Report Inappropriate Comments

During the first years of the consolidation there will be issues of overcrowding and under crowding that, I believe, will level themselves off in the long run. The much greater problem, in my view, is teachers that don't have a contract. Can you imagine how they must feel. Last month 65 of their co-workers were unceremoniously and un-caringly, laid off with the first to go having over ten years of seniority. Ten years on the job and you're still not secure? That is appalling. That is gut-wrenching. And today, they are expected to work, and give it their all, with no guarantee that they will have a job tomorrow??!? That is totally unacceptable! The teachers are willing to sit down and negotiate. The School Committee is NOT! That is the biggest insult in Warwick history. (and we have all seen a lot of "insults"). Here is what I think should happen. The teachers should go into a room with the School Committee and the door be locked until SOME agreement is reached. I know that sounds a little too radical (and I'm sure there are laws against it) but the taxpayers have paid too much for the total lack of solutions the School Committee has delivered to us so far.

If it's any consolation to the School Committee members, my other plan had to do with a huge vat of hot tar and a giant bag of feathers and a sign that says "Which one of you b/@#^*# wants to go first?", but I think that one is a bit too much.

The bottom line is the teachers deserve our support and respect. The School Committee deserves our complete disrespect.

I am standing with the teachers on this one and I believe you should too. It's time to hug a teacher!

Richard Corrente

Democrat for Mayor