Superintendent's Community Update
September 28, 2022
A Message from Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain, Ed.D.
Dear Newport Parents, Families, and Staff:
I know many of you have questions about the proposal to combine Newport Public Schools and Middletown Public Schools into a new regional school district. That’s why I want to provide facts and resources so that you can be better informed to vote on the proposal, which will be on Newport’s November 8th ballot.
Newport and Middletown officials have talked about the benefits and possibilities of regionalizing for years. For one reason or another it has never been realized. Those discussions picked up last spring, and both communities came to a framework agreement, which is what you will be asked to vote to approve on November’s ballot. Middletown will have two questions - one asking Middletown if they wish to regionalize and another one asking if they would bond for $235 million dollars for new school buildings for Middletown. Middletown would own that bond and be responsible for its payment. Newport will be asked if they wish to regionalize with Middletown, enabling Newport to gain an additional $46 million dollars due to a greater reimbursement rate for its school building project already approved if regionalization is approved. Newport will, as it is already, be responsible for its payment and have an additional $46 million dollars for the City to determine how to apply. In order for anything to happen though all three questions must be approved. Not one, not two - all three. If Newport says no- nothing happens in Middletown. If Middletown says no to any of their two questions then nothing happens for additional reimbursement for Newport. Learn more about this on the website Middletown & Newport Public Schools Regionalization website (middletown-newport.us).
What else about regionalization? Over the summer, both of our communities held a series of public workshops to discuss the benefits of regionalization and to hear from students, parents, teachers, and community members. In my opinion- again my opinion- the consensus from the meetings was that financial benefits for a merger are very clear- both immediate and long term. Middletown will be able to bond for new schools for an 80% reimbursement rate and Newport will now get 80% reimbursement allowing us to receive an additional $46 million dollars on top of the funding reimbursement we are already scheduled to receive. Going forward if the communities regionalize, all school building and capital improvements will receive a 67% housing aid reimbursement for housing aid compared to the 35% reimbursement each community receives now. No regionalization- no 67% housing aid reimbursement on future projects after the school building projects are done. Transportation costs will receive additional funding up to two million dollars and the list goes on if regionalization passes. So the financial changes and expectations will change for the regionalized school district compared to what each district realizes now and receives separately.
What is not being answered, and is difficult to answer, is how regionalization will help ensure our schools will be funded with some of these savings or what educational improvements will occur because of regionalization. This appears to be a sticky situation because there is no definite plan and it relies on trust that those that are elected to the regional school board and those on the regional finance committee will do what is best for students and schools. That is why both the Newport and Middletown Councils have put forth a resolution asking that an academic advisory committee be formed to start exploring with the possible savings of expenditures due to regionalization what our communities may want and believe should happen for education if regionalization occurs. At the time of this writing I do not have details on how people can get involved with this committee. By next week, I hope to have more information to share with you.
Finally, a detailed research report was completed by the consultants hired by Middletown and Newport, laying out the financial and academic implications of regionalization. The report and all of this information is available on the Middletown & Newport Public Schools Regionalization website (middletown-newport.us). I encourage everyone to visit this website and to read the consultant’s analysis of regionalization, as well as the other information posted, as well as talk with your neighbors and friends, and learn more about this very important question. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to my office and we will make every effort to answer your questions.
Have a great week everyone!
Sincerely,
Colleen Burns Jermain, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Un mensaje de la superintendente Colleen Burns Jermain, Ed.D.
Estimados padres, familias y personal de Newport:
Los funcionarios de Newport y Middletown han hablado sobre los beneficios y las posibilidades de regionalizar durante años. Por una u otra razón nunca se ha realizado. Esas discusiones se reanudaron la primavera pasada y ambas comunidades llegaron a un acuerdo marco, que es lo que se le pedirá que vote para aprobar en la boleta electoral de noviembre. Middletown tendrá dos preguntas: una que le pregunte a Middletown si desea regionalizarse y otra que le pregunte si pagaría $235 millones de dólares en bonos para nuevos edificios escolares para Middletown. Middletown sería el propietario de ese bono y sería responsable de su pago. Se le preguntará a Newport si desea regionalizarse con Middletown, lo que le permitirá a Newport ganar $46 millones de dólares adicionales debido a una mayor tasa de reembolso para su proyecto de construcción escolar ya aprobado si se aprueba la regionalización. Newport, como ya lo es, será responsable de su pago y tendrá $46 millones de dólares adicionales para que la Ciudad determine cómo presentar la solicitud. Sin embargo, para que algo suceda, las tres preguntas deben ser aprobadas. Ni uno, ni dos, los tres. Si Newport dice que no, no pasa nada en Middletown. Si Middletown dice que no a cualquiera de sus dos preguntas, entonces no pasa nada por el reembolso adicional para Newport. Obtenga más información sobre esto en el sitio web Sitio web de regionalización de las escuelas públicas de Middletown y Newport (middletown-newport.us).
