Aldrich, Gorton to close, but no timetable set

Matt Bower
Posted 6/11/15

In a controversial 4-1 decision Tuesday night, the Warwick School Committee approved a consolidation plan that would close Aldrich and Gorton Junior High …

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Aldrich, Gorton to close, but no timetable set

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In a controversial 4-1 decision Tuesday night, the Warwick School Committee approved a consolidation plan that would close Aldrich and Gorton Junior High Schools and re-purpose Warwick Veterans High School as a middle school, leaving the district with two high schools (Pilgrim and Toll Gate) and two middle schools (Winman and re-purposed Vets).

Prior to that vote, an agenda item regarding discussion and/or action on the closure of either Aldrich or Gorton for this fall was tabled by a 3-2 vote.

“It was brought to our attention last night [Monday] that we have to receive written notification from RIDE [Rhode Island Department of Education] before any closures occur,” School Committee Chairwoman Jennifer Ahearn said. “We looked into this and were advised of what the ruling could be and we’ve decided to table it.”

The dissenting votes to table were made by committee members Terri Medeiros and Karen Bachus.

“I believe with moving forward with consolidation, but I don’t support the tabling of voting to close a school for now,” Medeiros said. “Tabling means it could come up again in a month or six months down the road, so I’m not supporting it.”

Bachus was also the lone dissenting vote against consolidating to two high schools and two middle schools.

“I think I’m the lone person with the opinion to consolidate to three [two-school] campuses,” she said.

Consolidating to two high schools and two middle schools was known as “option 5” and consolidating to three two-school campuses was known as “option 7.” In either case, Aldrich and Gorton would be closed. The choices had been narrowed down from a total of 10 options over the course of five workshop meetings between the school committee and Symmes Maini & McKee Associates (SMMA), the firm hired by the committee to study the district and develop two alternative education and facility master plans. A last-minute third option was introduced at Monday’s workshop to close Aldrich and Gorton and re-purpose Winman for administration offices and some educational programs, resulting in two high schools (Toll Gate and Pilgrim) and one super middle school at Vets. Although it was considered, it was unanimously rejected by the committee because it would have resulted in a 2,000-student middle school, one of, if not the, largest in the nation.

The Long Term Facilities Planning Committee (LTFPC), which was initially tasked with studying the district and determining how best to address declining enrollment, reached a similar decision to option 5 when it recommended closing Aldrich and Gorton and re-purposing Vets as a super junior high school. However, many in the public felt that process was tainted and called for an independent consultant from outside the district to be hired, which the School Committee voted in favor of, thereby tabling the LTFPC recommendation, in December 2013 and later hired SMMA at a cost of $238,243.

Option 7 would move Gorton and Aldrich students to Vets and Pilgrim High School, respectively, thereby keeping all three high schools intact and creating three two-school campuses, with middle and high school students sharing one building at Vets and Pilgrim, and Winman and Toll Gate remaining in their current state. Vets and Pilgrim would be divided up to keep middle school students separate from high school students by having separate building entrances, gyms, lunch rooms and library/media centers. This would also mean there would be two sets of administration and two sets of guidance counselors. There would also be no savings on busing since separate bus routes for students would be necessary.

Ed Frenette, senior vice president and principal planner of SMMA, said option 7 would require a change in how the current curriculum is delivered by transitioning to project-based learning, utilizing magnet schools and ninth grade academies at the high schools and incorporating sixth grade at the middle schools.

Frenette previously explained magnet schools are schools with a focus or concentration in specialized programming, such as the arts, humanities, STEM [science, technology, engineering, and math], that draw students from all over the district. He said ninth grade academies would function as “a school within a school,” where students would have the same team of teachers that work together on lesson plans, which serves to assist students with the transition from middle school to high school.

There is a bond cost associated with each option, which must be approved by both RIDE and voters. According to a presentation by SMMA, the bond cost for two high schools and two middle schools is $112,100,663 compared to $142,757,663 for three two-school campuses.

According to SMMA, RIDE would account for 65 percent of the bond if approved, or $72,865,431 of the $112,100,663 for two high schools and two middle schools and $92,792,481 of the $142,757,663 for three two-school campuses, which still leaves approximately $40 million for two high schools and two middle schools and $50 million for three two-school campuses. As pointed out by several in the audience, Warwick is the only community in the state where the city forces the school department to be responsible for paying the debt and interest on bonds.

