The City Council got a snapshot of Warwick Schools Monday that covered scores, high performing schools, awards and recognitions, developments in technology, curriculum, building renovations and improvements and steps to enhance safety in the first ever state of schools address. One thing was conspicuous by its absence – any talk of money.

That’s just the way City Council President Steve McAllister planned it. As he pointed out at the opening of the meeting, the school budget and bonds are issues most frequently debated by the council. His planned “state of Warwick schools” was aimed at providing the council an overview of the system’s 14 elementary (counting the Warwick Early Learning Center) and five secondary schools (counting the Warwick Area Career and Tech Center) that are comprised of 867 teachers, 42 administrators and more than 8,000 students, which operate on a $186.6 million budget primarily financed by Warwick taxpayers and the state.

There wasn’t any intention of an exchange between members of the school administration and the council. There wasn’t either. And everything was to be packaged into ten minutes at the start of the council meeting. It wasn’t, but the schools didn’t get the hook. The presentation, which included slides and reports by directors took 16 minutes.

Superintendent Lynn Dambruch opened thanking her district leadership team, building administrators, teachers and staff for their work and dedication. She didn’t leave out the Warwick School Committee, three of whose five members were in attendance.

Dambruch moved quickly focusing on the large picture and giving directors the opportunity to get into specifics albeit in some cases no more than a minute. She started with academic excellence, saying “our students have demonstrated commendable academic performance, showcasing their commitment to learning and the effectiveness of our educators.” She went on to touch on technology integration, infrastructure upgrades, innovative teaching practices that include innovative learning spaces, diversity and inclusion initiatives, achievements in sports and extracurricular achievements and safety upgrades.

Unlike budget hearings and those concerning funding of school renovations and bonds for new Toll Gate and Pilgrim High Schools, the audience was not filled with teachers, parents and students advocating for schools or those fearful of the impact of schools on taxpayers. The council will not be making any decisions based on the presentation.

Nonetheless, Darlene Netcoh, president of the Warwick Teachers Union, thought the presentation valuable in educating the council on the scope of school operations. She thought semi-annual or quarterly school reports could be helpful.

Mayor Frank Picozzi who sat through the presentation thought taking the focus off finances and placing it on achievements was positive and should become a practice. As a former chair of the School Committee, he noted it’s rare that council members attend school meetings with the exception of the late Al Gemma. He thinks bringing the schools to the council is a good plan.

While he didn’t get into project costs, director of school building projects Steve Gothberg read off a list of projects that have been completed over the last two years that he estimated cost $30 million after the meeting that included the big ticket items of Sherman, Warwick Neck and  Winman renovations.

Individual recognition were listed  including Dr. Sabrina Antonelli of Norward School selection as principal of the year; Winman science teacher Dr. Cathy Hawthorne –Kocak and Oakland Beach kindergarten teacher Millissa O’Neil as teachers of the year; Kristen Noon as STEAM elementary educator of Rhode Island and Warwick Neck Principal Frank Galligan, first year principal of the year.

Assistant superintendent and director of secondary schools, William McCaffrey, cited the department’s rigorous Honors, AP, EEP and CTE courses located at Toll Gate, Pilgrim and the Warwick Area Career and Technical Center.

“Students have the opportunity receive industry credentials and participate in internships in the community.  Also, they participate in industry-based competitions.” And he noted, students have the opportunity to achieve college credit while participating in our courses.

Patricia Cousineau, director of elementary education, reported that the vast majority of K-12 frameworks have been completed and are constantly updated on our website; that new ELA and math programs and that the resources are rigorous, focus on standards, and embed science, social studies, and culturally responsive teaching practices.

Lisa Schultz zipped through her report. The director of curriculum reported “overall good news” that scores are up 2 percent in grades 3 and 8 in ELA and 46 percent in math.

“We have created plans with all schools to help increase scores further this year, using student discourse, data chats, and the Vision of a Graduate to support our improvement efforts,” she said.

Kristen Murray, SEL Coordinator, said the department has increased social workers at the elementary level and the department is undertaking teacher training for social emotional and mental health.

Department security and safety officer Daniel Maggiacomo, a retired Warwick Police officer who worked for many years in Warwick schools, said that about 95 percent of the district staff has been trained in active shooter events; that the district is mapped for first responders; $1.5 million has been spent to upgrade cameras and badges and new security level protocols to all schools for shelter in place, restricted movement and lockdowns.