EAST PROVIDENCE — The School Committee will hold a special session Tuesday night, May 26, when the body and the administration will review the particularly difficult circumstances pertaining to this year’s annual round of layoffs in the district.

The conversation will take place with the city’s budget season just around the corner and with the looming specter of potentially substantial local and state-wide revenue declines in the offing due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The May 26 meeting is a necessity because state law and contracts require school district’s to notify employees of their job status by June 1.

At the committee’s May 12 gathering, Superintendent Kathryn Crowley told the board the Rhode Island section of the American Teachers Federation (AFT) declined to pursue a proposed extension of the deadline to July 1, something administrators had sought.

Superintendent Crowley referred to comments made by Gov. Gina Raimondo last week about the state’s financial forecast amid the crisis. The governor said Rhode Island could face a deficit of up to $800 million without assistance from the federal government. Gov. Raimondo also said it was likely she would soon have to begin laying off state employees, most of whom until now had been able to continue working in some form.

“She said it’s very, very bad and the cuts will be deep,” Superintendent Crowley said of the governor’s remarks. “She said would probably have to start furloughs for state workers. It’s inevitable she will do it…Everything is on the cutting board.”

The superintendent said her main office staff working in conjunction with building administrators and union representatives from the union of district teachers, the East Providence Education Association (EPEA), have compiled preliminary lists of proposed layoffs and reductions in personnel. The employees come district-wide from teachers to paraprofessionals to administrative assistants to custodians and maintenance workers. She also made note that the EPEA was in favor of seeking an extension of the notification deadline, against the stance taken by the state AFT.

“So we’re looking at all levels. In past years, one year I didn’t have any layoffs, we’ve been able to recall everyone in the past, but I don’t think I’m going to be able to do that this year…We’re looking over this very carefully because it’s based on seniority,” Superintendent Crowley said, adding some positions where there currently are openings or those where they are expected might not be filled because of the current climate.

“This is not something I take lightly,” she continued. “All cities and towns and all school districts in Rhode Island are looking at some pretty severe cuts next year.”

Finance update
In spite of the fragile future forecast, Director of Finance Craig Enos told the committee last week the district remains on solid financial footing six months into its current fiscal year, running from November 1, 2019 to October 31, 2020.

Also, asked about having a potential surplus at the end of this fiscal year derived from the lessening of expenses during the COVID-19 crisis, Mr. Enos said it was still too early to tell.

He said there were various items where the district is not using funds, like for as many substitute teachers, for student field trips, for athletics transportation and for electrical bills.

“So we are seeing some savings which are going to help us. Certainly, I can’t say right now that we’re going to have a surplus because we’re only at the half-way point,” Mr. Enos added.

Retirements
Director of Human Resources Cheryl Mammone announced the following retirements effective at the end of the current 2019-20 term:

Judith McNulty after 19.5 years is stepping away from her current position as a teacher in the high school Social Studies Department. Ms. McNulty previously also held a post as a Special Education Resource instructor at EPHS.

Richard Martin is retiring from his full-time role as a Social Studies teacher at EPHS, having spent the last 19 years there. Mr. Martin has been in the district for 33.5 years, beginning his tenure as Social Studies instructor at Martin Middle School in 1986. He was chosen as the district’s teacher of the year for the 2017-18 term. Mr. Martin is expected to continue to instruct part-time an Advanced Placement (AP) level course at EPHS on African American Studies at least for next term.

Kevin Koehler is leaving his position as a Business teacher at Martin Middle School after 20 years. Mr. Koehler was hired for the same role in September 1999 and remained in it for his entire tenure in the district.

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