Although option 7 is the more expensive option and realizes less savings; it was the preferred option of the majority of speakers at Monday night’s SMMA workshop meeting and the hundreds of concerned parents, teachers, students and community members that filled the Toll Gate auditorium Tuesday night.

Bachus read an email sent to the committee by Nina Savage, who was part of the subcommittee tasked with drawing up a Request for Proposals (RFP) for an outside consultant to study the district, that expressed the opinions and frustration of many in the audience.

“I watched with great sadness and frustration as the hard work of so many people started to unravel,” the email began.

Savage wrote the email following Monday night’s SMMA workshop meeting, in which the committee expressed an overwhelming opinion in favor of two high schools and two middle schools.

“The actions of certain school committee members have undermined the integrity of the process and created stress and mistrust in the school committee’s ability to address the issue,” the email continued. “To act without a plan is not in the best interest of students. Option 5 would continue the disparity between Toll Gate and Winman and the rest of the city. Option 7 preserves continuity for students and fits with the city’s objectives.”

Nathan Cornell, a student from Toll Gate, was one of the first to speak during public comment following the vote.

“It’s hard to breathe in the atmosphere surrounding the district. Tension is rising up all the time and causing stress,” he said. “We can’t have this. We’re supposed to have people working together for the benefit of the students of the city.”

Cornell said he supports option 7.

“There are problems with option 5 because Toll Gate and Pilgrim will have half of the population of Vets and it will cause social problems. And what happens with the faculty of the closed schools? I’m not finding any answers,” he said. “Everyone sees the problem but no one fixes it.”

Medeiros responded, saying, “Nobody wants teachers to go anywhere. The staff can create programs; we have a chance to create enriched educational programs.”

Cornell said, “I hope you’re right, but I’m not convinced.”

During Monday’s workshop meeting, Frenette was asked which option he would recommend.

“My bias is for option 7. There’s effort to be put in and challenges to face, but you would be at the forefront because no one in New England is doing this,” he said.

Frenette was also asked about a timeline.

“The decisions to be made by the [school] committee will come down like a ton of bricks; we would be meeting twice a week,” he said if buildings were to close this fall, adding that the best option for comfortably implementing closures would be a year from this fall.

Several in the audience, including Darlene Netcoh, English teacher and department head at Toll Gate, and Warwick Teachers Union President George Landrie, used Frenette’s admission to attack the committee for not following suit, saying the committee paid to hire the consultant but didn’t listen to their recommendation.

“Mr. Frenette and his firm did a capacity analysis, facility assessment, demographic study, provided several master plans; their professionalism is unmatched. He said he would go with option 7 and you went against his wishes,” Landrie said. “Rod Serling shows up suddenly smoking a cigarette and we’re in the Twilight Zone. This is some of the most highly volatile and tumultuous times I’ve seen in this system.”

Others, such as community members David Testa, who has three children in Warwick schools, and Patrick Maloney, a parent and former school committee member, said it was unprofessional of Frenette to admit his bias.

“The consultant’s scope was to put together two plans and he put the decision in jeopardy by saying his bias,” Maloney said. “He said option 7 will give his company more money and I have a problem with that.”

Testa said it was up to the school committee to make the decision.

“The consultant was tasked with providing you with two plans. He said neither plan was bad,” Testa said. “Now, we can either get behind it or fight it. If we fight it, the kids will suffer. If we get behind it, it’ll work.”

Testa continued, saying if the school buildings aren’t dramatically improved, then consolidation is all for naught.

“The money has to come from the city, there’s no if’s, and’s or but’s about it. Secondly, the schools can’t be responsible for the bond interest and debt,” he said.

Prior to discussion of consolidation, Ahearn said while the department planned to only lay off nine teachers for next year, because it was again level funded by the city, it will have to lay off the full 20, which is the maximum allowed by contract.

“The impact will be felt, but we’re not sure where yet. This will be another year of tough discussions,” she said.

Several teachers accused the department of realizing savings from consolidation through reducing staff and laying off teachers.

“It’s smoke and mirrors to save money by closing the buildings. You’re putting people into a smaller number of buildings to maximize class size and cut teachers as much as you can,” said Mike Pierce, a teacher and parent of two children in the system. “You’re taking away neighborhood schools, increasing school and class size, and going in the exact opposite direction from where we need to go.”

