[{"_1":2,"_135":-5,"_136":-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",[32,75,87,99,111,123],{"_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",6269301,"mediaKeyId","3044462-e725ceff837a04cfff78444c99550fd5","parentId",3044462,"title","Votes at a glance — Smithfield School Committee, Jan. 2, 2025","audioSeconds",477,"startMs",140000,"endMs",617000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3044462-e725ceff837a04cfff78444c99550fd5&start=140&end=617","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3044462-e725ceff837a04cfff78444c99550fd5/thumbnail_140000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6269301/Smithfield/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/Votes-at-a-glance-Smithfield-School-Committee-Jan-2-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269301-985ddbeb09fc79aa2d80cb378e9f1884/orig.mp4?Expires=1770970211&Signature=S1~j2GoC1sDsnmFRT7e3uEgfu3CzcA4QFM8C8vavbg7xKrve~uiEUhgo2-VFZO1X-~29ty6IWv73JDO-79EDMm9I3FZdNuDwAdJ2zK1blgsAJ~FsG0EXD~jT-jR6KKZCWUbKjSBHc60DFSXUAiWi~owEatNT7u~k5uNFeDJwP5eBEnKx7bxY3vSCsq5IN1o-afpTFYfsSVA65hjma8KOF00TE~XD4Q3mp2PtZ4LIq3~GscR21rPrmBQogcA2qMBR12xDFShbuqvEve3eBIkcZYYlWslonz0OeyrX178N9MzsX~kQIZDvojI6k2GQvPfriV4Jyz8oz6vsd6Bbrbiwcg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Smithfield, RI","date","2025-01-02T00:00:00Z","article","The Smithfield School Committee recorded the following formal actions on Jan. 2, 2025.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (items excluding 4.1d): Motion to approve carried by voice vote; one recorded item (4.1b) was approved 3–0. Specific mover/second names were not recorded in the verbal transcript.

- Memorandum of agreement with SATAC (paraprofessional secretaries) to add emergency-leave language: Motion to approve carried by voice vote; no roll-call tally recorded.

- Facilities manager part-time template (job description, average ~15 hours/week, estimated first‑year prorated cost ~$8,000, pay $18–$20/hr, no benefits): Motion to approve carried by voice vote; funding for the initial hire was identified.

- RFQ for architect for Smithfield High School Stage 2 and emergency projects (includes culinary and ISC room floors): Motion to approve carried by voice vote; administration will forward RFQ to town council and advertise broadly.

- Appointment of two school committee members to the building committee (RIDE requirement): Motion to appoint carried by voice vote; Salah had volunteered and a second committee member also volunteered and were appointed.

- Appointment of Ms. Pafford to the RFQ evaluation committee to score architect applicants: Motion to appoint carried by voice vote.

Notes: All approvals listed above were recorded as voice votes with “ayes have it” in the meeting transcript; the committee did not provide detailed roll-call tallies for these motions in the public meeting audio. Several items (for example, the EEPH policy) were only at first reading and therefore not voted on.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Smithfield School Committee Meeting 1/2/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of formal actions taken by the Smithfield School Committee during its Jan. 2 meeting, including approvals and appointments.","taxTitle","Smithfield, School Districts, Rhode Island","taxId",73323,"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},6269306,"Committee discusses capital priorities: bathrooms, locker rooms, cameras and technology upgrades",330,2172000,2502000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3044462-e725ceff837a04cfff78444c99550fd5&start=2172&end=2502","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3044462-e725ceff837a04cfff78444c99550fd5/thumbnail_2172000.jpg","/articles/6269306/Smithfield/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/Committee-discusses-capital-priorities-bathrooms-locker-rooms-cameras-and-technology-upgrades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269306-776583d25fd6087a5666197c048ed704/orig.mp4?Expires=1770970211&Signature=SvBVWvhzTpGkNdPGdY36~gxvUtDOFHjj4sI8Hh9sE11Z5LodbczsrOd3YERhO0l2olrZk4o3vRjyP97oobZr8ZysjqAX7qrXrBUVmavmU8VJwOS6ykctnx7WuvlsAfiWua~CjweBZSmm2yzqpN4Gjr6BpEGRwVXKrYL65ukg-b-0lSYdH1jewlVnhon~DPsHog7Vz~25vWS9KCEI63I1wrh5Q1GnJQeDB2quzI~Goaj3vV30buYvRy2xtubPWbKMjYy5uGaO4N4HvBGmnmyTbuEekQqLTGfVp2vM~FY67Yi9kOvf3vgapsUy8NxaRJNGQaHOC0I080cHo4~7gtcl5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Smithfield School Committee spent substantial time on Jan. 2 discussing capital projects, with multiple members calling bathroom renovations the top priority and others urging upgrades to security cameras, servers and wireless access points.

