January City Update

Middle School Excelerated Curriculum to be Supported: "Let's Accentuate the positive things going on in our schools ..."”

Joel Monteiro

Middle School Accelerated Curriculum to be Supported:
"Let's Accentuate the positive things going on in our schools ..." - Joel Monteiro.

School Committee at-large member Joel Monteiro wants to see the middle school curriculum become more challenging for some city students. "Our students are ready and can do more," Monteiro told colleagues during the December 9th meeting. Several years ago the city eliminated a formal 'gifted' or advanced placement program in elementary and middle schools to save money. The program only serviced a minimal amount of students and was housed in the Waddington and Francis schools. A limited program was held in the middle schools but does not exist now. The high school has a very rigorous advanced placement (AP) program although not as many AP courses as once offered.

Monteiro sees the problem as existing at the middle grade levels and is very confident of the high school program. "I'll put our academic instruction at the high school against anyone and that includes LaSalle and Hendricken," said Monteiro. Monteiro's comments were welcomed by colleagues on the committee as a positive development during an otherwise negative meeting regarding school repairs and communication. "We have great teachers and students in this city. We need to give teachers the structure to provide the best curriculum possible," added Monteiro. From personal experience I know what a great job our high school is doing."

Monteiro said that some students entering high school experience a "culture shock" after realizing that the high school offers many advanced placement courses and "challenges" our students. "Some parents were not aware that we offered so much in high school. I want to see our best students stay here in East Providence. I'm not complaining, I think our students can do more," continued Monteiro.

Ward four committee member Jessica Beauchaine was quick to agree with Monteiro. "For two years I have asked for this," said Beauchaine. "I have been frustrated with a lack of challenging our younger students. This is nothing new and I support this as I have before (when not on the committee)," she added.

"We've addressed the Rhode Island Department of Education's initiatives. Now it is time to address the East Providence initiative. I would like to see a committee comprised of myself, Nathan Cahoon (ward 3 member), appropriate administrators, teachers and parents develop a plan to introduce this curriculum," said Monteiro.

"I am willing to look at it but not for this year," replied Superintendent of Schools Kim Mercer. "We have asked a lot from our middle school teachers this year. They have a new curriculum and new assessment. We can consider this for next year," said Mercer. On a motion by Joel Monteiro, the entire committee backed his idea for further study to increase academic challenges for some middle school students. "It's nice to focus on and feature some positive news," Monteiro told The Reporter.

School Committee Report in December Raises Questions on Repairs, Etc:
School superintendent Kim Mercer gave the school committee a report on school buildings last month that wasn’t causing many on the committee or in the audience to rejoice. At times the meeting could have adopted a famous line from the 1967 movie ‘Cool Hand Luke”, as in ‘…what we have here, is failure to communicate…” Mercer indicated that all building inspections for asbestos had been completed without much worry. “As I get these report results I will immediately send them to the schools,” said Mercer. “Hennessey has their report, I think they received it two hours after I did. There was a small repair needed and it’s being done now,” she said. As the discussion ensued it became evident that there are still many facility items that have not been completed as school officials were promised. Most of the problems seemed to center around projects at Waddington and Riverside Middle (RMS) Schools and Hennessey School. There are still some unfinished projects at the high school and Whiteknact. “We have work scheduled on the bike path between Riverside Middle and the riverside recreation field complex. We’ll be paving that area. We are also replacing the handicapped ramp walkway and a lift at RMS and handicapped accessibility at a Waddington bathroom,” said Mercer. However the committee asked a litany of questions concerned with the many delays in these projects. Many of the complaints were centered on Waddington School, RMS and broken fire doors and a group of Hennessey School parents also addressed the committee. “We were told to eliminate the use of duct tape to hold down loose tiles,” said Ferreira. “We should use an epoxy adhesive, not duct tape. There are different products out there to use instead of duct tape,” continued Tony Ferreira. Hennessey parent Nicole Ferreira told the committee that she and others are “concerned with issues of air quality, asbestos and the appearance of duct tape around the school. The roof is leaking and we are looking to get these issues addressed,” said Mrs. Ferreira. Ferreira was further concerned with technology needs of the building. “We got 30 iPads which are sitting in a closet, unused because the school doesn’t have required bandwidth or wireless capability. We just want the best environment for our school,” said Ferreira who was also joined by other Hennessey parents.

