[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6660055,"mediaKeyId","2438095-27675f99e6f3793dd1f506f33994de21","parentId",2438095,"title","Votes at a glance: Coventry School Committee actions Feb. 27, 2025","audioSeconds",8808,"startMs",1614000,"endMs",10422000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2438095-27675f99e6f3793dd1f506f33994de21&start=1614&end=10422","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2438095-27675f99e6f3793dd1f506f33994de21/thumbnail_1614000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6660055/Coventry/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/Votes-at-a-glance-Coventry-School-Committee-actions-Feb-27-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6660055-5470bbc2f885e824f3989c321ba472ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173985&Signature=law3v91TWZCZyu70TRyTrhwgM~YqB-9tKrBHQktVPKmoQo5pJfxKYYFVOnUqe7A59xNIq4QvJdUGpVQ~DAxDwP6JrWM1df4i2Ohj2i8CGt52xKtftLTq2RMAsHMTr9ppRjwxC1td4EAVPCkw-rGvXrV1a5oHzqtmSjara4~jrLwBmJvREjrNEUPc4w-LWqUIK8~hnv7YFA9Y4MYxtkZ4-NFm~lfIiTMYDgvGRYkasi~Gq5pw3ohrj0AxxebgzvLli6QWFd30wdoxlZJRV1yFoNpf0OQS3Sj050eaYkDQfo-S85VdypWi1TnRlUuAAP5nxAXCe7dlEPJAdBi~ZR3UtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Coventry RI Public Schools","date","2025-02-28T03:14:41.223Z","article","At its Feb. 27 meeting the Coventry School Committee recorded the following formal actions and outcomes. Vote tallies and motion language are taken from meeting minutes and recorded on the public record.

1) Executive session recess and follow-up
- Motion: Recess into executive session at 6:29 p.m. (to discuss homeschool requests and executive session minutes)
- Outcome: Motion carried; committee recessed into executive session and later reported both items were discussed and passed unanimously.
- Follow-up: Motion to seal executive session records (to seal records of the session) — motion carried 5 to 0.

2) Approval of minutes
- Motion: Approve minutes from 02/13/2025 (regular minutes)
- Outcome: Motion carried 5 to 0.

3) Health care RFP recommendation
- Motion: Approve the healthcare RFP recommendation (move medical, pharmacy and dental to the Trust, fully insured)
- Outcome: Motion carried 6 to 0. Final contract contingent on union review and attorney review.

4) Fiscal Year 2026 budget
- Motion: Approve the FY2026 budget as presented (aligned to town manager’s projected $52,000,000 local appropriation)
- Outcome: Motion carried 6 to 0.

5) Meeting continuation
- Motion: Continue the meeting past the three-hour rule (bylaw provision)
- Outcome: Motion carried 6 to 0.

6) School lunch price increase
- Motion: Approve proposed increase to school lunch pricing (as recommended by food service staff/manager)
- Outcome: Motion carried 6 to 0. Staff noted food-service finances and transfers from general fund over prior years.

7) CHS trip approval
- Motion: Approve Coventry High School trip to the Armory, New York City (boys and girls track and field)
- Outcome: Motion carried 6 to 0.

8) School Construction Equity Initiative extension
- Motion: Approve extension request for the School Construction Equity Initiative grant (state/local funding timing; extension to accommodate bond issuance timing)
- Outcome: Motion carried 6 to 0. Superintendent noted Ride/MOU process and will submit corrected letter for signatures.

9) Policy and bylaw votes
- Motion: Approve second reading of the resolution on curriculum material objections (policy IGFA)
- Outcome: Motion carried 6 to 0.
- Motion: Approve second reading of School Committee bylaws
- Outcome: Motion carried 6 to 0.

