Layoff of 64 teachers called ‘one of darkest moments’ in WPS history

By Matt Bower
Posted 5/12/16

Tuesday’s School Committee meeting was an emotional night for those in the audience who packed the Toll Gate auditorium, as the names of 64 certified teachers, many of whom were in attendance, were …

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Layoff of 64 teachers called ‘one of darkest moments’ in WPS history

Posted

Tuesday’s School Committee meeting was an emotional night for those in the audience who packed the Toll Gate auditorium, as the names of 64 certified teachers, many of whom were in attendance, were read aloud as part of a series of layoffs in conjunction with school consolidation that is projected to save $4.2 million.

Chief Budget Officer Anthony Ferrucci explained that due to a series of new program initiatives included in the budget, including math interventionists, social workers, and staff to implement all-day kindergarten at all elementary schools, 23 new teaching positions will be added.

“After implementing the program changes, we end up with a net of 42 full-time [equivalent] positions being reduced from the budget,” he said.

Ferrucci said two bodies could represent one full-time equivalent position (FTE) in the budget. Two part-time teachers, at 20 hours per week each, would represent one FTE at 40 hours per week. Of the 64 named, some may have been part-time teachers, he said.

Ferrucci said teachers that have been laid off could be called back for the new positions if they have the proper certifications. Another opportunity for teachers being called back is in the event of retirements, so long as the certification matches the vacancy.

“Teachers will be brought back at the same amount and step level, and if they’re eligible to step up, they would step up,” Ferrucci said when asked what would happen to laid off teachers being brought back into a system they had previously been a part of. “There will be no loss of benefit or seniority.”

The Warwick Teachers Union, who is currently without a contract and in arbitration with the School Committee, contends the committee should abide by the terms of the previous contract, which limits the amount of layoff notices sent to teachers to 40, 20 of which must be recalled. The administration argues that because there is currently no contract, it has the ability to lay off more than the 20 defined in the previous contract.

Prior to the public comment portion of the meeting, School Committee Chairwoman Beth Furtado said the committee would not be answering any questions regarding the discrepancy in the amount of layoffs allowed, as the matter will be decided by the courts.

During public comment, there were many who voiced their displeasure not only with the layoffs, but also how they were handled.

“I was told by central administration during my April vacation that I would be laid off and was asked to report to a draw lottery,” said Therese Bozigian, an English teacher at Toll Gate. “My building principal, my department head [and other colleagues] were not aware of this. Your lack of communication is unprofessional and unkind.”

Bozigian continued, “Fewer teachers never improves student learning. A teacher trumps a new piece of technology or a new consultant every day of the week.”

Darlene Netcoh, English teacher and department head at Toll Gate, said she attended the education forum held by Gov. Gina Raimondo at Warwick Vets on Monday and repeated a quote from her.

“‘Teachers and principals know best what children need,’ that’s those of us in the buildings,” Netcoh said. “Combining classes with intensive level kids won’t work; the reading specialists believe in Reading Recovery, but you chose not to do it; smaller classes are important, but you’re making larger classes; when student enrollment went down 25 percent, administration increased 25.7 percent – you had an opportunity to consolidate administration and you didn’t do it.”

Netcoh said the budget currently has a zero dollar amount for the teachers’ contract, “which shows you’re not negotiating in good faith.”

Pilgrim junior Mary Mullane wanted to know how so many teachers could be laid off without a contract in place.

“What rules are you following? Teachers I was expecting to depend on next year for things like senior project, which has to be started now, may not be there,” she said. “And why is Pilgrim getting more students from consolidation than Toll Gate? Why do we have to deal with more traffic and less opportunity to participate in extra-curricular activities?”

Michael Pierce, a social studies teacher at Gorton, said the administration is either “really in over your head and don’t know what you’re doing, or you’re unable to communicate to us what you’re doing.”

“We’re still having conversations in May about what we think the program will look like [next year],” he said. “You have a whole audience of people here with no confidence in a large portion of the administration. I would like to have confidence in the administration, but you need to up your game to get that; right now it’s just confusion and deception.”

Jonathan Lautieri, a teacher and father of children in the school system, said teachers are more than just numbers on a piece of paper.

“If this is how you treat the staff that works with the children day in and day out, then what does that say about how you feel about the children?” he said.

Dean Johnson, who said he would be running for School Committee, was upset about the way the layoffs were handled.

“What really bothered me is that you didn’t even try … you just said, it’s legal and you cut the teachers,” he said. “Step up and give these teachers a contract, at least show some emotion and treat these people with respect. Let the rest of them know there’s a job to look forward to, give them piece of mind.”

Christine Dowding said she was in tears Tuesday afternoon after learning a number of her colleagues would be laid off.

“I work with these people; they’re unbelievable in the classroom and I’m proud of all of them,” she said. “All the time, they have these kids on their minds and the impact they’ve had them makes me proud.”

Warwick Teachers Union President George Landrie said he was really angry but really sad.

