Committee hears several items pertaining to new EPHS project

Putting pieces into place following voter approval of funding

By Mike Rego
Posted 11/14/18

EAST PROVIDENCE — Among the many items on a fully loaded docket for the November 13 School Committee meeting the board unanimously approved measures related to construction of the proposed new …

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Committee hears several items pertaining to new EPHS project

Putting pieces into place following voter approval of funding

Posted

EAST PROVIDENCE — Among the many items on a fully loaded docket for the November 13 School Committee meeting the board unanimously approved measures related to construction of the proposed new East Providence High School.
The week prior, voters in East Providence resoundingly backed an election referendum item allowing the city to seek $189.5 million in bonds to construct the new comprehensive secondary education building. The project also includes retrofitting the existing career and tech center into the district’s administrative office hub and home to the entirety of the Pre-Kindergarten program. In addition, athletic fields and tennis courts are part of the plan.
Similarly, a ballot item allowing the state to procure $250 million in bonds to support school construction projects throughout Rhode Island passed with the overwhelming support of the electorate locally and state-wide. The new EPHS effort is expected to be among the projects in line to receive even greater state aid with the measure’s passage.
According to Superintendent Kathryn Crowley, if the district meets all targets as currently outlined, construction of a new EPHS would commence in June of 2019 with a completion date in time for the start of classes in the fall of 2021.
More new EPHS notes
Two more notes related to the new EPHS plan addressed by the committee last week included naming At-Large member Joel Monteiro as co-chair of the project’s oversight board along with out-going member Nate Cahoon.
Mr. Cahoon is departing the School Committee for a position on the City Council after winning election November 6. He ran unopposed for the spot from the same Ward 3 constituency he represented on the committee.
As well, the committee approved a two-month extension with city-based Peregrine Group, which is serving as the district’s Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) on the new high school effort. The extension maintains Peregrine’s services through the end of the calendar year as both sides work on a new contract, District Finance Director Craig Enos told the committee at the November 13 forum.
Bayside lease
A third matter coinciding with the new EPHS project was talked about last week was coming to an agreement with the Bayside FC youth soccer organization over the terms of ending its contract with the district for the use of the artificial turf field located behind the current school building.
Per the original agreement, Bayside FC agreed to finance the installation of the field, fencing and lighting of the pitch in return for access granted to EPHS athletic teams.
The initial pact included provisions for the termination of the deal by the district, including one-year’s notice to Bayside FC of the end to the arrangement and reparation of any debts the organization owes to its lenders, which currently sits at some $1.25 million of the its original $1.5 million investment.
Bayside has signaled its intention to keep possession of the turf, fencing, lighting and goal posts, Superintendent Crowley told the committee last week.
In previous discussions, the district has set a date of May 15, 2019 as the last day of the current agreement, coinciding with the end of the 2019 Rhode Island Interscholastic League spring sports regular season schedule. The district has proposed Bayside remove all of its possessions from the location by May 31, 2019, the superintendent added.
As amended upon the recommendations of Mr. Monteiro and Ward 2 member Anthony Ferreira, the committee empowered the district to formally give Bayside FC and its legal counsel notice of an immediate end to the deal and of making May 31, 2019 a hard-and-fast deadline. Included in the latter item, if all items considered property of organization, to also include lighting foundations along with fence posts and footings, aren’t removed to satisfaction of district by the May 31 end date, then Bayside will be required to reimburse the district for any costs associated with demolition of the area.
The superintendent and the committee acknowledged no deal between the district and Bayside FC has of yet been reached and is subject to continued negotiations.
More meeting notes
As part of her monthly meeting report to the committee, Superintendent Crowley informed the board the district’s Pre-K program was rated as “the best” Rhode Islands by peers during a recent state-wide meeting of districts. The superintendent extolled principal Karen Rebello and assistant superintendent Celeste Bowler for their efforts overseeing the program locally.
Superintendent Crowley alerted the committee her intention to collaborate with EPHS Band director Marisa Silva in an attempt to purchase new uniforms for the program. The superintendent said the band’s outfits are “over 20-years-old and need to be replaced.”
Another item of consequence the committee discussed and later voted approval pertained to the hiring of a district-wide ELL (English language learners) director.
Superintendent Crowley told the board no one currently in the administration is certified to supervise the ELL program, which currently has an approximate enrollment of 250 students. Per state mandate, once a district has over 150 ELL students it must hire a full-time director.
The superintendent said though the job will be posted immediately, she does not plan to fill the position until after the new year. She noted the district is “not in compliance” with state guidelines and that it’s “something we just have to do.”

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MIKE REGO

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.