School director suspended

By John Howell
Posted 5/19/16

In the post for less than six months, Steven Ruscito, the director of secondary education who said in a Warwick Beacon interview in January that he likes to face challenges head on, has been placed on suspended leave, according to reports received by the

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School director suspended

Posted

In the post for less than six months, Steven Ruscito, the director of secondary education who said in a Warwick Beacon interview in January that he likes to face challenges head on, has been placed on suspended leave, according to reports received by the Beacon. His secretary, Leah Lenahan, has also been suspended with pay, according to the reports.

Superintendent Philip Thornton did not return calls or efforts to contact him.

School Committee Chair Beth Furtado said Thornton is handling the matter and that she would have no comment at this time, as “it is a personnel issue.”

According to Beacon sources, Ruscito and Lenahan were suspended for fraternizing and inappropriate behavior.

Word of the action traveled quickly by social media, prompting inquiries to the Beacon. Questions were also raised as to how the district plans to complete consolidation as Ruscito held a key position in scheduling as Vets High and Aldrich and Gorton junior high schools close. Vets will reopen this fall as a junior high school.

Ruscito, 56, succeeded Dennis Mullen, who served for many years at Pilgrim High School principal and retired as director of secondary education last summer.

After serving five years in the Marine Corps, Ruscito attended Rhode Island College for undergrad and received his master’s in education from Cambridge College in Boston. He taught history and political science in North Providence for 15 years before taking a position as an assistant principal at South Kingstown High School. After three years in that position he moved to Middletown, where he served eight years as a principal at the high school. Prior to taking the position in Warwick this past summer, Ruscito was the principal of Westerly High School.

Throughout this time Ruscito remained in the Army Reserves, retiring three years ago as a lieutenant colonel. He also coached indoor and outdoor track, wrestling and cross country and ran numerous clubs throughout the schools he’s worked in.

In the January interview, Ruscito – a self-declared “workaholic” – said he was attracted to all the changes happening in Warwick. He said that through his position he aimed to keep the focus on teaching and learning despite the turmoil of consolidation, facility improvements, relocating students, merging staffs and negotiations.

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  • smh

    fan-flippin-tastic!!!

    Thursday, May 19, 2016 Report this

  • Bluestone

    Director of Secondary Education Steven Ruscito suspended for sexual misconduct.

    Wait-

    THIS IS THE GUY WHO IS SUPPOSED TO BE MASTERMINDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CONSOLIDATION!!!!

    PHIL-WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!

    -You've got the director of special ed who is under investigation for willfully violating federal IEP laws.

    -The director of Secondary Education who is now suspended for doing something sexually icky.

    -The new director of Human Resources who is connected to the law firm that is getting paid big bucks to represent the district.

    -Yourself, Superintendent of Schools- busy illegally violating a contract. A contract is a contract, you can't just change it because you want to. Try that tomorrow with your mortgage company or the bank that has your car loan. Our entire economic system functions on the basis of contract law- you think that is going to change so you can do whatever you want to do? Dumbass- why don't you just sit down and negotiate like a man. That is reality.

    You are in way over your head, and you know it. Admit it, you don't have the time, the plans, the personnel, or the know-how to pull this whole revamp everything in the school district thing. It was stupid to start with. Eventually you have to admit that you have basically nothing completed. Do it now! Perfect chance to blame it on these bozos that work under you- you didn't hire most of them- blame it on them. Then run away to some other district- that is what you do best.

    Thursday, May 19, 2016 Report this

  • Jojones

    I think the big question now is "Who is piloting the ship?"

    Ruscito was supposedly in charge of major portions of the consolidation. I have heard him speak at a number of things, and I have to agree that the guy was only pretending to have it together. I was at one thing for special ed parents, and neither he nor Jen Connelly could give a single straight answer to us parents. Not even to simple questions about kids schedules, or what kind of services would our children be receiving.

    Now we don't even have the person that was covering for the administrations lack of preparation.

    It is halfway through May- and it seems like nothing is ready or done. The end of August is the deadline.

    Who is going to do it all? Who is left in the administration that understands how?

