The Newport School Committee held its regular meeting on Tuesday, November 12, at Pell Elementary School, addressing a range of topics from cell phone usage to student success initiatives during a three-hour meeting.
In a significant move, the committee unanimously approved a motion to direct the administration to develop a draft cell phone policy for the district. The decision came after extensive discussion about the impact of mobile devices on student learning and classroom engagement.
Principal Jared Vance of Rogers High School shared insights from recent surveys and discussions with students. “We’re working with Throughline learning right now around the cell phone policy,” Vance said, emphasizing the need to communicate the reasons behind potential restrictions to students and families.
Committee member Kendra Muenter highlighted the importance of addressing parental concerns, suggesting, “I think we need to also maybe see the protocol, like how we’re going to make sure parents can reach their children and their children can reach their siblings if they need to.”
The committee also approved several other action items, including the purchase of two 15-passenger vans for the Career and Technical Education program. Director Robert Young explained, “This is just going to allow our students in the Career Tech centre to get out of the building more.”
A three-year transportation services contract with Ocean State Transit was awarded, with Director Ronald Gonzalez noting, “Ocean state had a three year increase to our current contract of 3.5% in year one and 4% in year two in year three.”
The committee approved Policy #1050 on Student Excellence and Success after making several amendments. Committee member Stephanie Winslow emphasized the policy’s importance, stating, “This policy is a really good, strong policy. It’s going to move us in the right direction. It’s going to make sure all of our children are seen and valued in our school.”
During the meeting, Dr. Jermain provided an update on the district’s Multilingual Learner (MLL) program. She reported that as of the day of the meeting, there were 372 MLL students in the district, with 62 dual-identified as special education students.
The committee also heard about progress on the new Rogers High School building project. Committee member Louisa Boatwright reported, “It’s about 70% complete. The project. The last swatch is really we’re going to be keeping the NACTC Road with some improvements and then everything to the Rogers High current Rogers High School side.”
In financial matters, Business Manager Ronald Gonzalez shared positive news about the district’s meal program. “Newport Public Schools now being eligible for community eligibility provisions which allow every school to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to the children,” Gonzalez announced, noting that the change would be retroactive to November 1 if approved by the end of the month.
The meeting also included discussions on absenteeism, with Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain reporting, “Today Rogers had 89% attendance, Thompson 92.5 and Pell 93.4% attendance assistant today.”
As the meeting concluded, the committee looked ahead to future agenda items, including presentations on recycling initiatives and technology integration in classrooms.
Watch The Meeting
