EAST PROVIDENCE — The East Providence School Committee went through a first reading of the draft update to the district's Health and Wellness Policy for students, which took place at its Thursday, Sept. 12, meeting.

Ward 1 Committee member Ryan Queenan, representing the body in the revision process, led the discussion. Queenan noted the policy was last updated in 2018. It was formally introduced in 2006 and revised on three other occasions prior to six years ago.

Included in the current revision study group were the district's head nurse Amanda Shattuck as well as former high school Physical Education Department chair Kristen Coutoulakis along with building administrators and others from all levels.

Queenan directed attention to the eight focal points of the policy: Safe Environment; Physical Education; Health Education; Staff Wellness; Health Services; Mental and Social Health; Nutrition Services and Family Involvement. The revisions also include any updates and requirements under Rhode Island General Law.

The goals of the policy should and do include having the district engage with "students, parents, teachers, food service professionals, health professionals, and other interested community members in developing, implementing, monitoring and reviewing district-wide nutrition and physical activity policies."

Queenan highlighted a couple of other aspects like the inclusion of "accountability measures" for the district vendors to adhere to the guidelines.

In addition, it puts into writing the superintendent's  "authority to override the Health and Wellness Policy for the purpose or celebrations/events at their discretion."

Ward 2 member and body chair Jenni Furtado, a lawyer by profession, suggested language be amended to include the superintendent "or a designee" be allowed to interject on behalf of the district.

The revised document must still go through a series of internal reviews, including by the district's legal counsel, and more public debate before it is implemented.

Finance update

District Director of Finance Craig Enos provided the committee with his monthly update beginning with a positive end to the last fiscal year.

Enos said after the district closed the books on the 2022-23 fiscal year its coffers were $132,000 to the good.

And as the current fiscal year '23-24 nears its end on October 31, the district "continues to hold the line on expenditures."

With that in mind, he said the administration has initiated a "freeze" on ordering with the "caveat" that if there is a need to purchase medical supplies or if there are materials principals deem are "essential" to running their programs or operating buildings "we will take care of it."

Superintendent Dr. Sandra Forand added most principals understand necessity of the halt, that most made the proper arrangements/adjustments in their preparations for the start of the 2024-25 term and can wait until the beginning of the new fiscal year on November 1.

Both administrators emphasized no building is currently lacking any materials needed to conduct daily lessons or programs or to operate in a safe, effective manner.

Substitute pay

In a related discussion, Ward 4 member Jessica Beauchaine briefly broached the subject of the amount of money the district will have paid substitute teachers — approaching $1 million — by the end of the current fiscal year.

Beauchaine noted that figure was some $300,000 over what the committee had approved to be budgeted.

In response, Enos said it was a contractual requirement, that "staff are entitled to take their sick time."

Beauchaine, who said she was in favor of bringing back building-based substitutes, accepted that response, said she was initially concerned the need for subs was that the district was losing teachers because of low pay. She continued, saying East Providence was offering "average" wages for the area.

"I was afraid we would have to up (salaries) just to get people, but now I don't know if we can afford (raises) if we have to up our sub pay to pay subs a million dollars a year," Beauchaine added. "That number concerns me going forward for next year."

Enos ended the discussion by saying the district's current finances "remain in good stead, and we continue to keep a close on the line."

Facilities update

District Facilities Director Dan Carpenter also gave the committee his monthly report, beginning with the installation of coverings and corner protections of walls at the high school. In addition, cracking issues on the running track and tennis courts, which are under warranty, are being addressed.

At Francis Elementary, the new boiler installation plans have been signed off by the proper inspectors. Carpenter said the units will be operable by the start of heating season. When asked for a more specific completion date by Queenan, Carpenter said by mid-October. In addition, the district is coordinating with the East Providence Police Department on a morning drop-off traffic review to improve flows and safety.

At Riverside Middle School, Carpenter said window project was completed ahead of schedule. Six new state of the art Ccience classrooms were finished in late August in time for the start of the new year. The renovated Media Center project is expected to be done by the end of September.

At Waddington Elementary, the director said phase one of the renovations there have been completed. Formerly open classrooms are fully enclosed rooms. HVAC systems have been installed. On the second floor, classrooms with a step-up component have been leveled to be ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant.

At Martin Middle School, Carpenter said skeletal steel on the new three-floor classroom structure is being "put in place daily," including flooring in preparation for the pouring of concrete floors. He added the addition should be enclosed before winter. Also, underground utilities continue to be installed. Of note as well, the new chorus room has been completed.

Enrollment notes

Beauchaine also touched upon the topic of the number of home schooling requests to date for the '24-25 term, 80.

Specifically, she noted "quite a few" were from her patch in Riverside and wondered if even a small amount of those families had a change of perspective how it would affect Waddington and RMS.

Forand said the district still has available seats in other schools, adding if where students would usually be assigned and registered were full they would move to next closest school.

The superintendent assured the committee the administration is "maximizing classroom space."

ALP program

Lisa Benedetti Ramzi, the district's new assistant superintendent, led a brief update on the Alternative Learning Plan program being implemented with the start of 2024-25 term.

According to the Rhode Island Department of Education, the ALP "is an effort to prevent students from dropping out of school and, subsequently, being placed into truancy court."

The aim is for districts and families to "work together so that students remain enrolled in school, via an ALP, so that students may continue to work toward earning a high school diploma or its equivalent."

The ALP was introduced in response to the RI Compulsory Attendance Statute (RIGL 16-19-1), which mandates students to attend school until they are 18 years old.

Benedetti Ramzi said the district's ALP effort, which includes two teachers and two teacher assistants, is "off to a really good start."

The team meeting regularly with the building administration at EPHS. The group has come to a consensus on expectations and language to be used when discussing the program, though Benedetti Ramzi noted the "processes are consistently being fine-tuned."

A roster of 18 students are currently enrolled into two sessions, one each in the morning and afternoon.