    A month ago, I would have said Phil Thornton- he seemed like a reasonable, level-headed guy. What I have seen since then really worries me. I'm not sure if he really understands what he is doing either.

    I hope he does, I hope he is going to take charge and fix this.

    Problem is, that every time parents like me call the administration building, we get told that the superintendent is not available. This led to some parents to check further, and it would seem that it isn't just that he is busy- it would seem that he is rarely at the administration building. Social media makes it hard to hide- people have shared that they have sighted him in places that don't seem much like work.

    So I am worried that Phil really isn't on top of things either, and that he is just phoning it in.

    Great.

    Thursday, May 19, 2016 Report this

  • smh

    Okay, so....what are we, the parents & citizenry, going to do about it???

    Thursday, May 19, 2016 Report this

  • Justanidiot

    dismayed, we are going to turn to mayer corrente to take care of this.

    Thursday, May 19, 2016 Report this

  • SOS822

    The Warwick Public Schools central administration has completely gone off the rails. Our district is a complete mess and being mocked statewide. The man who is implementing the consolidation plan is now suspended. The Special Education director is under investigation by the city. The Superintendent is repeatedly violating the contract that the teachers are currently working under. There are administrators that are backing out of appointments for next year because they do not want to work here (who can blame them). And 65 hard working teachers are currently laid off and seeking employment elsewhere. This district is a mess and it is very sad because it will be the students who ultimately suffer. Dr. Thornton needs to right this ship or leave and let someone else fix this enormous mess.

    Thursday, May 19, 2016 Report this

  • SadieA

    Exactly what do you people expect the mayor - any mayor - to do?? The school committee is elected to run the schools which includes hiring and firing the administrators. They do not answer to the mayor or to anyone else, that's the problem. The only recourse is to change the make up of the school committee at election time.

    Thursday, May 19, 2016 Report this

  • Reality

    I wish the Beacon would spend as much time scrutinizing the Mayor and the city as they do the school dept. Avedisian has given away the store year after year running up a $600 million unfunded healthcare and pension obligation and it gets little or no coverage in the Beacon.

    The 3 city council blowhards aka Ladosceur, Travis and Wilkinson do nothing about the $3 million structural deficit in the city budget. The 3 suck-ups voted for the new fire contract that Scottie negotiated that has increased taxpayers obligations in the millions.

    Are you happy with your sewer bills? The WArwick Sewer Authority is in debt to the tune of $108 million. Remember Scottie appoints the board. I can only imagine what Scottie would do with the school board. I understand RIPTA is improving under his leadership....what a joke.

    Thursday, May 19, 2016 Report this

  • ThatGuyInRI

    Bluestone must be awful nervous about losing their job with the WSD.

    The new supt. came in and started cleaning house. How many people have been fired for theft, assaults, sex crimes, and "inappropriate relationships" since he came in? Who hired those people? Who's firing them.

    Look up the record.

    South Kingston was a mess when Thornton arrived there, he fired the feeble and cleaned the system up.

    Cumberland was a mess when he got there, he fired just about every administrator in the system and the system is doing well now.

    What do you think he's going to do with Warwick?

    "You are in way over your head, and you know it. Admit it, you don't have the time, the plans, the personnel, or the know-how to pull this whole revamp everything in the school district thing." Really? He's done it twice before.

    As a parent with kids in the Warwick system, I welcome the change. His track record is proven, look it up.

    Thursday, May 19, 2016 Report this

  • TessEckel

    How much do these administrator types getting paid? I tried finding out but seems like all I get is the run around. Maybe if we get rid of more of these stupid idiots we could finally get relief on our taxes. I'm sick of thsee jerks taking advantage. Whoever thought thisguy was a good candidate should be fired,too! Who is in charge here? Seems fishy.

    All I had to do was a Google search his name to see he was making careless choices before he got to Warwick.

    Thursday, May 19, 2016 Report this

  • howdydoody

    Looks like some members of the school committee didn't want to hire this clown. I have copy and pasted the minutes of Mr. Rusitos hiring.

