ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Four Years. Real Progress. Lasting Impact.

As Chair of the School Committee, I am proud of what our Committee has accomplished in partnership with district administration, educators, staff, students, families, and the North Kingstown community. The School Committee's role is one of governance, policy, oversight, and approval, and the progress highlighted below reflects the collective work of many people across NKSD.

Four Years at a Glance

Continue scrolling for a more comprehensive look at the work accomplished.

Governance & Leadership ● Completed superintendent search and appointed permanent Superintendent

Financial Stewardship ● Maintained student services through ESSER reductions

School Facilities ● $137 million school construction bond

Policy ● 50+ district policies updated or developed

Recognition ● Hundreds of student and staff achievements recognized

Community Engagement & Transparency ● Expanded public access, communication, and opportunities for participation.

Safety & Wellness ● Strengthened school security through enhanced visitor protocols, and safety technology

Inclusion & Student Supports ● Approved an administrative position focused on equity, belonging & wellness

Strategic Planning & Data Review ● Established Redistricting, Transportation & Start Time Advisory Committee.

Negotiations ● Approved four contracts with NEANK, ESP, and NKBCA

Legislative & Government Relations ● Supported districtwide composting and recycling initiatives supported by RIDE's Get the Foam Out Grant

Academic Achievement & Curriculum ● New Culinary Arts and Machining/Defense Manufacturing CTE programs approved

Governance & Leadership

Chaired a comprehensive superintendent search culminating in the School Committee's appointment of a permanent Superintendent.
Approved key administrative appointments, including an Assistant Superintendent, principals, and district leaders.
Approved organizational restructuring to strengthen district operations and leadership.
Established advisory committees and appointed community members to increase engagement and participation.
Conducted annual Superintendent evaluations and approved district goals aligned with the Strategic Plan.
Provided governance leadership through transitions following Committee resignations and elections.
Participated in Rhode Island Association of School Committees professional development and governance training.

Financial Stewardship

Reviewed and approved annual district budgets with a focus on protecting student services and programs.
Provided oversight during the expiration of ESSER funding, supporting efforts to preserve student services.
Reviewed budget strategies addressing rising transportation and healthcare costs and changes in state aid.
Established a Budget & Finance Advisory Committee to strengthen financial oversight and community engagement.
Reviewed annual financial audits with no compliance findings.

School Facilities

Supported community engagement and advanced the $137 million school construction bond approved by voters.
Approved key steps advancing plans for a new middle school, including architect and project manager selections.
Approved key steps advancing plans for a new middle school, including architect and project manager selections and RIDE Stage I and Stage II construction submissions.
Approved renovation of the NKHS varsity softball field and installation of bottle filling stations district-wide.
Supported and approved the relocation and expansion of the district preschool program.
Approved restructuring of the Director of Operations role to strengthen facilities management and long-term planning.
Approved work on D building at high school to house new Machinist CTE program.

Policy

Re Established the Policy Advisory Committee and created policy overseeing the advisory committee role and membership requirements.
Updated and approved more than 50 district policies, including policies addressing:
- non-discrimination and anti-harassment
- health and wellness
- graduation requirements
- school volunteers
- purchasing
- public records
- foreign exchange programs
- assignment of students to schools
- attendance
- student appeals
- grading
- dress code
- use of buildings and fields
Increased opportunities for public participation and community input in policy development including increasing committee size and distributing policies for the community prior to the school committees vote.
Modernized the School Committee’s policy review process to improve consistency, transparency, and efficiency.

Recognition

Recognized hundreds of students and staff for outstanding achievement in academics, athletics, arts, leadership, service, and education.
Celebrated students participating in Academic Decathlon, DECA, Robotics, STEM, MathCounts, Student Council, Community Service Club, and other academic and leadership programs.
Recognized Top Ten students, national award winners, military academy appointees, scholarship recipients, and student civic leaders.
North Kingstown Rhode Island Elementary Principal of the Year.
North Kingstown HS Milken Educator Recipient who was one of only 30 educators nationwide who received an unrestricted $25,000 award.
Celebrated 20 North Kingstown High School team championships across athletics over four years.
Special Olympics National Banner recognition.
Honored NK Teacher of the Year, Educational Support Professional of the Year, student representatives, and numerous achievements in arts, music, theater, and academics.

