NECAP Scores, Budget on Table

A presentation on Barrington students' most recent New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) scores tops the agenda for the School Committee meeting tonight, Feb. 21.

But a proposed budget of $46.128 million or about $1.45 million more than the current budget also is back on the agenda.

Superintendent Michael Messore and Curriculum Director Paula Dillon will provide an assessment of the scores, which again put Barrington at the top of the list for schools in the state. But the scores are lower than a year ago and quite a bit lower than five years ago.

Of specific concern are drops in reading and math scores at three of the elementary schools: Nayatt, Primrose Hill and Sowams. Messore did not want to comment on the scores until an analysis by him and the staff was completed. That analysis will be presented tonight.

The proposed operating budget for next year shows a 2.37 percent boost or a $1.05 million hike in local property taxes.

It will remain a work in progress because of contract negotiations with the teachers' union, which just got underway recently.  It does include an estimated amount for salaries and benefits that will ultimately be determined by collective bargaining.

Here is the complete agenda of the meeting:

BARRINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING

Government Center, 283 County Road

AGENDA February 21, 2013  

6:30 p.m. Executive Session  

EXECUTIVE SESSION pursuant to R.I. Gen Laws Sections 42-46-5(a)(1) and 42-46-5(a)(2) for Personnel and Collective Bargaining and Litigation with NEAB, United Steelworkers and BEST.  

7:30 p.m. Regular Meeting  

A.     PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (approx. 7:30 – 7:32 p.m.)  

B.     ACHIEVEMENT RECOGNITION (approx. 7:32 – 7:37 p.m.)  

C.     BPS SPOTLIGHT ON TEACHING AND LEARNING (approx. 7:37 – 7:57 p.m.)  

D.     INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS (approx. 7:57 – 8:25 p.m.)

1.      Budget  

E.      GENERAL PUBLIC DISCUSSION AND INFORMATION (approx. 8:25 – 8:35 p.m.)  

F.      OLD BUSINESS (approx. 8:35 – 8:55 p.m.)

Superintendent and Staff

1.      NECAP Update  

School Committee

1.      Policy Second Reading - Teacher Course-Student

2.      Policy Second Reading - Rhode Island Professional Teaching Standards

3.      Policy Second Reading - Rhode Island Educator Code of Professional Responsibility  

G.     NEW BUSINESS (approx. 8:55 – 9:05 p.m.)

Superintendent and Staff

1.      Personnel Request for Leave of Absence SO, Grade 2 Resignation HS, Science  

School Committee

1.      Review and Approval of School Calendar 2013-2014  

H.     DISCUSSION ITEMS (approx. 9:05 – 9:10 p.m.)

1.      Discussion Future Agenda Items

2.      General Discussion to Guide Future Recommendations  

I.       GENERAL PUBLIC DISCUSSION AND INFORMATION (approx. 9:10 – 9:20 p.m.)  

EXECUTIVE SESSION (approx. 9:20 – 9:50 p.m.) Pursuant to R.I. Gen Laws Section 42-46-5(a)(1) for Personnel; Section 42-46-5(a)(2) for Collective Bargaining and Litigation with NEAB, United Steelworkers and BEST; and Section 42-46-5(a)(3) for discussion regarding school buildings security issues. 

The next regular meeting of the Barrington School Committee is scheduled for Thursday, March 7, 2013 at Government Center, 283 County Road, Barrington, RI 02806.