School committee member Beth Furtado shot back, reminding Pierce that the department can only lay off 20 teachers per year by contract.

“To make the blanket statement that we’re realizing savings on the backs of teachers is incorrect,” she said. “We’re not maximizing class sizes, and if a class does go over the maximum allowed by contract, you get an extra stipend.”

Jason Hutton, a parent of three, said the committee has not acted in a respectful manner throughout the process.

“You tried to close a school against RIDE regulations, that’s not being respectful. Students don’t know what their classes are or what teams they will be on, that’s not being respectful,” he said. “If you want respect, earn it and be honest, which you’ve failed to do. When you say you want the best teachers, you know that won’t happen because you’re going to lay off 20, 20, 20, 20, 20.”

Vets student Kayleigh Marcotte said she was concerned about her class schedule for next year if Vets were to close.

“I’m a student at Vets and I’m speaking because no one has come up from Vets,” she said. “I was talking to one of my teachers today during advisory and I’m in honors and AP [advanced placement] classes that are almost full, if we merge schools, won’t it be a more competitive atmosphere?”

Marcotte was emotional and choked up as she spoke.

“Classes will be more competitive and increase the challenge of getting into college. Schedules are already booked. If all the classes are filled because the schools merge, I won’t be able to transfer classes.”

Marcotte talked about how she had planned to take psychology classes but discovered a passion for robotics and wishes to now pursue that field.

In response, Medeiros said as schools merge, opportunities for classes would increase. She said she’s spent countless hours conducting research, answering phone calls and emails and “exhausting everything I could get my hands on,” but she said there’s one thing she missed until listening to Emily Fox, a 2013 Toll Gate graduate, who spoke at Monday’s workshop meeting.

“She said there was a lack of students signing up for AP courses, which prevents the courses from being provided because there aren’t enough students,” Medeiros said. “AP classes affect getting into college.”

Fox said she was in favor of the two high schools and two middle schools.

“That would bring forth many benefits and more options for students to have a more different and challenging curriculum,” she said, adding there would also be more competitive after-school programs. “I like the idea of going to a middle school model, but not combined with high school; let kids interact with kids their own age. Give them a safe learning environment where they can grow and compete with other districts.”

Fox also said kids are resilient and will move forward with change.

“We, as adults, should follow suit,” Medeiros added.

Although the plan to consolidate to two high schools and two middle schools was approved, Ahearn said discussion on a timeline for how to bring that about would come at a later time.

Comments

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  • JohnStark

    Recommendation of LTFPC on 12/13/2013: Two middle schools and two high schools.

    Cost of Consultant: $238,243

    Revised Decision After 18 months of Study: Two middle schools and two high schools.

    Let the candlelight vigils begin. Nothing surprising here to anyone who's paid even scant attention for the past two decades.. But let's not jump into anything drastic, like a timeline. That will "...come at a later time." It remains Priceless.

    Thursday, June 11, 2015 Report this

  • jackiemama63

    Let the "cutting" begin. What will be removed from the budget? WSC requested 7 million dollars this year (very bold, if you ask me). No additional money from the City, no timeline for consolidation, seemingly ignoring the September 22 deadline issued, by the RI State Fire Marshall, to have all schools come up to code else be fined each day for being non-compliant. I do NOT wish to see consolidation begin this summer, however....At least commit to a date for the transition to begin! Teachers, administrators, transportation officials...EVERYONE must have a chance to plan. How can a person plan if they are unsure what to "plan" for! Consolidation has to be done "right." Consolidation cannot be "rushed." No kidding! You've had YEARS to get it "right!" You've had years to "plan!" Right now, it appears that the WSC is paying lipservice to those of us who are frustrated with the waste of money for the hiring of the "outside consultant." There are deadlines which have to be met. Oh well....What the heck, it's only the Taxpayers money!

    Thursday, June 11, 2015 Report this

  • markyc

    Brought to the Committee's attention on Monday(6/8/15) night that RIDE's approval was needed before a school could be closed in the Fall? Didn't anyone on the Committee/School Administration check into this within the last 6 weeks? How many times have I read in the Beacon about how tight this process would be if planned for the Fall, 2015? OMG! Hello! Doesn't anyone see how this looks to families determining if they may want to relocate to Warwick? Not only does Warwick Public Schools have to compete with private & charter area schools, the school community isn't even on the same page. We are likely to find within the next 2-3 years the savings weren't achieved as expected, student enrollment has continued its downward trend, & the School Committee can't manage the educational programs/& or the budget. What happens when the district has to decide which 6 elementary schools need to be closed?

