East Providence School District public meetings in 2024

East Providence School Committee

The East Providence School Committee will consider the sale of a property in Warren, RI, and the 2025-2026 Program of Studies for East Providence High School. The meeting includes reports on security funding, facilities, and building projects.

• Vote to approve the sale of 317 Market Street, Warren, RI
• Vote to approve EPHS 2025-2026 Program of Studies
• Vote to approve RFPs for the Steel Building at EPHS
• Review of Stage III Invoices for MMS/Waddington Projects
• Superintendent updates on security funding and finances

The East Providence School Committee approved a resolution authorizing the sale of 317 Market Street in Warren, RI, by a 3-2 vote, with members Queenan and Ferreira voting against. The committee also unanimously approved the EPHS 2025-2026 Program of Studies and approved RFPs for a steel building at EPHS by a 4-1 vote. The consent agenda, including personnel appointments and bill payments, was approved unanimously.

• Approved resolution authorizing sale of 317 Market Street, Warren, RI (3-2)
• Approved EPHS 2025-2026 Program of Studies (unanimous)
• Approved RFPs for steel building at EPHS (4-1)
• Approved consent agenda including personnel appointments and bill list (unanimous)

East Providence School Committee - (EPLAC) East Providence Local Advisory Committee

The East Providence Local Advisory Committee is hosting a workshop for parents, educators, and community members. The session focuses on creating supportive environments and sensory-friendly break spaces for students.

• Presentation by guest speaker Megan Black, Special Educator
• Instruction on designing calming, safe spaces for special needs students
• Discussion on sensory-friendly tools and visual supports for emotional regulation
• Strategies for teaching and practicing break routines

East Providence School Committee

The East Providence School Committee will convene in executive session for legal advice on pending litigation and personnel matters, then reconvene in open session to vote on several action items. Key decisions include approval of a proposed settlement in the Prak-Martin litigation, a new custodians' collective bargaining agreement (2024-2027), and closing out the EPHS bond with remaining funds returned to the city. The committee will also discuss an AI policy update and set the 2025 meeting schedule.

• Vote on proposed Prak-Martin settlement (amount not specified)
• Vote to close out EPHS bond and return remaining funds to City of East Providence
• Vote on 2024-2027 custodians' collective bargaining agreement
• Vote to approve Martin Middle School trip to Boston in May 2025
• Vote to approve award of FARO Scanner RFP

The East Providence School Committee approved closing out the East Providence High School bond and returning remaining funds to the City, with an ending balance of $3,292,562 earmarked for the school department. The committee also approved the Prak-Martin settlement, a custodians' collective bargaining agreement, and several other items. The 2025 meeting schedule and EPHS remaining project activities were approved with 4-1 votes, with Mr. Ferreira voting nay.

• Approved Prak-Martin settlement (unanimous)
• Approved Martin Middle School grade 8 trip to Boston (unanimous)
• Approved 2025 School Committee meeting schedule (4-1, Ferreira nay)
• Awarded FARO scanner RFP to FARO Technologies for $59,536.99 (unanimous)
• Approved 2024-2027 Custodians' collective bargaining agreement (unanimous)
• Approved EPHS remaining project activities (4-1, Ferreira nay)
• Closed out EPHS bond and turned over remaining funds to City (unanimous)

East Providence School Committee - Building Committee

The East Providence Building Committee will review remaining project activities and invoices for East Providence High School. The committee will also consider voting to close the EPHS bond and return remaining funds to the city.

• Vote to approve remaining project activities
• Vote to approve invoices for services
• Vote to close out EPHS bond and turn over remaining funds to the City of East Providence

The East Providence School District Building Committee approved remaining project activities, authorized October 2024 construction invoices totaling $266,434.45, and voted to close out the East Providence High School bond to turn remaining funds over to the City. With the project closed out, no future meetings are scheduled.