Notes: When motions were made without a named mover or seconder in the public transcript, the record reflects those procedural motions were seconded and voted on in public session. The meeting record shows unanimous or near-unanimous support on recorded items; details such as precise mover/second names were not always stated audibly on the public record and are therefore listed as not specified where not spoken aloud.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2/27/2025 School Committee Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The committee recorded a series of motions and unanimous votes including approval to move benefits to a Trust, adoption of the FY2026 budget, a lunch-price increase, multiple policy approvals and routine field-trip and extension items.","taxTitle","Coventry, School Districts, Rhode Island","taxId",57886,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6660059,"Coventry School Committee adopts FY2026 budget as town projects $52 million local appropriation",1386,8475000,9861000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2438095-27675f99e6f3793dd1f506f33994de21&start=8475&end=9861","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2438095-27675f99e6f3793dd1f506f33994de21/thumbnail_8475000.jpg","/articles/6660059/Coventry/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/Coventry-School-Committee-adopts-FY2026-budget-as-town-projects-52-million-local-appropriation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6660059-6f788353d7621e4188cb7df35db92ca2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173985&Signature=iPSSWi0Fy-uGkfhy8M~feU25XANJN58UNgMlw9ZaaJ~gFOzTG4~H7-YRKjyOERu1nwQ5HEYBlgqDZMioOV0xh~opKraz7Rb5wFEfTVovL3zXLxUgwgM~vDGl3qCwT6GL5UcrOuTqOdoC8cTZgn8gruZn3H1zSoyJIEnrSbnrr4vUb2US5HxWeqhRz8tpszCbPbm4iG7kn9FIsteLJ9ey36kpD~cb18VXKjFLyT49DulL9f8M73Bz9yq7pBV4VUYQFTIwRkG~UQOrB6vlgTZ4bUAGlJL1W6nwo11jYbOXiJLVNl4lF6VyufysUOALT0I~Cpex01esolbOBIG9R38Tkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Coventry School Committee voted 6-0 on Feb. 27 to approve the district’s fiscal year 2026 budget, a package the superintendent said aligns the district request with the town manager’s projected $52,000,000 local appropriation.

Superintendent Cowart framed the vote around Rhode Island’s maintenance-of-effort law (Rhode Island General Laws §16-7-23), which requires municipalities to contribute at least as much to their schools as the previous fiscal year. Cowart told the committee that local appropriations provide the stable base the district needs because state and federal funds can vary: ‘‘The law is monitored by Rhode Island Department of Ed. ... Communities must contribute at least as much to their schools as they did the previous fiscal year,’’ she said.

Why it matters: The approved budget pairs revenue assumptions (local appropriation $52 million, state aid per the governor’s budget, tuition and an increase in Medicaid reimbursement) with a set of expense adjustments that Cowart said bring the proposed spending and revenue into balance. Cowart told members the district expects Medicaid reimbursement to reach about $1 million in FY2026 and that revenue includes a $140,000 deficit-reduction allocation from the town.

Budget and revenue highlights presented to the committee included:
- Local appropriation: the town manager’s projection of $52,000,000 for FY2026 (2.44% increase over prior year in the district presentation).
- State aid: the district’s budget reflected the governor’s proposal and an estimated 4.91% increase shown in the presentation.
- Medicaid reimbursement: Cowart said the district expects Medicaid revenue to exceed $1 million in FY2026, up from about $800,000 in FY2025.
- Grants and tuition: the presentation included tuition and other non-tax revenues rising in staff estimates.

Cowart warned committee members that federal ESSER funds and other one-time pandemic-era dollars had temporarily boosted revenue in prior years and that those resources have largely ended. She said that when federal funding dropped in prior years, the town’s local contribution did not always rise enough to compensate, creating what she described as a ‘‘funding cliff’’ and underscored the importance of maintaining the local base.

Committee members asked about staffing impacts and whether the FY2026 numbers would require layoffs. Cowart replied that the district’s plan relies primarily on attrition and enrollment-driven adjustments; she said the district expects fewer than 10 positions to change but that those are largely attrition-based and still under review.