A committee member described a recent holiday fair that strained restroom facilities and said dated plumbing and fixtures created an operational problem that day. Administrators said funds received last year had only begun bathroom work and that a phased, multiyear approach would be needed across school buildings, including the middle school. Members asked whether combining locker-room renovations with bathroom projects would produce construction efficiencies.

One committee member urged prioritizing technology upgrades for security — including cameras and servers — and noted the district recently upgraded servers for camera systems. Administrators said an architect on the building committee would review the entire high school to recommend how to maximize capital dollars and what projects make sense to combine.

The superintendent reiterated there is a capital planning process and that some work will fall into later years of the town budget cycle; the building committee and architect will help prioritize work and advise on sequencing and funding.","Members and administrators emphasized bathroom renovations, potential locker room work, camera/server upgrades and wireless access points as capital priorities ahead of further budget planning.",{"_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},6269311,"Committee holds first reading on public comment policy that would let chair shorten speaker time",366,1624000,1990000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3044462-e725ceff837a04cfff78444c99550fd5&start=1624&end=1990","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3044462-e725ceff837a04cfff78444c99550fd5/thumbnail_1624000.jpg","/articles/6269311/Smithfield/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/Committee-holds-first-reading-on-public-comment-policy-that-would-let-chair-shorten-speaker-time","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269311-3a3d052851b9d87450930e558cb9d561/orig.mp4?Expires=1770970211&Signature=KV14N2k6FBm8ZBtADNbf7MHnRnRXBlCbcw5CT2jVoaV2k2D10YADqoeja0kjshiTgwGJ83ytlYoGROsDGz2WW5mhAjdILfCGKCVYjCSqiaJTOjj6c1cic4uSP83kjdH2HF8t4NAijSP~er3zBn4eWTHPCSKtiA8lnWLSrLp6WtG5TAxOFFT9Nv8-aNVQLHVvBk9~vYqcek4kDrdv4FFGNKVKIOuY51gvia91xaAE6CesfrOT8Eou7NjPnmQGtr-Q2SgE4DqlwliHHIrBvCHfCmJtRqps9I9ta88DA6mwq0G6qvdLgTsEm-~XiBZ4dPeqC5s0bp25q07wdYm1ZR85Pg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Smithfield School Committee held the first reading Jan. 2 of proposed revisions to the district's public comment and participation policy (EEPH), including a provision that would allow the chair to reduce individual public-speaking time from five minutes to three minutes at the chair’s discretion.

Administration explained the policy has not been revised in some time and the suggested change is intended to keep meetings from running long on non-agenda items while preserving the ability to handle substantial public issues through future agenda placement, public hearings or workshops.

Committee members raised concerns that the shorter time could limit public participation; one member proposed adding language allowing the committee, by majority vote, to extend the public comment period in specific circumstances. Committee members also discussed whether comments made about agenda items should receive the longer allotment; administrators said the three-minute control was intended for time management of lengthy public commentary.

School district counsel (identified as Sean) reminded the committee that under the Open Meetings Act (OMA) the committee cannot engage in substantive discussion on matters not posted on the agenda and that on‑the‑record deliberations about non‑agendized matters could raise OMA complaints. Counsel advised that committee members may, after the meeting, speak privately with commenters and direct them to the superintendent for follow-up.

