East Providence schools seek substitutes, recognize pre-K contributors

Meeting discussion includes infrastructure, building committee

By Mike Rego
Posted 1/13/17

EAST PROVIDENCE — As happens at most of its forums, the school committee touched on a wide range of topics during its Tuesday, Jan. 10, meeting including the lack of substitute teachers …

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East Providence schools seek substitutes, recognize pre-K contributors

Meeting discussion includes infrastructure, building committee

Posted

EAST PROVIDENCE — As happens at most of its forums, the school committee touched on a wide range of topics during its Tuesday, Jan. 10, meeting including the lack of substitute teachers available to the district.
Saying the current need to increase the pool of substitutes is “dire,” superintendent Kathryn Crowley told the committee she planned to take the unique step of sending out a letter to parents urging them to apply for the positions if they are available and meet the necessary standards.
Mrs. Crowley said the minimum requirement to be certified as a substitute teacher is a bachelor’s degree. Administrators have planned informational sessions on January 30 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. and 5:30-6:30 p.m. for any interested parties. The district will then hold workshops and continuing professional development as well for candidates remaining in the process.
“We’re kind of stepping out of the box. We’re reaching out,” the superintendent said of decision to attempt to fill the void of substitutes with parents.
Buildings report
During a discussion of the Rhode Island Department of Education’s recent report on district facilities, superintendent Crowley said the administration took the opinion of the state regulators “very seriously,” though she expressed some doubts about how sternly it will be enforced and the veracity of its contents.
The report cited significant and immediate problems with almost all of the district’s eight elementary buildings, two middle school buildings and the high school, saying a range of repairs at each needed to be done over the next few years. The fixes would the district cost tens of millions, but those figures did not jibe with estimates given to the administration by its advisors.
Mrs. Crowley noted the district has already aggressively tackled fixing many of the items cited in the RIDE report and would continue to do so with or without the input of the state administrators.
Of note as well on buildings, representatives from SLAM Collaborative, the architectural firm hired by the district, planned to visit East Providence High School on January 19 to assess the structure and its viability. SLAM’s presence is part of the continuing dialogue about either the need to either fully replace or refurbish the 65-year-old structure.
Buildings committee
Committee legal counsel Bob Silva presented the body with a brief overview of the composition of and protocols pertaining the formation of a building committee to review the district’s infrastructure, something with remains in the planning stages.
Mr. Silva shed light on the topic in response to an inquiry from committee chairman Charlie Tsonos, who asked for an opinion about the legal limitations of a body focused on buildings as well as any potential conflict of interest concerns.
“I want us to be aware of all boundaries that exist for all of our protection,” Mr. Tsonos explained his rationale on the matter.
Mr. Silva outlined the composition requirements for the committee as per RIDE regulations, which among others call for the inclusion of the superintendent, the principal of the school involved, representatives from the school committee, city council, finance department and a member of the public at large with some expertise in architecture.
Of note as well, Mr. Silva said the building committee is subject to the Open Meetings Act, which regulates how it manages its activities. As for the potential conflict of interest matter, Mr. Silva said he and his partner Drew Thomas would return to committee in the near future with a more detailed opinion.
Recognitions
Marissa Nardelli, the daughter of superintendent Crowley who is an artist and teacher, along with The Paint Shoppes owner John McKenna and Benjamin Moore territorial representative Matthew Haslehurst
were noted for their assistance with helping establish the district’s new pre-Kindergarten program.
Ms. Nardelli painted a large mural adorning the corridor inside Martin Middle School where the “Tiny Townies” program is housed. Messrs. McKenna and Haselhurst combined to donate the paint used for Ms. Nardelli’s work as well as that to refresh the classrooms used for the pre-K program.
Legal RFP

The committee held the first series of interviews at a special session Monday evening, Jan. 9, as it reviews its legal representation.

The firms in attendance included the incumbent legal counsel to the committee Silva, Thomas, Martland & Offenberg, LTD, making its bid this time in conjunction with The Law Office of William J. Conley, Jr.; Whelan, Corrente, Kinder & Siket LLP; and Brennan/Recupero/Cascione/Scungio/McAllister LLP. A fourth firm, Barton Gilman LLP, was unable to attend and will make its presentation at another special session on Tuesday, Jan. 24.

Representatives of the firms in attendance last week each made an opening statement then were subjected to similar questions posed to them by members of the committee. Those inquiries included size of staff, knowledge of Special Education law, expertise in the area of education mandates, how involved they would be in the daily affairs of the district and of the committee itself and their experience in contract negotiations among other items.

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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.