    Discussion: Karen Bachus commented that Steven Ruscito is from Westerly. Bill McCaffrey should have that position – he is from this City – he has given us 20 years as teacher, vice principal and he is now director of the Career & Technical Center. As director he works with three districts, the state and many other folks. He was given one interview with a superintendent who did not care for him and made it well known. When we interviewed for superintendent, we gave inside candidates a second interview out of courtesy. He was not allowed a second interview. Ms. Ahearn called the vote - there is a vote on the table. Call for the Vote on Motion 2015-182:

    Classified Personnel Items

    Vote Called: Aye: Furtado, Medeiros and Ahearn Nay: Bachus and Nadeau

    (MOTION PASSES 3-2)

    That guy in ri sounds like you are Thorntons $ 6,000 a month P.R. guy another waste of money. just like the 3 lawyers who are being paid $15,000 a month each. That guy in ri look at thorn tons record in the other towns. Lawyers and 6 figure settlements and leave after 2 years for the next job. Thornton just a hack he hasn't even improved the out house in the other towns.

    Thursday, May 19, 2016 Report this

  • CHAOS16

    Phil Thornton may be here to clean house, but gutting a system is a different matter. Yes, some corruption and other matters were handled, but we shouldn’t throw out the baby with the bath water (an old expression that is a testament to my age). There seems to be no loyalty in our school system. Mr. Thornton looks to hire administrators from outside instead of supporting some of the good administrators that we have. It is not surprising that some of the candidates he chose to hire have refused the positions. It is not surprising that some of our current administrators have sought and found employment in other systems. Good teachers, who have received a legally questionable lay-off notice, are currently seeking employment elsewhere, leaving the Warwick Public Schools open to litigation while losing good teachers. I would doubt that anyone with an alternative offer or that any stellar recent college graduate would choose to work in the Warwick School System. It is demoralizing to the teachers who remain on the job and try to make the best of it. Superintendent Thornton is shooting Warwick in the foot, leaving our school system with only the least desirable candidates in our hiring pool. The Special Education debacle is a separate and equally disturbing issue. The ultimate responsibility lies with the Warwick School Committee. Step UP!

    Thursday, May 19, 2016 Report this

  • Bluestone

    Exactly- this is a guy who comes into a district, cleans house, causes all kinds of havoc, and then takes off to another district. He has never seen any of his plans through. I don't understand why districts hire people like this that are obviously not going to stick around. It is like getting in a relationship with someone who is cheating on their spouse, and then being shocked when they do it to you.

    Anybody can come in and blow things up- that's the easy part. Putting something better in its place is a lot harder.

    What he is involved in doing in Warwick is much bigger and more complex than anything that he has done elsewhere. I'm sorry, but he doesn't have the experience, and neither does anyone around him.

    Thursday, May 19, 2016 Report this

  • BettyJ

    How anyone can think this Thornton guy is coming here to do good things is totally delusional! This city's schools department is in a total mess. Let's not even get started on the elevator and heating system at Vets. Have not heard about that in awhile huh?? As a parent I am actually scared for next year and seriously considering putting my child in private school. His PR guy is making way too much money for a bunch of "No comments" in the media lately. Who is running this district? I guess it's the elected school committee that needs to wake up and do something. Why hasn't the special education director resigned yet??? Stop wasting money on lawyers and PR and DO YOUR JOB school committee!!!!

    Thursday, May 19, 2016 Report this

  • MGrooter

    Nice job school committee! Hiring the best of the best for Warwick Public Schools administration! How many does that make now? One superintendent, two assistant superintendents and a lawyer in less than 2 years! Please just fire superintendent Thornton now and get it over with. Can we please start from scratch with good administrators so my kid can get a good education. If you ever had the pleasure to attend a school committee meeting you'll see how idiotic they are. The school committee can't even get along with each other on stage. FIRE THEM TOO! Mayor Avedisian needs to start investing in his schools or his city will become Stinksville, RI. Home of out dated, asbestos ridden schools. One thing I do agree with the teachers is that their schools are falling apart and mismanaged to hell!

