School committee approves director-of-operations title change; committee approves equity coordinator appointment amid budget questions

The North Kingstown School Committee voted to change the title and structure of the district’s director of facilities and school safety to a director of operations position that would provide higher-level oversight of facilities, transportation, capital improvement and child nutrition.

Superintendent Ken presented a reorganization chart and argued the change would not increase administrative head count and would free his office for more strategic work. He said the district would consider adding a supervisor-of-facilities position for day‑to‑day operations and budget that position for FY27 (estimated supervisor salary $80,000), but he recommended hiring the director of operations first and then evaluating internal promotion opportunities.

Several members questioned whether administrative restructuring should be a top priority given academic needs; one member urged spending on intervention positions tied to RICAS recovery rather than adding administrative layers. After discussion, the committee approved the title change and authorized the posting of the director-of-operations position.

Separately, the committee approved the superintendent’s appointment of Allison (appointee) as equity and community engagement coordinator. Some members said they would oppose funding the additional supervisor role without clearer metrics and priorities, but they did not block the appointment; administration said contract language and funding specifics for new roles would return to the committee as budget proposals.