The item was a first reading; no vote on policy adoption was taken.","The Smithfield School Committee held a first reading of proposed policy EEPH to reduce default public comment time from five to three minutes at the chair's discretion; members discussed Open Meetings Act limits on dialogue.",{"_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},6269316,"Committee approves RFQ for high school construction architect; appoints building and evaluation committee representatives",165,1308000,1473000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3044462-e725ceff837a04cfff78444c99550fd5&start=1308&end=1473","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3044462-e725ceff837a04cfff78444c99550fd5/thumbnail_1308000.jpg","/articles/6269316/Smithfield/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/Committee-approves-RFQ-for-high-school-construction-architect-appoints-building-and-evaluation-committee-representatives","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269316-9902493e385af4e41371e09e2eeea96a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770970211&Signature=egurnsQHCG3uTz5uogJq0uh75z6H5uFyxwELBlDLlBQm6IetfWma1dFD95Ayjhug3Gp3Geq-8O8cr9KJCKoVWL6U7wtzKCMfyk15Ys6xZo3b3MpAqpFRtQSVJru9SFrZGhsEd5S9i8E0wOsImYkmirGzVid5Qel3I8Pd~EWaYHgqDJ34eySx2UTXGOCxuO3CIzY7sT9sddgXlooSUVlcB42~iB-9wHb0uN2QEWmOoJmvPJpbohN9F7QFceqvXVkOcUtZe~eZ-3RLkEJVW5E~Ac14JD0eaLww3vx94tNYiaKwzFWSfhtX0L9iJjaeYwzqAUGDKAe~biOzENSX8Piv8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Smithfield School Committee voted Jan. 2 to approve a request for qualifications (RFQ) seeking an architect for Stage 2 and emergency projects at Smithfield High School and appointed school committee members to required project committees.

Administrators said the RFQ covers Stage 2 work and emergency projects — including floor replacement in culinary and the ISC room — while an owner's project manager (OPM) handles Stage 1. The committee will present the RFQ to the town council and proceed with a tight timeline to advertise widely and accept bids.

Under Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) requirements, the committee also appointed two school committee members to the building committee, a standing group that will provide recommendations alongside the school committee and town council during construction. Salah had previously volunteered; another committee member also offered to serve and the two were appointed by motion and voice vote.

Separately, the committee appointed Ms. Pafford to serve on the short-term evaluation committee that will score architect applicants using a provided rubric. The administration emphasized meetings may occur outside daytime hours and that building committee sessions will be public and noticed.

A motion to approve the RFQ and to make the appointments was made, seconded and carried by voice vote.","The committee authorized release of a request for qualifications for an architect for Stage 2 and emergency projects at Smithfield High School, appointed two school committee members to the required building committee and named Ms. Pafford to the RFQ evaluation committee.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6269321,"Smithfield committee approves part‑time facilities manager role to coordinate school facility bookings",786,599000,1385000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3044462-e725ceff837a04cfff78444c99550fd5&start=599&end=1385","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3044462-e725ceff837a04cfff78444c99550fd5/thumbnail_599000.jpg","/articles/6269321/Smithfield/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/Smithfield-committee-approves-parttime-facilities-manager-role-to-coordinate-school-facility-bookings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269321-0fd8c463f7349bdb1f106c835eebf247/orig.mp4?Expires=1770970211&Signature=ASsnGTUTShbCqEMNADLfTca5GM-fON0RSlPe2XpE~w6ZKqyjfqnQkVF4d7B4w3knKwp8Yfps2FTsoDIQ9d0frrq1jQSOzI33KKJdt68MT5C8bc5HSd1NHupp4V9LArz1m~UzmzjQhzij9VSOy~R2XA5YAPZIcTSOH48puxBx85LBXPEDbivEeHQWzE9RJ39mfQXZDSCNVBKUqmMCeNjdfdav-er7x~bqDTpNO-Pkc6vzEah0BgudaA~JlVU1491-J5VAxQOyMyABawzJmM6qIfHjAbT4aF67sZt2ZDvdDWnMx-d3~lVbujwdqKWfECnPRRmOT-BpEAguESMhoMtLBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Smithfield School Committee on Jan. 2 approved a part-time facilities manager job template intended to centralize booking and coordination for gyms, cafeterias, auditoriums and other shared spaces.

