Avedisian calls for "cooler heads" as sides head back to mediation

In wake of sick out, venemous rhetoric Avedisian calls for reason at upcoming teacher contract mediation

By Ethan Hartley
Posted 10/12/17

By ETHAN HARTLEY -- They're going to try again. The Warwick Teachers Union and School Committee have agreed to meet for mediation on Wednesday, Oct. 18.

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Avedisian calls for "cooler heads" as sides head back to mediation

In wake of sick out, venemous rhetoric Avedisian calls for reason at upcoming teacher contract mediation

Posted

They’re going to try again.

Attorney Vincent Ragosta, state-appointed mediator for the ongoing teacher contract talks, said Tuesday the Warwick Teachers Union and School Committee have agreed to meet for mediation on Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. at Warwick City Hall. Ragosta said he was prepared to meet this Tuesday, and had offered to do that, but because of a conflicting School Committee meeting the decision was to put it off until the 18th.

Mayor Scott Avedisian confirmed that, after a hiatus of increasing tensions, the two sides would finally be back at mediation. He said in a press conference Wednesday that he was hopeful a new contract could be hammered out before findings were handed down by independent arbitrator Michael Ryan.

"Any homegrown, organic decision that we make here in this office is going to be better than someone from the outside telling us how to govern ourselves," Avedisian said. "My hope is there is no arbitration ruling before Wednesday so that we have an opportunity to try and resolve it ourselves."

Avedisian made it clear during the press conference that he is concerned about a changing "tone" that has emerged in the past week, a week in which school was closed both at Pilgrim High School last Friday and Veterans Junior High School on Wednesday due to a high number of teachers calling out sick in what is a clear message of unhappiness and frustration being sent by some teachers.

"My overall concern is a resolution of this over two-year long protracted labor issue," he said. "I’m concerned with the tone that it has taken in the last week and I’m asking for cooler heads to prevail."

Warwick Teachers' Union president Darlene Netcoh has repeatedly denied that these "sick outs" were in any way sanctioned by the union, and that the union has not once taken a motion to organize a sick out or orchestrate a strike to a vote in any of their recent meetings. 

The tone that Avedisian was referring to almost certainly includes a press release sent out by Netcoh on Tuesday, which announced that the Warwick Teachers’ Union had unanimously voted for what she deemed a "rare measure" to vote "no confidence" in School Committee Chairwoman Bethany Furtado and Superintendent Philip Thornton. 

Netcoh said through the release, “the unanimous vote signifies that the Warwick teachers, the professionals who are in the classrooms and are witnessing the negative educational effects of the negligence of these two individuals, have waited long enough for Furtado and Thornton to do their jobs...Because Furtado has allowed Thornton to do whatever he wants, he has, among other actions, caused a disastrous secondary school consolidation; eliminated programs, such as Reading Recovery and elementary guidance; and violated contract language that would have ensured the appropriate placement of special education students and special education teachers in classes."

The release goes on to criticize Thornton for eliminating classroom space for teachers while securing "luxurious accommodations for his administrators" in the renovated Gorton Administration Building and for spending excessive funds on legal fees and a public relations firm to "promote their agenda."

"Warwick teachers hope that their vote of ‘no confidence’ will encourage Furtado and Thornton to reverse course and act in the best interest of the students in Warwick and restore education in Warwick to the level of excellence it enjoyed before Thornton’s arrival,” the release concludes.

The release prompted a response from Furtado at the beginning of the public portion of the Oct. 10 meeting of the Warwick School Committee, a meeting that was watched over by multiple officers of the Warwick Police Department and which provided several moments that summed up the tone that Avedisian was referring to, including teachers lining the hallway to shower administrators and committee members with chants prior to the beginning of the meeting.

"I would just like to say that on behalf of myself and not on behalf of anyone else on this committee, I have attended almost all of the negotiations and/or mediation sessions over the course of the last several years, and I have always negotiated in good faith and in the best interest of this district," Furtado said.

When the audience began to boo her and yell, as happened frequently throughout last month's meeting as well, Furtado banged the gavel on the table to restore order, something she had not done last meeting.

"You will be removed," she said. "We are conducting a business meeting in public. The expectation is that you will be respectful. There will be a time for you to speak at the end of the meeting."

Although nobody was ultimately escorted out by police, the intermittent bouts of jeering and cheering continued throughout the evening, especially when Director of Secondary Education Robert Littlefield gave his report on class sizes at the secondary level. He was cut off multiple times during his report as people shouted "lies," and there own versions of his statistics, which prompted a response from Clerk Terri Medeiros.

"As an educator myself, it saddens me the arrogance that some of you portray," Medeiros said, getting promptly heckled and sarcastically laughed at by audience members. "This is a regular business meeting, we need to get things done, and I am not insulted by you, I am saddened."

At one point, Bachus accused fellow committee member Eugene Nadeau of "grandstanding" when he made a remark that, "We’re just fortunate that every teacher in the city of Warwick doesn’t call in sick all the time." Replying to the assertion, Nadeau said to Bachus, "I don't seek applause Karen."

