Little Compton petitioners send complaint to RIDE, school officials

LITTLE COMPTON — A petition signed by 237 "concerned citizens" of Little Compton, saying that the Little Compton School Committee "may not be in compliance" with Rhode Island law, was filed Tuesday, May 5, with Rhode Island Department of Education Commissioner Deborah Gist and with the Little Compton School Committee. "After many failed attempts to initiate conversations with the Little Compton school committee and gain access to the documents relevant to these issues," said a cover letter accompanying the petition, "a petition for action was created and has been signed so far by 237 concerned citizens." "We request your attention to these concerns and that this correspondence be placed on the agenda for the May 20th School Committee meeting," the letter said. It was signed by "Concerned Citizens of Little Compton." A spokesman for the group, Luke Driver, said, "the purpose of the petition can be said in two words: accountability and information — to get information." "There are gaps in public understanding, and the petition is an effort to fill the gaps," he said. "The idea for it came after the reorganization of the committee , and questions were asked. No answers were given. Hence, the petition." The petition states that, "Little Compton residents deserve a school committee that is motivated by educational excellence, is accountable, ethical, and supports a school environment that is fair for all." "The group urges you to consider this request," says the petition, "and to fully investigate these concerns and, if necessary, take appropriate corrective actions." Alleged non-compliance The petition lists the state laws alleged to be violated, and the respects in which school committee's practices may be non-compliant, as follows: RI Gen. Laws Secs. 16-16-24(b) and 16-2-11: requires a school committee to make a "good faith effort" to recruit and hire a non-retired person for the superintendent position. • "There does not appear to be evidence of a good faith search to fill the superintendent's position with a non-retired employee for the past four years. A request for information to the State Retirement Board confirms that letters providing evidence of a good faith search were not filed by the Little Compton School Committee during the years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. We request access to documents you have regarding efforts of a good faith search in the years listed above," says the petition. • In respect to the current year's search, the petitioners "request that a good faith search take place immediately to identify candidates for the superintendent's position that is in compliance" with these laws. RI Gen. Laws Sec. 16-2-21: requires an annual report. • "There appears to be no annual report for 2014. We request access to the 2014 annual report." RI Gen. Laws Secs. 16-2-32 and 16-7.1-2: requires the development of a strategic plan and policy manual. • "There does not appear to be a strategic plan" or "a policy manual as required," the petition states, and the petitioners request access to both. RI Gen. Laws Secs. 16-21-21 and 16-21-34: requires the development of a comprehensive student discipline code, and the filing of bullying reports. • "There does not appear to be a comprehensive student discipline code, or plan for positive-based interventions and supports that have been distributed to every student and their parent or guardian. We request access to the complete student discipline code." • " It appears that the school bullying reports, as mandated by the Statewide Bullying Policy, effective 6/30/2012, have not been filed. Please provide evidence that these reports were filed." RI Gen. Laws Sec. 16-53.1-1: requires the appointment of a School Improvement Team. • "There does not appear to be a School Improvement Team. The undersigned request access to the documentation associated with compliance of this law." RI Gen. Laws Sec. 42-46-1: requires compliance with the Open Meetings Act. • "Comply with the Open Meetings Act," the petition states. "Please provide instructions as to how and where the public may be afforded their right to view agendas, minutes and documents entered into the record." RI Gen. Laws Sec. 16-2-9: requires the adoption of "a code of basic management principles and ethical school standards," states the petition.. Miscellaneous concerns: The petition requests compliance with RIBOR L-6-4.2, being a Rhode Island Board of Regents regulation "Middle Level Advisory." It also states, "The curriculum portion on the school website is blank. Please provide access to all K-8 curriculum." The petition states the school committee is non-compliant in its "Failure to prepare student and faculty schedules in a timely fashion for the beginning of the 2013-2014 and 2014-15 school years." Mr. Driver, a Little Compton resident for two years, whose family has resided in town since 1972, has been an administrator for 12 years in the Providence schools district. "I was approached because of my knowledge of school law and Title 16," Mr. Driver said. "People were concerned about taking it to the state level. Due diligence at the local level first would help resolve it at the state level." "We don't know if what we're asking for exists. If it does, great. It's public information and we have a right to know, " he said. Besides Ride Commissioner Gist, the petition was also directed to David Abbott, who heads RIDE's Division of Accountability and Quality Assurance, to Little Compton School Superintendent Kathryn Crowley, and to all members of the Little Compton School Committee. Superintendent Crowley and School Committee Chairman Tom Allder could not be reached by phone for comment and did not return calls.