Three elementary schools closed due to staff absences

Posted 10/16/17

Oakland Beach, Robertson and Park Elementary Schools have been closed on Monday, Oct. 16 due to staff absences.

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Three elementary schools closed due to staff absences

Posted

Oakland Beach, Robertson, and Park Elementary Schools are closed today, Monday, Oct. 16, due to faculty absences.

In a release sent out by the Secretary to the Superintendent, it was stated that, "the district will take steps to pursue recourse through the legal system in an effort to prevent future disruptions to the education of our students."

Total number of teacher absences were reported as follows:

Oakland Beach:  23 absences / 40 teachers

Park Elementary:  17 absences / 33 teachers

Robertson Elementary:  21 absences / 35 teachers

Comments

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  • Justanidiot

    The WTU just came up with a novel concept, the rolling strike. Rest assured that it will not hit Cedar Hills, Winman, or Tollgate. The teachers maybe on strike, but they are not stupid.

    Monday, October 16, 2017 Report this

  • CrickeeRaven

    Maybe the recent WTU shills on this site can explain how this actually helps, in any way, to reach a contract resolution.

    Then again, since WTU president Netcoh seems incapable of doing anything other than dissembling about her union members coordinating absences to shut down local schools, I wouldn't expect it.

    Monday, October 16, 2017 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    These teachers are proving why they deserve to be fired. Union thug antics, abuse of the taxpayer, pigs at the trough.

    Monday, October 16, 2017 Report this

  • CrickeeRaven

    Another loss in court for the WTU: A Superior Court judge didn't buy their claims that these coordinated absences weren't sick outs and issued a restraining order against the teachers from participating in them: https://warwickpost.com/oakland-beach-classes-canceled-monday/

    Monday, October 16, 2017 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    Anyone can see what is going on. It's a desperate move from a group of teachers that are feeling, I believe, that they are out of all other options...and they may be right. I don't agree with this tactic, but I find it hard to condemn it in light of the response the teachers have gotten for over two years from the School Committee. As far as admitting that she has knowledge and therefore is responsible for the sick-outs, no Warwick Teachers Union officer is going to admit anything. Would you? I wouldn't.

    As far as a solution...there is only one. Both sides must agree to sit and talk. Yell, scream, agree, disagree, it doesn't matter. What does is that both sides TALK to each other.

    No restrictions, no topics that are "off limits", just open conversation that is hopefully respectful and MUST BE productive.

    I hope that happens soon. Things are getting worse by the day. Darlene Netcoh has stated that the union will meet with the School Committee ANY day, ANY time, ANY where, to discuss ANY related topic. Will the School Committee agree? If they do we should see strong positive progress.

    If not, there will be those that say it's all the teachers fault. I won't be one of them.

    Happy Autumn teachers.

    Happy Autumn everyone.

    Rick Corrente

    The Taxpayers Mayor

    Monday, October 16, 2017 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    Much like yourself Rick, Darlene Netcoh is full of BS. The school committee has sat down repeatedly but no offer has been good enough. They want it all. There should be no discussion whatsoever for retroactive pay raises from the last 2 years as the inferior teachers worked to rule. No parent meetings, no field trips, no after school help. They should be ashamed of themselves. The teachers only care about the teachers. It is unfortunate that the fake mayor doesnt realize that over 60% of the teachers reside outside of the city of Warwick so his pandering will not result in votes from them.

    They have been offered 11.5% increase in pay, 18 days sick time and the option to have TDI but they have refused. They refuse to perform electronic grading, another slap in the face to the parents. They are now proving to be just a bunch of cry babies that need a union to protect their inferior work product. But then again, mediocrity is applauded by the fake mayor.

    Monday, October 16, 2017 Report this

  • knowthetruth4

    Are you all ok with $120,000 of your tax money spent on PR this year as well as $292,000 for legal fees? If so, you agree with Dr. Phil's proposed budget. Do you know how many school districts pay for PR? The answer is 0. Maybe you should look beyond your instinctual hatred for teachers and find out the truth. The Captain's last comment is filled with flat out incorrect info.

