1. A Summary Presentation to the Providence School Board
Opening of Schools –
A Summary Presentation to the
Providence School Board
Joseph P. DiPina, Jr., Chief of Administration
September 8, 2014

2. Opening of Schools Planning Process
Planning for SY school opening began on June 12
Purpose: Ensure inter-departmental collaboration
Mission: Open in orderly, efficient and organized manner
Series of planning meetings held throughout the summer
June 12 August 7
June 26 August 14
July 10 August 20
July 24
PPSD Convocation: August 25
Opening of Schools: August 27

3. Participating Departments
Superintendent’s Office
Teaching and Learning
Finance
Communications
Student Registration
Family and Community Engagement
Human Resources
Public Properties
Facilities (PPSD and Aramark)
Food Services (PPSD and Sodexo)
Transportation (PPSD and First Student)
Technology
Student Affairs Office
Safety/Security and Athletics

4. Focus Areas Student Registration Student Transportation
Impact of SKYWARD Implementation
Re-Opening of the West Broadway Middle School

5. Student Registration
Office saw a significant influx of applicants in late August
600+ students registered in last 2 weeks of August alone
Deployment of SKYWARD this summer
Impact on Registration
Example -- increased time per transaction
District response:
Deployment of additional staff – nurses
Deployment of senior administrative staff
Approval of overtime hours
Support from the “CILE Team 7”; FACE

6. Transportation Commitment to Improved Performance
13,000 students transported each day on 144 yellow buses
Coordination with PPSD Transportation, First Student and RIPTA
Routing – considerations for safety and cost-effectiveness
Daily tracking for timeliness and efficiency
Validation of Routing Scheme by Transportation Consultant
RIPTA riders -- 2,000/day total
3.0 miles miles = 1,000 more riders
Construction project at Kennedy Plaza

7. SKYWARD Implementation
New student information system deployed across the district
Schools
Registration
Transportation
Central Support Office
Training, training, training!
Growing pains – SKYWARD vs. REG
Upcoming Features:
Lottery System
Parent Portal

8. West Broadway Middle School
PPSD response to projected 6th grade student “bubble”
Rehab of school building closed in 2007
Roof, heating system, drainage
Painting/rehab of classrooms, rest rooms, hallways and stairways
Phased Growth of School
Grades 5 and 6 in 2014
Grade 7 in 2015
Grade 8 in 2016
Special Thanks: W. Black, R. Mellion,
B. Luger, A. Sepe, Aramark, Gilbane

9. Recommendations Begin the Opening of Schools 2015 process NOW!
Redesign the Registration Office
Develop the “PPSD Student Service Center”
Make it the “focal point of the District”
Access to Registration, Special Education, Family Engagement
Access to community programming
Key emphasis on Customer Service
“Purpose, Urgency, Focus and Service”
Requires collaboration of Administration and our union partners
Will provide better support to our schools

10. Recommendations
Transform Central Office to the “Central Support Office”
Better support School Autonomy
Deliver Customer Service Training to all PPSD staff
Track and Measure Customer Satisfaction
Prepare for additional RIPTA riders- 2.5 miles miles
An additional 1,200 riders; a total of 3,200/ day
Negotiation of new contracts with Locals 1033 and 1339
We look forward to working collaboratively with both unions
Explore opportunities for creativity and innovation in support of better services to students and their families

11. Questions/Discussion
PURPOSE • URGENCY • FOCUS • SERVICE
THANK YOU