Superintendent Responds to No-Confidence Vote

Newport Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain said Monday that she is disappointed after the union that represents Newport teachers issued a no-confidence vote against her last week but said she hopes for a “swift” resolution to an ongoing contract dispute that has pitted teachers against the administration.

“I am very disappointed in the press release from NEA attorney Jennifer Azevedo,” Jermain said in a statement sent to the Patch early Monday. “Upon my arrival in January 2014 there were grievances that had been held in abeyance or were already in the process of arbitration. More recently three more grievances were filed while we were in the process of negotiations or mediation. Unfortunately, especially when negotiations are not going smoothly, this is something that often happens.”

Jermain said that she was approached by a former union officer and a building representative in a school parking lot one night earlier this year and told “it would be very unfortunate if the school committee and TAN went to arbitration because TAN would then take actions and take a vote of no confidence for my superintendency, send unfavorable letters to the editor and media, and go to ’work to rule.’”

The situation has echos of a similar contract dispute in 2011 that went to arbitration, Jermain said, and that occurred before she arrived to Newport.

Despite the labor dispute, Jermain said there’s a lot to be proud of in terms of Newport schools.

“I am very proud of the hard work and success the teachers, principals, staff and our partners have had in providing more opportunities and quality instruction for our students and families. All these efforts are focused on embedded challenges such as attendance, graduation rates, implementing more rigorous academic courses and STEM activities, as well as providing more after school events and sports,” she said. “The Newport School District is on it way to reaching the next level. We have a state of the art brand new school for our elementary students, a middle school that continues to thrive and shine, and a high school with new leadership and new focus. Newport schools, through the hard work of many individuals is on a path of success. I look forward to a swift resolution to the contract negotiations so that all of us can focus on continuing this great work.”

The union said in a weekend news release that the no-confidence vote occurred alongside a vote by union members to reject the latest contract proposal from the Newport School Committee.

“First, the School Committee continues to seek an increase in class sizes. The teachers know that increasing class size means less time is available for students; less personal instruction; less one-­‐on-­‐one assistance; and less time to review students’ work,” the release stated. “Second, the School Committee conditioned settlement on the Union’s withdrawal of pending grievances. Conditioning settlement of a contract on the withdrawal of grievances is an Unfair Labor Practice. TAN will file an Unfair Labor Practice charge with the State Labor Relations Board on Monday.”

The union said that teachers feel aggrieved and morale is low.

Photo courtesy: Newport Public School District