Portsmouth School Committee Approves Revised Budget

The Portsmouth School Committee voted Thursday night to approve the revised budget of more than $37.1 million.

The vote emerged after a discussion regarding the annual funds allotted for OPEB (Other Post-Employment Benefits) in the new budget. Chairperson Cynthia Perrotti expressed concern on the reduced figure of $169,200 for OPEB.

“Mr. Dunham [Director of Finance and Administration] said the annual required contribution might be up to a million dollars if the OPEB is at $11 million,” said Perrotti, citing the reason she did not wish to present the budget in its current state.

The original motion to accept the newly reduced budget met defeat by a 3-3 split vote, with Perrotti, Angela Volpicelli, and Marilyn King against. Committee member Volpicelli eventually rescinded her original vote.

Following a clarification of the budget surplus (which might possibly help in paying the OPEB costs), committee member King restated the motion to approve the budget. It met success the second time around with a 5-1 vote, Perrotti still against.     

Committee members David Croston and Sylvia Wedge were the most vocal in support of approving the budget, theorizing that the town council was likely to ask for more cuts regardless of what the committee did.

“They have never approved our budget,” said Wedge.

Superintendent Susan Lusi also recommended approving the budget.

“I really question why, strategically, you are leaving the committee and the system open to the argument or the criticism that you didn’t bring a…balanced budget when that’s what the council asked,” said Lusi.

School Committee Shoots Down Regionalization Idea

The School Committee then proceeded to vote on the possible regionalization of Aquidneck Island schools. The idea, which is currently being considered by many, would consolidate the Portsmouth, Middletown, and Newport school systems. The committee was unanimously opposed to the idea, with a 6-0 vote.

Several committee members were adamant in their opposition.

“I fear for all the kids in the middle…I am vehemently opposed to regionalization in this form,” said Croston.

Committee member Wedge, meanwhile, worried that the educational quality of the Portsmouth school system would not mesh well with the “good”- and “okay”-quality of Middletown and Newport schools, respectively. 

“People don’t move to Portsmouth so they can send their kids to Rogers High School,” said Wedge.

Superintendent Presents Strategic Plan

Superintendent Lusi also presented an update of the strategic plan.

Of the 71 objectives set forth for 2011, 60 are on time. Eight are delayed, including foreign language in early grades; and four objectives are stalled, mainly due to time constraints. Individual learning plans and designs for an all-day kindergarten are well underway, though funding presents a challenge for the full-day kindergarten.

School Committee Honors Students

The School Committee also recognized the achievements of Portsmouth school students with awards at the beginning of the meeting.

The Portsmouth Middle School Robotics Team, Portsmouth High School Model UN, and Portsmouth Middle School Science Olympiad were all honored. The PHS Science Olympiad was also honored, but was not in attendance.