    Thursday, May 19, 2016 Report this

  • SusanBlack

    Really?!?! Another scandal?!? This school committee better get it's act together and start hiring the right people. Why are we not hiring people here in this city? A really great administrator was laid off and that isn't right. Bring back Mr. Bleszinski to fill one of these positions. As a taxpayer and parent I am disgusted at what is going on. My child is at Vets and Mr. Bleszinski is wonderful. He should have one of those jobs that the outsiders have turned down. And I agree that someone from Warwick should be running our school system. Then we know they care about our kids.

    Thursday, May 19, 2016 Report this

  • TessEckel

    Here ya go folks

    http://m.golocalprov.com/news/the-highest-paid-superintendents-in-ri1

    Thursday, May 19, 2016 Report this

  • SuePerry

    This man was the Principal at the Middletown High School...I was not impressed at all with his authority in the school. I was very happy to hear that he was finally gone. His position went right to his head...he thought he had more power than most. My daughter did graduate once I finished the fight and won to have her needs addressed. But I would NOT ALLOW HIM TO GIVE HER THE DIPLOMA. I did not want his presence anywhere near my daughter. I'm glad that karma is biting him hard. He deserves everything that he gets. Most have no clue what type of person he really is at his jobs, I know he was not liked by many of the students at the school...in fact the statistical rates for "drop outs" must have been higher than normal during his reign over the school. He ruined many lives but I was fortunate to be able to fight for my child's education. After she attended a different school she earned 4 awards and a grant to attend a trade school , which she did that too. And now I'm reading that he is fraternizing with a staff member...and the picture shows him wearing a wedding band. He obviously hasn't changed since he left Middletown. This man should not be anywhere near a school and never near kids!! When my daughter graduated I sent a 2 page letter to a few officials in the Rhode Island area and also to Steven too....I wanted him to read all that I wrote, the facts of everything and the impact he had on my daughter and my family. The town of Warwick has no clue how lucky they are to have him out of there!! Remember, everyone is replaceable!!! Steven is more replaceable than anyone I have ever met! Steven, I hope you read this comment...I was so happy when you were gone from Middletown High, at least now the students stand a better chance. I would be happy to let the Beacon know more information about our horrible experience with you as a principal at the school.

    Thursday, May 19, 2016 Report this

  • MGrooter

    REALLY! This guy was in charge of school consolidation! Can someone please recheck to make sure that this consolidation was done right. I just heard that most of the members of the consolidation team are either fired, let go, or quit for next school year. No wonder why the teachers are frustrated. Please give a round of applause to the horrible Warwick School committee for the crappy job so far. If I could afford it my kids would go to private schools, but I'm held hostage to send them to a broken school system led by the worst of the worst. I would also like to pay a special thanks to Mayor Avedisian for the lack of support to our schools and our children. Schools are the backbone to any great community and Warwick is on the fast track to becoming Stinksville, RI.

    Thursday, May 19, 2016 Report this

  • Unbelievable

    To thatgiyinri. Get your facts straight. Look it up. Thornton never worked in South Kingstown. Yes....it's called South Kingstown not South Kingston. Maybe before you want to bash others comments you should check your own facts.

    Thursday, May 19, 2016 Report this

  • ThatGuyInRI

    Ah hahahahhha

    Bluestone, Chaos16, and howdydoody must be the administrators fired since October.

    I do wish I were the $6,000/mo PR guy for Thornton, it's so easy to expose you frauds!

    You do have one thing right though, Thornton will be gone in 3-5 years. Check the average time of service for a Supt. in RI, it's a shite job that nobody stays in too long. Maybe in 3-5 years the good ol' boy network will get you your job back when Thornton's gone but until then, people will actually have to do their jobs.

    Friday, May 20, 2016 Report this

  • ThatGuyInRI

    NK, SK, what's the difference?

    Friday, May 20, 2016 Report this

  • Unbelievable

    Warwick, West Warwick. What's the difference? You are an idiot

    Friday, May 20, 2016 Report this

  • ThatGuyInRI

    Ah hahahahaha

    Thanks for letting me know I got under your skin Unbelievable.

