Minority Staff Turnover in Providence School Dept. Questioned by State Senator
Kate Nagle, GoLocal News Editor
Minority Staff Turnover in Providence School Dept. Questioned by State Senator
"There's some serious concerns in the community," said Senator Harold Metts (Democrat - District 6, Providence) of the apparent ethnic and gender disparities. "With Joyce O'Connor retiring -- she was the EEO officer -- with everything that's happened, I don't know if was just her time, or if she saw the writing on the wall."
"Something's going on," continued Metts. "Is it becoming like it used to be years ago? Whatever the case is, it's becoming more clear that there's a disparity."
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTMetts, who had been an Assistant Principal for the Providence School Department, graduated from Roger Williams University with a BS Business Administration, Bryant College with a Social Business Teacher Certification, and Rhode Island College with a Masters of Education-Secondary Administration -- had started out his career in the PPSD EEO office right out of school.
"We know what the city looks like," said Metts. "The kids need to see more people who look like them in the buildings."
Pointing to Changes
Metts said that two changes that he first heard of this summer piqued his interest in following closely what was going on.
"While I was on vacation in July, I was told that Jose Gonzalez and Dr. Tomas Ramirez had been brought in and were told to resign immediately," said Metts, who said he has concerns in particular about how a particular current PPSD employee is "being given a hard time."
Metts said additional conversations he had with people in the city further raised concern with him.
"My wife and I went out for ice cream...my wife is a retired guidance from Roger Williams [Middle School]," said Metts. "We ran into a female minority math teacher she knew, who recently got her administration degree. [This teacher] didn't get a job in Providence, but she got one in the suburbs. What does that say?"
PPSD recently appointed a new interim superintendent, and long-time spokesperson Christina O'Reilly is no longer with the department.
Mayor Jorge Elorza's spokesperson Evan England responded to the press inquiry, and pointed out on Tuesday that no actual firings have taken place. "There were no terminations this summer (or since)," said England.
A recent school board update reflects the resignations by Ramirez, Gonzalez, as well as others during the summer months.
"It's something to look at. The figures speak for themselves," said Metts. "We have to be open and committed do providing equal opportunities within the school department."
Rhode Island School Superintendent Salaries
34. New Shoreham
Superintendent Robert Hicks
Salary: $45,280
District Profile
Student Body Size: 112
Annual Budget (FY 2012): $4,443,923
Note: Position is part-time.
33. Little Compton
Superintendent Kathryn M. Crowley
Salary: $63,500
District Profile
Student Body Size: 295
Annual Budget (FY 2012): $6,995,203
Note: Position is part-time.
32. Jamestown
Superintendent Marcia Lukon
Salary: $67,039
District Profile
Student Body Size: 481
Annual Budget (FY 2012): $12,049,735
Note: Position is part-time.
31. Johnston
Superintendent Bernard DiLullo, Jr.
Salary: $121,456
Longevity Pay: $2,000
District Profile
Student Body Size: 2,917
Annual Budget (FY 2012): $50,452,203
Salary includes longevity pay.