Following all of this tumultuous activity, Avedisian was hopeful that the meeting at his office on Wednesday could provide a pacified playing field upon which meaningful negotiations can take place, especially if the negotiations are ultimately forced to come down to arbitration.

"I just want to remind people that we’re going to need to return to the table, and so if we can not have an escalation of the war of words and have cooler heads prevail, I need everyone to be willing to still come back to the table for any of those issues that are not binding," he said. "I think we need to look at bigger picture on the future of the educational system in the city and everyone being a part of whatever decision is rendered so that we can move forward."

Netcoh, too, said on Wednesday that she was happy to participate next week.

"I am looking forward to mediation resuming, which is all we’ve ever wanted," she said.

Warwick Teachers’ Union members crowded the hall at Toll Gate High School on Tuesday night, shouting chants of, “What do we want? Contract. When do we want it? Now!” at administrators and committee members as they headed into the auditorium.

Comments

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  • CrickeeRaven

    "Warwick Teachers' Union president Darlene Netcoh has repeatedly denied that these 'sick outs' were in any way sanctioned by the union, and that the union has not once taken a motion to organize a sick out or orchestrate a strike to a vote in any of their recent meetings."

    What wonderful news! The union didn't take the absolute worst and illegal steps that it could have!

    The 400 to 500 teachers who are not in the union or did not participate in the PR stunt of the no-confidence vote should feel so reassured that, amidst the worst labor conflict the city has seen in years, their union's president is taking time to ensure that everyone knows how bad it could have been.

    Thursday, October 12, 2017 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    I was at the School Committee meeting Tuesday night. The heated anger from the audience was very apparent.

    Bethany Furtado defended herself saying "I have always negotiated in good faith and in the best interest of this district." When she said that the audience was noticeably offended.

    I was too.

    In my opinion, the way to "negotiate in good faith" "in the best interest of this district" is to make yourself available ANY day, ANY time, ANY where, to discuss ANY topic relevant to the teachers contract. You know, like the teachers union president Darlene Netcoh has always done. The School Committee has a list of topics that they REFUSE to talk about that is almost as long as the list of topics that they ARE willing to talk about. Folks; that's not "negotiating in good faith" "in the best interest of this district"! Is it?

    That's why 80,000 Warwick Taxpayers, that are paying the tab, are overwhelmingly supporting the WARWICK TEACHERS!

    Happy Autumn Warwick teachers.

    Happy Autumn everyone.

    Rick Corrente

    The Taxpayers Mayor

    Thursday, October 12, 2017 Report this

  • CrickeeRaven

    Hey, everyone, look! The fake "mayor" attended a meeting! And he's repeating what he must think is incredible insight on how this contract dispute could be solved! Look how often he says "I," it's really impressive.

    If only the elected school committee and paid union leadership had listened to him two years ago, we'd have... absolutely nothing different.

    So, everybody make sure you remember that he attended a meeting, ignored half of what happened, and learned nothing about the actual situation.

    Thursday, October 12, 2017 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    Crick,

    Have you heard of anyone suffering from hallucinations due to LSD being induced into the Warwick water system? I think I will have to have my water checked because either I am hallucinating after reading the fake mayors last post, or he is completely incoherent to the actual events and to the atmosphere in the community. All week, WPRO talked about this issue on all of the shows. Not one person called in in favor of the teachers. All of the hosts have been poisoned against the teachers and the actions of "sick outs". Clearly by the number of children being pulled out of the decrepit Warwick schools and making the switch to private school would indicate to anyone with electrical activity above the neck, that ALL 80,000 Taxpayers, that are paying the tab, DO NOT overwhelmingly support the teachers.

    I really cant understand how a functioning human can post such crap that can be refuted in a matter of seconds. I mean, when you speak generally about a charlatan, you really don't think that someone could be so far off base, so out of touch with reality, and so desperate for attention. I truly am amazed by the stupidity. At one point, any relatively intelligent person, after seeing how certain people perform research, seek out fact and documentation, that you would hold your thoughts unless you had concrete substantiation before you made such a fool of yourself. I am thinking that the name "FAKE MAYOR" and "MAYOR DUMBNESS" may no longer be appropriate. I'm thinking maybe something like MAYOR CEMENT HEAD"?

    Thursday, October 12, 2017 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    Oh yeah, I'll make one more prediction. Tollgate teachers call out sick either tomorrow (Oct.13) or Monday (Oct.16). I wonder if MAYOR CEMENT HEAD would wager $1000 on that prediction?

    Thursday, October 12, 2017 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    Also,

    Still waiting for the fake mayor to answer where his car was between 2013 and 2016.