Community Engagement & Transparency

Created School Committee Office Hours to provide additional opportunities for community conversation and engagement.
Increased length of time for citizens comments from 3 minutes to 5 minutes.
Created a dedicated School Committee email address to improve public access and communication.
Began recording and publicly posting subcommittee meetings and produced public recap newsletters to make committee work more accessible.
Expanded opportunities for citizen participation through advisory committees and created a formal process for advisory board applications and appointments.
Increased public access to School Committee work, decisions, and district initiatives.
Welcomed staff at convocation at beginning of the school years.
Strengthened the School Committee’s presence in the community through participation in Democracy Night, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, the Pride Parade, Founders Day, and the NK350 Celebration.
Supported senior project assignment through serving as judges.

Safety & Wellness

Passed Safe Storage Resolution promoting firearm safety and ensure information is distributed to the community twice a year.
Approved funding for additional mental health positions, including school psychologists and social workers.
Reviewed and approved the School Resource Officer Memorandum of Understanding.
Championed and approved paid parental leave for NEARI employees, establishing North Kingstown as the first public school district in Rhode Island to provide this benefit.
Approved the use of a secure athletics communication app to support safe, transparent communication between coaches, student-athletes, and families.
Supported continuation of "Say Something" anonymous reporting and violence prevention program was created by Sandy Hook Promise.
Supported employee mental health and wellness initiatives.
Reviewed and approved district wellness policies
Supported expanded Tier II and Tier III mental health supports.
Supported inclusive educational environments.
Approved the implementation of school bus safety cameras.
Annually Approved School Safety Plans
Approved the use of SmartPass to improve student accountability, safety, and management of student movement during the school day.
Approved enhanced visitor sign-in and identification badge procedures to strengthen school safety and security.

Inclusion & Student Supports

Reviewed the Equity Audit and supported implementation of priority recommendations.
Approved funding for late and summer education buses to improve student access.
Supported expanded equity-focused professional development.
Approved the creation of an Equity, Belonging & Community Engagement position.
Supported Youth Pride presentations and recognized Pride Month annually.
Supported inclusive athletic opportunities for students of all abilities.
Supported changes to preschool programming to better meet the needs of current students.

Supported multilingual learner initiatives.
Advocated for and supported special education programming.
Supported Momentum ABA Clinic partnership.
Approved Equity, Belonging & Community Engagement initiatives.
Supported SELAC in strengthening their attendance and governing documents.
Reviewed data on student discipline disparities to identify trends and areas for improvement.
Approved a new inclusive playground designed to support Pre-K students of all abilities.

Strategic Planning &

Data Review

Approved district strategic goals.
Reviewed:
- Assessment results
- SurveyWorks
- Accountability reports
- School Improvement Plans
- Demographic studies
Established Redistricting, Transportation & Start Time Advisory Committee.
Approved contracts with outside consultants to support long-term planning.
Reviewed district attendance trends and supported RIDE's Attendance Matters Campaign.
Evaluated transportation protocols and school capacity.

Negotiations

Participated in negotiations and approved two multi-year teacher contracts.
Approved educational support professional contract.
Participated in transportation contractor negotiations.
Maintained constructive engagement with employee unions.
Approved the agreement allowing Jamestown students to attend North Kingstown High School.

Legislative &

Government Relations

Collaborated with Town Council and General Assembly on legislative priorities.
Supported legislation benefiting Rhode Island schools.
Provided oversight of the RIDE school construction approval process.
Supported district coordination with the Rhode Island School Building Authority.
Supported districtwide composting and recycling initiatives supported by RIDE's Get the Foam Out Grant including student-led Compost Crews, compostable cafeteria materials, and efforts to reduce school food waste.
Engaged regularly with local, state, and municipal leaders regarding education policy and funding.

Academic Achievement & Curriculum

Supported implementation of the districtwide Vision of a Learner, emphasizing transferable skills students need for college, career, and life.
Approved a new Culinary Arts CTE program, expanding hands-on career and technical education opportunities.
Approved a new Machining and Defense Manufacturing CTE program, creating additional pathways to high-demand careers.
Approved new AP offerings including AP African American Studies, AP Seminar and AP Research.