EAST PROVIDENCE — Pending the affirmation of all parties involved, the next East Providence school year will once again begin prior to Labor Day and end in early June.
The school committee, at its most recent gathering held on February 13, approved the tentative schedule for the 2017-18 term presented by superintendent Kathryn Crowley. The school calendar, as has been the case the previous two years, would start in late August, August 30 to be exact. The last day of school, taking into account the usual need to make-up days due to snow, would be June 13.
For many years, East Providence schools were among the last in the state to commence, starting classes after Labor Day. Two years ago, however, with the beginning of the 2015-16 term, the administration along with the union of teachers and secretaries agreed to the pre-Labor Day start. That was also the case this year.
The current three-year contracts for both unions are up for renegotiation this year. The start date for each term during the length of their next pacts are likely to be included in the negotiations. However, the parties could engage in a separate Memorandum of Agreement on the start date prior to the conclusion of the overall contract talks, which is also likely considering the relative urgency of the timing to determine when the ‘17-18 school year will begin.

Buildings sub-committee
With the recent addition of city council representative Joe Botelho, the newly-created school buiildings sub-committee is now complete.
Mr. Botelho was nominated and approved by his peers at the Feb. 7 city council meeting. The school committee previously announced the bulk of the group, led by its Ward 3 member Nate Cahoon as chairman.
Also representing the school committee is Joel Monteiro. Representing the school administration and teachers are superintendent Crowley, assistant superintendent Dr. Sandra Forand, former superintendent Manny Vinhateiro, director of finance Lucy Maddock, director of facilities Anthony Feola, East Providence High School principal Shani Wallace and East Providence Education Association president, the union of district teachers, Nick Shattuck.
In addition, and according to Mr. Cahoon, to inform the committee with an understanding of structural and capital improvements likely necessary throughout the process, the sub-committee is joined by local architect Stephen Amoroso and former U.S. Congressman and current Director of University of Rhode Island’s Master of Public Administration program and city native Robert Weygand.
The initial focus of the sub-committee is on the status of East Providence High School. An independent review of the building’s usefulness is expected to be made public shortly.
Retirements
The committee heard and approved of four retirements submitted by long-time district employees, all effective at or around the conclusion of the 2016-17 term.
Lauren Allienello is stepping away from her position as a Kindergarten teacher at Kent Heights Elementary School, where she has taught since 2007. Allienello spent 28.5 years as teacher in the district, beginning in 1988.
Roberta Brady is retiring after 29 years in the district, also beginning her teaching career here in 1988. Brady has been an instructor at Waddington Elementary since 2001.
Bonnie Clayton is ending her tenure after 29 years in the system, dating back to 1987. Clayton has been a physical education teacher at East Providence High School since 2004.
Augustino DaPonte is retiring after a 19.5-years as a custodian in the district. He has been stationed at EPHS since 2004.
Spring coaches
The committee approved the following coaches for positions during the upcoming spring 2017 sports season: Mike Almeida, girls’ outdoor track, EPHS; Amanda Stevens, softball, Martin Middle School; Darron Jones, baseball, MMS; Brandyn Chace, Unified basketball, MMS; Amanda Cabral, assistant boys’ volleyball, EPHS; Paul Tarasevich, boys’ track, MMS.
Joint meeting
The first joint meeting between the school committee and city council of the new session is scheduled to take place Tuesday evening, Feb. 28, in the city hall chamber. The forum begins at 7 p.m.