Joel Monteiro, city-at-large member was very agitated at the lack of handicapped lift projects at Waddington and Riverside Middle. “What happened with this? After the bids we were supposed to get a fire marshal signature. It didn’t happen. There was a major breakdown in communication and I have asked about it for weeks,” said Monteiro. “I still don’t have an answer. I don’t want to throw anyone under the bus, but I’m still wanting to know who is accountable, whose job is it that caused this breakdown in communication,” pressed Monteiro. Superintendent Mercer did not offer any specific answers to Monteiro’s inquiry. “I really don’t know what happened,” said Mercer who appeared to not want to place blame for the breakdown in the process on the RMS fire doors or other delayed projects. “I have no comfort level with this yet. I’m still asking who and where in the process did this fail. I’m asking and not getting an answer. Is it purchasing, the bid itself?” he continued to ask. “Charlie, we have to figure this out,” Tony Ferreira told new Chairman Charles Tsonos. “I’m not here to beat up on anybody but at some point people need a beating,” added Ferreira to a few chuckles in the sparse audience. “If I don’t get what I want I’m going to the press every week. We were told a lot of things were going to get done, 99%. But some shop drawing (plans) aren’t done, we’re talking months away,” said Ferreira, voice rising. “I’m getting real heated now, I have serious issues. I’m not sitting here going through what I did the last two years,” added Ferreira. At that point Ferreira asked school system attorney, Robert Silva to address the board. “Legally how can we get this information, do we need to put it on the agenda some way? How can we make these contractors and others do what they say they will,” Ferreira asked the attorney. Silva told Ferreira and the committee that “this is a matter of communication, not legalities. It isn’t about laws; there should be a common courtesy to expect a method to get your answers. The committee and administration needs communication, not laws,” added Silva. “The process should be that you (committee) address your questions to the Superintendent and it is her job to get information to you,” said Attorney Silva.

“Part of our frustration is that we get an answer of we don’t know or we don’t have it,” interjected Tsonos. “In some cases these delays are from some at city hall in which we have no control over. The city controls the bidding process. There is a lack of replies or slow response,” added Tsonos. “I agree,” chimed in Jessica Beauchaine very assertively. “Since I’ve been elected 90% of my email (complaints) are about the unfinished safety doors in Riverside. We need accountability. I know who I fire and hire and it’s the Superintendent,” Beauchaine said. “Someone is responsible, I want answers. When I visit Waddington, ten teachers tell me about doors (problems). I want people accountable,” continued Beauchaine.

“Nobody knows what is going on. I’m taking it personal now,” said Tony Ferreira. “You need someone to watch these projects, like a project manager. You need to know,” said Robert Silva. In a shot at fellow board members and others, Ferreira said that during a final walk through to check progress on Waddington’s checklist of projects, “…nobody showed. A $3 or $4 million dollar project and no one else showed up to check. I want it all to end. I had a request in on the roof at Whiteknact School and haven’t heard. Today I found out there are 4 or 5 leaks there. Former council member Chrissy Rossi was in attendance and said she asked about Whiteknact’s roof at an earlier facilities meeting. “I was told there were no leaks,” she said. “Who knew that a $1 million job (Whiteknact roof) has been leaking for three months,” asked Ferreira. “I thought so,” was Ferreira’s answer when no one responded to his question. “Tonight we are voting partial payment to the companies involved in these projects. I’m not giving them a penny.” Member Nate Cahoon asked why the contractors were not present to explain the delays in these projects. “I would like them at the next meeting to discuss these items,” said Cahoon. On a motion by Tony Ferreira the committee voted unanimously to defer any further payments to one of the companies involved; Symmes, Maini & McKee Associates from Cambridge and Providence.

School Technology Lacking:
The school committee was particularly unhappy with the state of technology in city schools in some areas. The city Director of Technology, Kelly Ahrens told the committee in December that the district is way behind in the technology needs of the schools. "Since 2009 we have not received funding for technology," said Ahrens. "There are no teacher computers at both Martin and Riverside middle schools. We're working on the wireless internet capability but it is not yet up and running in any school in the city. Our response time to schools who need technology repairs or assistance can be two weeks or longer," Ahrens continued. The committee was told that technology assistance to the city side of government - police, fire, city departments only takes from 24 to 48 hours in most cases. "The city basically has no wait time for questions or repair issues. The police and city hall all have new computers under warranty while the schools have older computers. We need new equipment for schools," Ahrens told an increasingly upset school committee. The consolidated technology department which serves all city schools and city municipal offices has 2.5 full time employees (FTE) to oversee some 1,500 computers in the schools. There are 2.5, soon to be 3.5 FTE's to monitor about 350 computers in city government. In addition to school computers there are 'smart boards', LED projectors and other technology in the city's 12 school buildings. "There have been about 770 work orders for school technology needs since September, many of which are still waiting for a response. Ahrens said that the high school alone has “more computers than the entire city government.” Ahrens also stated that she hoped to have wireless systems up in some schools by March of 2015. Joel Monteiro was concerned that elementary electronic grade books and access was not available in schools as he was led to believe it would be by now. “Why did we buy a new student system when we had one that worked,” Monteiro asked. “This lack of technology and these issues of of interest to me because it hinders the educational process,” said member Jessica Beauchaine. “It does”, responded Ahrens.