¿Qué más sobre la regionalización? Durante el verano, nuestras dos comunidades llevaron a cabo una serie de talleres públicos para discutir los beneficios de la regionalización y escuchar a los estudiantes, padres, maestros y miembros de la comunidad. En mi opinión, nuevamente mi opinión, el consenso de las reuniones fue que los beneficios financieros de una fusión son muy claros, tanto inmediatos como a largo plazo. Middletown podrá formar bonos para nuevas escuelas con una tasa de reembolso del 80 % y Newport ahora obtendrá un reembolso del 80 %, lo que nos permitirá recibir $46 millones de dólares adicionales además del reembolso de fondos que ya estamos programados para recibir. En el futuro, si las comunidades se regionalizan, todos los edificios escolares y las mejoras capitales recibirán un reembolso de ayuda para vivienda del 67 % en comparación con el reembolso del 35 % que recibe cada comunidad ahora. Sin regionalización: sin reembolso del 67% de la ayuda a la vivienda en proyectos futuros después de que se terminen los proyectos de construcción de escuelas. Los costos de transporte recibirán financiamiento adicional de hasta dos millones de dólares y la lista continúa si se aprueba la regionalización. Entonces, los cambios financieros y las expectativas cambiarán para el distrito escolar regionalizado en comparación con lo que cada distrito realiza ahora y recibe por separado.
Finalmente, los consultores contratados por Middletown y Newport completaron un informe de investigación detallado, que establece las implicaciones financieras y académicas de la regionalización. El informe y toda esta información están disponibles en el sitio web de Regionalización de las Escuelas Públicas de Middletown y Newport (middletown-newport.us). Animo a todos a visitar este sitio web y leer el análisis de regionalización del consultor, así como la otra información publicada, así como hablar con sus vecinos y amigos, y aprender más sobre esta cuestión tan importante. Si tiene alguna pregunta, no dude en comunicarse con mi oficina y haremos todo lo posible para responder sus preguntas.
¡Que tengan una excelente semana a todos!
Sinceramente,
Colleen Burns Jermain, Ed.D.
Superintendente
Thompson and Rogers Open Houses
Be an engaged parent and get to know your student’s school by attending the Rogers High School open house tonight from 5:30-7:00 pm and/or the Thompson Middle School open house on Thursday from 5:30-7:00 pm.
Jornadas de puertas abiertas de Thompson y Rogers
Boys & Girls Club of Newport County Annual Community Awards Celebration
After a two-year hiatus, it was great to join with students, families, and community members at the Boys & Girls Club of Newport County’s Annual Community Awards Celebration held on Friday, September 23rd. And a big congratulations to our Rogers High graduate Izayah King on being named Rhode Island’s Boys & Girls Clubs of America “Youth of the Year”!
Celebración Anual de Premios Comunitarios del Boys & Girls Club del Condado de Newport
Resources for Our Spanish Speaking Families & Students
Our One Newport partner Conexión Latina is offering free assistance to any Spanish speaking families who recently moved to Newport and need to enroll their children in Newport Public Schools. Please contact Rebekah Gomez at 401.585.8165, rgomez@clnewport.org.
Ms. Ana Gomes will provide translation services at all regular School Committee meetings. Please meet our Newport Public Schools’ translators who are available to help any of our Spanish or Portuguese speaking families and students:
Recursos para nuestras familias y estudiantes de habla hispana
La Sra. Ana Gomes proporcionará servicios de traducción en todas las reuniones regulares del Comité Escolar. Conozca a los traductores de las Escuelas Públicas de Newport que están disponibles para ayudar a cualquiera de nuestras familias y estudiantes de habla hispana o portuguesa:
School Bussing
School bussing issues have been addressed and things are now running smoothly. As a reminder, here is the 2022-2023 school bus schedule. If you experience any school bussing issues, please contact:
● Pell Elementary School - Karoline Cranson, karolinecranson@npsri.net
● Thompson Middle School - Jared Conheeny, jconheeny@npsri.net or Chris Lewia, clewia@npsri.net
● Rogers High School - Aida Levasseur, aidalevasseur@npsri.net
transporte escolar
● Escuela Primaria Pell - Karoline Cranson, karolinecranson@npsri.net
● Escuela Intermedia Thompson - Jared Conheeny, jconheeny@npsri.net o Chris Lewia, clewia@npsri.net
● Escuela secundaria Rogers - Aida Levasseur, aidalevasseur@npsri.net
Returning School Meal Applications Means More Money For Newport Public Schools - Please Return By October 15th!