    And good luck finding a new job.

    Saturday, May 21, 2016 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    Amazing, the majority of the above posts are all from teachers. You never see them at a council meeting about what is taking place with the rest of their community. Silent on everything but schools and contracts. Maybe that's why I had to pay $120K to send my kids to private school. Buildings falling apart, substandard education, high paid teachers for low performance. Just Warwick as it has always been and will always be.

    Sunday, May 22, 2016 Report this

  • LinSeirt

    I read your comment, Mr. "The Captain." I looked back through, and I have no idea who is a teacher, parent, student, senior citizen, council member, or space alien, for that matter. For all I know, you are Phil Thornton.

    I guess to me it doesn't matter. What matters is the truth of what is going on in our community, and I think it is pretty clear that there is a lot more to the claims about the conduct of the school administration here than just smoke.

    The stuff being said about Ruscito is verifiable.

    The special ed department stuff is also verifiable too.

    Thornton being a district hopper- public record.

    Parents being angry and concerned about what is happening in the school district- also verifiable.

    Not much time for the schools to be gotten ready for the fall- that's obvious.

    No one seems to be able to answer questions-not a good sign.

    I'm sure I'm missing quite a few things here, but the point is truth is truth. Things are a mess, and the school administration is being paid to be in charge. An organized administration would have no problem putting this to bed. They could provide the detailed plans that are in place, and show all that people's fears are unfounded, or motivated by self-interest.

    In other words, they would fight back with "truth on their side." They have all the power to spread the "real" story- they have their automated phone messaging system, they can call public meetings, they can use the public relations company they are paying to spread the "real" information.

    They have the authority and power to set everyone straight. The fact that they aren't and haven't done this tells me all I need to know.

    Sunday, May 22, 2016 Report this

  • Jojones

    Man, you nailed that on the head!

    You want to see the kind of truth-telling and transparency that we special ed parents have been dealing with?

    Tuesday, May 24th special school committee meeting. Meeting is set for !!!!!!! 7AM!!!!!!!!

    Transparency at its best.

    They are going to be voting on all the construction contracts for the school consolidation.

    They really want us to know what is going on, don't they?

    A school committee/administration with nothing to hide would not be sneaking school committee meetings at 7 in the morning.

    I hope the 7am is a typo, but I am not hopeful.

    Hey "The Captain," you want to defend that?

    Sunday, May 22, 2016 Report this

  • LibbySmith

    Who cares if people posting on here are teachers? Don't the teachers know what is really going on in this district? I've read through all the posts and "captain" seems to be an outlier. My only title that matters in this discussion is taxpayer. I don't feel the need to list all my other titles here for "captain" to critique or badmouth.

    This situation is so horrendous. This city is falling part. Something needs to be done and I agree with the post that someone that is invested in WARWICK needs to solve this problem. The poor children will be in a total mess in September. Shouldn't we be worrying about them? They deserve a top notch education and this city has the financial means to do it. This school committee better step to the plate and start doing their job. Maybe we all should be listening to what the teachers are saying. Maybe the head of the school committee needs to sit down with the head of the teachers for a real conversation. We have elected this school committee to run this school system and all they seem capable of is hiring people that can't be hired anywhere else. Since when does everything float downstream to Warwick? Let's bring this district back to greatness! Maybe we should start with a new school committee and superintendent!

    Sunday, May 22, 2016 Report this

  • FedUp

    ThatguyinRI- do you really believe that Thornton is cleaning house? Which firings exactly are directly linked to Thornton? Mullen left prior to the Ragosta report coming out, LaPlante was before Thornton came on board, Healey was a result of the Ragosta report but I will give you that one, she was likely a result of Thornton...and Ruscito, do you really think that Thornton is responsible for this one? If Ruscito was caught in the act, what other recourse would there be but to let him go? And Ruscito was a new hire this year...

    But hey, you clearly did your research and know Thornton's record and understand what is going on in Admin.

    And for the record, I am not a teacher or administrator...

