Parents urge North Kingstown schools to act on chronic absenteeism and energy standards for new schools

During the public comment period of the Feb. 10 meeting, two residents raised distinct concerns the committee acknowledged.

Bob Vanderslice, a North Kingstown parent and volunteer, said chronic absenteeism is a growing local problem and cited the 2025 Kids Count report showing North Kingstown’s rates exceed several neighboring districts. He asked the school department to provide twice‑yearly reports that assess the problem and describe what the district is doing to improve attendance, including whether the district is involving community‑based volunteers and the efficacy of truancy court interventions. Vanderslice offered to help the district develop community‑based activities.

Tom Seguros, another resident, criticized the district’s decision to treat energy efficiency features for a proposed school as optional value‑engineering reductions. “Climate … the threat of climate change is not a theoretical thing. It is here,” Seguros said, urging the committee to insist that energy‑saving and energy‑producing features not be optional and arguing those features can be financed differently than furnishings or technology because they can save or generate revenue over time.

Committee members thanked both speakers and recorded the public concerns in the meeting minutes. The comments were entered during the citizen‑comment portion of the agenda; no committee votes were taken on either item at the meeting, and staff were asked to follow up on calendar scheduling and to note the attendance reporting request for future committee consideration.