Chief of Police Richard Nighelli attended the June 15 meeting of the Marion School Committee to discuss the potential of a School Resource Officer (SRO) at Sippican School.
Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson made sure to clarify for all listeners to the discussion that funds are not in the FY23 budget for such, so whatever progress is made in the matter will not have a financial pathway immediately set for the 2022-23 school year.
“Our partnership is strong, and we constantly talk about school and school safety,” said Nighelli about his rapport with Nelson in addressing the committee. “I think a safe environment for the kids that they can thrive in, so I appreciate the partnership from Mike and from Pete (Crisafuli) and from Marla (Sirois.) I’m here to answer any questions …”
Nighelli told the committee he had already been in discussions with Nelson. “Obviously, we’re not budgeted for it,” he said. “I have some personnel issues at the department right now that I would have to address to add more people on to the department to make sure that we have shift coverage, but I think that it’s something that we could put together before September. But we’d have to start working fairly quickly.”
As April Nye explained in response to committee member Michelle Smith’s question, Marion has a person at Sippican who is certified as a SRO, but there is no SRO acting as such in the school building Monday-Friday.
Nighelli explained that the Marion Police has a school liaison, Sergeant Alisha Crosby, who is assigned to the “midnight shift” as the result of collective bargaining. “Even though we don’t have a school liaison on day shift, it’s been a collective effort,” said Nighelli, taking the opportunity to thank the overnight officers for their extra work during the day shift.
Nighelli explained there is an increased visibility of patrol officers at Sippican.
The difference between a SRO and a liaison is the latter is just a point of contact, according to Nighelli. The SRO is at the school regularly and is part of the school community.
“Our conversation tonight is whether we support having an SRO in the school, five days a week,” said April Nye.
Nelson said the matter was on the agenda because the Marion Police Department was interested in the school committee’s feedback.
Nelson said the committee’s discussion could serve as a starting point that would in next steps see him bring the matter to town officials to receive their feedback and any sense as to the potential to support a SRO.
Nelson clarified that the SRO does not manage low-level behaviors or the classroom, which is still the responsibility of school administration.
After further discussion, the committee voted to support ongoing discussion in bringing a SRO to Sippican School.
Nelson said he will follow up with Nighelli and April Nye, determine next steps and report back to the committee.
The committee voted to approve the renewal of the following leases: one year with Rochester-based Country Side Child Care at $2,000 per month; and the Southcoast YMCA’s lease of two rooms at Sippican at $7,200 per room (total $14,400 based on 10 months of usage.)
The committee voted to approve the removal of a list of selected items from the school library.
The committee voted to approve the following replacement-fee schedule proposed by Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Howie Barber, including the proposal of an insurance plan at the cost of $25.
Proposed Replacement Fee Recommendation: Chromebook Complete Unit Replacement $300; Chromebook Screen $50; 45W Adapter with Power Cord (USB-C Connection) $50; Keyboard $50; iPad Complete Unit $325; Apple usb-c to lightning cable $25; Apple usb power adapter (block) $25; and Case $50.
This policy does not apply to the iPads issued to the youngest learners.
Sippican Principal Marla Sirois and Assistant Principal Peter Crisafulli presented a progress update on Year 1 of a two-year School Improvement Plan and its coordination with ORR’s Vision 2023.
The report that required no vote highlighted project-based learning and “the four C’s,” along with 21st Century Learning skills, and social-emotional learning. Action steps focused on staff and student relationships and functions of the responsive classroom.
In her Chairperson’s Report, April Nye talked about the happiness with which the students finished the 2021-22 school year and thanked the committee and the staff. Her sentiments were echoed by Nelson, who highlights all the behind-the-scenes work done by subcommittees and the extra effort put forth by the committee’s members.
No corrective action was required in response to former Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Jannell Pearson-Campbell’s work on the audit. Pearson-Campbell has left the Old Rochester Regional District, and her work was highlighted by Nelson, who also thanked members of the hiring committee that helped select a finalist for Pearson-Campbell’s replacement.
The Marion School Committee reorganized for the 2022-23 school year, the members voting April Nye to continue serving as chairperson, Nichole Daniel to continue serving as vice chairperson, and Diana Russo to continue serving as secretary with Toni Bailey continuing to serve as alternate secretary.
The Joint School Committee representation will be different for 2022-23. Michelle Smith will continue to represent Marion on the ORR School Committee, and Mary Beauregard will represent Marion on the Joint School Committee.
Open Comment brought out comments crediting the committee for addressing the matter of public interest in the addition of a School Resource Officer.
At the start of the meeting, words of appreciation were shared by Nelson, Sirois and April Nye regarding the retirement of Sippican teacher Paula McKeen. The book “The Dictionary of Difficult Words” was added to the school library in honor of McKeen’s service.
The first meeting of the Marion School Committee for the 2022-23 school year was not set at adjournment.
Marion School Committee
By Mick Colageo