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That Guy In RI- have you spoken with a teacher to see why they are fighting? It is not for more money, it is for a quality education for the students. Consolidation may be our reality but let's consider a few things, why all the curriculum changes? Why all the layoffs this year? Contractually if admin had laid off 20 teachers last year, 20 the year before, 20 this year, they would be almost where they need to be for layoffs. The reduction in students is not from last year. From other articles, they are comparing numbers to WPS in the 1990s. The labor board voted that the existing contract is binding. It was a unanimous decision and yet our SC and admin believe they are above that decision and continue to move forward in spite of the ruling. We have a budget surplus in the city and school department, it is highly unlikely that these layoffs will be upheld. The taxpayers of Warwick will pay the legal fees for this challenge put forth by admin and then the backpay of all those teachers wrongly laid off this year, as well as offering them their job back. A contract cannot be disregarded when it is convenient and enforced where you want it. That is not how contract law works! If it were, no one would sign a contract!

As for pay- I work in the private sector and have had a 2-4% raise the each of the past 5 years. Even COLA has not been 0% each year during that time.

However, the fight from teachers is not about salary. Talk to a teacher, ask them why they are disrespected by the current contract offers and the refusal to negotiate in good faith. Ask them about consolidation. Ask them about curriculum! Ask them about schedules. Ask the students about their schedules. Ask parents? Ask Admin about their plans- take all of that and determine what is best for our school system.