• Approved remaining project activities by unanimous consent
• Approved October 2024 invoices totaling $266,434.45 by unanimous consent
• Approved closing out the EPHS bond and turning remaining funds over to the City by unanimous consent
• Adjourned the meeting at 6:20 pm

East Providence School Committee - Negotiations Sub-committee

The East Providence School Committee Negotiations Sub-committee is meeting to enter an executive session. The purpose of the session is to discuss collective bargaining regarding maintenance and custodian negotiations.

• Collective bargaining negotiations for Maintenance & Custodian staff

The East Providence School Committee Negotiations Sub-Committee met to discuss collective bargaining regarding maintenance and custodian negotiations in executive session. The subcommittee reported that no votes were taken during executive session before adjourning.

• Moved into Executive Session for collective bargaining discussions (unanimous)
• Adjourned the meeting at 6:30 p.m. (unanimous)

East Providence School Committee

The School Committee will first convene in executive session to discuss the 2024-2025 Emergency Plan and security upgrades. In open session, they will consider a consent agenda, hear reports, and vote on several action items including approval of the emergency plan, virtual learning plan, health & wellness policy, and a contract for a concrete pad at Riverside Middle School. A discussion on a Legal Services RFP is also scheduled.

• Approval of EPSD 2024-2025 Emergency Plan
• Approval of 2024-2025 Virtual Learning Plan
• Approval of Health & Wellness Policy (2nd read)
• Award of Riverside Middle School Concrete Pad RFP and contract
• Riverside Middle School trip to Washington, D.C. in May 2025

The East Providence School Committee approved several action items, including the 2024-2025 Emergency Plan, the 2024-2025 Virtual Learning Plan, and the Health & Wellness Policy (second reading). They also awarded a $33,000 concrete pad RFP for Riverside Middle School to Duarte Corporation, Inc. and approved the corresponding contract, as well as the grade 8 trip to Washington, D.C. in May 2025. All votes were unanimous.

• Approved Executive Assistant's School Committee stipend (unanimous)
• Approved Health & Wellness Policy second reading (unanimous)
• Approved EPSD 2024-2025 Emergency Plan (unanimous)
• Approved 2024-2025 Virtual Learning Plan (unanimous)
• Awarded RMS Concrete Pad RFP to Duarte Corporation, Inc. for $33,000 (unanimous)
• Approved contract for Duarte Corporation, Inc. for RMS concrete pad (unanimous)
• Approved Riverside Middle School grade 8 trip to Washington, D.C. May 20-22, 2025 (unanimous)

East Providence School Committee - Building Committee

The East Providence School Committee Building Committee will receive updates on Martin Middle School/PreK, Waddington Elementary School, and Riverside Middle School. The committee will vote on accepting the OPM report and approving invoices for services.

• OPM updates for Martin Middle School/PreK, Waddington Elementary School, and Riverside Middle School
• Vote to accept OPM Report
• Vote to approve invoices for services

The committee approved September 2024 invoices totaling $4,983,452.36 for work on the Martin, Waddington, and Riverside school projects. Members also accepted progress updates for all three sites and approved the September 9, 2024 meeting minutes.

• Approved September 2024 invoices totaling $4,983,452.36 (unanimous)
• Accepted OPM updates for Martin, Waddington, and Riverside projects (unanimous)
• Approved September 9, 2024 minutes (unanimous)

East Providence School Committee - Building Committee

The East Providence Building Committee will meet to receive an update on capital projects at East Providence High School. The committee will also consider voting on service invoices and the minutes from the August 12, 2024, meeting.

• EPHS Capital Projects Update
• Vote to approve invoices for services
• Vote to approve August 12, 2024 meeting minutes

The committee unanimously approved construction invoices totaling $1,504,996.31 for August 2024. Members discussed potential costs for baseball stadium seating schematic designs and a $90,000 snow plow truck. No formal action was taken on the stadium seating or vehicle purchase during this meeting.

• Approved August 2024 construction invoices totaling $1,504,996.31 (Unanimous)
• Approved August 12, 2024 meeting minutes (Unanimous)

East Providence School Committee

The East Providence School Committee is reviewing the updated Code of Student Conduct for the 2024-2025 school year. The document establishes behavioral expectations, categories of infractions, and the disciplinary process for students.