    Owner Vehicle Year Make Model Plate Bill Bill Year

    CORRENTE, RICHARD C 0 BANKRS 2918655 2009 View Bill

    CORRENTE, RICHARD C 0 BANKRS 2018248 2010 View Bill

    CORRENTE, RICHARD C 0 BANKRS 2118114 2011 View Bill

    CORRENTE, RICHARD C 0 BANKRS 22029726 2012 View Bill

    CORRENTE, RICHARD C 0 BANKRS 26035873 2016 View Bill

    CORRENTE, RICHARD C 0 BANKRS 27036787 2017 View Bill

    Thursday, October 12, 2017 Report this

  • CrickeeRaven

    Hello again Thecaptain:

    I have seen a few things in my day, including many failed candidates in many communities, and I can tell you that he fake "mayor" is not unique, except, as you suggest, for his complete refusal to do anything but repeat objectively false, self-serving, and misleading information. In nearly all cases, losing candidates learn to refine their messages if they plan to run again, because they understand that a lost election means the voters did not accept their original message.

    Not the fake "mayor," though. It's almost as if he thinks mindlessly repeating things will make people somehow accept them eventually. You and I and other commenters have proved, though, that he won't get away with it, no matter how often he tries.

    Your new moniker for the fake "mayor" is hilarious. Reminds me of something a wise man once said about a particularly stubborn person: He's got a head like a curbstone. That's the fake "mayor" in a nutshell, don't you think?

    Thursday, October 12, 2017 Report this

  • perky4175

    these teachers should be fired and the parents should not make there kids make up the days lost

    if u do not want to fire them then they should have random drug testing and yearly back ground checks

    Thursday, October 12, 2017 Report this

  • Justanidiot

    eye four ones am tired of seeing the fake mayer get his pictures all over the papers. when are wes goin see the real taskspayers mayer featured?

    Friday, October 13, 2017 Report this

  • Kammy

    I was in attendance for this meeting. I was absolutely appalled by the behavior of the teachers and their supporters. It was extremely unprofessional and counterproductive. I completely understand the position of the WTU and Netcoh's statement regarding the legitimacy of the teachers being sick, however, it is clearly a side step to stay on the right side of the law. It was a deliberate sickout to force the hand of the Mayor and the WSC. It was manipulative and directly out of the union's play book. We understand that you need to have a contract. We also understand that you have clearly given up trying to be adults and professional to have stooped to this level of petulance.

    How would you - teachers and school administration - respond if students acted towards you the way you acted at that meeting? The example was set and it was completely out of bounds.

    Friday, October 13, 2017 Report this

  • warwick10

    Teachers picketing, sickouts, interrupting schedules.. now? If they truly "cared about the students" this situation would've been worked on/ resolved over the summer.

    Friday, October 13, 2017 Report this

  • Kammy

    "That's why 80,000 Warwick Taxpayers, that are paying the tab, are overwhelmingly supporting the WARWICK TEACHERS!"

    Oh look, the 2016 failed candidate is stating unsubstantiated and completely improbably (and impossible!) facts again.

    "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result."

    Friday, October 13, 2017 Report this

  • CrickeeRaven

    Hello again Kammy:

    Thank you, first, for your accurate recollection of the recent school committee meeting. Media reports on this website and other media outlets prove that your descriptions are correct, not those of the fake "mayor" who completely disregards the disgraceful behavior of union members.

    Likewise, thanks for the reminder of that famous saying. There are few other ways to explain the fake "mayor's" behavior except for some kind of mental incapacity. Just in the last few days, we've witnessed his posting of the same comment on separate pages, despite other commenters to completely dismantling his statements.

    Your citation is also appropriate, since it seems that the fake "mayor" persists in his futile behavior because he expects to actually win the election next November. Even worse, he seems to be indicating that if he were elected, he would aim to undermine the authority of the elected school committee by unfairly accusing them of holding up the contract process.

    Friday, October 13, 2017 Report this

  • Bg9385

    Would the author and/or editor of these articles care to comment on the source of their quotes and facts? Are these public records, or the school committee's PR firm, as is being reported?

    Saturday, October 14, 2017 Report this

  • CrickeeRaven

    I have to hand it to you, Bg9385: You're as persistent as the fake "mayor" with just as much credibility.

    Questioning the source of quotes in an article where every single one is attributed is an impressive display of willful ignorance. Not unique for you, but impressive nonetheless.

    Stop with the WTU talking points. Go start a Facebook page where you can have your own little fact-free bubble.

    Saturday, October 14, 2017 Report this

  • Bg9385

    Raven: The fact of the matter is you can't disprove the subjectivity of the Beacon's reporting. Attributing quotes is easy in a townie paper run by 5 people, when sources can - and are - recklessly misquoted. Prove otherwise instead of heckling those who raise legitimate questions.

    Saturday, October 14, 2017 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    Bg9385,

    You keep referring to the School Committee's PR firm. Would you mind telling us who the PR firm is ?

    Regards,

    The Captain

    Saturday, October 14, 2017 Report this

  • CrickeeRaven

    Bg9385:

    Wow, you really suck at this. See, it's not my job to prove your claims [or disprove your negative claims].