The committee approved the FY2026 budget 6-0 and scheduled continued oversight as the town and district complete audits and the legal/financial processes ahead of the May appropriations cycle.","The School Committee approved a FY2026 budget that aligns with the town manager’s projection of a $52 million local appropriation; Superintendent Cowart stressed maintenance-of-effort requirements and cited Medicaid reimbursement and deficit-reduction funding.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6660065,"Coventry School Committee votes to move school health plan to fully insured trust, citing near-term savings",1395,6965000,8360000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2438095-27675f99e6f3793dd1f506f33994de21&start=6965&end=8360","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2438095-27675f99e6f3793dd1f506f33994de21/thumbnail_6965000.jpg","/articles/6660065/Coventry/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/Coventry-School-Committee-votes-to-move-school-health-plan-to-fully-insured-trust-citing-near-term-savings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6660065-cf1fbb1e8edea8cdb1b01a36058659d9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173985&Signature=LSpCipYmC2YYxgnZ~4UlFUg8NSCfah6vd7lhNKlDtt8C33u5a6L-UbL5Cxp~khygF9KYnOYKVbRd80YNzAhIxaTYZdOrWgtQdzjLrEkYcbz7ODebKQW0ykJ2xxZueXN3srUIxGkbNNbtXOjybiQgcGjFcji0hfx-uRFYvIUpl~oOvnUVVC~VYF0OnObIpDgnbxQZ3qe93dgmvg8uF1JN3Lx6MN43QwqFteKOvOU1~-5Kdnft0iX1s2TiXej2pZzm6BRUGj8BBXfW22TcNR-CqiPG1spwOh1BnmKUAu~XDtVGhfkzvK1DWIWp~ECcnNqTqHZ1DHjxcmfxS6PAvgcnZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Coventry School Committee voted 6-0 on Feb. 27 to accept the evaluation team’s recommendation to move the district’s employee health benefits — medical, pharmacy and dental — to a fully insured Trust rather than remain in the WB Community Health self-insured pool.

Superintendent Cowart summarized the evaluation, saying the committee’s recommendation was based on proposals, binders and a scoring rubric completed by an evaluation team that included the assistant superintendent, the finance director, an account senior accountant, the HR manager and a town reviewer. ‘‘The recommendation based on what I just went through in that analysis is, for the public schools to move to the trust for health care, pharmacy and dental,’’ Cowart said.

Why it matters: The Trust’s quoted premiums were lower than the WB Community Health working rates presented to the district; the district’s analysis estimated an annual difference of roughly $924,000 between the two proposals when comparing the most populous plan tiers. Committee members and staff emphasized that the Trust’s fully insured premium model reduces the district’s exposure to unexpectedly large claims, while the WB model would retain self-insurance stop-loss risk.

The evaluation team and scoring: Cowart said the team scored proposals against a rubric published in the RFP. The Trust received 77.6 points under the committee’s weighted rubric (out of 106), while WB Community Health received 64.2 points. The rubric weighted overall cost most heavily (50%), then comparability, network disruption and a multiyear guarantee.

Cowart explained differences in structure between the two offers: WB’s working rates include stop-loss insurance and are a self-insured working rate that can vary; the Trust’s fully insured premiums are fixed for the contract period, making year-to-year costs more predictable for budgeting. Cowart noted both plans offered comparable copays and deductibles but that the Trust’s pharmacy manager (CVS Caremark under the Trust proposal) had slightly different retail-network coverage than the WB pharmacy network; the district’s review found only two very low-usage out-of-state pharmacies that would be affected.

Union review and legal approval: Cowart said union leadership has received the proposals and that review by district counsel would be required before final contracting. ‘‘We did share the RFPs with union leadership, and Kelly is still in the process of reviewing it,’’ she said. She added any final agreement would be contingent on legal review.

Committee motion and vote: A motion to approve the RFP recommendation was made, seconded and carried 6 to 0.

What the district said about budget impact: Cowart presented sample calculations comparing the most-used plan tiers and said the Trust’s fixed premiums were lower than the WB working rates; when applied to current employee counts and employer shares the district estimated hundreds of thousands of dollars in potential annual savings. Cowart also cautioned that conversion-related adjustments and transitional details (including pharmacy tier mapping) would require follow-up before savings could be finalized.

