The Newport School Committee unanimously approved the estab­lishment of a Workforce Develop­ment Subcommittee on Dec. 9 that will serve as a “bridge between schools, local businesses and com­munity organizations” to align ca­reer and technical education (CTE) in the district with current and emerging labor market needs

“I think it’s important that our children are provided with the awareness of opportunities in the community for what careers are out there,” sponsoring School Committee member Beth Cullen said. “It’s not just hospitality; we have a broad array of opportuni­ties, including the Navy base, the blue economy, healthcare, finance and cyber. There’s a lot, and they don’t need a four-year degree.”

The advisory subcommittee will provide guidance on curriculum, work-based learning opportuni­ties and skill development, to help students gain work experience, professional skills and access to careers in high demand, according to Cullen.

The subcommittee will also col­laborate with industry partners to strengthen teacher development, program quality and strategic re­source planning.

Cullen proposed that the sub­committee’s membership include representatives of the district, including the school superinten­dent, CTE director, teachers and advisors, as well as members of the city council, school committee and the city’s Department of Planning and Economic Development.

Representatives of higher ed­ucation, including Community College of Rhode Island and Salve Regina University, major employ­ment sectors and organizations supporting youth and families should also be included, Cullen said. Finally, representation from the public, the Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce and local banks are also ideal, she said.

“We talk a lot about policies and money, but we’re here to make sure our children are educated for a better future,” she said. “Without the understanding of the opportu­nities that are out there, we’re not doing everything we can to get those kids to where they need to be.”

Industry partners should reflect Newport’s economy, such as the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, SENEDIA, Newport Hospital and a local restaurant group, according to Cullen.

School Committee member Stephanie Winslow said the ini­tiative should be enshrined in the school department’s policies.

“I think that we’d want to see a policy that outlives us as school committee members,” Winslow said, adding that membership structure could be included in the policy.

School Committee member Sandra Flowers agreed with the proposal and was reminded of local career days where profes­sionals came into schools to edu­cate students about their jobs. She said the initiative would assist in making education more appealing and relevant to young people.

“We ask the young ones to be creative thinkers,” she said. “Maybe it’s time the adults do more thinking out of the box.”

Cullen said she campaigned on forging strong ties with local trades. Many students are not aware of available opportunities such as CCRI’s two-year programs being tuition-free for most in-state students. She said the district has “lost the beat” on getting infor­mation to students quickly and it is time to “educate the educators” about the Rhode Island economy. In other matters:

The school committee approved to have the policy subcommittee consider a new policy that would require positions be flagged and highlighted for school com­mittee review when a position is created or a new hire is forthcoming. Originally pitched as a request to craft a new policy mandating a school committee review of all new hires, members were hesitant upon learning that state law vests hiring power in superintendents exclusively.

School Committee member and sponsor Robert Leary pointed to projected school budget deficits and said he takes issue with the creation of new positions but not individual hires. He said there should be a trigger for a school committee review of positions, not on individual job candidates.

“We have people ask us ques­tions about things going on in the school department and what the school committee’s role is in staffing,” he said. “The state is gradually taking away the power of local school committees.”

Winslow said the school com­mittee’s power comes during the budget cycle when the body can approve or reject new positions. Cullen asked that the superinten­dent provide the school committee with job descriptions and reasons for the position before any hiring. She amended the motion to refer staff hiring and evaluation policies to the policy subcommittee prior to approval.