• Revised Code of Student Conduct policy dated August 13, 2024
• One-year out-of-school suspension mandate for students bringing firearms or realistic replicas to school premises
• Disciplinary measures including restorative practices, detention, in-school suspension, and out-of-school suspension
• Appeal process for disciplinary decisions moving from Principal to Superintendent to School Committee
• Requirement for students and parents to acknowledge receipt of the Code in writing

The East Providence School Committee approved the proposed FY2025 school budget of $99,396,962 by a 3-1 vote, with member Ferreira voting against. The committee also approved a revised Code of Student Conduct policy, an updated Building Committee membership list, and a Cardin settlement. A material handling equipment RFP was tabled until the next meeting.

• Approved FY2025 school budget of $99,396,962 (3-1)
• Approved revised Code of Student Conduct policy (unanimous)
• Approved updated Building Committee membership list (unanimous)
• Approved Cardin settlement (unanimous)
• Tabled Material Handling Equipment RFP until next meeting

East Providence School Committee - Building Committee

The East Providence Building Committee is meeting to receive updates on East Providence High School capital projects. The committee will vote on membership updates, a material handling equipment RFP, and service invoices.

• Award of Material Handling Equipment RFP
• Approval of invoices for services
• Updated Building Committee membership
• EPHS Capital Projects Update

The committee awarded a material handling equipment contract to R.S. Equipment and approved July 2024 construction invoices totaling $589,514.08. Members also updated the committee membership list. A proposal for baseball seating design was deferred pending a revised cost estimate.

• Approved award of material handling equipment RFP to R.S. Equipment for $82,750 (Unanimous)
• Approved July 2024 construction invoices totaling $589,514.08 (Unanimous)
• Approved updated Building Committee membership to include Danny Carpenter, John Iemma and Patrick McDonald (Unanimous)
• Approved July 15, 2024 minutes (Unanimous)

East Providence School Committee - Building Committee

The East Providence Building Committee will meet to receive an update on EPHS capital projects. The committee will also consider and vote on approving invoices for services and the minutes from the June 10, 2024 meeting.

• EPHS Capital Projects Update
• Vote to approve invoices for services
• Vote to approve June 10, 2024 meeting minutes

The Committee approved June 2024 construction invoices totaling $516,744.78 and authorized the purchase of sports filming equipment and a behavioral management platform. Members also received a capital projects update noting a remaining budget balance of $3.2M.

• Approved purchase of three hi-pods for sports filming for $15,673 (Unanimous)
• Approved purchase of Minga electronic hall pass and behavioral platform for $33,780 (Unanimous)
• Approved June 2024 invoices totaling $516,744.78 (Unanimous)
• Accepted EPHS capital projects update (Unanimous)
• Approved June 10, 2024 meeting minutes (Unanimous)

East Providence School Committee

The East Providence School Committee will meet for a special session to discuss personnel performance and legal service RFPs in executive session. In open session, the committee will consider approving 20 individual employment contracts. The committee will also inform the Superintendent of an intent not to extend a contract.

• Vote on 20 individual personnel contracts
• Discussion regarding RFP for Legal Services submissions
• Superintendent’s annual performance evaluation
• Notice of intent not to extend a contract with the Superintendent

The School Committee approved 18 administrative contracts during the June 18 meeting. A motion to notify the Superintendent of an intent not to extend her contract failed due to a lack of a motion. The Committee also declined to approve a contract for Christopher Murphy.

• Approved 11 administrative contracts (unanimous)
• Approved 5 administrative contracts (unanimous)
• Approved 2 administrative contracts (unanimous)
• Approved Mark Williamson contract (4-1)
• Motion to notify Superintendent of non-extension failed
• Contract for Christopher Murphy failed due to no motion

East Providence School Committee - Building Committee

The East Providence Building Committee is meeting to review financial documents related to the EPHS Building Project. The committee will consider voting on an additional capital project expenditure listing and service invoices.