    You made the accusations, now back them up.

    Who did they "recklessly" misquote? What was the actual comment? How do you know?

    I'm sure you won't answer these questions with anything approaching proof, though, because you're a WTU shill trying something -- anything -- to show that the reality everyone else sees isn't true.

    And as little as you want to admit it, you're failing. People are seeing through the thuggish tactics, they're rejecting the cynical spin that your union boss Darlene is putting on this whole sorry episode, and they're going to reelect all of the school committee members who are standing up to the WTU.

    So, give up now before you humiliate yourself any further. I don't expect you will, though, based on your proven intent to embarrass yourself so far.

    Saturday, October 14, 2017 Report this

  • CrickeeRaven

    Hello again Thecaptain:

    Our newest WTU shill is apparent referring to Martin & Associates, hired by the school department for PR work: https://warwickpost.com/warwick-schools-pr-firm-redesigning-websites-handling-releases-social-media/

    The WTU may have a legitimate reason to criticize the administration for using a PR firm; unfortunately, given the union's other behavior, like spending taxpayer funded union dues on legal fights before the NLRB and lobbying the General Assembly for the "evergreen contract" bill, its criticism comes across as nothing more than another cynical attempt to distract Warwick residents from their absolute opposition to a fair contract.

    Saturday, October 14, 2017 Report this

  • Bg9385

    Captain:

    Martin & Associates out of Upton, MA. Or as Raven would say "do you research". Educate yourself - https://warwickpost.com/school-committee-cant-spin-bad-optics-of-hiring-pr-firm/, $125k paid towards a PR firm. Of that, $50k was toward a new website for what? Nobody can answer that. The rest can't be accounted for, can it? I'

    Saturday, October 14, 2017 Report this

  • CrickeeRaven

    Bg9385:

    Congratulations! You actually put information out there to back up one of your statements!

    Unfortunately, you fell right back into your "sowing doubt because I didn't read more than 50 words" habit:

    "Of that, $50k was toward a new website for what? Nobody can answer that."

    It's in the 7th paragraph of the article you cited. Too bad you couldn't be bothered to read that far:

    "According to records obtained by WarwickPost.com, the website contract includes the completion of 21 sites: two each for the high schools and junior high schools, 16 for the elementary schools and one for the district."

    Seriously, you have to work on your game, Bg9385. It's really pathetic how easy it is to expose you for a fraud.

    Saturday, October 14, 2017 Report this

  • Bg9385

    Raven, I have one thing to say to you: You're an uneducated @&*%&#. You have zero idea of anything that goes on between the union and the school committee. You want to spout off on what the WTU is demanding, but you don't understand the repercussions the WTU has to deal with based on what the committee will and will not agree to. Both sides need to acquiesce to the other side's demands - that's the gist of negotiations. You want to focus on standardized testing - a system that has had a dozen different tests within the last 30 years. A test that the district is withdrawing from. A system that CANNOT Ave part of the curriculum bc the results are part of the precious years students, so you can't teach to them the next year. You want to bitch about the sick days. Except you won't acknowledge the district won't ALLOW for TDI, bc the committee won't pay for It. You aren't educated on how the sick days work in the school system. Bottom line is you're being a @&*%&#ing uneducated *!&^#% on things you have no @&*%&#ing idea about.

    Saturday, October 14, 2017 Report this

  • CrickeeRaven

    Also, all of the invoices from Martin & Associates are embedded right in that article, Bg9385, so there's literally no reason to say things like "The rest can't be accounted for, can it?"

    ... that is, unless you're a shameless WTU shill who is still trying to get mileage out of your union boss Darlene's talking point about the school administration wasting money. Defending against NLRB complaints and winning is not a waste of money.

    But by all means, keep exposing yourself on this site and getting humiliated. You make for good sport.

    Saturday, October 14, 2017 Report this

  • Bg9385

    Raven, again you uneducated @*&#^!, there is ZERO information on what you're posting in the article I posted. Stop making shit up you dumb mother @*&#^!er.

    Saturday, October 14, 2017 Report this

  • CrickeeRaven

    Aw, you poor baby, Bg9385.

    I seem to recall you accusing me of "getting worked up" at your past comments, and here you are posting things like: "You're an uneducated @&*%&#."

    Now who's getting worked up?

    But let's look at your latest lie, just for fun: "the district won't ALLOW for TDI, bc the committee won't pay for It" [sic]

    TDI comes out of employees' paychecks. The school committee's offer from last October specified that the teachers would contribute to it. I provided a link to that exact information in another thread, but here it is again: https://sites.google.com/a/warwickschools.org/teacherscontractinformation/#TOC-Rhode-Island-State-Labor-Relations-Board-Ruling

    Here's the relevant section:

    "The Warwick Public Schools offered 18 per year. The WTU wants 90 per year.

