“If you have any committee that gets too large, it sometimes can be challenging for them to be efficient and effective,” Branum said. “But, easily, we could add ... either one [more representative] from each learning community or two more at-large [members].”
The council meets four times per year and has been in place in RISD since 1995, Branum said. It is co-chaired by Kellie Sellers, RISD director of health and physical education, and Karen Brunel, who represents RISD’s parent-teacher associations.
Branum said anyone interested in joining the council can reach out to Sellers.
This was the first year council membership needed trustee approval, as that requirement was put in place this summer by House Bill 1525. Current members were recommended by campus principals, PTAs and district trustees, Branum said.
“[The council members’] focus are on ... family and community involvement, nutrition services, physical education, health education, counseling and social services, health services, and health promotion,” she said.
Assistant Superintendent Kristin Byno said district curriculum to be reviewed by the council should be available on the RISD website in the next few weeks. HB 1525 also requires that video or audio recordings of future meetings be made available on the district website, Branum said.
Byno said the council will be focusing this year on the district’s Live Wise Live Healthy program, the 21 Day Challenge and anti-vaping initiatives.
“[We] so appreciate these committee members who step up and serve,” Superintendent Jeannie Stone said. “And [we] appreciate the role the PTA plays in helping us to make sure that [this] committee is well represented.”
