Critics Raise Questions Over Proposed Statewide Teacher Contract
Kate Nagle, GoLocal News Editor
Critics Raise Questions Over Proposed Statewide Teacher Contract
Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed sponsored the resolution to establish the commission at the end of the last General Assembly session, which is currently awaiting findings from a Boston-based consultant expected early in December.
“The Center believes there can be a state role in saving money for local school districts. Negotiating and offering a large group health insurance option, that local districts can choose to participate in or not - as opposed to a mandate that would surely be part of any statewide contract - is one such concept,” said Mike Stenhouse with the Rhode Island Center for Freedom and Prosperity. “Consolidating control over another large piece of our education and taking it away from taxpayers and local officials, however, we think that's dangerous. We saw it with RhodeMap RI, and the fire unions, now we're talking about teachers -- it would tie the hands of municipalities through mandates.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTLarry Purtill with the state’s largest teacher union, NEARI, acknowledged that the talks are still in the nascent stage, but that there were a number of issues he believed should be addressed on a statewide basis.
Last Consideration Under Carcieri
The state had last considered the possibility of consolidating teacher healthcare costs under the Governor Donald Carcieri.
“Healthcare does seem to be an area that makes sense to look at,” said Tim Duffy, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Association. “[Governor] Carcieri proposed bringing the teachers into the state healthcare system -- at the time, most of the local school districts had slightly better plans than the state, so they were resistant. By the time Chafee came into office, there was no longer any movement to pursue this.”
Duffy — and others — noted that they saw the Obamacare “Cadillac” tax as being a reason to look at the costs now.
In addition to Paiva Weed’s support of looking into the issue, Moderate Party gubernatorial candidate Robert Healey had suggested a statewide contract as part of his platform.
“The rationale behind this is that local school boards are usually the first step on a political ladder. Many who run for office are of the ilk that are former school teachers or their relatives and those who are sincerely dedicated to the best interests of the students,” said Healey during the campaign. “The unions, when negotiating contracts, send in negotiators. These negotiators, having negotiated several contracts across the state, are no match for the lambs sitting on the school board. While school board members are nice people, they are no match for skilled negotiators. School boards members, for the most part, will probably negotiate a multi-million dollar contract once in their life. Union negotiators do several each year.”
“For starters, it is disconcerting that towns would lose local control of key educational issues. If the end result of a statewide teacher’s contract is a lessening of quality in certain school districts, then that would be a disaster,” said Block. “Additionally, it would only make sense to consider a statewide contract if several bad elements of current contracts get fixed in the master contract. For example, the school fiscal year should match up with the municipal year – and in most communities they do not.
“A statewide teacher’s contract should be simple and narrow,” said Block. “It should deal with issues of compensation only – and re-empower local authorities to be able to make decisions that impact the quality of education.”
Warning Signs
Former Director of Administration Gary Sasse voiced his concerns as the state considers a statewide contact.
“In considering the merits of adopting a statewide teachers’ contract the key question to ask is will it result in our kids receiving a better education? Unfortunately, a statewide teachers’ contract could stifle efforts to improve the performance of Rhode Island’s local schools,” said Sasse.
“In the collective bargaining process negotiations on economic matters and performance are linked. If a statewide teacher contract was negotiated over economic issues, could school committees lose leverage at the bargaining table to negotiate issues impacting the effectiveness and efficiency of public schools?" said Sasse.
A statewide teacher contract could imposes higher property taxes in some communities,” continued Sasse. “If a statewide salary schedule was imposed on local education authorities how would it be paid for in districts whose costs are below the statewide salary schedule?”
Depression Among High School Students: How Does Your Community Compare?
