East Providence school committee appears ready to offer superintendent an extension

Crowley would receive an additional year at current salary

By Mike Rego
Posted 12/2/16

EAST PROVIDENCE — All signs indicate the school committee soon plans on offering East Providence superintendent Kathryn Crowley an extension to her current contract and that she will accept.

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East Providence school committee appears ready to offer superintendent an extension

Crowley would receive an additional year at current salary

Posted

EAST PROVIDENCE — All signs indicate the school committee soon plans on offering East Providence superintendent Kathryn Crowley an extension to her current contract and that she will accept.

The item is listed on the agenda for the committee during the inauguration ceremony to be held on Monday night, Dec. 5, at city hall at 6:30 for those elected during the November 2016 election.

Mrs. Crowley was hired in late 2015. At the time she was given a three-year contract at annual salary of approximately $150,000. Current school committee chairman Charlie Tsonos confirmed the body is expected to consider the extension, which would add another year to the superintendent's pact at the same wage level, at Monday's session. Per state mandates, a superintendent cannot have a contract longer than three years in length.

"I think she's done a good job with our support, too, and she also has a very good team around her," said Mr. Tsonos, who stressed he was only speaking for himself not on behalf of the entire committee.

"I think the majority of the members of the committee want to show how pleased and satisfied they are with her performance," Mr. Tsonos continued. "I think there's such a feeling of satisfaction that the committee wants to offer a show of good faith going forward."

Mrs. Crowley recently issued her own self-evaluation and had her annual job review by the committee, the results of which are also to be discussed at Monday's meeting. According to the chairman she received high marks for her efforts. He noted the superintendent and her administration have tackled a number of key issues in the district from helping start the Pre-Kindergarten program to continuing to address infrastructure and technological needs.

"I think it will let people know that I'm in here for the long haul," Mrs. Crowley said of the proposed extension. "It think it shows stability, especially with the (contract) negotiations and curriculum items we have coming up. It's probably something people might be looking for.

"I think we've done a good job so far. I love the people I'm working with. I love being here. I think my team has done a great job and I hope we can continue to do the work."

One significant item on the near and future agenda is the possibility of building a new high school. Mrs. Crowley, who helped construct a new school at her previous stop in Little Compton, said she is eager to participate in the process and the committee chairman acknowledged the superintendent's input would be appreciated.

But while expressing his pleasure with Mrs. Crowley's performance, Mr. Tsonos, however, was reluctant to say if he would support the move. In fact, he seemed to be sitting squarely on the fence about the proposal.

"Kathy has some good ideas, good experience and is one of the best people we've had in the position in recent years. And we've seen that if we don't have a good person, especially as large of school district as we have, we've run into problems in the past," Mr. Tsonos said. "But I look at all contract extensions with caution. Speaking for myself and only me, I'm hesitant. With that being said, she is one of the best superintendents we've had recently, but she's only been here for a year."

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Mike Rego

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.