Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain provided updates on several key initiatives during her monthly appearance on What’sUpNewp on Wednesday, February 26, highlighting both challenges and successes within the district.
Attendance remains a priority focus for Newport schools, with Jermain noting recent improvements while acknowledging more work lies ahead. She credits a community-wide approach, including involvement from a local judge who has taken a unique interest in addressing truancy.
“It’s a community effort. The schools need all the help they can get from support from families, but it’s also our community partners because many of our families and children need additional support outside of the schools in order to be successful,” Jermain says.
The judge’s involvement has brought more stakeholders to the table during truancy court meetings, creating a supportive environment rather than a punitive one. This approach is showing positive results, though Jermain expresses concern about typical mid-year attendance dips.
“Our numbers are getting better. And even though this time of year is very tricky, I’m getting a little nervous because attendance does start to drop around this time of year,” she says.
Jermain specifically mentioned challenges with juniors and seniors, particularly those struggling to meet graduation requirements. She also highlights an issue with tardiness, noting some students arrive late while carrying coffee cups.
“No more stopping for coffee on the way to school. And I’m directing this at some of our parents and families,” Jermain stated firmly.
Construction of the new Rogers High School continues to progress well, with Jermain recently touring the roof of the building. The district is preparing for a potential ribbon-cutting ceremony in late August, possibly around August 22.
Teachers and administrators are already preparing to pack up and move out of the current building in early June. Jermain expressed excitement about the new facility, describing it as “amazing” and noting that student tours are generating enthusiasm.
“Every Wednesday at 9:00 we need the permission slips. Are touring the building with their teachers,” she explained, encouraging all Rogers students to take advantage of the opportunity.
The district faces important decisions regarding the NAC Tech building, with a meeting scheduled to determine its future later today. Jermain hopes to maintain the building to house administration offices and preserve automotive and cosmetology programs.
Budget concerns loom large for the upcoming school year, with Jermain confirming layoffs will be necessary. The district currently faces a gap of over $2 million for the 2025-26 school year.
“We will have layoffs. It’s sad, but true,” Jermain acknowledged. “We have until June 1st to notify people of layoffs. So we want to be very careful and precise and clear where we need to make some staff reductions.”
She expressed frustration with the budgeting process, noting that state allocation information typically doesn’t arrive until June, making planning difficult. The district anticipates requesting approximately a 4% increase over last year’s budget from the city.
Discussions about potential regionalization with Middletown continue, though Jermain indicated she’s not directly involved in those conversations. She suggests any formal vote would need to happen by September or October for Newport to receive maximum financial benefits.
“For Newport to benefit, a vote must be taken… by September, October at the latest, so that Newport could reap the full benefits,” she explained, noting reimbursement rates could increase from approximately 54% to nearly 80% with regionalization.
Jermain emphasized that regionalization would require careful planning and a transition period of three to five years. She points to potential benefits including shared curriculum, collaborative professional development, and expanded opportunities for students.
The superintendent also highlighted two successful programs: the Pathways program, which helps first-generation college students navigate higher education, and the Playhouse project, where construction technology students build custom playhouses for children with chronic illnesses.
“Every child that applied for college and university, four-year colleges got accepted, have multiple acceptances and will be going on,” Jermain said proudly of the Pathways participants.
She concludes by emphasizing the importance of community partnerships in supporting Newport students, mentioning collaborations with Salve Regina University and community organizations like Fab Newport.
“It takes a village. It truly does. And we’re very fortunate here in Newport,” Jermain says.
The superintendent joins What’sUpNewp on the last Wednesday of each month to provide updates and answer questions about Newport Public Schools.
