Councilman invites public, officials to special education forum

By Tessa Roy
Posted 10/18/16

Parents, teachers, students, administrators and all those interested are invited to a public forum tomorrow night to discuss special education in Warwick.

The forum, called for by Councilman Ed …

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Councilman invites public, officials to special education forum

Posted

Parents, teachers, students, administrators and all those interested are invited to a public forum tomorrow night to discuss special education in Warwick.

The forum, called for by Councilman Ed Ladouceur, will take place at 6:30 p.m. at City Council chambers. The Warwick Community Outreach Education Committee will be in attendance.

Ladouceur said there is “good reason for people to be concerned” about special education in the city. Teachers and parents have spoken extensively on the issue at school committee meetings, saying secondary consolidation has caused class sizes to balloon to 28. Many teachers said they’ve struggled to meet the needs of their students with IEPs because of the large numbers. Some have even said they have either no special educators in their classrooms or no common planning time with their special educators.

However, there may be more issues that have not yet been brought to light. Ladouceur said many parents and teachers have told him they’re afraid to speak up as they fear retaliation.

“That concerns me terribly,” he said.

Thus, Ladouceur’s goal for the forum is to give the public the security of coming to the mic without retaliation, he said. He said he’s also invited members of both school and city administration to attend. Superintendent Philip Thornton’s office could not confirm whether he planned to attend, but indicated that the event is on his schedule. School Committee Vice Chair Eugene Nadeau said he wants to attend as he typically attends meetings at City Hall, but is unable due to other obligations in his schedule. School Committee Member Karen Bachus is co-chair of the Warwick Community Outreach Education Committee, and will be in attendance. Ladouceur said City Council President Donna Travis will also be there and heard Councilwomen Camille Vella-Wilkinson and Kathleen Usler hope to attend.

“We want everyone there to hear what parents, teachers, and students have to say,” Ladouceur said.

The forum will be entirely open mic and focus only on special education. Attendees are welcome to share both positive and negative feedback.

Comments

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  • richardcorrente

    In my campaigning I have met with many people that are involved with this "special education" issue. I have met with parents, students, and several teachers, all of which have a genuine fear about discussing this issue publicly. We can't be afraid of the bully in this one. If we do, we make the bully stronger. I support this public forum. I will attend this public forum, and I strongly recommend that EVERYONE be at this public forum. Special education effects the quality-of-life for us all. I want a better Warwick. We all do. Tonight is a big step in that direction. Please be there!

    Thanks.

    Richard Corrente

    Endorsed Democrat for Mayor

    Wednesday, October 19, 2016 Report this

  • Justanidiot

    why the air quotes around special education? iz that what they lernt you in remedial campagining mayer corrente

    Wednesday, October 19, 2016 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    No, my friend. The "air quotes" were just for you.

    Stay well.

    Rick

    Wednesday, October 19, 2016 Report this

  • Scal1024

    Mr. Corrente, care to comment on your trespass/ejection case today in RI Superior Court? The one where you've spent the past 2 years in a house without paying anything in taxes or rent. A house that was sold 2 years ago that you've refused to leave. All while loaning your campaign $30,000. This is the type of shady, snake oil salesmen behavior that CrickeeRaven and I as well as many others have been alluding too. Your refusal to answer any specific questions speaks volumes. You sir are incapable of telling the truth and you should step down from this race immediately. The people of this city deserve better than someone who goes around lying to voters right to their face. You don't have a plan to lower taxes, and what would you even know about paying them??? You are part of the problem, no matter how you spin it. Why should you not have to pay when the rest of us do? Shame on you!!!!!!!

    Thursday, October 20, 2016 Report this