“I’ve stood here before you for 27 years, 25 as a teacher and two as union president, and I have to say tonight is one of the darkest moments in Warwick Public Schools history,” he said. “We’re looking at 65 layoffs and you’re trying to fund the schools on the backs of the teachers … I’m at a loss.”

School Committee member Karen Bachus cast the lone vote against in the 4-1 approval of the layoffs.

“We have amazing teachers in Warwick and I want to apologize to everyone for the manner in which this happened,” she said. “It’s just not fair.”

Comments

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  • JohnStark

    Since 1980, Warwick's population has remained fairly stable, dropping only 5.8% in those 36 years. In contrast, the public school population has dropped by over 50%. This is a function of the state's economy, the 'graying' of the city, as well as the relative attractiveness of the public schools. If 65 layoffs need to happen, execute them in a clear, professional, and compassionate manner. But it would appear that they do, indeed, need to happen.

    Thursday, May 12, 2016 Report this

  • Justanidiot

    One of the darkest moments?

    I guess for teachers it is.

    Students have had many dark hours. Strikes. Work to rule. Feather bedding. Magic marker penis tattoos. Pension watching teachers. And so on.

    Turn the "dark moment" into something that can change the school system into something better and a place where our kids can get learned real gud.

    Thursday, May 12, 2016 Report this

  • howdydoody

    I wish you teachers would just shut up and do what Scott and Phil want.

    Lets see how the Scottie Values his employees

    Firemen 3% , 3% , 3% He’s afraid of them so he also puts extra money in the pension fund

    Police 3%, 3%, 3% He’s afraid of them he gives them a $4,000 health savings account wink wink.

    Trash men 3%, 3% ,3% He’s afraid of those men too. He also changes no language in the contract.

    Looks like another 0% for you teachers

    Teachers the mayor laughs at you because you are a bunch of women and geldings. He offers you 0%,0%,0% because he knows you will do what’s best for the kids.

    Sunday, May 15, 2016 Report this

  • BettyJ

    As the parent of a special needs student I am disgusted as to what is happening in this school district. Superintendent Thorton needs to go. He is allowing his special education director to run wild and break too many laws to count. He has absolutely NO RESPECT for the teachers or parents for that matter. While I'm at it, four members of this school committee need to go as well. They are allowing ALL of this to happen and they could solve these problems by sitting down and getting real. I hope everyone wakes up for the election and votes for people that can help Ms. Bachus make this a great district again.

    Sunday, May 15, 2016 Report this

  • HonAbe

    Phil Thornton is a dangerous man.

    Why?

    Because he is a temporary superintendent. He doesn't know our students, our families, our teachers, and he doesn't care to know them. He never stays anywhere more than a couple of years. He is here to make big dramatic changes- and leave before he has to deal with the aftermath.

    He is completely changing the entire school system- and he has NO idea what he is doing. Nothing is really ready for next year. Teacher schedules, student schedules, bus schedules, building renovations, curriculum- nothing is ready. The only thing he is successfully creating are massive legal bills and new administrative jobs.

    But he will have it all ready by the fall- just trust him.

    Did I mention that all of his plans are based on illegal actions? He can't violate the contract with the teacher's union, but he is just pretending that he magically can. It doesn't matter whether you like the contract or not- it still has the force of law. Only a moron would believe that he can just ignore a contract, do what he wants, and that he will get away with it.

    But Phil Thornton is not a moron- he just doesn't care. He is planning to be somewhere else while our children go to school in the god-awful mess that he is creating.

    Why are we trusting a man who has a proven track record of making big promises and then cutting and running to another school district, where he repeats the same pattern.

    These are OUR schools and OUR children that he is playing with to try to further his career. Why are we letting him do it?

    Once upon a time, we had superintendents like Bob Shapiro. He spent his entire career in Warwick, including decades as superintendent. You knew that every decision he made was one that he believed wholeheartedly was for the good of the students, families, and teachers of this city. I am not saying that everything he did was right- but I am saying that everything he did was for what he believed was the right reasons.

    You also knew that he would be around to deal with the aftermath of the decisions he made.

    Can we please have that kind of superintendent again?

    Sunday, May 15, 2016 Report this

  • HonAbe

    HonAbe, why are you so confused about Thornton? His type are a dime a dozen. Haven't you ever been to a car dealership? A timeshare presentation? Full of lines like, "I'm your friend," "everything is going to be great," "trust me", "would I steer you wrong?"

    We all know how good those promises are- they are good until the moment we "just sign on the dotted line."

    Then the promises all turn to shit, and they are off to the next sucker.

    Thornton is a classic con artist. He will be all promises and sunshine right up until the day he drops Warwick in the mud and steps on us to get to the next district he can sucker. It would be funny- if he wasn't playing with our 160 million dollar school budget, and completely screwing every family in this city.

    Nothing scares a con artist more than being identified and called out. So next time you see Superintendent Thornton, let him know that you are on to him. Let him know that he's been found out. Time to skip town, because your career is on the line- stay any longer and the shit WILL stick to you, and no school district will want you.

