Lauren Buress

The meeting commenced with an executive session, the minutes of which were subsequently moved to be sealed. Committee members reported on various activities since the last meeting, including a Learning Walk focused on student engagement, the Town Council's approval of the stage two capital plan submission, and participation in the Portsmouth High School Cafe Showcase, which highlighted high-quality, locally sourced produce. Subcommittee updates were provided: the Personnel Subcommittee discussed contract renewal timelines and the deputy superintendent hire timeline; the District Health Advisory Committee reported on wellness activities, curriculum topics, and plans for a summer job fair; and the Policy Subcommittee tabled two policies while working to remove outdated policies from the books. The Finance Subcommittee reviewed the proposed budget, noting ongoing negotiations for healthcare and transportation costs. Student achievements noted included Model UN conference success and the Portsmith High School being named Newport County's best public school. Furthermore, open houses for CTE programs and eighth-grade families were held, and the new school store soft-launched. Other updates included status reports on the middle school girls' basketball team advancing to the state championship, details regarding the upcoming SurveyWorks window for feedback collection, and a preview of upcoming events like the Melville Olympics and a book study on executive skills.

The meeting began with a moment of silence honoring Christine Anne Bowler, a long-term Portsmith School District employee. An executive session was held prior to the public meeting regarding security matters, with a vote taken, and another executive session was planned for after the public portion. Chairperson remarks noted one member's absence and provided updates on the UKOA financial training schedule and the superintendent evaluation timeline. Subcommittee updates included report of completed bathrooms and partition installation at the middle and high schools, respectively, and a unanimous recommendation from the District Building Committee to forward the Stage Two Capital Plan for approval and submission to RIDE. The Policy Subcommittee discussed policies on student attendance/truancy and advertising in schools, deciding to send one back for further review. Recognition segment honored Mrs. Liz Stack for her heroic action in clearing a choking student's airway, and recognized Miss Lisa Zable as the 2024-2025 NFHS Rhode Island Coach of the Year for girls volleyball. A student athlete was also honored for a remarkable cross country season culminating in All-American status. High school liaison reported on winter performances, recognition of a retiring dishwasher, student participation in SAT prep, student choice food events, a basketball player achieving new all-time leading scorer status, rehearsals for the spring musical Mean Girls, ski/snowboard club trips, class bake sales, a successful blood drive, plans for a winter formal, and library hours supporting midterm study. The Superintendent provided personnel updates, noting new hires, retirements, and new coaching staff additions. District updates covered the opening of Kindergarten registration for the Class of 2039, an upcoming High School CTE Open House, current employment opportunities, and a timeline for hiring the Deputy Superintendent. The Superintendent also addressed the financial impact following the closure of the Boytown Portsmith campus. Important upcoming events included an early release day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance, the Town Council meeting where the Stage Two capital submission vote was anticipated, and recognition of January as National School Committee Recognition Month. The primary focus of the latter part of the meeting was the presentation of the Stage Two Capital Improvement Plan by the architectural partner, detailing the RIDE process, proposed projects, cost estimates, financing plan, and schedule, seeking committee approval for submission to RIDE.

The meeting included an executive session where the minutes from October 14th and November 12th, 2025, were motioned to be sealed. Subcommittee updates were provided, notably by the ad hoc superintendent evaluation subcommittee, which detailed efforts to refine the evaluation form, focusing on responsibility areas, rating consistency, and potentially utilizing technological tools like Frontline. The District Health Advisory subcommittee reported on maintaining a combined health and wellness/climate and culture committee structure and emphasized the importance of universal free lunch as a legislative priority. The District Building Committee discussed Stage Two progress at the middle school in preparation for a community forum. Recognition was given to a school aid for heroically administering the Heimlich maneuver to a choking student. The PHS liaison reported on the upcoming drama production, the success of Spirit Week (won by the juniors), and the PSAT National Merit Scholarship qualifier test taken by juniors.

The meeting included discussions on sealing executive session minutes, school committee member attendance, and a learning walk on student engagement at Portsmouth High School. Updates were provided on subcommittee assignments and reports, including the superintendent ad hoc evaluation, policy, and finance subcommittees. The PHS liaison reported on the fall drama production, bioscience crew activities, athletic updates, and CTE student participation at the middle school. The superintendent provided updates on personnel, district-wide activities, and important dates, including the upcoming holiday break and a family engagement survey.

This strategic plan acts as a compass for the Portsmouth School Department, guiding its efforts to enable all students to succeed in college, career, and life by providing a robust, rigorous, and equitable education. The plan outlines five priority areas: ensuring academic rigor for all students, providing comprehensive social-emotional supports, offering continuous professional development for staff, fostering purposeful and inclusive communication with stakeholders, and maintaining safe and modern facilities that support digital learning. The overarching goal is to prepare students to be conscientious, dynamic, global citizens in an ever-changing world.