• Additional Capital Project Expenditure Listing for the EPHS Building Project
• Invoices for services

The East Providence Building Committee approved an additional capital expenditure list for the high school project, pending clarification on a shed line item. The committee also approved $1,144.00 in invoices for Ai3 Architects and the minutes from the May 13, 2024, meeting.

• Approved additional capital expenditure list (unanimous)
• Approved $1,144.00 Ai3 Architects invoice (unanimous)
• Approved May 13, 2024 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Adjourned meeting at 6:02 pm (unanimous)

East Providence School Committee

The East Providence School Committee will hold a special meeting to vote on upholding the superintendent’s decision regarding a student suspension and to approve district layoffs. These actions will finalize personnel changes for affected staff members and resolve an ongoing appeal. The committee will also review budget items in a workshop session.

• Vote to uphold the superintendent's decision for student suspension
• Vote to approve district layoffs
• Executive session on personnel matters and legal advice regarding a student suspension appeal
• Budget workshop
• Public hearing on the student suspension appeal if requested by a parent

The East Providence School Committee voted 3-2 to approve district layoffs as submitted, with Chair Furtado and member Ferreira opposed. The district faces a $3M budget increase next year and a $1.1M state aid cut, and is planning thirteen layoffs and eleven displacements to address a $1,935,000 personnel decrease. A student suspension appeal hearing was tabled and rescheduled for June, and a vote to uphold the Superintendent's suspension decision was also tabled. Budget workshops are set to begin in July.

• Approved district layoffs as submitted (3-2; Furtado and Ferreira voted nay)
• Tabled student suspension appeal hearing; rescheduled for June meeting
• Tabled action to uphold Superintendent's student suspension decision
• Moved into executive session for suspension appeal, personnel, and adjournment (unanimous)
• Voted to seal executive session minutes (unanimous)
• Adjourned meeting at 8:33 p.m. (unanimous)

East Providence School Committee - Building Committee

The East Providence Building Committee will meet to discuss an update from the Owner's Project Manager (OPM). The committee is scheduled to vote on accepting the OPM report, approving a plaque for EPHS principals, and approving service invoices.

• Vote to accept OPM Report
• Vote to approve plaque for EPHS past and present principals
• Vote to approve invoices for services

The committee accepted the Owner’s Project Manager's report, noting construction is 100% complete with a final under-budget figure of $3.3M. Members approved funding for wall graphics, a commemorative plaque, and April 2024 invoices.

• Approved $239,000 for vinyl wall graphics from HSI (Unanimous)
• Accepted Owner’s Project Manager's Report (Unanimous)
• Approved plaque for EPHS past and present Principals (Unanimous)
• Approved April 2024 invoices totaling $18,840.75 (Unanimous)
• Approved April 8, 2024 minutes (Unanimous)

East Providence School Committee

The East Providence School Committee will hold a special meeting on April 30, 2024, at the East Providence High School Main Office Conference Room. The committee plans to convene in executive session to discuss legal advice regarding potential litigation over window issues at Silver Spring and Orlo Avenue Schools, along with administrative contracts and personnel matters. Any votes taken during the closed portion will be reported when the body returns to open session before adjourning.

• Executive session on potential litigation regarding window issues at Silver Spring and Orlo Avenue Schools
• Discussion of Director and Principal administrative contracts
• Personnel discussions under state open meetings law exemptions
• Open session to report any executive session votes and seal related minutes

The School Committee met in executive session to discuss personnel, administrative contracts, and potential litigation regarding school windows. No votes were taken during the executive session. The committee voted to seal the minutes of the meeting.

• Approved motion to seal the minutes (unanimous)

East Providence School Committee

The East Providence School Committee will meet on April 9, 2024, to approve routine items like past meeting minutes and invoices for construction projects at East Providence High School and Riverside Middle School. Members will review first readings of new policies on student behavior and committee representation. The committee plans to vote on converting elementary school dean positions to assistant principal roles and awarding a furniture contract for Riverside Middle School. These actions would change the administrative leadership structure in local elementary schools and fund facility upgrades for middle school students.