    Sunday, May 15, 2016 Report this

  • RISchadenfreude

    Normally when teachers are facing layoffs, the union pre-empts that with cries for smaller class sizes. The number of students has dwindled to the point that tactic is finally laughable. When it gets to the point that 64 personnel are no longer needed, the problem of overstaffing is obvious, and CONSOLIDATION means jobs, too. They sound so naive, it's ridiculous- they knew this day was coming: fewer students means fewer buildings and fewer personnel.

    Next, certify and drug screen the remaining teachers, and be sure to conduct the same tests on any that are recalled to fill positions; let's improve the caliber of teachers in the system and take automatic tenure out of the equation.

    "It's just not fair."...how old are you?

    "The kids", "the children"...citizens should hear what teachers talk about when the public isn't around-it's all about their pay, benefits time off and protecting what's "theirs"- it's only yours because it's provided by the inflated property taxes.

    The only time liberals don't drag children into the discussion is when justifying free abortion on demand.

    Monday, May 16, 2016 Report this

  • HonAbe

    RISchadenfreude,

    Your property taxes are going up, not down. The money that the school committee is "saving" by cutting teaching positions is not resulting in a lower school budget- They are simply taking money that paid teacher salaries and spending it on glitzy technology crap. At the last couple of school committee meetings, they approved something like 600,000 dollars in immediate, outside the budget spending, mostly on laptop and desktop computers for administrators, video surveillance equipment, and to pay an outside company over 300,000 a year to link all of our schools to the police and fire departments. Oh, and they are also paying 7500 a month to a PR firm, and ridiculous sums of money to an expensive law firm. Did you know they paid an outside firm to come in and make a flow chart of who reports to who in the administration?

    Do you realize that as the number of students and teachers go down, the amount of school administrators in Warwick continues to go up?

    Yup, I'm pissed off- and it isn't with the people that actually work with my kids. I have learned a lot and had my eyes opened by attending a lot of meetings in the last couple of years.

    I can't answer about every teacher in the district, but my children are in the Warwick School system, and they have had a hell of a lot of good teachers, many who have gone waaaay out of their way to help or look out for my kids. I also can tell you that as far as my kids classes are concerned, they certainly are not small. Most have been in the 25-28 range. I don't think they really can cut that many teachers and make it work... Last year, they could have cut 20 teachers, and they cut 9- then they hired 6 back, because they couldn't make the schedules work without them. I think it is just a bullshit publicity stunt to pretend they don't need more city funding. This way they can buy all their technology crap, and then when the courts, and reality, force them to hire back most of those teachers, pretend they didn't know it was going to happen and ask for more money.

    Tuesday, May 17, 2016 Report this

  • Bluestone

    NEWSFLASH

    Director of Secondary Education Steven Ruscito has just been suspended for sexual misconduct.

    THIS IS THE GUY WHO IS SUPPOSED TO BE MASTERMINDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CONSOLIDATION!!!!

    PHIL-WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!

    -You've got the director of special ed who is under investigation for willfully violating federal IEP laws.

    -The director of Secondary Education who is now suspended for doing something sexually icky.

    -The new director of Human Resources who is connected to the law firm that is getting paid big bucks to represent the district.

    -Yourself, Superintendent of Schools- busy illegally violating a contract. A contract is a contract, you can't just change it because you want to. Try that tomorrow with your mortgage company or the bank that has your car loan. Our entire economic system functions on the basis of contract law- you think that is going to change so you can do whatever you want to do? Dumbass- why don't you just sit down and negotiate like a man. That is reality.

    You are in way over your head, and you know it. Admit it, you don't have the time, the plans, the personnel, or the know-how to pull this whole revamp everything in the school district thing. It was stupid to start with. Eventually you have to admit that you have basically nothing completed. Do it now! Perfect chance to blame it on these bozos that work under you- you didn't hire most of them- blame it on them. Then run away to some other district- that is what you do best.

    Tuesday, May 17, 2016 Report this

  • Scal1024

    Alot of people are unhappy with how Thornton is doing things right now, but as far as what he is doing I believe the staff needs to be reduced. I have said for over 2 years now that the administration should be reduced as well. However, that does not mean that the amount of teachers should stay the same. Something has to give and I think that's what they are faced with. Salaries and benefits need to be kept in check and they haven't been.

    For the record this isn't teacher bashing. I have good friends and family who are teachers and do a great job. It comes down to affordability...and the total teachers, salaries and benefits cannot be sustained while the school populations continue to decline.

    My real wish is that we could get some adults in the room and figure this thing out. Push for 30 layoffs as a compromise (instead of 40+), hold the line on raises for 2 years (freeze admin salaries for 3-5 years as a good faith gesture) , ask for bigger contributions towards health care. In turn, the teachers should receive a raise in year 3. Also, if future layoffs are needed the teachers should be promised that they will be done first by not refilling vacant positions with new hires, after that it should return to the usual layoff system. Both sides need to step up in order to make out city better. Blaming one side over the other does absolutely nothing to solve the problem or bring stability to the department. Every taxpayer should want this negotiated in good faith. We all need to pay attention and hold these parties accountable.

    Wednesday, May 18, 2016 Report this