    Thursday, June 11, 2015 Report this

  • smh

    if it weren't so pathetic, it would be laughable...PLEASE click on this link and watch this story from Channel 10 news 30 yrs ago...

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DvkYihAFHaQ

    Thursday, June 11, 2015 Report this

  • smh

    it would behoove the citizens of Warwick to begin a petition for a vote of NO CONFIDENCE and a call for FULL REMOVAL for the entire WSC, Rosemary Healy, still acting Superintendent D'Agostino, and even the Mayor at this point. Again, I cannot stress enough, the IMPORT of VOTING!!!!! If enough people educated themselves fully and voted at election time, perhaps this situation would change...perhaps...but then again, watch the aforementioned news segment and shake your heads in dismay...

    Thursday, June 11, 2015 Report this

  • jackiemama63

    I saw that bit of film a couple of years ago, I laughed then. Now? I should probably cry. Regarding Tuesday night's meeting.....They were never going to close either of those junior high schools this summer. It was a ruse, and not a very clever one. Did the WSC come up with this nonsensical idea to make "Alternative 5" more palatable...I believe they were giggling that we would be "pleasantly surprised" with their decision on Tuesday night. Gah! There is nothing wrong with the plan they wish to implement, what IS "wrong" is their continued bungling when having to communicate WHY #5 is the most reasonable option. Good Lord, I imagine come September those ninny-hammers will be wringing their hands, two in particular, will be wringing their hands, gnashing their teeth, and crying over the outrage of having to pay fines for having schools that are not up to "Code." All of this confusion and frustration could have been avoided. They have no idea how to answer questions. There is one WSC member in particular who was "mugging" for the camera Tuesday night, it was odd, lots of strange mumblings too. When she wasn't "mugging" for the camera, she was scowling into her cell phone.

    Thursday, June 11, 2015 Report this

  • smh

    Again, unless and until the ENTIRE voting age populous of Warwick, RI rise up and take action, we will always have this kind of thing....It is absolutely SHAMEFUL!

    Thursday, June 11, 2015 Report this

  • Zepeeker

    Does consolidation need to happen? Yes! Was this whole procedure handled in the most professional way? No! I am disappointed with the outcome, but now, we as parents need to make sure this transition is handled the correct way. The kids who have the most to lose, are those who would and do attend Veterans Memorial HS. They are the ones who will be separated from friends and perhaps teachers. The Pilgrim and Tollgate kids will continue in their same buildings with the same friends they have had all throughout their elementary years. My concern is the reception these kids will get when they transition from Vets to their new school. I have grave concerns. Who will be there for these kids? That first year of transition will be very difficult, even with the support of teachers and parents. The culture of Warwick is such that parents and grandparents talk about the rivalry between the schools. Can that culture be changed? Yes! Will it happen overnight, no! or within a year? I seriously doubt it. There was much talk about the best educational outcome of this decision. I agree, that should be the end result. But children who do not feel comfortable or even welcome in a school, are not going to be able to learn to their fullest potential. I am hoping before this change takes place, that conversations will take place amongst faculty and students as to what will make them all feel welcomed and included in their new environments.

    Friday, June 12, 2015 Report this

  • RonPaul

    Perfect. Now the kids from Oakland Beach can experience Tolgate. I'm all for it.

    Friday, June 12, 2015 Report this

  • Marccomtois

    Zepeeker - I know for a fact there are several students at one of the "receiving" schools who want to ensure that kids from both schools get together before the merger and work with each other to ease the transition for all. It's a chance for our high school students - with adult guidance - to step up and LEAD! This can be a positive experience...if we adults just let it!

    Friday, June 12, 2015 Report this

  • CameronClueless

    let's see if Warwick can handle desegregation

    Friday, June 12, 2015 Report this

  • Justanidiot

    They better send all the riff raff to Pilgrim. People moved to the Tolgate area for a reason, and it wasn't to have Spanish as the primary language in their schools.