• Convert Dean positions to Assistant Principal positions at Elementary Schools
• Award Riverside Middle School FF&E RFP (Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment)
• First readings on Student Behavior Policy, Student Representative to the School Committee Policy, and Policy Review Cycle
• Approval of invoices for Construction Invoices – EPHS and Stage III Invoices – MMS/Waddington Projects

The committee approved the conversion of elementary school Dean positions to Assistant Principal roles for the next school year. They also awarded a contract for furniture and equipment at Riverside Middle School. Several construction updates were provided regarding Martin Middle and Riverside Middle schools.

• Approved conversion of elementary Dean positions to Assistant Principal positions (4-1)
• Approved Riverside Middle School Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment RFP (unanimous)
• Approved consent agenda including personnel appointments and bill payments (unanimous)
• Tabled approval of April 1, 2024 minutes until May meeting (unanimous)
• Tabled Policy Review Cycle until next meeting (unanimous)
• Voted to seal executive session minutes (unanimous)

East Providence School Committee - Building Committee

The East Providence Building Committee will meet to discuss the EPHS project. The body will consider voting on an OPM report and service invoices.

• Vote to accept OPM Report
• Vote to approve invoices for services
• Discussion regarding a plaque for EPHS past and present principals

The committee accepted the Owner’s Project Manager report regarding the high school project, which is 100% complete and currently undergoing financial reconciliation. Members approved $3,466.00 in invoices for extra services and discussed plans to install a plaque honoring past and present principals. The committee also reviewed ongoing site work, including grading repairs and water line replacements.

• Accepted Owner’s Project Manager report (unanimous)
• Approved $3,466.00 in March 2024 invoices (unanimous)
• Approved February 12, 2024 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Adjourned meeting at 5:51 pm (unanimous)

East Providence School Committee

The East Providence School Committee is holding a special meeting to consider and vote on authorizing a notice of termination to Mill City Construction. This is the only action item listed for the session.

• Vote to authorize issuing a notice of termination to Mill City Construction

The East Providence School Committee met for a special session and approved the issuance of a notice of termination to Mill City Construction Company.

• Authorized issuing a notice of termination to Mill City Construction Company (unanimous)

East Providence School Committee

The East Providence School Committee will discuss school security, student residency confirmation, and the effects of bridge construction on the district. The committee is scheduled to vote on the Army JROTC Program, the Alternate Learning Program, and the Fiscal Year 2022 Audit Report.

• Vote to approve Fiscal Year 2022 Audit Report
• Vote to approve Army JROTC Program
• Vote to approve the Alternate Learning Program
• Discussion on bridge construction effects on the school district
• Discussion on student residency confirmation updates

The East Providence School Committee approved the Army Junior ROTC program, an alternate learning program, the FY22 Audit Report, and the 2023-2024 EPLAC members, all by unanimous consent. The committee also received updates on bridge construction delays costing about $10,000, a special education program review, and school facilities projects. No votes were taken in executive session except to reconvene in open session.

• Approved Army Junior ROTC Program (unanimous consent)
• Approved alternate learning program (unanimous consent)
• Approved FY22 Audit Report (unanimous consent)
• Approved 2023-2024 EPLAC members (unanimous consent)
• Approved consent agenda including personnel report (unanimous consent)
• Moved into executive session for personnel, school security, and adjournment (unanimous)
• Sealed executive session minutes (unanimous consent)
• Adjourned meeting at 9:28 p.m. (unanimous consent)

East Providence School Committee

The committee will meet in executive session to discuss school safety and security before moving to an open session. Action items include votes on the fiscal year 2022 audit report, EPHS class trip, and building committee appointments.

• Discussion of School Safety & Security
• Approval of Fiscal Year 2022 Audit Report
• EPHS Class Trip to New York on March 1, 2024
• Army JROTC Program approval
• Construction and Stage III invoices for EPHS and MMS/Waddington projects

East Providence School Committee - Building Committee

The East Providence Building Committee is meeting to discuss updates and reports from the Owner's Project Manager (OPM). The committee will vote on a press box canopy and various service invoices.

