Committee outlines contract nonrenewal procedure, schedules executive session

The Newport School Committee reviewed procedures for renewing and nonrenewing administrative contracts, with outside counsel explaining statutory notice requirements and recommending process steps.

Attorney Maryanne Carol told members she reviewed contracts set to expire June 30, 2026, and said a clause referenced March 31 notice; she clarified that if administrators are not notified by March 31 that they have not been renewed, that clause does not automatically renew them and that the school committee must take action and provide notice. Carol described three groups of staff for upcoming action: those recommended for renewal, those whose positions are proposed to be eliminated for fiscal reasons and therefore recommended for nonrenewal, and those the committee might choose not to renew because it believes a better candidate is available.

Carol recommended one‑year renewal terms for those retained, given uncertainty about a November regionalization vote and potential leadership changes. She also advised that nonrenewal procedures require offering administrators the opportunity to be heard in executive session and for any public action to follow that discussion. Committee counsel Mr. Connley agreed that statutory process vests notice with the governing authority and that policies should reflect that obligation.

Members discussed whether the committee had previously ceded too much contracting authority to the superintendent and agreed that policy language should be revised. To address immediate timing concerns for expired or expiring contracts, the committee scheduled an executive session to consider renewals and nonrenewals and to take any required public action at an open meeting afterward. A motion to enter executive session citing Rhode Island General Laws §42‑46‑4 and §42‑46‑5(a) was made and seconded; the committee moved to Room 106 to proceed.

Next steps: the committee directed staff and counsel to prepare letters notifying affected administrators that their contracts will be discussed and to prepare revised policy language for committee review.