    Monday, May 23, 2016 Report this

  • ThatGuyInRI

    Hey 3boys,

    You obviously have more info than me. I don't know the fired people by name, just that a lot of people have been canned in this dysfunctional system and 1, that's a good thing and 2, from the outside they seem to have mostly happened since October. Not sure exactly when Thornton arrived but it was sometime around then so without every internal detail that someone outside the system could never know, he gets the credit. From the outside, it sure looks like cleaning house. I'm not an employee of the system and don't know who is doing the tube steak boogie in their office so whom to get credit for catching them "in the act" us unknown to the general public. Did someone really walk in on them??

    The fact that nobody seems to want to talk about is that the student population of the city has gone way down in recent decades while the number of schools/teachers has not. We're paying to have half full and sometimes empty classrooms. Empty classrooms still run the heat, get cleaned, etc. They cost money. Something has to be done to close the schools we don't need and fortunately that is happening, slowly, very slowly ,it's public outcry that delayed the closing of Vets at least if not more of the schools.

    Hey Bluenose: You want to "negotiate like a man." Sounds like a plan. As a Warwick resident - and yes taxpayer - I'd like to start with your 90 (or is it 99?) sick days a YEAR. Who gets 90 sick days a year when they work 180? And don't give me the "we don't get TDI" b.s. as WISE (I'll avoid the obvious jokes here) was offered TDI and turned it down!

    I'll agree with you on one thing, it is time to sit down and "negotiate like a man" on all parts. The first thing you should do is look around the world outside of education and see that for most people in the workforce a 1% annual raise is the norm these days. A 5% raise is unheard of the last decade. Some have not seen raises in years and some have had to endure pay cuts. Time for WISE to get their heads out of their collective backsides and get in tune with the reality of the economy in RI. That would be negotiating "like a man." Bet you won't.

    Monday, May 23, 2016 Report this

  • patrick1975

    ThatGuyInRI, would you mind citing your source/sources that "most people in the workforce receive a 1% annual raise"? I was curious about your assertion and haven't been able to find ANY source that gives that figure or substantiates your claim. Were you referring to collge-educated employees or seasonal teenage lifeguards? Every source I researched estimated an approximate 3% raise for the past four fiscal years. Computer technology, accounting and finance jobs were even greater. Upwards of 5.5% or more. Here are some of the sources and a direct link:

    U.S.A Today

    CNN.com

    Towers Watson (an employee-benefits consulting firm)

    http://www.mercer.com/newsroom/pay-raises-for-us-employees-continue-to-grow-steadily-new-mercer-survey-finds.html

    That being said, I agree consolidation is necessary. However, the thoughtful execution of the consolidation is critical. From most perspectives, in my opinion, it doesn't seem to be on track for success. I hope I'm wrong.

    Tuesday, May 24, 2016 Report this

  • ThatGuyInRI

    Hey Patrick1975,

    I didn't realize the comment section of the Warwick Beacon was a peer reviewed, professional publication, my apologies as I shot from the hip. Please specifically cite the sources you mention, CNN and USA Today are not sources, they are news agencies. Articles are sources. This is sarcasm for the record, I don't actually care to know the sources you mention, but I did read the one you actually cited.

    The in question is quite interesting. It is clear that the article is about national averages, not what is happening in RI which was among the worst hit states in the economic downturn of 2008. The pay raises actually vary from a high of 4.8% for certain workers to a low of .1%. that's point one percent for others. This is according to your source. It is encouraging on the whole, but not indicative of the situation here in RI.

    My sources are purely anecdotal, let me clarify. Several friends in professional careers have told me of their 1-2% raises over the last few years. Some received pay cuts of as much as 10% back in 08' or 09' and have received the previously mentioned 1-2% pay raises since, sometimes 0%. This is of course coupled with rising healthcare costs meaning some people's net pay has actually decreased over the last few years despite receiving meager raises. I have received pay raises averaging roughly 1.5% the last three years in my white collar job. A friend who owns a business employing mostly seasonal, high school aged employees has not raised wages in several years. So there you have it. From my perspective, if I were offered pay raises of 5% annually for three years- as WISE reportedly has - I would gladly take it and run.