    Saturday, June 13, 2015 Report this

  • Scal1024

    Justanidiot you really do live up to your name. First of all its Toll Gate, not Tolgate. Second of all if you want to make stupid comments about Spanish being the primary language, why don't you try mastering English first. You ignorant jackass!

    Saturday, June 13, 2015 Report this

  • JohnStark

    I think many are under estimating our kids. They're resilient. They're not delicate little flowers. They'll adapt and be fine, as long as adults do not treat them as a collection of victims. I recall when TG opened. Kids who were teammates instantly became rivals. Many kids were sent to Vets for ninth grade, then TG for the next three years. It's how the system worked for a few years. The kids were fine. Their psyches remained intact. No team of psychiatrists was necessary. As for the "rivalry between schools", it can be very healthy if handled properly. Life is competitive. There are no "participant" trophies after high school. Time for the self-esteem platoon to back off a bit.

    Sunday, June 14, 2015 Report this

  • HerbTokerman

    Justanidiot .. you really are an idiot.

    If you don't want people to speak languages other than english maybe you should move to england.

    Sunday, June 14, 2015 Report this

  • RonPaul

    Lets see how Tollgate can handle the criminal eliment from oakland beach.

    Sunday, June 14, 2015 Report this

  • Scal1024

    Yes like that terror suspect....where was he from again? Oh that's right! Governor Francis. So please spare me your uneducated opinion Ron Paul.

    Sunday, June 14, 2015 Report this

  • smh

    ...with all the ignorant, uninformed, prejudiced comments posted here (by some), it is no wonder the School Committee, School Administration, City Council & Mayor can sit back and laugh, give themselves a big old pat on the back & send someone running all the way to the bank, laughing all the while....Don't you see how you've fallen right into their trap?? This is what they live for...pitting one neighborhood/school against another when citizens should unite against them and vote them out...WAKE UP WARWICKIANS!!!! If you want effective change and leadership, EDUCATE yourselves, stop calling each other names and VOTE these people out when the time comes. Perhaps then things will be different.

    Sunday, June 14, 2015 Report this

  • RonPaul

    I was a forma stewdent from vets. They our gret teachas. They should just keep it open becaws of the gret qualati of edgeucaton. Thanks forma stewdent

    Monday, June 15, 2015 Report this

  • Justanidiot

    At least the terror spoke English and lived in the area more than six weeks. Still the riff raff if they speak English or not need to go to Pilgrim. Along with the "special needs" kids. Toll Gate has too many stairs for them to negotiate anyway.

    Monday, June 15, 2015 Report this

  • RonPaul

    Send the unwashed, spanish speaking and criminal element to Tollgate. They will love it

    Monday, June 15, 2015 Report this

  • JohnStark

    Many of the best students from Winman are already heading for private and parochial schools. This will hasten the outflow. It will be interesting to see how athletics at the two high schools will be handled. Pilgrim and TG will each have about 1400 kids, which will put them in the top 8 in the state. Will this necessitate a move to Division 1 for all sports teams based upon enrollment, given that they will be larger than four schools already playing D1 football? Stay tuned. And however indelicately it was phrased in a former post, you do have to wonder how enthusiastic the folks from the TG area are about all this.

    Monday, June 15, 2015 Report this

  • danfire

    All the problems will be solved when Anthony Pope takes over for Dick the Dope.Gene Neadeau has told several people they do not have time to do another search so Pope is the man. I'm sure Gene will give Mr. Pope the keys to the school department . When things go bad again the school committee will just buy him out for $ 150,000 or so. Mrs. Fartado and Ahearn don't care they don't have children in warwick schools. Hendricken is the place to go. Any one with a brain who needs free health care you should think about taking these people spot. Run for School committee please save our city of Warwick!!!!

    Monday, June 15, 2015 Report this

  • Scal1024

    Justanidiot I wish they'd kick ignorant, scum bag, key board tough guys like you out of the country and let the illegals stay. English or not at least they are productive members of society. They don't sit in their moms basement making racist comments like you do everyday. Picking on the handicapped as well? You hide behind your computer because in the real world you are a NOBODY. Keep making ignorant comments about others though, because Toll Gate is so nice LOL. You are pathetic.

    Monday, June 15, 2015 Report this

  • smh

    you people are vile....shame on all of you

    Monday, June 15, 2015 Report this

  • Justanidiot

    **sigh**

    Tuesday, June 16, 2015 Report this