There's a lot to be said for a fresh coat of paint. Of course, much more than paint has gone into $3.2 million in school renovations, most of which were completed in the nick of time for yesterday's opening. It was a massive program that is most visible
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There’s a lot to be said for a fresh coat of paint.
Of course, much more than paint has gone into $3.2 million in school renovations, most of which were completed in the nick of time for yesterday’s opening. It was a massive program that is most visible at Pilgrim High School and now Veterans Junior High. Entrances to both schools as well as their auditoriums have been renovated. In the case of Vets, the work includes a newly poured concrete sidewalk and entryway and refurbished canopy. Both schools have panels of new doors and brighter corridors with new LED lighting, ceiling tiles and, naturally, that fresh coat of paint.
While unchanged in dimensions, the auditoriums of both schools have a new, luxurious feel. Fold-down wooden seats, built for the masses of moving students, have been replaced by the cushioned fabric successors. Lighting has been replaced, there’s carpeting for the first time, and the tired look of age is hidden by paint.
The renovations have extended to other public areas in the schools. Gymnasiums have been given a facelift and cafeterias brightened.
On a quick walk through Pilgrim Tuesday, as crews installed lockers taken out of the now-closed Aldrich Junior High, installed auditorium carpeting, and painted corridors, there was a sense of excitement among school staff and students stopping in to check out the school. It was uplifting.
From his first days in Warwick when reporters accompanied him on a tour of schools, Superintendent Philip Thornton talked of the importance of safe, functional and appealing environments for teaching and learning. He has carried that out with this round of school improvements in areas that also get the greatest level of public traffic. It’s a smart play. Taxpayers will see the impact of their money and, far more important from a public relations perspective, feel that positive changes are happening in Warwick schools.
It’s also a wise prelude to the far greater school renovation program Thornton envisions. Addressing the aging system – Warwick’s newest schools at the Toll Gate complex were built in the 1970s – will require an estimated $250 million. Many of the upgrades needed, such as new roofs, boiler systems and making buildings compliant with American Disabilities Act regulations, aren’t glamorous, nor will they be noticeable to the public. If voters are going to approve the bonds for all this work, they have an idea of what can be done.
But the true measure of schools is what happens in the classroom. It’s teachers, and whether students have the tools and skills for the lives ahead of them.
Thornton is addressing this, too. He has reorganized the administrative staff. He is introducing new technologies. We look for improved test scores and student outcomes.
For that to happen, Thornton needs a full team. He can’t “paint over” the fact that teachers remain without a contract. Until he mends that fence, the system won’t shine.
6 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
richardcorrente
Dear editorial writer,
I don't know who you are but you couldn't have said it better.
Neither could I.
Richard Corrente
Endorsed Democrat for Mayor
Thursday, September 1, 2016 Report this
CrickeeRaven
The prior comment was made by a political candidate who believes that voters in Warwick will not inform themselves of the status of contract negotiations between the teachers union and school committee.
School officials and union leaders have been in arbitration and litigation to resolve the impasse over a new teachers contract, including a recent court ruling against the union regarding layoffs and an arbitration hearing that ended after union leadership demanded a 30-percent raise over three years. The school superintendent stated that the school committee seeks a resolution to contract negotiations but feels that the union leadership is not acting in good faith to resolve the issue.
http://warwickonline.com/stories/thornton-wtu-trade-barbs-over-teacher-offers,112112?
This candidate has also regularly cited the "court of public opinion" for support of his claim that teachers are "winning" the ongoing dispute over a new contract, and yet has not produced evidence of a poll, survey, or other independently verifiable information that may support this statement.
Please join the rest of us in Warwick who know that contracts are negotiated only when two parties agree to act in good faith, and who refuse to accept this candidate's false statements.
Friday, September 2, 2016 Report this
richardcorrente
Dear readers,
Please re-read the article titled "Dash to Opening Day" in the comments section where I congratulate "Superintendent Thornton and his hard working staff". Please also re-read where CrickeeRaven attempts to discredit me with the same bull that he/she is stating here. He/she states that the 2 sides have been in "arbitration and litigation". That is true, but what CrickeeRaven is not telling the reader is that the teachers are willing to sit and negotiate and the School Committee refuses. There is the big difference!
That kind of explains why he/she uses a fake name, instead of his/her honest name.
I think I know who CrickeeRaven is but if you do too, please call me at 338-9900. Expose this person and we force him/her to be honest and responsible, just like the rest of us.
Enjoy the Labor Day Weekend everyone!
Richard Corrente
Endorsed Democrat for Mayor
Friday, September 2, 2016 Report this
CrickeeRaven
The prior comment is by a political candidate who has refused to answer direct questions about the falsehood of many of his statements, and is another attempt to enforce conditions for its use that the management and ownership of this site do not require.
He has further asserted that he knows the identity of a commenter on this site but has not yet provided a name, indicating that he is engaging in bullying and intimidation for the purpose of stopping a user from commenting on this site, and he may also understand that online publication of personally identifying information without the subject's permission is a potential violation of state cyberbullying laws.
Please join me and the thousands of voters in Warwick who will not stand for this kind of behavior, and who will reject this candidate on Nov. 8.
Friday, September 2, 2016 Report this
richardcorrente
No CrickeeRaven, no.
I never said I knew for sure who you are.
I said I think I do, and, unlike you, I don't make a statement unless I am sure of what I am saying. I have never once made a "falsehood" except in your judgement, and since no one knows who you are (for sure) you can't get caught lying. Not to worry. Some day, you will.
All I have ever said is that you are too much of a coward to identify yourself. That part is fact, not opinion. The rest of my statements are my opinion and I'm entitled to mine as you are entitled to yours.
Enjoy the Autumn CrickeeRaven
Richard Corrente
Endorsed Democrat for Mayor
Tuesday, September 6, 2016 Report this
CrickeeRaven
In a previous comment, a candidate for mayor states "I have never once made a 'falsehood,'" despite the fact that his claim of more than 4,600 businesses "lost" in Warwick is based on a fraudulent comparison between US Census numbers and data from the RI Secretary of State, which use different methods of counting businesses.
According to the US Census, Warwick had 8,410 firms listed in 2007. A more accurate comparison of data from the same source, the US Census for 2012, showed 8,299 firms, or 111 fewer.
For verifiable proof, scroll down to Businesses at the following link and view the "all firms" statistic.
http://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/PST045215/4474300
Since 4,666 does not equal 111, this candidate's claims about the change in Warwick's business sector are false.
Please join me and the thousands of voters in Warwick who will reject this candidate and his false claims on Nov. 8.
Tuesday, September 6, 2016 Report this