    And yes, we're in agreement. School consolidation is a reality no matter who likes or dislikes it and we as a municipality need to get it done right. Instead of being obdurate in the face of these necessary changes, let's take the issues head on and try to improve the school system for everybody. The kids benefit from improved schools, taxpayers benefit from consolidation, and homeowners benefit with increased property values with an improved school systems. It's a win, win, win, scenario for the 82,000+ citizens of Warwick (2010 census) unless you're one of the unfortunate 65 who will lose their jobs.

    Wednesday, May 25, 2016 Report this

  • patrick1975

    ThatGuyRI, my comment wasn't intended to be a peer review. Just clarifying that you were in fact "shooing from the hip" or providing anecdotal and frankly inaccurate information. I, too, have several friends in "white collar" jobs. Their raises in the past 5 years dwarf the ones you cited. And yes, their jobs are based in RI. But I won't use that small sample size as a means to support my position.

    That being said, I appreciate your interest and passion towards improving this city, honestly. I am a product of this school system and this community. I loved growing up and am proud to have been raised in Warwick. I am not one of the 65 teachers slated to lose their jobs, thankfully. But I am someone who believes in a contract and rules of law. I don't think I need provide reasons why I believe society depends on them. The school department and school committee have been aware of declining enrollment for a LONG time. Airport expansion isn't exactly new news. Charter schools aren't new news. Private schools attracting students increasingly more and more, isn't new news. They should have had the forethought to gradually implement this plan within the confines of the contract negotiated. If your cable provider all of sudden sent you a bill that was 3 X higher but said it was necessary because of unforeseen HDTV advancements, I'd be interested to listen to your phone call to customer service.

    Wednesday, May 25, 2016 Report this

  • Rockpt

    If this dingaling was busy with "Fraternizing and inappropriate behavior" he wasn't working hard to figure out where the little junior high and high school kids are gonna be squished together next year. Doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure that out.

    Wednesday, May 25, 2016 Report this

  • FedUp

    That Guy In RI- have you spoken with a teacher to see why they are fighting? It is not for more money, it is for a quality education for the students. Consolidation may be our reality but let's consider a few things, why all the curriculum changes? Why all the layoffs this year? Contractually if admin had laid off 20 teachers last year, 20 the year before, 20 this year, they would be almost where they need to be for layoffs. The reduction in students is not from last year. From other articles, they are comparing numbers to WPS in the 1990s. The labor board voted that the existing contract is binding. It was a unanimous decision and yet our SC and admin believe they are above that decision and continue to move forward in spite of the ruling. We have a budget surplus in the city and school department, it is highly unlikely that these layoffs will be upheld. The taxpayers of Warwick will pay the legal fees for this challenge put forth by admin and then the backpay of all those teachers wrongly laid off this year, as well as offering them their job back. A contract cannot be disregarded when it is convenient and enforced where you want it. That is not how contract law works! If it were, no one would sign a contract!

    As for pay- I work in the private sector and have had a 2-4% raise the each of the past 5 years. Even COLA has not been 0% each year during that time.

    However, the fight from teachers is not about salary. Talk to a teacher, ask them why they are disrespected by the current contract offers and the refusal to negotiate in good faith. Ask them about consolidation. Ask them about curriculum! Ask them about schedules. Ask the students about their schedules. Ask parents? Ask Admin about their plans- take all of that and determine what is best for our school system.

    Thursday, May 26, 2016 Report this

  • ThatGuyInRI

    Patrick1975 seems like we're in agreement. I'm not a product of the WSD but my children will graduate from the WSD, I want the best for them, your kids, the taxpayers, even the teachers. It's not the fault of whomever is running WSD that nobody did what they should have for the last couple of decades but someone has to now. It is very unfortunate that 65 teachers are losing their jobs but it it makes things better for the 82,000+ citizens of Warwick, I'm all for it.

    3boys, no I have not spoken with "A" teacher in Warwick, I've spoken with several, though not you obviously. There are varying concerns, some very legit, other more about protecting jobs and 90 (or 99 I can't recall) sick days a year. I'd want to protect that as well in their position but I'm not them.