• Vote to accept OPM Report
• Vote to approve Press Box Canopy
• Vote to approve invoices for services

The committee accepted the Owner's Project Manager's report, noting that high school construction is 100% complete. Members approved January 2024 construction invoices totaling $153,471.07. A decision on the press box canopy was tabled.

• Accepted Owner's Project Manager's Report (unanimous)
• Approved January 2024 construction invoices totaling $153,471.07 (unanimous)
• Approved December 11, 2023 minutes (unanimous)
• Tabled press box canopy item

East Providence School Committee - Building Committee

The East Providence Building Committee will meet to discuss project updates for Martin Middle School/Pre-K, Waddington Elementary, and Riverside Middle School. The committee will vote on a Building Committee member appointment, an OPM report, a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for the Waddington project, and a contract with Collins Construction Company.

• Vote to approve a Building Committee Member Appointment
• Project updates for Martin Middle School/Pre-K, Waddington Elementary & Riverside Middle School
• Vote to approve OPM Report
• Vote to approve GMP for Waddington Project
• Vote to approve Collins Construction Company Contract

The committee appointed a new Co-Chair and received progress updates on the Martin Middle School/Pre-K, Waddington Elementary, and Riverside Middle School projects. No votes were taken on project budgets or permits during this meeting.

• Approved appointment of Manuel Vinhateiro as Co-Chair (unanimous)

East Providence School Committee

The School Committee will convene for a special meeting to discuss safety and security matters in executive session. The agenda also includes reporting out votes taken during the closed session and official announcements.

• Executive session discussion regarding safety and security

The committee met in executive session to discuss safety and security. No votes were taken during the executive session other than to reconvene in open session.

• Voted to move into Executive Session for safety and security discussion (unanimous)
• Voted to seal the minutes (unanimous)

East Providence School Committee

The East Providence School Committee will meet to consider several personnel contracts and construction awards. The agenda also includes updates on special education audits and building committee membership.

• Vote to approve Administrative Assistants Three-Year Collective Bargaining Agreement
• Vote to approve contract for HR Office Manager/Benefits Coordinator
• Vote to approve contract for Systems Administrator
• Vote to approve Myron J. Francis Boiler Replacement Project award
• Vote to approve Orlo Avenue School Fence Replacement Project award

The East Providence School Committee approved a series of action items during its January 9, 2024 meeting, including labor contracts for administrative assistants, the HR Office Manager/Benefits Coordinator, and the Systems Administrator. The Committee also awarded contracts for boiler and fence replacement projects, approved the 2024-2025 EPHS Program of Studies, and accepted the consent agenda.

• Approved the 2024 School Committee meeting schedule (unanimous)
• Approved the updated Building Committee membership lists (unanimous)
• Approved the contract for the Human Resources Office Manager/Benefits Coordinator (unanimous)
• Approved the contract for the Systems Administrator (unanimous)
• Approved the 2023-2026 CBA for EPSD Administrative Assistants (unanimous)
• Awarded the Myron J. Francis boiler replacement project to NexGen Mechanical for $172,988 (unanimous)
• Awarded the Orlo Avenue School fence replacement project to Premier Fence for $33,963.00 (unanimous)
• Approved the EPHS 2024-2025 Program of Studies (unanimous)

East Providence School Committee - Building Committee

The East Providence Building Committee will receive updates on projects for Martin Middle School-Pre-K, Waddington Elementary School, and Riverside Middle School. The committee will vote on the OPM report and invoices for services.

• Project updates for Martin Middle School-Pre-K, Waddington Elementary School, and Riverside Middle School
• Vote to approve OPM Report
• Vote to approve invoices for services

The committee approved December 2023 invoices totaling $345,740.52 for various school construction services. Members received progress updates on the Martin Middle School, Waddington Elementary School, and Riverside Middle School projects.

• Approved December 2023 invoices totaling $345,740.52 (Unanimous)
• Accepted Owner Project Manager’s Report (Unanimous)
• Approved December 11, 2023 meeting minutes (Unanimous)