July 27, 2007

Dear Colleague:

            I am sure you are aware that the 2007-2008 budget, passed by the Rhode Island General Assembly, did not include an increase in state aid to education.

            As a result, the Providence School Board has cut deeply into programs and staff in order to balance their budget.

            In addition to the program cuts and staff reduction made by the School Board, further actions are contemplated primarily in the areas of special education class size and health care coverage.

            The following is a status report of the issues confronting us and our response:

Actions taken/contemplated by the Providence School Board and Providence Teachers Union response to date:

1.  Special Education Variance:

            The Providence School Board is requesting a variance from the Rhode Island Department of Education to increase class size in self-contained special education classrooms.  The variance request would increase class size from the current 10 students with an aide to 12 students with an aide in elementary and 15 students with an aide in secondary classrooms.

Union’s Response

            It is obvious this request is driven by financial concerns, not student need.  Once again, it will be up to teachers and parents to speak on behalf of students.  In order to request a variance, the School Board must hold a public hearing.  This hearing has been scheduled for August 14, 2007 at 6:30 p.m., School Board Room, Central Administration.  In addition to the public hearing, the administration intends to hold a community meeting on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. at the Juanita Sanchez Complex Cafetorium.  A complete list of meeting dates, times and location, will be posted on our website.  It is imperative that teachers and parents have their voices heard on this educationally unsound proposal.  We have been in contact with the administrators union and they are also opposed to any and all special education variance requests.

2.      Recall “stall”:

            On July 16, 2007 the Providence School Board recalled from layoff 108 teachers.  On July 21, 2007 the Providence School Board recalled from layoff 135 teachers…only to LTSP status.  I warned the School Board that recalling regular teachers on layoff to LTSP status when vacancies exist is a violation of our contract.  The Board ignored my advice.  Furthermore, 55 regular teachers remain on layoff in anticipation of the Special Education variance request being granted.  As a result, no special education classroom positions have been filled or offered at the Job Fair.

Union’s Response

            Recalling teachers from layoff as LTSP when vacancies exist is an attempt to save unemployment compensation costs as well as a violation of our contract.  We have been informed that teachers recalled to LTSP status on July 21, 2007 will continue to be eligible for unemployment benefits for the remainder of the summer.  This attempt to save unemployment benefits by the school department has failed.  We have also filed a union grievance on behalf of all teachers recalled as substitutes instead of regular teachers.

3.      $1 million savings in Healthcare:

            Although no particulars have been made public, the City of Providence is rumored to be considering switching all employees (school department included) from Blue Cross to United Health Care.

Union’s Response

            Our contract is quite clear that our benefit package cannot be changed.  I have notified the City’s Director of Administration as well as the Mayor that this change is unacceptable.  I have also been in contact with other city union leaders to coordinate efforts to keep this contemplated change from occurring.

4.      Selective layoff:

            The Providence School Board is attempting to balance its budget on the backs of students and teachers.  In addition to the elimination of necessary programs and services to students, only teachers have been laid-off while administrative positions continue to be filled.

Union’s Response

            I have and will continue to object vociferously to the Administration of the Providence School Department and the Providence School Board on their decision to fix its budget problems on the backs of students and teachers.  Much more will be forthcoming on this matter in the near future.

            In addition to the myriad issues we face on a daily basis as teachers with the most difficult jobs imaginable, we now have a school department administration and a School Board who are demonstrating their self-serving interest instead of addressing the needs of our students and treating teachers as professionals.  

            With that being said, however, it’s the Providence teacher who has been and will continue to be at the forefront in meeting the multi-faceted needs of our student population.

            I thank you for your continued support and assistance and urge you to keep in contact with your building delegate, the Union office or me personally.

   Sincerely,

 
Steven F. Smith
President

SFS/mmf

P.S. If you have yet to do so, please provide the Union office with your e-mail address.