VIDEO: "Let's Negotiate in Public," Says Infante-Green of Talks With Providence Teachers Union
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VIDEO: "Let's Negotiate in Public," Says Infante-Green of Talks With Providence Teachers Union
In a wide-ranging interview, Infante-Green spoke about legislation heard in committee by the Rhode Island House of Representatives this week on the proposed moratorium on expanded public charter-school seats -- which were already approved by the Rhode Island Board of Education -- and more.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"I was very disheartened by [that] initial proposal. At the end of the day, we know that the schools in Providence need a lot of work. We’re not where we should be and parents should have the opportunity to go to another program or school — they're public schools," said Infante Green, of charters. "I think people forget about that. I can’t say, 'Wait until adults figure this out until you have an opportunity' -- I can’t do that."
"I think it's really important for parents to mobilize, [after] decades of neglect, we need the parents to hold everyone in charge accountable," said Infante-Green.
"If the options aren’t good enough, they should have options. I am responsible for both," said Infante-Green, of the state's takeover of traditional public schools as well as public charters. "But [charters] are producing results that our traditional schools have not been able to do."
"The provisions that we’re trying to change [in the teachers' contract] are really important — I don’t understand why the union would not want to come to the table and [talk] about ways to move on these agendas," said Infante-Green. "We’re not trying to hurt teachers. We’ve put more money on the table than has been in the last ten years."
"Let’s do this publicly. Let’s do negations publicly. Why not?" she added.