The proposed hourly position was described as flexible week-to-week, with administrators suggesting an average of about 15 hours per week. District staff said a short trial and monitoring period would be used to adjust hours as needed; the first hiring cycle this year would likely cover about 20 weeks and cost roughly $8,000 including employer taxes.

Pay was estimated at $18–$20 per hour with no benefits attached. Administrators said the role would relieve current staff who have been handling scheduling in addition to other duties — a benefits staffer had spent roughly 10–15 hours per week on the task during a short study period — and would reduce double-bookings.

Committee members debated fiscal priorities and whether adding an administrative role was premature. Supporters said better coordination could generate rental revenue for fields and reduce facility conflicts; one member suggested the position could be supervised and adjusted after an initial trial. The director of technology and administration will investigate calendar-sharing and potential software options to improve public visibility of bookings.

A motion to approve the facilities manager part-time template was made and seconded and carried by voice vote. The committee reported identified funding to cover the position for the remainder of the current school year.","The committee approved a part-time facilities manager job description to centralize scheduling and coordination of school spaces; members discussed hours, pay and a trial period.",{"_33":124,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":125,"_41":126,"_43":127,"_45":128,"_47":129,"_49":130,"_51":131,"_53":132,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":133,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":134,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6269325,"School committee approves emergency-leave addendum to paraprofessional secretaries contract",109,515000,624000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3044462-e725ceff837a04cfff78444c99550fd5&start=515&end=624","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3044462-e725ceff837a04cfff78444c99550fd5/thumbnail_515000.jpg","/articles/6269325/Smithfield/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/School-committee-approves-emergency-leave-addendum-to-paraprofessional-secretaries-contract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269325-c61e57de92141dae2558dbec3e81ab87/orig.mp4?Expires=1770970211&Signature=C-ZHofV4kcElKy6WHaP67jCEUxVxYEQY8lcJRXSFlV3xPOpZZcFRgKHZilHcG3ZPciPOvXsj~FRiUWb1Sg12LCZpyi60jNR6CL47gceltN3sNtQoYon7rA02o7xVxYBKKxxFw4xI3j2eDjRfCJAlWXZOkLn5foYbOI5UxGCDUoO92bkDljBuZlhx4csl-e~mikne61OFzwzTn5WgodlkgUvJzi4lOjTmyLEpRCOmNVC-bb62juAo~d24yvb6Ke6Rqp3EuleuJI6ku7mEOFsP1fqNI7eAWmmLY3NdTlyHyfuADIHKgqt9Zvltces9yVMk8wKSzaBa-hIxh5Xiiby73g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Smithfield School Committee voted Jan. 2 to approve a memorandum of agreement adding emergency-leave language to the paraprofessional secretaries contract with SATAC.

The addendum clarifies that the three-year contract will include provisions for extenuating circumstances and emergency leave so staff can leave in urgent situations and, when appropriate, complete required paperwork after the emergency for payroll record-keeping.

The superintendent explained the change is intended to provide a process for emergencies — for example, when a staffer must leave immediately for a medical emergency — while preserving payroll documentation. Committee members asked whether the change would require staff to stop at the office before leaving during an extreme emergency; administrators said forms could be completed after the fact and that on-site administrators would notify central office as needed.

A motion to approve the memorandum of agreement with SATAC was made and seconded and carried by voice vote. The committee did not record a roll-call tally in the meeting minutes.

The agreement will be implemented during the remaining life of the current three-year contract and is intended to standardize payroll and attendance recordkeeping for emergency absences.","The Smithfield School Committee voted to approve an addendum to the paraprofessional secretaries (SATAC) contract to allow emergency leave procedures; the agreement passed by voice vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance — Smithfield School Committee, Jan. 2, 2025

Committee discusses capital priorities: bathrooms, locker rooms, cameras and technology upgrades

Committee holds first reading on public comment policy that would let chair shorten speaker time

Committee approves RFQ for high school construction architect; appoints building and evaluation committee representatives

Smithfield committee approves part‑time facilities manager role to coordinate school facility bookings

School committee approves emergency-leave addendum to paraprofessional secretaries contract