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« Homeless, advocates to appeal the governor | Today | Lots of action on MySpace page of Spitzer's 'date' » March 13, 2008City teachers vote no confidence in Evans, McClurePROVIDENCE -- Members of the Providence Teachers Union have voted overwhelming to issue a vote of no confidence in Supt. Donnie Evans and School Board President Mary McClure. The vote, 1,347 to 44, was announced today during an early morning rally in front of the school department’s headquarters at 797 Westminster St. in Providence. Hundreds of teachers conducted an informational picket in front of the building in the third such picket in as many weeks. “The reason we’re out here is because they don’t know why we’re out here and they should,” said PTU President Steve Smith. The vote, taken by secret ballot over the past two weeks, expresses teachers’ frustration with the way in which both Evans and McClure have run the schools since Evans was hired in September, 2005. Smith denied that the vote has anything to do with the lack of a contract. After a summer-long hiatus, negotiations began again this fall only to become mired over issues large and small this winter. A mediator has been brought in to help both sides resolve the matter, but progress has been halting. Smith said that this vote is not a prelude to work to rule, or a strike, adding that teachers will continue to honor their contract. But he said that teachers will continue to find ways of getting their message out to parents and members of the community. Teachers this morning cited a number of issues with Evans, including such issues as special education, the closing or relocation of two schools, handling of the Dec. 13 snow storm, which left hundreds of students stranded on buses for hours. They also said that teachers are not consulted when the department makes major changes to curriculum. And they cited the turnover in staff, both administrators and faculty members since Evans’ arrival. The school department didn’t comment on the vote this morning but said they would a statement later today. -- Journal staff writer Linda Borg Posted by Brandie Jefferson CommentsSarah Michaels | March 13, 2008 11:12 AM link Why has Cicilline allowed it to come to this? It would never have come to this under Buddy’s leadership. I think it is time for Cicilline to bight the bullet for the good of the city and ask Buddy to help him get the city out of this mess. Dave Dave | March 13, 2008 6:23 PM link How about no confidence in the teachers ,let's Jim | March 13, 2008 9:34 PM link THINK ABOUT IT??? THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 30 YEARS. ITS ALL ABOUT TEACHERS SALARIES AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS. UNTIL JUST A FEW YEARS AGO TEACHERS "TAUGHT" 5 HOURS A DAY 180 DAYS A YEAR. THATS 16 WEEKS VACATION. REMEMBER BURN-OUT???? SAL | March 13, 2008 9:54 PM link Yes, I agree with Dave. What we need to do is bring back our felonious former mayor to show us how a convicted criminal can better handle the day-to-day corruption that is so desperately needed in the operation of our school system. It seems to me that Providence public schools have been train wrecks for decades, and the last couple decades were mostly overseen by our recently-released-from-federal-incarceration former mayor. The whole city ought to give the Providence school teachers a vote of no confidence and replace them with educators who actually are capable of doing something besides whining and demanding higher wages. The teachers in Providence are an embarrassment. S. Phyphe | March 14, 2008 1:43 AM link Post a commentPlease be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish. |
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ProJo 9 to 5 News Blog
Oct 2005 - March 2006
This is a great step in the right direction. Cicilline, Evans, and Esserman are all corrupt and incompetent and should all be immediately removed from their positions!!!! When have you ever seen things so bad in Providence? And I mean in every area - our schools, crime, property taxes...People know THINGS ARE BAD and the smoke and mirrors off the glittering (and ugly) new GTECH building are no longer fooling anyone. And now Cicilline has the nerve to make himself look like a hero trying to get federal money to "target blight" in our neighborhoods?! If Cicilline hadn't raised propoperty taxes 300% since he's been in office, then people would be able to keep their homes and fix them up! I voted for Chris Young for Mayor in 2006 and when he runs again in 2010 he has my vote.