When we speak with Newport Superintendent of Schools Colleen Burns Jermain at 1:30 pm today we’ll be halfway through the schools’ open houses and know whether teachers have adhered to their union’s instructions to boycott the open houses.
In her recent message to families, Jermain recognized the “labor disagreements,” but was hopeful that “all our teachers and staff attend” the open houses, “despite our labor disagreements.”
Jermain joins us for her monthly WhatsUpNewp videocast.
We’ll certainly ask about the impact of the teachers “work to contract,” but will explore several other issues, including a Rogers High School construction update; a check on funding for the new Rogers High School; an update on the start of school; absenteeism; staffing; and a check on the first few weeks of school.
But it’s the dispute with teachers that has been stealing headlines since early in the year, a dispute that ranges from what the union sees as violations of its contract over a need to consult over “restricting,” teaching of multi-language learners, and displacement of several teachers.
The teachers have appealed to parents and the City Council and distributed a memo to teachers last week urging them to adhere to the “work to contract,’ and boycott open houses.
We reached out to both the superintendent and union president, Jennifer Hole. Hole did not respond to any of our questions.
We asked Hole if she could verify that she wrote the memo to teachers; if the union had been aware previously of what the superintendent characterized as compensation for attending the open houses; clarification of what was said in the memo about “union-busting at its finest”; and whether MLL teachers needed certification.
Jermain, however, did provide answers to our questions.
We asked about the impact of the teachers “work to rule.” Jermain: “Work to rule has caused a lot of stress for the teachers- especially those that want to come in when they wish and do their jobs. I believe the new system TAN has set up is to help them come and go as they please. I am not clear how they feel about how to behave or not with their administrators- deliberately making their lives difficult as the memo states-that is a question only each teacher is able to answer. Hopefully, all of us, as adults, are keeping as much of this as possible away from our students and making their days welcoming and full of great instruction.”
Have any activities been disrupted? Jermain: “None to my knowledge has been disrupted or brought to my attention. At times I believe there is some confusion for the adults because they want to do activities and yet are not certain if TAN is okay with them or not. I still see teachers at our sporting after school events for our students- which I know students love.”
Also wanted to clarify whether MLL teachers are required by the state to have certification? Jermain: “Yes.”
Ask The Superintendent: A conversation with Colleen Burns Jermain on Sept. 25
