Norma Cole

The Cranston Public Schools Strategic Plan (2020-2024) focuses on improving student outcomes in ELA and math, increasing student attendance, and fostering a sense of belonging. The plan prioritizes improving ELA proficiency through initiatives like the Science of Reading and high-quality curriculum resources, aiming to increase the percentage of students meeting or exceeding expectations on ELA assessments. Similarly, math proficiency will be enhanced through high-quality curriculum resources and Project-Based Learning (PBL). Attendance improvement strategies include establishing attendance teams, utilizing communication tools, and incentivizing attendance. Finally, the plan aims to increase student connections and a sense of belonging through culturally responsive teaching, family partnerships, and creating safe and supportive school environments.

The agenda included an Executive Session commencing at 6:00 PM to discuss collective bargaining/litigation pertaining to Trades/Mechanic Negotiations, as well as student matters concerning Home Schooling. This was followed by a Public Work Session Meeting which covered a CIP Update, communication regarding Peters Elementary, review of the organizational chart, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) concerning Vacation Pay, and a Transportation Presentation by Zum. Announcements for future meetings in January 2026 were also made.

The Cranston Public Schools' District Technology Plan for FY 2025-2029 focuses on providing equitable access to technology to empower students as learners. It aims to enhance communication, information processing, instructional strategies, and productivity through technology. Key goals include improving student achievement by fully utilizing Google Workspace, implementing technology benchmarks, and supporting the existing technology curriculum. The plan also emphasizes creating 21st-century learning environments, promoting innovative teaching and leadership, fostering a positive learning culture, and improving family communication through user-friendly digital resources.

The meeting includes executive sessions to discuss personnel matters (contracts for multiple certified administrators), collective bargaining and litigation (bus driver, teacher, paraprofessional negotiations, and a social media class action), and student matters (homeschooling). The public work session will cover a CIP update, building use policy, wellness policy, school transportation resolution, bus patrol, organizational chart, and the 2025 annual report. The public meeting will include committee reports, superintendent and chairperson communications, a public hearing for students and the public, and action items including resolutions on home school applications, conferences/field trips, policy amendments (wellness policy and organizational chart), and student transportation. A purchase of theater lighting equipment is also to be discussed.

The meeting includes an executive session for legal advice regarding the SRO MOA, followed by a public meeting. The agenda covers committee reports, superintendent and chairperson communications, public hearings for students and members of the public, resolutions on home school applications, acceptance of the Cranston SRO Memorandum of Agreement, amendment of Policy #7550 Dedication of Projects, and announcement of future meetings.