#56 Block Island School
Location: New Shoreham
Number of Students: NA
Number of Student Respondents: 30
% Who Have Been Depressed: 16.7
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: NA
% Who Attempted Suicide: NA
#55 Cranston Construction Career Academy
Location: Cranston
Number of Students: 158
Number of Student Respondents: 124
% Who Have Been Depressed: 19.4
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 8.1
% Who Attempted Suicide: 0.0
#54 Sheila Skip Nowell Leadership Academy (II)
Location: Providence
Number of Students: 81
Number of Student Respondents: 15
% Who Have Been Depressed: 20.0
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: NA
% Who Attempted Suicide: NA
#53 Exeter/West Greenwich
Location: Exeter and West Greenwich
Number of Students: 540
Number of Student Respondents: 438
% Who Have Been Depressed: 20.1
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 9.1
% Who Attempted Suicide: 4.8
#52 North Smithfield High School
Location: North Smithfield
Number of Students: 519
Number of Student Respondents: 431
% Who Have Been Depressed: 21.8
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 7.9
% Who Attempted Suicide: 2.3
#51 South Kingstown High School
Location: South Kingstown
Number of Students: 1,073
Number of Student Respondents: 685
% Who Have Been Depressed: 22.3
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 10.8
% Who Attempted Suicide: 4.7
#50 Portsmouth High School
Location: Portsmouth
Number of Students: 960
Number of Student Respondents: 777
% Who Have Been Depressed: 22.4
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 10.6
% Who Attempted Suicide: 6.0
#49 Chariho Regional High School
Location: Charlestown
Number of Students: 1,201
Number of Student Respondents: 955
% Who Have Been Depressed: 23.7
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 10.2
% Who Attempted Suicide: 4.8
#48 Narragansett High School
Location: Narragansett
Number of Students: 429
Number of Student Respondents: 349
% Who Have Been Depressed: 23.8
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 11.2
% Who Attempted Suicide: 5.3
#47 Mount Pleasant High School
Location: Providence
Number of Students: 898
Number of Student Respondents: 656
% Who Have Been Depressed: 23.9
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 8.1
% Who Attempted Suicide: 4.5
#46 Barrington High School
Location: Barrington
Number of Students: 1,027
Number of Student Respondents: 843
% Who Have Been Depressed: 24.0
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 9.6
% Who Attempted Suicide: 3.2
#45 Scituate High School
Location: Scituate
Number of Students: 469
Number of Student Respondents: 399
% Who Have Been Depressed: 24.1
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 8.2
% Who Attempted Suicide: 4.1
#44 William B. Cooley Senior High School
Location: Providence
Number of Students: 617
Number of Student Respondents: 376
% Who Have Been Depressed: 24.2
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 6.9
% Who Attempted Suicide: 4.8
#43 Ponaganset High School
Location: Foster and Glocester
Number of Students: 684
Number of Student Respondents: 541
% Who Have Been Depressed: 24.4
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 11.2
% Who Attempted Suicide: 6.2
#42 East Greenwich High School
Location: East Greenwich
Number of Students: 729
Number of Student Respondents: 675
% Who Have Been Depressed: 24.6
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 9.7
% Who Attempted Suicide: 4.8
#41 Lincoln Senior High School
Location: Lincoln
Number of Students: 1,005
Number of Student Respondents: 771
% Who Have Been Depressed: 24.8
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 11.1
% Who Attempted Suicide: 5.1
#40 Smithfield Senior High School
Location: Smithfield
Number of Students: 755
Number of Student Respondents: 499
% Who Have Been Depressed: 24.8
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 12.2
% Who Attempted Suicide: 7.3
#39 North Kingstown Senior High School
Location: North Kingstown
Number of Students: 1,387
Number of Student Respondents: 979
% Who Have Been Depressed: 25.0
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 10.4
% Who Attempted Suicide: 5.2
#38 Coventry High School
Location: Coventry
Number of Students: 1,607
Number of Student Respondents: 1,254
