Elorza Claims McKee “Doing Bidding” of Providence Teachers Union in Latest Education Battle
GoLocalProv News Team
Elorza Claims McKee “Doing Bidding” of Providence Teachers Union in Latest Education Battle
Elorza’s remarks came during a call on the plans announced this week to house the expansion of public charter school Achievement First in a traditional Providence public school.
“The power is in the Governor’s hands but I’m concerned he’s expressed no willingness to press the transformational change we need,” said Elorza. “This is about what’s doing what’s right for kids — and not doing the bidding of the PTU.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTWhile Elorza is widely considered to be eyeing a run against McKee in the 2022 gubernatorial race in a field that includes declared candidate Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea and likely candidate General Treasurer Seth Magaziner — there is also growing speculation Elorza, who is term-limited in Providence, could be looking at the General Treasurer’s seat.
Latest Education Battle
Tonya Costa, Principal of Alfred Lima and Charles Fortes Elementary Schools in Providence, let parents know earlier this week that following the consolidation of the two schools, K-5 students next year will be housed entirely in the Lima complex - and that Achievement First has signed an agreement to go into the Fortes building.
“This is so ridiculous and disrespectful,” said PTU President Maribeth Calabro in a Tweet regarding the news.
On Tuesday, McKee — who helped establish public Mayoral academy charter schools while Mayor of Cumberland — distanced himself from the decision.
“The concept was shared with me a few months back and I was not very supportive of it,” McKee told reporters at his regular news conference.
“Remember, this was a school that was going to be closed — every family that sent their child to this school [this year] will continue to send the children [there],” said Elorza.
On Wednesday, McKee’s office fired back at Elorza’s accusations.
“The Mayor needs to be reminded that nothing good happens without hard work and communication with everyone involved, including the teachers union — something the Mayor failed to understand when he managed the Providence schools,” said McKee spokesperson Alana O’Hare.
“The Governor’s top priority is looking out for the best interest of students, as is his responsibility to do so,” said O’Hare. “The Administration will continue to work with all parties involved, including the City of Providence, to find an amicable solution to accommodate all of the students for the new school year and beyond.”
A community zoom meeting on the plan to move Achievement First into Fortes is scheduled for Thursday night.
Contract — and Crowley Act
Last week, Elorza joined Parents Leading for Educational Equity, the Providence National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Providence Cultural Equity Initiative, and Providence parents and and community members to call on the state to exercise their full authority under the Crowley Act to reform the Providence Public School District's Providence Teacher Union (PTU) contract.
While Elorza claims to have negotiated in good faith with the teachers — the PTU strongly disagreed.
“We’ve sat down and sat down, and [discussed] the kinds of concessions around seniority placement and around salaries based on performance and and evaluation and review process, issues subject to the grievance process — we’ve been there done that,” said Elorza. “The teachers union won’t agree to something that’s acceptable to our students and families.”
“[Elorza] knows he had no ideas and failed to offer transformational proposal when he had the chance,” PTU Vice President Jeremy Aaron Spence Tweeted this week. “He simply shut [PTU] out & ignored our ideas. He refused to negotiate in good faith and we lost great @pvdschools leaders because of him.”