The union that represents Newport’s teachers is expected to file multiple unfair labor practices and grievances in a dispute over layoffs and displacements of more than 20 percent of unionized teachers, according to teachers’ union president Jennifer Hole.
The filings follow a vote of no confidence by the Teachers Association of Newport (TAN) in the wake of the layoff of 16 teachers and displacement notices to 41 others. Hole said the union has 239 members.
A displacement means that a position has been eliminated and the teacher has the opportunity for placement in another position. As an example, a number of specialized reading positions were eliminated, and those teachers at the elementary level are likely to be placed in classrooms as general teachers.
Dispute erupts over teacher layoff and displacements in Newport
The jobs that are being eliminated, Hole said, “effect the most vulnerable of our kids.” They include interventionalists in math and reading, and behavioral specialists.
While the union was preparing to file with the National Labor Relations Board (unfair labor practices) and School Committee (grievances), Superintendent of Schools Colleen Burns Jermain was sending a letter teachers and staff, defending and explaining the administration’s decisions.
In her letter to the staff, it did not appear that the superintendent was guaranteeing that all those displaced will find job.
“We will also continue to work to offer alternative roles and positions in other capacities so that everyone possible has a job,” Jermain said in her letter. “Our doors are open and remain so to work this out. We want as many of our staff as possible back in our schools.”
At issue for the teachers is a lack of communication, failure to honor seniority requirements and procedures included in the teachers’ contract, the elimination of jobs they see as critical for students, the lack of professional training opportunities.
Also at issue is the rise in multi-language learners, from some 5 percent of students in Newport a decade ago, to nearly 20 percent now, according to the Kids Count annual fact book. There are also state standards relative to MLL certified teachers.
What Jermain and Hole agree on are the need to put students first, and budgetary challenges.
“This year has been a real challenge because of budget issues,” Hole said. “We understand budget issues.” Jermain agreed. She has said the district is challenged because of the loss of federal COVID money, and RIDE now taking into account its financial aid based upon enrollment, and in the case of Newport and most other districts there’s been declining enrollment.
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