Important Educator Forum, May 20th at Cranston West High School

 

Below is a message from RIFTHP President, Frank Flynn.  As I mentioned in a previous email, the RIFTHP has planned a public forum for members of the educational community to voice concerns and ask questions regarding evaluation and the state of education in RI.  This meeting will be held at Cranston West High School from 4:30-6:30 on Monday May 20, 2013 (See Attached Flyer).  The Pawtucket Teachers’ Alliance will sponsor busing for those interested.  Please let me know by Wednesday, May 15th if you intend on taking the bus.  
 
Additionally, attached is a template letter to Governor Chafee.  We are asking that every educator send a letter to the Governor calling on him NOT to support the renewal of Commissioner Gist’s contract.  We are also asking that a second letter be sent to Eva Mancuso and the members of the Board of Education.  Finally, we are asking that each educator follow up with a phone call to the Governor’s office voicing one’s opinion regarding the Commissioner and her contract.
 
This is a very important task that, to be successful, MUST have 100% participation.
T-shirts will be distributed at the union office between 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. on Sunday morning, and again after school on Monday, from 2:15 – 3:45 p.m. 
 
Thank you for your cooperation on this matter.
 
In Unity,
 
Ron Beaupre
________________________________________________________________________________________

May 9, 2013

Eva-Marie Mancuso, Esq., Chairwoman
and Board Members
Rhode Island Board of Education
Shepard Building, Suite 524
80 Washington Street
Providence, RI 02903

Dear Chairwoman Mancuso and Fellow Board Members,

On April 30, 2013 the NEARI and RIFTHP released the results of a statewide survey of teachers. The
survey was conducted by Fleming and Associates an independent, public opinion research firm. The poll
included such topics as professional respect, support, Race to the Top, morale, communication, NECAP
testing, and the Commissioner’s performance. We believe this poll, based on a random sampling of over
400 Rhode Island educators, represents an accurate reflection of the opinions of our members.
Attached you will find a copy of our press release as well as a summary of the poll results.

As part of the release we have asked for the Governor and the Board of Education to hold a public forum
to afford the members of the educational community the opportunity to have the open dialogue on
matters which greatly concern them which they have been clamoring for. Teachers throughout the
State are anxious to share their concerns regarding the impact that the policies that RIDE and the
Commissioner have implemented are affecting their profession and the education of Rhode Island
students.

We invite you to participate in an open forum on Monday, May, 20, 2013 at the Cranston High School
West Auditorium from 4:30PM to 6:30PM as we afford Rhode Island public school teachers an
opportunity to address their concerns about RI’s education policy and leadership. If you would prefer to
schedule a separate event prior to May 23, 2013 please let us know. Thank you for your consideration
of this, we look forward to your response.

 

Sincerely,

Francis J. Flynn
President
Rhode Island Federation of Teachers
and Health Professionals

 

Lawrence E. Purtill
President
National Education Association/Rhode Island