Free and reduced meals are an important and nutritious option for many of our students. That’s why it is critical that EVERYONE return these applications, even if your family is not eligible. The more completed meal applications we receive, the more resources we have to provide these meals. To date, we have received less than 50% of applications. Let’s get that number way up! Return your school meal application by October 15th!
Devolver las solicitudes de comidas escolares significa más dinero para las escuelas públicas de Newport. ¡Devuélvalas antes del 15 de octubre!
Free Mobile Hotspots Available
Newport Public Schools are committed to giving all of our students the resources they need to succeed. That includes free mobile hotspots for students who may not have broadband access. If you do not have reliable broadband access at home and are interested in obtaining a mobile hotspot for your student, please contact:
Pell - Nicole Silvia - nicolesilvia@npsri.net
TMS - Xavier Barrios - xavierbarrios@npsri.net
RHS - John Heino - johnheino@npsri.net or Evelyn Folcarelli - evelynfolcarelli@npsri.net
Hotspots móviles gratuitos disponibles
Pell - Nicole Silvia - nicolesilvia@npsri.net
TMS - Xavier Barrios - xavierbarrios@npsri.net
RHS - John Heino - johnheino@npsri.net o Evelyn Folcarelli - evelynfolcarelli@npsri.net
We’re Hiring!
Newport Public Schools is hiring! We have several openings for para educators, lunch and recess monitors, and long term substitute teachers. Click here to see open positions and to apply.
¡Estamos contratando!
FAFSA Accepting Applications Starting October 1st
Attention to our Rogers High School and NACTC seniors exploring their college options: Each year, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, opens on October 1st. Filing your FAFSA as close to October 1st as possible improves your chances of qualifying for the most grant, scholarship, and work-study aid. Even if your child at this time is not certain or considering post high school education it is a good idea to fill out the application to see what options are available. Many families are pleasantly surprised when participating in the application process- and we have several graduates that are now attending colleges and universities that they never dreamed were possible. So keep your child’s options open- and look into FAFSA.
Contact your guidance counselor with questions about completing the FAFSA, or schedule a free appointment with a RISLA College Planning Center expert. Check it out- you never know.
FAFSA Night is scheduled in the Rogers Library at 5:30 pm on October 13 for our families to come in and complete their FAFSA and or their CSS Profile.
FAFSA acepta solicitudes a partir del 1 de octubre
Comuníquese con su consejero vocacional si tiene preguntas sobre cómo completar la FAFSA o programe una cita gratuita con un experto del Centro de Planificación Universitaria de RISLA. Compruébalo, nunca se sabe.
La Noche de FAFSA está programada en la Biblioteca Rogers a las 5:30 pm el 13 de octubre para que nuestras familias vengan y completen su FAFSA y/o su Perfil CSS.
Reminder: Download the Newport Public Schools App
Over the summer, Newport Public Schools invested in a beautiful new website and a new app designed to keep our entire school community better informed about updates, news, and everything that’s happening in our schools. Please take a moment to download our free Newport Public Schools App so you can get all of this great information on your mobile device.
Download for Android https://bit.ly/3QKJgvo
Download for iPhone https://apple.co/3y6ZI1D
Recordatorio: descargue la aplicación de las Escuelas Públicas de Newport
Descargar para Android https://bit.ly/3QKJgvo
Descargar para iPhone https://apple.co/3y6ZI1D
About Us
Technology Helpdesk - email: helpdesk@npsri.net
Technology Helpdesk - phone: 1-833-752-0725 (press 2 for Spanish)
Aspen Family Portal Help - email: parentportal@npsri.net
Email: cathynash@npsri.net
Website: npsri.net
Location: 15 Wickham Road, Newport, RI 02840
Phone: (401)619-5376