    The "contract" you and WISE keep spouting is expired. Cling onto the sunset clause all you want and ask the teachers of EP how well that worked for them a few years ago. The courts ruled that an expired contract does not exist and the EP school department was free to do what they pleased, I believe it was a 10% across the board pay cut the EP teachers got for clinging to their sunset clause. And the state labor relations board has no authority over contractual issues. They can make all the rulings they want but they're not legally binding. The unfortunate fact for WISE is that they stand on incredibly shaky legal ground. The really sad thing is that this whole situation is likely to get worse before it gets better, it's the nature of things. Let's just hope that when the storm passes, things are better.

    Friday, May 27, 2016 Report this

  • FedUp

    ThatGuyinRI

    Again, I am not a teacher…

    In the 1990s when the Warwick teachers went on strike, the teachers were forced to return to work under the expired contract as the terms and conditions of that contract are valid until a new contract is reached. See below* I am also not an attorney but I am not aware that there is a subsequent case that supersedes this ruling and in speaking with a labor law attorney, it is highly unlikely that the superior court will rule against the unanimous labor board ruling this year that states that the expired contract is still valid.

    EP is not comparable to Warwick. In EP there was as significant budget shortfall and state law indicates that school departments cannot run in a deficit. That is not our problem in RI…we do not have a budget shortfall therefore the original labor board ruling would apply. I do not have time to find the sources for you on this one, since you reference this situation, perhaps you can pull up the ruling. If it were true that the labor board had no bearing on the current contract negotiation then I find it hard to believe that they would have even heard the case that the school committee is currently appealing, but then again, I am not an attorney so I am not 100%

    * From the original case in 1992: “Thereafter, the committee filed a motion for rehearing that was denied by the Superior Court justice on September 16, 1992. Following this denial, the committee appealed to this court and sought relief from the order of the Superior Court entered September 15, 1992, which required the members of the union to return to work pursuant to the terms and conditions of the expired contract. This order required the committee to abide by the terms and conditions of the expired contract until a subsequent collective bargaining agreement should be reached between the parties." (http://law.justia.com/cases/rhode-island/supreme-court/1992/613-a-2d-1273.html).

    Friday, May 27, 2016 Report this

  • Wiseguy

    WOW I CAN’T BELIEVE THE WARWICK BEACON TOOK DOWN MY POST ON THE SEX SCANDALE. PHIL THORTON MUST HAVE JONH HOWELL ON SPEED DIAL!!!!

    I only stated the facts Sometimes the truth hurts Mr. Thornton. Just like any DICK-TATOR you censor the press. This lets the DICK-TATOR control public opinion of the event. The next thing the DICK-TATOR does he kills anyone who does not agree with his ideas or falls out of line.

    Mr. Howell This is America with freedom of the press freedom of speech.

    Please don’t let DICK-TATOR Thornton hide what he’s doing. The public needs to know.

    Saturday, May 28, 2016 Report this

  • Wiseguy

    Just 1 more little bit about Phil Thornton and how he works. Mr. Thornton has put a gag order on all employees about Mr.Ruscito sexcapades in the ad building. Mr. Thornton also told all the Principals and Administrators that they were not aloud to speak to elected officials about any thing with out speaking to him or his highly paid P.R. fi

    rm. I hope this fact won’t be taken down. The City council I hope you read this and ask some of the Principals about this.

    Saturday, May 28, 2016 Report this

  • Wiseguy

    I guess my past post did some good for the Tax Payers of Warwick. I helped motivate Mr. Thornton to do his job at work instead of at home.

    Mr. Thornton was seen at Warwick Avenue quite a lot this week.

    I guess he was making sure no more sex scandals happen under his watch.

    Mr. Thornton must have pushed back his daily run from midday to night.

    I think it was water for lunch too.

    Saturday, May 28, 2016 Report this

  • danfire

    This headline is all wrong.

    Should say

    WHILE TEACHERS GET LAID OFF ADMINISTRATORS GET LAID

    Warwick's new logo under Phil Thornton leadership.

    Saturday, May 28, 2016 Report this