    We are proposing that teachers receive 18 sick days per year that they can accumulate to ninety (90) days. We are also proposing a teacher sick bank in case of serious illness. Additionally, the School Committee proposed participation in the TDI system (TDI on your paystub).

    The WTU does not want the sick days in the expiring contract to change. In that contract, teachers have 90 sick days each year. To our knowledge, no other school district in Rhode Island has 90 sick days a year."

    So, again, you're objectively wrong. Don't let that stop you, though. It hasn't so far.

    Saturday, October 14, 2017 Report this

  • CrickeeRaven

    Bg9285:

    Did you run into that site's paywall, and that's why you can't see the whole article that includes the information I provided?

    Not only are you a blatant liar and shill for the WTU, but you're a cheapskate, to boot.

    And then you call me names. That kind of language must really endear you to Darlene and the rest of your union bosses. I'm sure they're proud of you.

    Saturday, October 14, 2017 Report this

  • Bg9385

    Raven:

    You're an unsubstantiated @*&#^!. You have no idea what you're talking about. Find a reliable source.

    Saturday, October 14, 2017 Report this

  • CrickeeRaven

    Oh, and just to further prove you a liar:

    "You want to spout off on what the WTU is demanding, but you don't understand the repercussions the WTU has to deal with based on what the committee will and will not agree to."

    Oh, you mean the conditions that the school committee put into its mediated contract that the union rejected out of hand? You mean the repercussions of dropping old grievances that were based on the old contract? You mean the repercussion of not being able to grievance the school department to a standstill?

    No, I think I understand quite clearly.

    "You want to focus on standardized testing - a system that has had a dozen different tests within the last 30 years. "

    I have never mentioned standardized testing.

    "A test that the district is withdrawing from. A system that CANNOT Ave part of the curriculum bc the results are part of the precious years students, so you can't teach to them the next year."

    What does that even mean? Did you even stop to proofread your own statement before furiously hitting "post comment?"

    I guess we can rule out that you're an English teacher.

    What else? Oh, yeah, this gem: "Bottom line is you're being a @&*%&#ing uneducated *!&^#% on things you have no @&*%&#ing idea about."

    Do you feel like a big, tough man after typing that? Maybe you've run out of student teachers to bully [because even college kids know to avoid Warwick schools] and need another target for the pent-up frustration you have.

    It's OK, though, Bg9385. You can just go back to being no one after this little tirade of yours.

    Saturday, October 14, 2017 Report this

  • Bg9385

    Raven:

    You made no point, other than you don't have a point. You can't defend the fact the WSC had a PR firm spouting BS. And you can't provide anything intelligent to defend the WSC's cause. You want to attack my words but have no way of attacking them. So shut the *!&^#% up already, you little bitchy douche.

    Saturday, October 14, 2017 Report this

  • Bg9385

    Oh Raven, so do you have a point? I'm waiiiting. You want to attack my words but you have Irving to attttack. I provided some pretty substantiated information. Your rebuttal douchebag?

    Saturday, October 14, 2017 Report this

  • CrickeeRaven

    There, there, Bg9385:

    You just tell yourself whatever you need to make yourself feel better. You're just as credible as the fake "mayor." You may want to see if he needs a campaign manager with the same mastery of the English language that he has. I'm sure he'll promise you a hefty paycheck. Whether he actually pays it is a different question.

    "So shut the *!&^#% up already, you little bitchy douche."

    How wonderful. You certainly acquit yourself with the professionalism and maturity that Warwick residents have come to expect from the WTU.

    Saturday, October 14, 2017 Report this

  • CrickeeRaven

    "I'm waiiiting. You want to attack my words but you have Irving to attttack."

    It's time to put the phone down, dude. Go cry to Darlene that your master plan to infiltrate the Beacon's comment boards didn't work.

    No one believes you. You don't deserve anything but complete dismissal.

    Saturday, October 14, 2017 Report this

  • Bg9385

    So you have no point, Raven. Just as I thought. You'll use my comments against me, but you won't provide anything tangible regarding my argument. Typical tax payer. Worry about YOUR bottom line but skirt the actual topic. Sweet debating skills douche.

    Saturday, October 14, 2017 Report this

  • CrickeeRaven

    Bg9385's Greatest Hits:

    "Stop making shit up you dumb mother @*&#^!er."

    "Bottom line is you're being a @&*%&#ing uneducated *!&^#% on things you have no @&*%&#ing idea about."

    "You're an unsubstantiated @*&#^!."

    "So shut the *!&^#% up already, you little bitchy douche."

    "Your rebuttal douchebag?"

    I'll grant you this: You sure are inventive in coming up with ways to say "NUH-UHHHHH!"

    Saturday, October 14, 2017 Report this

  • Bg9385

    Raven; You don't deserve anything other than a handjob from the Beacon. You're a Warwick taxpayer and you will pay towards the WSC and WTU until you move out. Have fun debating the merits of each side. I'll keep collecting my paycheck while you whine about it.

