Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain provided updates on teacher contract negotiations, school construction, and plans for the upcoming academic year during her monthly virtual conversation with What’sUpNewp on July 31.
Newport Schools Near Full Teacher Placement After Layoffs
The Newport School District is close to fully placing teachers following recent layoffs, with only six educators remaining without positions, Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain reports.
Out of 19 teachers initially laid off, 13 have been called back to jobs. Three more positions may be filled pending a grant, and the district is awaiting news on a grant from the Rhode Island Department of Education that could fund three additional coaching positions, potentially resulting in zero net job losses.
“Our goal is zero,” Jermain said during a meeting on July 31. “We have fulfilled our promise that if they’re not certified for a position and they’re willing, the district will emergency certify a teacher to make sure they have a job.”
“We’re keeping our fingers crossed and hoping for good news. On Friday we may get three additional RIDE funded positions,” Jermain said.
The superintendent emphasized the shift towards a coaching model, particularly in reading instruction.
“The coaching is very important for our teachers. It’s about working with the teachers to help them in the classroom as far as implementing the instruction and especially where we’re all learning the new science of reading and literacy,” she explained.
In addition to the layoffs, the district implemented 45 staff shifts, including 32 involuntary transfers and 13 position eliminations. Most involuntary transfers involved title changes rather than physical relocations.
“The majority of those teachers were still in the same buildings, in their same positions. It was just a name change for their position,” Jermain clarified.
The superintendent assured that these changes would not disrupt the start of the school year, scheduled for Sept. 4.
“We’re going to be ready and can’t wait for the start of school,” Jermain said.
Newport Schools to Implement New Strategic Plan
Newport School District is implementing a new strategic plan focused on creating a “portrait of a graduate” with emphasis on college and career readiness, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain outlined the plan’s key components, highlighting four main areas: career and college readiness, problem-solving, world responsibilities, and emerging leadership.
“We’re trying to build at every grade level going forward for the portrait of graduate,” Jermain said. “The work that our children do in our classrooms will be focused on how they can emerge by the time they walk the stage in grade twelve.”
“They know the importance of owning one’s own learning and persistence. One good stuff takes a little bit of struggle and hard work,” Jermain explained.
To achieve these goals, the district is focusing on implementing rigorous curriculum, creating welcoming and inclusive environments, and strengthening family and community relationships.
The district has already developed timelines and goals for the next five years. Jermain emphasized the importance of coherence and continuity across all three school levels in Newport.
“We have a vision of excellence, which I want to thank teachers and director, all that worked on in the spring, that we have a vision of excellence, of what it looks like in a classroom when children are learning,” she said.
The strategic plan has been shared online and presented to the school committee. Jermain plans to hold a virtual town hall meeting on Aug. 20 at 5:30 p.m. to further discuss the plan with the community.
As part of the new focus, the district is considering changes to its cell phone policy for high school students, potentially limiting access during the school day.
The first day of school for K-12 students is set for Sept. 4, with kindergarten students having a soft start. Athletes will return to campus on Aug. 12 for fall sports.
New Rogers High School Construction on Track for 2025 Opening
Newport’s new Rogers High School construction project is on track for its scheduled September 2025 opening, with demolition and interior work progressing as planned.
Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain provided an update on the project, stating that the demolition of the old gym is nearly complete.
“The whole east side of the gym is now completely down. The rest of it is being torn down as we speak,” Jermain said. “The goal is, within the next two weeks, to have the demolition completed.”
Interior work is also underway, with glass windows being installed and brick continuing to be laid. Painting has begun inside the building, and wall finishes are being completed.
The project remains on schedule, with keys expected to be handed over in June 2025. Jermain noted that students will be able to enter the new building in September 2025.
While the project is within budget for obtaining a temporary occupancy certificate, Jermain acknowledged a $4.1 million shortfall. The school district is actively seeking grants and considering value engineering options to address this gap.
“We have some grants in the queue and we’re continue to look at value engineering,” Jermain said. “Everything, fingers crossed, it’s still going smoothly and going forward.”
The superintendent stated that ongoing construction will not disrupt students during the upcoming school year. A walkway near the cafeteria will reopen in the coming weeks, allowing students to move freely around the campus.
Two programs, cosmetology and automotive, were not included in the current Rogers plan due to the end of certain construction bonuses from the Rhode Island Department of Education. Jermain stated that the district is actively seeking alternative funding for these programs, which would require an additional $6 million.
“We do have floor plans and building plans for those. I’ll call them plug and play additions for the building,” Jermain said. “We’re very hopeful that those will come to fruition and be part of our new building project.”
Newport-Middletown School Merger Talks May Resurface
Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain suggests declining enrollment could lead to renewed discussions about merging Newport and Middletown school districts in the near future.
“With declining enrollment, which is very different than when the vote took place, I would not be surprised to see it back on the table very soon,” Jermain said.
Jermain indicated incentives may be needed to encourage consolidation, but ultimately it depends on the communities’ willingness.
“We had a pretty good offer before and it didn’t come to fruition,” she said. “So I do think some incentives do have to be in place, but I think it’s the will of the communities of whether they want to get together or not.”
The superintendent’s comments follow recent collaboration between Newport and Middletown on a regional learning center project announced by the governor. Jermain expressed support for the initiative, calling it “a long time in the making.”
While Newport schools were not directly involved in the learning center announcement, Jermain said the district backs it “100%” and will assist however possible.
Jermain reported the new Rogers High School remains on schedule to open in September 2025.
The district is also working to recall teachers who received layoff notices earlier this year. Of 19 initially laid off, only six remain without positions. Jermain said she hopes to find placements for all by the start of school.
A comprehensive update on RHS construction includes major 58 Harrison Ave. “electrical trench” project by Universal Construction/Rhode Island Energy beginning at “the dirt pile”, connecting to Harrison. Where is that information? It should be part of regular reporting coverage.