30. Tiverton
Superintendent William J. Rearick
Salary: $125,032
District Profile
Student Body Size: 1,738
Annual Budget (FY 2012): $28,715,478
29. North Providence
Superintendent Melinda Smith
Salary: $127,600
District Profile
Student Body Size: 3,301
Annual Budget (FY 2012): $47,235,638
28. North Smithfield
Superintendent Stephen Lindberg
Salary: $129,854
District Profile
Student Body Size: 1,704
Annual Budget (FY 2012): $23,498,113
27. Portsmouth
Superintendent Lynn Krizic
Salary: $132,000
District Profile
Student Body Size: 2,590
Annual Budget (FY 2012): $36,591,167
26. West Warwick
Superintendent Karen Tarasevich
Salary: $134,000
District Profile
Student Body Size: 3,374
Annual Budget (FY 2012): $53,918,748
25. Exeter-West Greenwich
Superintendent James H. Erinakes II
Salary: $135,000
District Profile
Student Body Size: 1,678
Annual Budget (FY 2012): $32,331,544
24. Narragansett
Superintendent Katherine E. Sipala
Salary: $138,485
District Profile
Student Body Size: 1,407
Annual Budget (FY 2012): $26,850,371
23. Burrillville
Superintendent Frank Pallotta
Salary: $139,000
District Profile
Student Body Size: 2,418
Annual Budget (FY 2012): $31,681,821
22. Smithfield
Superintendent Robert O'Brien
Salary: $141,481
District Profile
Student Body Size: 2,349
Annual Budget (FY 2012): $34,311,788
21. Foster-Glocester
Superintendent Michael S. Barnes
Salary: $141,756
District Profile
Student Body Size: 1,226
Annual Budget (FY 2012): $18,267,711
20. Bristol-Warren
Superintendent Melinda Thies
Salary: $142,550
Longevity Pay: $2,550
District Profile
Student Body Size: 3,454
Annual Budget (FY 2012): $51,591,792
19. East Greenwich
Superintendent Victor Mercurio
Salary: $144,279
District Profile
Student Body Size: 2,323
Annual Budget (FY 2012): $32,975,952
18. East Providence
Superintendent Kim Mercer
Salary: $144,279
District Profile
Student Body Size: 5,338
Annual Budget (FY 2012): $77,242,920
17. Central Falls
Superintendent Frances Gallo
Salary: $144,900
District Profile
Student Body Size: 2,724
Annual Budget (FY 2012): $51,519,366
16. Coventry
Superintendent Michael Almeida
Salary: $145,000
District Profile
Student Body Size: 4,970
Annual Budget (FY 2012): $67,620,141
15. Cranston
Superintendent Judith Lundsten
Salary: $145,083
District Profile
Student Body Size: 10,030
Annual Budget (FY 2012): $140,651,662
14. North Kingstown
Superintendent Phillip Auger
Salary: $145,352
District Profile
Student Body Size: 4,398
Annual Budget (FY 2012): $61,636,874
13. Westerly
Superintendent Roy Seitsinger
Salary: $146,477
District Profile
Student Body Size: 3,030
Annual Budget (FY 2012): $55,015,253
12. Barington
Superintendent Michael Messore
Salary: $147,500
District Profile
Student Body Size: 3,101
Annual Budget (FY 2012): $44,851,748
Note: Salary includes longevity pay.
11. Chariho
Superintendent Barry J. Ricci
Salary: $149,030
District Profile
Student Body Size: 3,421
Annual Budget (FY 2012): $55,831,939
Note: District includes towns of Charlestown, Richmond, and Hopkinton.
10. Lincoln
Superintendent Georgia Fortunato
Salary: $149,130
District Profile
Student Body Size: 3,236
Annual Budget (FY 2012): $49,551,778
9. Woonsocket
Superintendent Giovanna M. Donoyan
Salary: $150,000
District Profile
Student Body Size: 5,636
Annual Budget (FY 2012): $77,022,482
8. Scituate
Superintendent Paul R. Lescault
Salary: $150,098
District Profile
Student Body Size: 1,492
Annual Budget (FY 2012): $22,330,940
7. South Kingstown
Superintendent Kristen Stringfellow
Salary: $151,008
District Profile
Student Body Size: 3,393
Annual Budget (FY 2012): $59,950,442
6. Middletown
Superintendent Rosemarie K. Kraeger
Salary: $154,059
District Profile
Student Body Size: 2,360
Annual Budget (FY 2012): $37,340,131
5. Newport
Superintendent John H. Ambrogi
Salary: $155,000
District Profile
Student Body Size: 2,005
Annual Budget (FY 2012): $39,683,489
4. Cumberland
Superintendent Philip Thorton
Salary: $158,000
District Profile
Student Body Size: 4,470
Annual Budget (FY 2012): $55,508,846
3. Pawtucket
Superintendent Deborah A. Cylke
Salary: $159,000
District Profile
Student Body Size: 9,072
Annual Budget (FY 2012): $112,889,497
2. Warwick
Superintendent Richard D'Agostino
Salary: $169,371
Longevity Pay: $2,480
District Profile
Student Body Size: 9,487
Annual Budget (FY 2012): $162,729,013
1. Providence
Superintendent Susan Lusi
Salary: $190,000
District Profile
Student Body Size: 22,432
Annual Budget (FY 2012): $364,621,277