    Saturday, October 14, 2017 Report this

  • Bg9385

    Hey Raven, have fun paying the WTU salaries whether they have a contract or not. Why don't you move out of Warwick? The city could use one less bitchy tax payer.

    Saturday, October 14, 2017 Report this

  • Bg9385

    Raven...Raven...thanks for paying for my car, my house, and my extra vacation day during my "sickout". Keep paying your taxes on time. You mad, sir? Lol.

    Saturday, October 14, 2017 Report this

  • CrickeeRaven

    "Typical tax payer." Thanks for acknowledging my right to worry about how my money is being spent on a school district where the teachers union has abandoned an entire generation of students and is threatening to abandon another one.

    And, you know, if your words were worth anything, maybe it wouldn't be so easy to shred everything you've said so far. You're really, really bad at this online debating thing. It's not everyone else's job to research and prove what you say -- that's YOUR job.

    But, in a reflection of how you do your teaching job, you've done it poorly. Unfortunately, there's no one on this website who's going to have your back out of blind loyalty or family ties. There's no seniority protection here.

    Saturday, October 14, 2017 Report this

  • Bg9385

    Raven...Raven...my beach house thanks you for helping to pay for it. Without your tax support I wouldn't able to use my 90 sick days to sun bathe at my beach house. Without your uneducated wavering support of the WSC, I wouldn't be able to object you. You and Nadeau jerk each other off during your downtime? Asking for a jealous friend.

    Saturday, October 14, 2017 Report this

  • Bg9385

    Raven: you pay your taxes towards my job failing students only empowers me. You won't see my argument that we need help supporting students? That's fine. I'll just continue to do my job at a mediocre level, while getting paid near six figures bc I'm highly educated, a step 10, and have been in the system for 30+ yrs. You can disagree with me all you want. I'm getting laid and you're paying for it. So I thank you.

    Saturday, October 14, 2017 Report this

  • CrickeeRaven

    I feel bad for you, Bg9385. You're seeing the end of the Netcoh regime and can only spew anger at the people paying your salary.

    Pathetic, really, and what's even worse, you don't realize how pathetic you are.

    Am I mad? No. You have proven everything that people in Warwick know and understand about the WTU; I should actually be thanking you for providing such a blatant example of the narrow-minded, thin-skinned, fact-free bubble that some WTU members inhabit. [Not all of them, remember: only 400 to 500 out of 900 teachers voted no-confidence; only about 150 participated in the sick-outs.]

    So, do whatever you need to distract yourself from the fact that your union is crumbling, you're not going to get what you want in the next contract, and you've lost what was left of the minuscule respect that teachers still had in Warwick.

    Saturday, October 14, 2017 Report this

  • ThatGuyInRI

    If, and only if Bg9385 is a member of the WTU as they claim and not just some angry person then they are the personification of everything that is wrong with some teachers.

    IF you are who you clam then you're an embarrassment to your profession.

    If you are who you claim to be you're the person who makes all teachers look bad, the person who is in the job for July and August, all holidays off, and a state pension.

    PLEASE retire before my kids get to your classroom.

    Your beach house is calling, go to it.

    Sunday, October 15, 2017 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    BG9385

    You keep referring to the School committees PR firm. Since you have so much knowledge of the subject, who is the PR firm. I got this feeling that you dont know. However, you really have demonstrated that there is a certain level of malcontents and scumbags in your profession.

    Sunday, October 15, 2017 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    Hey Crick,

    FYI, the fake mayor, MAYOR DUMBNESS, AKA MAYOR CEMENT HEAD, in yet another display of his complete lack of city knowledge rendering him unfit for any office, he has erected (2) 4' x 8' campaign signs on his property on Greenwich Ave. Now, he will try to say that they are not campaign signs because it they dont list a position being sought, however, they have his campaign slogan which makes them campaign signs indicating that he is in violation of the law. Warwick ordinance 802 Section D.

    "Political signs, non illuminated, incidental to a city, state, or federal election or referendum, or signs which are political in nature. Such signs shall be constructed of durable material, and shall be prohibited from trees, traffic signs or utility poles. Such signs shall be erected not more than 60 days prior to such election or referendum, or in any event, no premises shall have a sign erected for more than 120 days in any calendar year. Political signs relating to any election or referendum shall be removed within 14 days after said election or referendum. In all districts, such signs shall [are] not to exceed 16 square feet in area per side."

    Further indicating that fake mayor also has zero knowledge on the law that identifies how a private person, member of the general public, can be identified as a public official, public figure, and "temporary public figure" and how that characterization differentiates them from a private citizen. It is truly amazing how dumb a person can actually be. I took pictures of the signs and will be bringing them to the proper authorities in the morning.

    Sunday, October 15, 2017 Report this

  • CrickeeRaven

    Hello Thecaptain:

    I can not say it is any surprise that the fake "mayor" would so baldly court an ordinance violation, given his proven habit of thumbing his nose at the city while, incredibly, still believing himself worthy of any office.