Some of the committee seemed upset that city hall departments were getting the larger share of the consolidated technology department’s attention. “The city has been good to us (schools) but we need monthly updates on this,” said Ferreira. “I do that for the city already but I can do it for you too,” said Ahrens. Ahrens and administrative technology instructor Rebekah Gendron left the meeting soon after their report. “I want Kelly (Ahrens) here at our meetings to answer these questions,” said chairman Tsonos. “We need you in this process,” Tsonos told Ahrens earlier. Rumors had been circulating in several circles that the city was taking Kelly Ahrens away from all school department jurisdiction and assigning her specifically to city hall. A source confirmed this fact but also said it probably won’t happen right away. Ahrens acknowledged that she was aware of the “rampant rumor” on this but said it "isn’t happening."

Later on in the meeting ward four city councilman, Tim Conley told the committee what many in the city have been debating. “This consolidation of city and school services that the budget commission and others wanted, is not working. We have a citywide purchasing agent who has no experience in school procedures. Our combined facilities manager only has part-time control over the many construction management issues that are troubling us with schools,” Conley continued. “Consolidation has caused confusion and not helped. I will advocate against it. Until my dying breath on the council. I will work to eliminate consolidation,” Conley told the school committee. “It has been an unmitigated disaster,” said Conley. Conley's view may be one that is supported in part by city manager Paul LeMont and some others.

City Water Woes:
As reported several times here, the city is facing an expensive dilemma with its' long failing system of delivering drinking water and processing wastewater. You can read prior articles at ReporterToday.com. Now, East Providence acting city manager Paul Lemont has sent a letter to the state's congressional delegation asking for help. "I write this letter to bring to your attention a problem that has been brewing in East Providence for some time... The cost of water and its' disposal is...close to the cost of heating bills." Lemont went on to give the national legislators a history and chronology of events leading to the current crisis which has residents furious. Some bills have tripled. "My mother paid $1,569 after paying only $57 for the same cubic feet of water last year," said Nancy Lavallee. "The city wants her to check her system. When the city sees a large discrepancy like this they should not just send a letter, they should get out there and find out what's going on. I'm disgusted we're all furious. The city didn't do anything except to say check your toilets and water sprinklers," said Lavallee.

Lemont is known to have not supported the existence of the state budget commission in the city. His letter made a veiled reference to that timeframe. "When I returned to this position (city manager) 11 months ago, I was astonished at the amount of our uncollected accounts which then exceeded $2 million. This obviously occurred because the city had a lax collection system which had to be confronted in order for our water department not to go bankrupt. While we have been successful in reducing much of the arrearage, there are those that are unable or incapable of meeting their obligations..." wrote Lemont.

A new storage tank is needed, transmission of water via a main pipe and chlorinating the water locally. The city needs to replace the storage tank in Kent Heights. This is the lower tank which was built in the 1960’s. “The taller spherical tank was built in the 1990’s,” said Stephen Coutu of the DPW, referring to the replacement of the city’s former iconic red and white checked landmark water tank. The city also needs to bring water in from Providence where it is purchased to a local site for a chlorination process. “We need to redesign the transmission of water into the city,” said Coutu. “The current old system wasn’t devised to put water in the tank first and aerate and chlorinate and then send to homes,” added Coutu in a previous meeting.

Lemont, a former executive for a large utility (Providence Gas) further wrote that, "I generally am not in favor of entitlements but this is a situation in which some relief is needed. I await your response," Lemont told the Washington delegation.

Eliminate February School Vacation? Go Back Before Labor Day?
This year the RI Superintendents Association voted unanimously to eliminate the February vacation (Winter Break) in the 2015-2016 school year. "The extreme weather we have had over the past several years has resulted in students going to school late into the month of June. The warm classrooms in late June are not conducive to learning," said the Superintendents.

In looking ahead to the third week of February in 2016, there would be no school on Monday, the President’s Day holiday. Students would attend school on three of the remaining days of the week and the fourth day could possibly be a professional development day for teachers and certified staff.

The East Providence School Department is seeking your feedback on this change to the February 2016 Winter Break, as well as the possibility of moving the April vacation (Spring Break) to the last week of March or the first week of April. The information that you provide in the survey below will offer valuable insight as the district considers how to move forward in the best interests of our students and all members of the school community. School officials are also wondering how you feel about attending school in September. Should it be before or after Labor Day? Click on the school department web site at www.epschoolsri.com.