Jennifer Hole, president of the Teachers Association of Newport (TAN), addressed the Newport City Council on Aug. 28, expressing concerns about recent actions by the school superintendent that she claims violate the teachers’ collective bargaining agreement.
Hole spoke during the council’s public forum to highlight what she described as negative impacts on teachers and students resulting from unilateral decisions by the superintendent.
“Newport teachers are out in front of city hall today because we wanted to let you, the city council, know how much we appreciate your support. When I look up there, I see very specific. I see every one of you has supported us in some way, shape or form over the 21 years that I’ve been involved in Newport public schools, and it is extremely appreciated. But I also want to let the public at large know how much we appreciate their support as well. It truly does take a village,” Hole said.
“However, the superintendent in Newport and other members of her district administration team are actively violating our current collective bargaining agreement,” Hole said. “These violations have had a very negative impact on many teachers, and therefore, it’s going to have a negative impact on the students. Rather than come together and actually try to solve and resolve these differences, the superintendent unilaterally moved many teachers to positions that they did not see simply because she wanted to.”
According to Hole, the superintendent moved numerous teachers to new positions without their input, claiming it was “best for the kids.” Hole disputed this assertion, stating, “We tell you now, it is not best for the kids.”
She emphasized that teachers’ concerns have been ignored by both the superintendent and school committee members despite repeated attempts to communicate the issues.
Hole outlined specific changes implemented by the superintendent, including the removal of elementary school interventions, reading teachers, and most math interventionists. She also noted reductions in behavioral support structures at both the elementary and middle school levels.
“One person cannot handle the academic, the behavioral, the social emotional needs of the children in this city,” Hole said. “And they deserve better.”
The teachers association president appealed to the city council and public for support in addressing these concerns with the superintendent and school committee.
“I am here begging for help from you, from the public, from anybody who will talk to the superintendent, who will talk to the school committee and tell them to end this nonsense and follow our contract,” Hole said.
She concluded by warning that the current actions of the superintendent and director of multi-language learners are “setting the children of Newport and the teachers of Newport and the families of Newport for absolute failure.”
You can watch her comments below. The Public Forum portion of Newport City Council’s meeting begins just after the start of the meeting.
The National Education Association Rhode Island (NEARI) announced on Friday, August 23, that the Teachers’ Association of Newport (TAN) voted unanimously that week to “work to contract” effective immediately and to hold at least two informational pickets.
During a one-on-one conversation with What’sUpNewp on Thursday, August 29, Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain addressed ongoing labor negotiations with teachers, who are currently working under “work to contract” conditions. She assured parents that this would not impact classroom instruction.
“I want to reassure parents that the teachers will be in the classrooms implementing the curriculum, doing their jobs,” Jermain said. “Please know that. And they know that as well.”
Teachers To Picket Again
Shortly after this story was initially published the National Education Association Rhode Island sent the following press release to What’sUpNewp announcing that teachers will picket again on Tuesday, September 3.
Frustrated Newport teachers start the school year on the picket line
Informational picket scheduled for Tuesday, September 3 at 8:00 am
Newport, R.I. – The Teachers’ Association of Newport (TAN) will hold their second informational picket on Tuesday, September 3rd from 8:00am-8:30am in front of Pell Elementary School, 35 Dexter St. Newport. Tuesday is the first day of school for teachers to report, students begin their school year the following day.
Teachers picketed outside the City Council meeting on Wednesday while TAN President Jennifer Hole gave an impassioned plea inside chambers to the council members to step in to stop Superintendent Colleen Jermain from continuing to run roughshod over the teacher contract and settled labor law.
“Colleen Jermain has stripped our schools of every math interventionist, removed the reading teachers, and eliminated behavioral specialists. She and her administration are setting up the students, families, and teachers of Newport for absolute failure,” said Hole. “Rather than come together and actually try to solve problems and resolve differences, the Superintendent has dug in her heels in the interest of winning, not in the interest of our students.”
In addition to picketing, TAN is “working to contract,” meaning that teachers will only perform duties outlined within their existing contract. An informational picket is a public opportunity for Newport teachers to inform the community and amplify their concerns; it is not a job action nor is it a strike.
“While we did meet throughout the summer in an attempt to reach a global settlement on all issues, the Superintendent has refused to commit to any effort to correct the multiple errors created when she imposed the job fair without the Union’s involvement,” said Hole. “These errors have had a ripple effect across the district with many teachers placed in positions they have never held before and forcing many to seek emergency certifications just to stay employed.”
In June, the Union voted no confidence in the Superintendent and Ronilee Mooney, the director of multi-lingual learners, over the Superintendent’s drastic restructuring plans. These plans were implemented without any input from teachers. Moreover, the teachers have lacked adequate support from the district to implement these restructuring plans for this school year, which will undoubtedly harm students.
“Our students deserve better,” said Hole.
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Why does WUN have the superintendent on so frequently but never (to my knowledge) Jennifer Hole, President of TAN? In fairness, you should invite her in for an interview for their perspective on these issues. Thank you. Gus Cordeiro