% Who Have Been Depressed: 25.8
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 11.6
% Who Attempted Suicide: 5.1
#37 Paul Cuffee Charter School
Location: Providence
Number of Students: NA
Number of Student Respondents: 205
% Who Have Been Depressed: 25.9
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 13.2
% Who Attempted Suicide: 5.4
#36 West Warwick Senior High School
Location: West Warwick
Number of Students: 935
Number of Student Respondents: 628
% Who Have Been Depressed: 27.2
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 14.9
% Who Attempted Suicide: 7.1
#35 Westerly High School
Location: Westerly
Number of Students: 917
Number of Student Respondents: 662
% Who Have Been Depressed: 27.3
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 10.8
% Who Attempted Suicide: 5.6
#34 Providence Career and Technical Academy
Location: Providence
Number of Students: 577
Number of Student Respondents: 424
% Who Have Been Depressed: 27.4
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 5.5
% Who Attempted Suicide: 3.4
#33 Toll Gate High School
Location: Warwick
Number of Students: 958
Number of Student Respondents: 684
% Who Have Been Depressed: 27.5
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 11.5
% Who Attempted Suicide: 5.9
#32 Classical High School
Location: Providence
Number of Students: 1,119
Number of Student Respondents: 997
% Who Have Been Depressed: 27.7
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 8.8
% Who Attempted Suicide: 2.6
#31 Cumberland High School
Location: Cumberland
Number of Students: 1,337
Number of Student Respondents: 1,039
% Who Have Been Depressed: 27.8
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 12.0
% Who Attempted Suicide: 6.6
#30 E-Cubed Academy
Location: Providence
Number of Students: 349
Number of Student Respondents: 167
% Who Have Been Depressed: 28.1
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 12.5
% Who Attempted Suicide: 3.8
#29 Central Falls High School
Location: Central Falls
Number of Students: 727
Number of Student Respondents: 464
% Who Have Been Depressed: 28.4
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 11.9
% Who Attempted Suicide: 5.0
#28 Burrillville High School
Location: Burrillville
Number of Students: 682
Number of Student Respondents: 555
% Who Have Been Depressed: 28.8
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 11.6
% Who Attempted Suicide: 3.1
#27 Blackstone Charter Academy
Location: Pawtucket
Number of Students: 168
Number of Student Respondents: 146
% Who Have Been Depressed: 28.8
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 11.6
% Who Attempted Suicide: 4.1
#26 Cranston High School West
Location: Cranston
Number of Students: 1,526
Number of Student Respondents: 1,242
% Who Have Been Depressed: 29.2
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 13.6
% Who Attempted Suicide: 7.0
#25 Hope High School
Location: Providence
Number of Students: 894
Number of Student Respondents: 642
% Who Have Been Depressed: 29.4
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 11.3
% Who Attempted Suicide: 8.6
#24 Rogers High School
Location: Newport
Number of Students: 538
Number of Student Respondents: 390
% Who Have Been Depressed: 29.7
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 9.6
% Who Attempted Suicide: 4.5
#23 William E. Tolman Senior High School
Location: Pawtucket
Number of Students: 1,034
Number of Student Respondents: 563
% Who Have Been Depressed: 30.0
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 10.7
% Who Attempted Suicide: 4.9
#22 Shea Senior High School
Location: Pawtucket
Number of Students: 858
Number of Student Respondents: 593
% Who Have Been Depressed: 30.4
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 10.3
% Who Attempted Suicide: 7.0
#21 Tiverton High School
Location: Tiverton
Number of Students: 541
Number of Student Respondents: 437
% Who Have Been Depressed: 30.4
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 11.8
% Who Attempted Suicide: 5.7
#20 Central High School
Location: Providence
Number of Students: 1,112
Number of Student Respondents: 700
% Who Have Been Depressed: 30.6
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 10.6
% Who Attempted Suicide: 6.3
#19 Mt. Hope High School
Location: Bristol
Number of Students: 990
Number of Student Respondents: 745