    Please do what you can to bring the full force of the city's charter against the lying failed fake mayor.

    Sunday, October 15, 2017 Report this

  • CrickeeRaven

    I don't know, ThatGuy, Bg seems too invested in his behavior to be doing some type of performance art. You also have to admit, it's not all that artistic.

    That said, given the way that every statement of his disintegrated, there's reason to believe he's a teacher who is not used to actual scrutiny. Consider that their "evaluations" need only be done once per year, involve only the department head in the classroom in the case of high school teachers, and can not include review of their subject competence without 24-hour notice to the teacher. [This is all in the language of the last contract, read it for yourself: http://district.wpstech.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2017/06/WTUContract2012-2014.pdf ]

    Bg subjected himself to ongoing responses to his statements, by several commenters, in real time.

    He's out of his element, in other words.

    Sunday, October 15, 2017 Report this

  • Bg9385

    I really must thank you all for your willingness to pay your taxes in order for me to keep my overpaid, cushy job. All kidding aside. And my apologies for any comments that crossed the line. Have fun arguing that I shouldn't collect one. Fact is, you can't do a damn thing about it. Good day!

    Monday, October 16, 2017 Report this

  • WarwickFreemason

    Bg9385-

    I appreciate your honestly regarding the benefits of being a Warwick teacher. You are right, you certainly have benefited handsomely from the taxpayers of Warwick. I am all about being successful, and you have definitely accomplished that. However, my only recommendation would be to not brag about it so much to the taxpayers of Warwick, there are many people who are not very happy with the WTU and teachers in general. Residents of Warwick pay a significant amount of municipal taxes and they are not seeing a significant enough return on their investments. Bragging the way you are is not going to help your argument in the least; actually, someone could reveal your comments at an upcoming meeting. All that would do is just re-emphasize their argument that teachers and the WTU are not 100% committed to the students and parents of the city, are out of touch and maybe the taxpayers should consider other alternatives for their children. I for one have "sort of" taken your advice, my wife and I sold our home on Warwick Neck in June and we moved to Barrington, mostly for the exceptional education the town offers to its residents. I must admit, I do miss some aspects of Warwick, we lived there for over 17yrs. However, one thing we do not miss is the lack-luster education the teachers have provided. I for one am a big proponent of Charter Schools, School Choice and Student Vouchers. I am not a fan of unions at all, that is why I was extremely happy when the president appointed Betsy DeVos as the Education Secretary. I think she going to be able to make real, positive change throughout the country. I am hoping she is going take our education system in a different direction. A direction where unions are dissolved and non-existent, union-free charter schools are opened and where ideas like "School Choice" and "Student Vouchers" are prevalent in every state, city and town. There are great teachers in Warwick; you may even be one of them, but your credibility is significantly tarnished by the WTU.

    Fortunately for you, you indicated that you've been employed for 30+ years; so, will most likely be retiring shortly with a generous pension and benefit package... and to that I say, Kudos and Congratulations. But hopefully, with the help of Mrs. DeVos and the like, the next generation of teachers and the generation after that will answer to the taxpayers (the school department and teachers), REAL EMPLOYER, and not the Teacher's Union.

    As I said previously, I took your advice and I did in fact leave Warwick because my confidence in the teachers and the Teacher's Union went by the wayside so very long ago.

    Happy Waning Crescent Moon Bg9385;

    Happy Waning Crescent Moon Everyone;

    So Mote it Be!

    Warwick Freemason,

    The Taxpayer's Freemason

    Monday, October 16, 2017 Report this

  • CrickeeRaven

    "I really must thank you all for your willingness to pay your taxes in order for me to keep my overpaid, cushy job."

    It's called being a responsible adult and citizen of the community where we live. Foreign concept to you, I know.

    "All kidding aside."

    Oh, so your defense is you were kidding? Don't give up your alleged teaching job, you're not much of a comedian.

    "And my apologies for any comments that crossed the line."

    Like these?

    "Stop making shit up you dumb mother @*&#^!er."

    "Bottom line is you're being a @&*%&#ing uneducated *!&^#% on things you have no @&*%&#ing idea about."

    "You're an unsubstantiated @*&#^!."

    "So shut the *!&^#% up already, you little bitchy douche."

    "Your rebuttal douchebag?"

    How about 'no.'

    "Have fun arguing that I shouldn't collect one."

    No one's saying anything of the kind, but don't let reality get in the way of a good victim complex.

    "Fact is, you can't do a damn thing about it."

    After every statement you made has unraveled under the barest scrutiny, after you resorted to childish name-calling, after seeing that you couldn't even cite an article without lying, this is what you have left: Insults and arrogance.

    Why didn't you just lead with that and avoid all of the time and space you wasted on this page? Oh, wait, actually you did.

    "Good day!"

    Good riddance.

    Monday, October 16, 2017 Report this

  • ThatGuyInRI

    Thank you for confirming Bg, you are a disgrace and a perfect example of someone who should have left the profession long ago. I pray you do before my kids get to you.