    Monday, October 16, 2017 Report this

  • knowthetruth4

    There once was a Dr. named Thornton

    Whose salary was more like extortion

    His PR firm did stain us

    And his attorney is heinous

    But he made a new palace at Gorton

    Monday, October 16, 2017 Report this

  • CrickeeRaven

    knowthetruth4:

    You should know well enough than to simply say someone's information is wrong without offering your own data or source. Here, let me give you a demonstration:

    "Do you know how many school districts pay for PR? The answer is 0."

    Embedded in the article at the link below is documentation from Martin & Associates that states it had previously done work under a similar RFP for Providence. Other documents show that Martin & Associates claims "two dozen school systems and non-profit organizations" as clients: https://warwickpost.com/warwick-schools-pr-firm-redesigning-websites-handling-releases-social-media/

    So, in fact, the answer is not 0.

    Hello again Thecaptain:

    It's amazing how the fake "mayor"can speak from both sides of his brain: The left side has nothing right, and the right side has nothing left.

    He also ignores the fact that there is a mediation session scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 18, so his oft-repeated blather about meeting anytime &c. likewise proves the lack of substance in everything he says.

    Monday, October 16, 2017 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    Crick,

    Thankfully there are at least 2 people in the city that do research and make postings based upon fact and documentation.

    Monday, October 16, 2017 Report this

  • knowthetruth4

    Crick,

    We all know you are really Justin Martin of the PR firm.

    Have fun playing with your band of idiots in the comments section of the Beacon.

    Monday, October 16, 2017 Report this

  • CrickeeRaven

    ktt4: Are you using the royal "we?" Because that's the only way your false statement makes any sense.

    I've been commenting on this site since the beginning of 2016, primarily on the election (ask the fake "mayor" how that worked out), and recently on the contract dispute.

    If you'd actually read the information I provided, you would have seen the first invoice dated June 17, 2016.

    So, by your reasoning (I'm using that term far more generously than you deserve, Your Highness), Martin & Associates would have had to pay someone to comment on the mayoral campaign 16 months before the teacher contract dispute blew up into a major story.

    Astonishing. I'd thought I'd seen the depths of ignorance on this site from the fake "mayor" and the recent spate of WTU shills. Guess not.

    Monday, October 16, 2017 Report this

  • CrickeeRaven

    Thanks, Cap'n. It's almost humorous how often uninformed talking-point-spewing commenters will fall to wrongly guessing someone's identity because they can't believe a regular resident could be smart enough to see through their BS.

    It's actually a fairly low bar to clear, which only compounds their arrogance -- they're really not that smart.

    Monday, October 16, 2017 Report this

  • knowthetruth4

    Crickeeraven, you did not answer my first question. Are you OK with a current fiscal year PR budget of $120,000 and legal of $292,000 for the school dept? Those figures are not in line with most school systems.

    Monday, October 16, 2017 Report this

  • CrickeeRaven

    knowthetruth4:

    We can now add "moving the goalposts," to your repertoire, since your standard has gone from "no school districts use PR" to "no other district spends as much."

    But, OK, I'll play along: No other school district has had 30 years of labor conflict like Warwick, so I would expect the price tag to be higher for dealing with these union PR stunts. And for winning the court appeal of the NLRB decision on layoffs, just to use one example, I'd say no price is too high for legal fees.

    So, now, are you going to answer a question I've asked several times on this website, about how much the WTU has spent in taxpayer funded union dues to initiate the NLRB complaint and other grievances? Or are you just going to keep putting the burden on other people to prove your points because you can't do it yourself?

    Monday, October 16, 2017 Report this

  • Justanidiot

    two quote mr mayer "Anyone can see what is going on. It's a desperate move from a group of teachers that are feeling, I believe, that they are out of all other options...and they may be right. "

    maybes these desperate teachers could band together as one unit and fight evil management.

    unit

    unite

    UNION!

    That's it they should form a union and act with one collective voice!

    Oh wait.....

    nevermind...

