-read policy (JICJ) on student use of personal electronic devices; Miss McDade moved the final read and the committee adopted the policy unanimously, 7'0. A committee member noted the Rhode Island Senate had just passed related state legislation (referred to in discussion as bill 771) and that if the state law takes effect the district will revise the local policy accordingly.

Other policy housekeeping included consolidation of inclement-weather/early-dismissal language into a new protocol and discussion of staff-health policy GBGA; committee members discussed annual staff training requirements for handling bloodborne pathogens but did not record a final vote on that item at this meeting.

All motions described above passed by unanimous votes where noted. The committee adjourned after hearing a March year-to-date financial report from the business officer, who said the district is on track to end the year with a balanced budget.

Next steps: staff will file the distance-learning plan with RIDE, finalize contract paperwork, clarify the transportation resolution citation and implement the newly adopted student-device policy in advance of the next school year.