If he had it all to do over again, Superintendent Philip Thornton would still inform parents of a potential sickout by teachers and school closure as he did last Wednesday. Warwick Teachers Union President Darlene Netcoh labeled the sickout a rumor" and"
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If he had it all to do over again, Superintendent Philip Thornton would still inform parents of a potential sickout by teachers and school closure as he did last Wednesday. Warwick Teachers Union President Darlene Netcoh labeled the sickout a “rumor” and no vote had been taken on such an action.
Thornton said he had learned of teacher meetings in three elementary schools where a sickout was talked about for Thursday in protest for lack of a contract. The teacher contract expired in August 2015.
“Parents have a right to know,” said Thornton.
Schools were able to open Thursday and Friday, although teacher absences ran higher than usual.
On Thursday 83 teachers called in sick or about 10 percent of the teaching staff of 882. On Friday it improved with 79 calling in sick.
The two sides appear to be more entrenched today than when they started off, although Thornton offers hope that arbitration will narrow the issues and enable them to come to an agreement. Netcoh doesn’t see that and reasons the only way to reach a settlement is for the two sides to negotiate.
“It’s important to get the neutral arbitrator’s opinion,” said Thornton.
Such an opinion is not likely to come soon, even though the parties have met numerous times over the last nine months. The district has virtually completed presentation of its case, and now it’s up to the union to make theirs. An arbitration session planned for last week was called off by the union and successive efforts for additional meetings haven’t been successful, said Thornton. He insists schools are ready to meet at any time requested by the union.
Asked what is the point of arbitration when, as Netcoh points out, arbiters can’t rule on matters involving money, Thornton said, “It can’t guarantee a contract, but possible clarity.”
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Imhere
You can't believe a word this incompetent waste of tax payer money says. With all the bad publicity his administration is under he has to try to take some heat off his puppet show. DON'T let him steal another penny never mind $ 90 million to rehab old beat schools, he should come up with a plan to build new or an even better idea is for Thorton to resign.
Tuesday, November 1, 2016 Report this
wwkvoter
I think Thornton did the right thing, to be open. Isn't that how we want our government to be run?
Wednesday, November 2, 2016 Report this
RISchadenfreude
In spite of his other difficulties, Thornton was right this time; I don't know about you, but I'm more than fed up by the teachers' and their union's mantra that their actions are "For the Kids"- laughable.
I can think of 10% of Warwick's teachers who should be "Expelled".
Wednesday, November 2, 2016 Report this
WarCitz
ImHere....the absentee numbers in the system do not lie! You all got caught and you do not like it. Do your jobs and get into work. And your previous administration that you were all in bed with would have gotten us new schools, chrome books etc.? I DON'T THINK SO.....We had been hearing about Chrome books since my oldest was in 5th grade, he is a junior in high school now and A. He or his classmates have not been issued one B. They finally were distributed this year. Thanks all to Thorton. We have seen improvements in the schools, facilities that all tax payers use (i.e. track improvements etc.) and can benefit from. I was in the Vets auditorium last night and it is a job well done. These are incremental improvements and when you come into a system that has been neglected for years (who knows where money went all these years) and nobody being held accountable for lack of maintenance or proper planning now someone comes in (Thorton) and begins holding folks accountable and airing the dirty laundry and bring some integrity and accountability to the system you all get OFFENDED by it!!!!
And I completely agree with RISchadenfreude, I am tired of this bs and the whole union bit.....they are not needed. As I have said in other posts 95% of the working population goes to work in more hazardous conditions then teachers that do not have contracts let alone the majority of other jobs out there.
Do a better job at educating our kids and helping to guide them in college and career planning (especially at the secondary levels) know wonder why high school population is down and parents are paying for private schools, at least there we get what we pay for. An online grading system that is actually used, proper discipline, accountability of teachers and students, and proper guidance. Start doing those things and let us see our kids improving in all aspects and excited about dealing with you on daily basis and I will take your side. My kid's words yesterday....what do you expect I deal with incompetent teachers and other students. Yesterday 2 of his core teachers were out...isn't that convenient.
Wednesday, November 2, 2016 Report this
Imhere
@Warcitz fyi I'm NOT a teacher a very concerned parent, on how Thorton runs his ship. Vets auditorium looks nice but have you navigated the rest of the school? Broken tiles all over which are tripping hazards, holes in the cielings leaving the contaminates that are above to be moved through the air and OUR kids have to breathe it on a daily basis. If you have read my any of my previous posts I agree not all teachers deserve a contract. My issue with Thorton is he let 4 fourth grade girls be inappropriately touched by a fellow student and him and his puppet administration let it happen. 2 girls were touched and a month later 2 more. How many more need to go through this at Norwood Elementary before him and his puppets do anything to protect these innocent girls from this type of abuse!? And again NOT a teacher but support MOST of them.
Wednesday, November 2, 2016 Report this
moreofthesame
Yes, Dr. Thorton parents have the right to know many other things which you conveniently neglect to inform them of.....
WarCiitz-your agenda is clear.....trash the teachers because you think they are lazy, indifferent, ineffective and too entitled....However, as usual your close mindedness blinds you to facts...Here's one- there are 900 teachers in Warwick. On any given day there are approximately 65-70 absent. This include personal days, sick days and those out long-term for other reasons. The day of the supposed "sick day" there were 83 absent.....That isn't much of a deviation from the norm. Also, why don't you ask the superintendent why they don't have enough subs on their call roster? There are many days when no subs are available.
Dr. Phil didn't make the Chrome books just happen.....that was in the works for quite awhile......however, the funding was not allocated by the school committee.
The Warwick Teachers Union is not going anywhere....The best thing Dr. Thorton and the School Committee can do is to start negotiating in GOOD FAITH...Stop spending money on arbitrators and lawyers.....THAT IS YOUR JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As a taxpaying citizen of Warwick, I'd like to know how much money has been needlessly paid in fees to the arbitrators and lawyers
All of the stake holders need to get on the same page, resolve the contentious labor situation and get on with effectively educating our kids
Enough Already!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, November 3, 2016 Report this
ThatGuyInRI
Netcoh's comment that "no vote had been taken" on a sick out is obvious and ridiculous.
Of course no vote for a sick out took place, that would be an ILLEGAL strike, Netcoh would be the first one carted off in cuffs for authorizing it. Nobody is stupid enough to vote for a sick out. Now discussing it, and contemplating do it (you know, rumors) isn't a vote so of course Netcoh is correct in saying a vote didn't happen. But that does not mean it wasn't discussed, and if it was discussed, the school system had a responsibility to let families of students know it might be happening.
p.s. When will Imhere admit the crush he/she has on Dr. Phil, it's painfully obvious.
Thursday, November 3, 2016 Report this
Imhere
@thatguyinri, once again you figured it out unbelievable. I understand he is your puppet master you want him all to yourself.it's time to cut the strings don't you think?
Thursday, November 3, 2016 Report this