    Tuesday, October 17, 2017 Report this

  • JohnStark

    This is rather simple. Hire a private detective with camera to follow "sick" teachers around for a few hours on their "sick" day. It would be an extremely low cost way to send a message, after those teachers are fired, of course. Any support that teachers thought they had has completely evaporated. It pains me a bit to say this, but they are now perceived as entitled, largely incompetent thugs. With or without a 'contract', student achievement will not improve. Warwick students will continue to under perform, a trend likely to get worse as more informed parents opt out of the WPS as a function of behavior from those who should know better. Memo to WTU: As your stunts cause more informed parents to flee the system, and informed home buyers to avoid Warwick, we will continue to need fewer and fewer teachers. It's basic Math. Then again.....

    Tuesday, October 17, 2017 Report this

  • CrickeeRaven

    Here is a link to the WTU's Form 990 from 2015. The 2016 version is not available online yet:

    http://990s.foundationcenter.org/990_pdf_archive/050/050349852/050349852_201512_990O.pdf

    Page 10 shows that WTU paid its officers $274,937 in salary and $59,463 in benefits. Legal fees were $18,448.

    The Warwick school budget [p. 18] lists the budget for legal as $292,000 for the current fiscal year. Thornton's salary is listed as $189,500 [p.9] : http://bit.ly/2ypiTWd

    This is an inaccurate comparison, however, since the union Form 990 does not cover 2016, so there is no data for legal costs for mediation or arbitration, or for the court case that overturned the NLRB decision.

    As a result, it is incorrect to criticize the school department's spending on the contract dispute without having comparable information from the WTU.

    Tuesday, October 17, 2017 Report this

  • wwkvoter

    Dan Yorke interviewed Ms Netcoh and Mr Thornton, you all may find it interesting to actually hear the issues they have.

    http://www.630wpro.com/2017/10/06/warwick-teachers-union-president-admits-to-dan-yorke-that-sick-out-was-protest/

    Tuesday, October 17, 2017 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    As you all know, I have a really good camera and a lot of lenses. I'll do it for free.

    Tuesday, October 17, 2017 Report this

  • Kammy

    The past few weeks have no doubt opened the eyes of many Warwick citizens that were in support of the teachers against the evil empire of Dr. Thorton. A keen observer would recognize that Thorton was brought in to close the open bag of dog food which is the teachers union contract and fight for a fair and balanced contract. Also important to note, in Thorton's previous position in the Cumberland School District, he was waging a four-year battle over school funding that saw him repeatedly complain - beginning in 2011 and still in 2015 - that Cumberland spends less per student than any system in the state, including the economically challenged city of Woonsocket. In my opinion, that shows me that he isn't just an attack dog against unions, but rather an advocate for the students AND teachers.

    In any debate, it is important to research both sides of the issues. If you only listen to teachers or exclusively believe in their claims you are missing the whole story. The WSC did make themselves available and willing to talk until the union decided it was an all or nothing negotiation. Don't be like the failed mayoral candidate and only listen to one side. Research both sides and then make your decision based on the facts. Negotiations are when both sides come to an agreement and compromise on important things in order to resolve the issue. You don't walk away with everything you wanted because then it wouldn't be a compromise, now would it?

    Unfortunately the past few weeks have shown the city of Warwick that the contract negotiations aren't all about the students as previously stated. They also stated that it wasn't a sick out and that all these teachers must have gotten sick at the same time. They lied to us and expect us to believe it. I am offended by that. Aren't you?

    Tuesday, October 17, 2017 Report this

  • allent

    all those spineless sycophants with their support warwick teachers' signs make me want to puke

    Tuesday, October 17, 2017 Report this

  • Justanidiot

    Parents are being used by the system. They are out in support of the teachers because that is the face of the school they know. That is who they interact with on a day to day basis. Of course they are going to be in support of them. And rightly so. One on one it is hard to argue employer-employee rights.

    What gets messy is when you start getting collective mentalities at odds -- the UNION, MANAGEMENT, PARENTS, STUDENTS, SCHOOLS, CLASSES -- it ain't going to mesh into one nice tidy bundle. There is no absolute right or absolute wrong -- just a gray that can be compromised on.

    carry on

    Wednesday, October 18, 2017 Report this