% Who Have Been Depressed: 31.0
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 13.8
% Who Attempted Suicide: 5.9
#18 Dr. Jorge Alvarez High School
Location: Providence
Number of Students: 486
Number of Student Respondents: 327
% Who Have Been Depressed: 31.2
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 8.3
% Who Attempted Suicide: 4.9
#17 North Providence High School
Location: North Providence
Number of Students: 969
Number of Student Respondents: 769
% Who Have Been Depressed: 31.7
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 14.3
% Who Attempted Suicide: 5.2
#16 Cranston High School East
Location: Cranston
Number of Students: 1,583
Number of Student Respondents: 1,317
% Who Have Been Depressed: 32.8
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 14.1
% Who Attempted Suicide: 6.7
#15 Academy for Career Exploration
Location: Providence
Number of Students: 168
Number of Student Respondents: 97
% Who Have Been Depressed: 33.0
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 12.4
% Who Attempted Suicide: 1.0
#14 Middletown High School
Location: Middletown
Number of Students: 685
Number of Student Respondents: 514
% Who Have Been Depressed: 33.3
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 11.7
% Who Attempted Suicide: 6.0
#13 Johnston Senior High School
Location: Johnston
Number of Students: 893
Number of Student Respondents: 659
% Who Have Been Depressed: 33.5
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 16.4
% Who Attempted Suicide: 7.6
#12 Pilgrim High School
Location: Warwick
Number of Students: 991
Number of Student Respondents: 791
% Who Have Been Depressed: 33.5
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 16.1
% Who Attempted Suicide: 7.8
#11 East Providence High School
Location: East Providence
Number of Students: 1,502
Number of Student Respondents: 1,181
% Who Have Been Depressed: 33.8
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 14.6
% Who Attempted Suicide: 7.3
#10 Metropolitan Regional Career and Technical Center
Location: Providence
Number of Students: 838
Number of Student Respondents: 608
% Who Have Been Depressed: 34.4
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 15.4
% Who Attempted Suicide: 5.4
#9 William M. Davies Career & Technical Center
Location: Lincoln
Number of Students: 849
Number of Student Respondents: 702
% Who Have Been Depressed: 34.5
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 17.6
% Who Attempted Suicide: 7.0
#8 Warwick Veterans Memorial High School
Location: Warwick
Number of Students: 910
Number of Student Respondents: 629
% Who Have Been Depressed: 34.8
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 16.3
% Who Attempted Suicide: 7.8
#7 The Greene School
Location: Exeter
Number of Students: 162
Number of Student Respondents: 138
% Who Have Been Depressed: 35.5
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 16.7
% Who Attempted Suicide: 7.2
#6 J.M. Walsh School
Location: Pawtucket
Number of Students: 192
Number of Student Respondents: 172
% Who Have Been Depressed: 36.6
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 17.4
% Who Attempted Suicide: 6.4
#5 Times2 Academy
Location: Providence
Number of Students: NA
Number of Student Respondents: 35
% Who Have Been Depressed: 37.1
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 17.1
% Who Attempted Suicide: 5.7
#4 Woonsocket High School
Location: Woonsocket
Number of Students: 1,579
Number of Student Respondents: 1,026
% Who Have Been Depressed: 37.3
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 17.0
% Who Attempted Suicide: 9.3
#3 RI Nurses Institute
Location: Providence
Number of Students: 266
Number of Student Respondents: 193
% Who Have Been Depressed: 38.9
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 10.9
% Who Attempted Suicide: 5.2
#2 Sheila Skip Nowell Leadership Academy (I)
Location: Central Falls
Number of Students: 73
Number of Student Respondents: 25
% Who Have Been Depressed: 40.0
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 12.0
% Who Attempted Suicide: 12.0
#1 Beacon Charter High School for the Arts
Location: Woonsocket
Number of Students: 227
Number of Student Respondents: 209
% Who Have Been Depressed: 41.1
Of those Who Have Been Depressed
% Who Considered Suicide: 27.9
% Who Attempted Suicide: 12.2