Next steps: The district will continue union review and legal review; staff said they would return with the final contract for attorney review and to address pharmacy formulary and network questions before the change becomes effective.","After reviewing proposals from WB Community Health (self-insured) and a fully insured Trust, the committee voted 6-0 to recommend switching to the Trust for medical, pharmacy and dental coverage, citing lower fixed premiums and reduced district financial risk.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6660070,"Coventry presents expansion, partnerships and staffing needs for regional career and technical center",1941,3848000,5789000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2438095-27675f99e6f3793dd1f506f33994de21&start=3848&end=5789","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2438095-27675f99e6f3793dd1f506f33994de21/thumbnail_3848000.jpg","/articles/6660070/Coventry/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/Coventry-presents-expansion-partnerships-and-staffing-needs-for-regional-career-and-technical-center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6660070-7611856b4937e5f525ebdf971904ae3a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173985&Signature=KgkEWqRJPUt0meVzclgesqMgfgn1FOpSIbUFmVorSFiYdOQBS5r~rulWzYZraCMjtkhnTkF90AV34BTAxVgt6DFDv7L2kZroddV9597FNnnG2EpfNR2e-Ogkw-AOzFL~GSdg~EQmyj3SdN-1k9fHDr~1fhWRDCit3kujHPBnPCHDw1XMR6K~gsrPKn9ABtFLyrKmQhzcH5uFbe8SLWgfPy-l4N-P5I8yWHcTUNFTrxO3Um4-f3swSvEGy54d5uNVNACgeSADqabwqj6vWdrjiMiGBMU3D4IqyqxRgkwFwgvADcgJblOk4Gf6VTYkgG3SHKudMvKhmgD7awTl4W85RA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lori Ferguson, director of the Coventry Regional Career and Technical Center, told the School Committee on Feb. 27 that the center has expanded its mix of programs, deepened partnerships with industry and relied on grant funding to pay for high-cost equipment and some teacher salaries.

Ferguson said the center now runs 13 programs spanning advanced welding, biomedical science, automotive and precision machining, and houses cybersecurity, culinary and advertising/marketing pathways. She said 830 Coventry High School students were enrolled in CTE programs in 2024–25 and that 64 students come from other districts; total enrollment reported on Feb. 20 was 1,197, with many students taking more than one CTE course.

Why it matters: The presentation laid out how the career and technical program contributes to local workforce development, carries a mix of town and non-town funding, and relies on outside grants and industry partners for equipment and program starts. Committee members pressed for clarity on recruitment, staffing and long-term funding as the district negotiates a tight general budget.

Ferguson told the committee the center ‘‘takes in probably up to $700,000 a year in grants’’ that buy equipment and help pay portions of teacher salaries for high-cost programs. She cited a recent machining program funded ‘‘a little over $400,000’’ through the Cineadia Alliance in alignment with Electric Boat as an example of a capital investment that would not have been possible with local dollars alone.

She described a layered recruitment strategy led by a student ambassador program and said the center runs monthly career fairs, summer and after-school camps, shadow days for out-of-district students and partnerships that give students priority hiring status with Electric Boat after program participation.

Students and staff highlighted program outcomes and competitions. Cybersecurity coach Dan Cattell told the committee the school’s CyberPatriot team ‘‘placed first in Rhode Island at the highest competition level, which is the platinum tier,’’ finished top in New England and ranked inside the top 100 nationally in the most recent competition. Several students and ambassadors described hands-on lab experiences, industry certifications and dual-enrollment opportunities.

Ferguson also described internal capacity issues. ‘‘The career director needs an assistant. I cannot rely on students to do my job,’’ she said, noting the volume of grant-writing, event coordination and data tasks that fall to her. She announced to the committee that she plans to retire in June after 21 years with the program and said she hopes her successor will have similar ‘‘commitment and excitement and passion’’ for CTE.

Committee members asked about marketing and outreach; Ferguson said the center posts on multiple social platforms under the name Coventry Career and that while there are several promotional videos, the district does not have a single comprehensive video showcasing every program.

The committee discussion also covered program alignment with regional postsecondary partners: Roger Williams University (teacher coaching and CTE teacher certification), New England Tech, CCRI and employer cohorts used for internships and training. Ferguson said the district is pursuing a multi-district grant to create an allied-health regional hub to offer respiratory therapy and other health career training through shared facilities and dual enrollment, and described the consortium grant request as ‘‘over a million dollars.’’

The committee did not take votes on CTE items at the meeting. Members said they would consider ways to support recruitment and staffing needs ahead of budget deliberations.

Ferguson and student ambassadors supplied program enrollment and staffing figures to the committee; she emphasized that the center’s continued growth depends on sustained grant support and deeper partnerships with regional employers.","Director Lori Ferguson told the Coventry School Committee the Regional Career and Technical Center now runs 13 programs, serves about 830 students and relies heavily on grants and industry partners; she said the program needs an assistant director and signaled her planned retirement in June.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Coventry School Committee actions Feb. 27, 2025

Coventry School Committee adopts FY2026 budget as town projects $52 million local appropriation

Coventry School Committee votes to move school health plan to fully insured trust, citing near-term savings

Coventry presents expansion, partnerships and staffing needs for regional career and technical center