    It looks like the WTU flu has hit again today. This is guaranteed to erode support from the the community and weaken your arguments, some of which are valid. Way to go. It's only a matter of time before a court injunction comes down and the WTU loses yet another battle.

    Open letter to all the reasonable teachers in Warwick. It's time for new leadership, Netcoh is making you all look bad. The school committee and Dr. Phil will not be intimidated like their predecessors. You cannot bully them. This will not work out for you. It's time to get real and negotiate, this means you have to give up some demands to get others in case you're unaware of how the process works. Chose your most important issue(s) and give up the others and get this done.

    Monday, October 16, 2017 Report this

  • Gonewiththewind

    Let's see, is this the same Beth Furtado who lead a personal overthrow of a sitting Superintendent and his assistant (along with Rosemary Healy'/ help), replaced them with D'Angostino and Mullin. Then gave Healy the powner to control everyone (including her) until they all got removed from their positions for embarrassing the entire school district. Brings in a new superintendent who has followed her every command and has completely unraveled.the entire educational system. Wake up Warwick. You have a leadership problem and Everyone is laughing at you except the parents who missed work again today because your teachers stayed home on our dime.....

    Monday, October 16, 2017 Report this

  • ThatGuyInRI

    Gonewiththewind,

    Clearly you do not understand what Thronton's role in Warwick is. Check his record.

    He was hired in NK to clean house, get rid of the dead weight in admin and the classroom and he did it. Entrenched hacks were shown the door. Then Cumberland came calling and he went in there, fired a bunch of admin and dead weight teachers and helped get that system moving in the right direction. Now he's here. He's fired a bunch of central admin staff, and now he's taking on the WTU who has no idea how to handle this guy. They're so used to pushing around the admin & school committee that they don't understand why stomping their feet and holding their breath isn't working anymore.

    The guy is a hired gun. He's Mr. Wolf. He'll get rid of useless administrators, fire inept teachers and then the next town will come knocking looking for him to do the same for them. In 3-5 years (total) he'll be firing inept people in another town. And he doesn't care what you or anyone else thinks of him, check the record and you'll understand his plan.

    Tuesday, October 17, 2017 Report this

  • Kammy

    I think we can rule out that Bg is a teacher based on his grammar, sentence structure and total lapse into bottom of the barrel name calling and cursing (unless of course symbols mean something else now). He lost the fight before he even began. You can't just deteriorate into name calling and expect to have your position respected. Facts, logic and balanced arguments win a debate.

    There is no TDI because teachers don't want to pay into TDI. 90 days is excessive The offer that was originally on the table was more than fair and yet it was still rejected. There were also offers on the table regarding IEP, class size and weighting but they were rejected as well. WTU wants it ALL their way and when it didn't happen they decided to have a poor display of power by their sick out. Yesterday the judge put a stop to it and Netcoh and the union lawyer continued to lie about the true nature of the 3 sick outs.

    How do they expect to gain public support when they blatantly lied? Your own members foretold of what was to come in September. You sound like Carnevale with his "There is no story here" tag line. You got your hand slapped by a judge and were told to stop messing around with the education of the students. Get back to the table, negotiate in good faith and stop trying to go back to a time when your union was powerful and there were more taxpayers in the city to support the old contract. I am beyond done with this dog and pony show.

    Tuesday, October 17, 2017 Report this

  • Bg9385

    Teachers are willing to pay into TDI, but the WSC is not willing to pay into it. I'm not sure where you're getting that information, but it's incorrect. The WSC pays for 5 sick days per teacher. Anything above 5 is then put into a pool, and at the end of the school year, each teacher above 5 days is charged a determined rate per sick day. The 90 days is a safety net for teachers who are on extended leaves of absence for anything ranging from maternity leave to cancer treatment to bereavement. Certain extended leaves need to be approved by the WSC, depending on the circumstances. The WSC also rejected the WTU's proposal for a sick bank, which would allow teachers to share sick days, a common practice in the majority of school districts. The WSC wants to eliminate weighing students on IEPs. The issues there is that students on IEPs require additional resources, whether it be financial or man power. The WSC has eliminated resource positions continuously over the last few years. The only way the committee can justify eliminating those positions is to eliminate the weighing of students on IEPs. Neither option benefits the students OR the teachers. It only benefits the budget. I've never said the WTU deserves everything it's asking for. I feel like retro pay is ridiculous. I feel like Netcoh is making a mockery out of a situation that demands serious negotiation. With that said, it's tough to sit here and listen to people pontificate on media musings. You can't believe everything you read. Show up to a WSC meeting. Ask a teacher you know why they find it necessary to call out. The WTU has done everything extracurricular to get the WSC's attention - pickets, handing out leaflets, discussions - some inappropriate, some not - at committee meetings. Nothing has been accomplished. It's time they start affecting the district on the district's time. Maybe that will get the WSC's attention and get this resolved.

    Tuesday, October 17, 2017 Report this