Teacher Contracts, Hockey Top School Committee Meeting

The School Committee discussed its ongoing teacher contract negotiations during its meeting on Tuesday night.

The comittee voted 6-0 to adopt a letter and submit it to local state legislators. The letter opposes House Bill 5943 and Senate Bill 413.

House Bill 5943 reads, “This act would provide that if a successor collective bargaining agreement has not been agreed to by the parties, then the terms and conditions of the old teachers' contract would remain in full force and effect until a new agreement is reached. This act would take effect upon passage.”

Senate Bill 413 reads, “This act would provide that if a successor collective bargaining agreement has not been agreed to by the parties, then the terms and conditions of the old teachers’ contract would remain in full force and effect until a new agreement is reached. This act would take effect upon passage.”

Councilman John Harris said, “We oppose the language of these bills.”

Council President Cynthia S. Perrotti echoed this statement. “We do not think it is feasible to extend contracts. We don’t support these bills,” she said.

Superintendent Susan Lusi was also in agreement. “There would be no economic incentive to negotiate,” said Lusi.

Portsmouth Concerned Citizen founder Larry Fitzmorris threw his support against the bills and in support of the council’s letter.

“In these difficult times and [with] reduced revenue from the state, the PCC does not think we should accept this legislation from the General Assembly. The teachers' union would not need to negotiate,” said Fitzmorris.

However, in opposition, Sue Hatch, vice president of NEA Portsmouth, spoke out.

“We have always been ready to settle," she said. "We have been working without a contract all along and we have honored our commitment. If contracts end in June, it would not be conducive to both sides."

The vote was unanimous with Dave Croston absent.

Superintendent Search Closes Application Process

The Superintendent Search Committee closed the application processes as of April 15.

The committee received interest from 14 applicants. The search committee will screen them and narrow it down to three candidates by the end of May.

Portsmouth Mother Requests Daughter to Play Hockey in Barrington

Michele Makucevich, a Portsmouth mom, requested the committee to allow the Portsmouth school district to co-op with the Barrington school department and allow girls to play hockey.

Her daughter Danielle, an eighth-grader, wants to continue to play on a school team next year. Portsmouth High School does not have a girls’ hockey team unlike Barrington. 

Girls are, however, able to play on the Portsmouth boys’ hockey team.

Makuecevich said that is a problem for girls as they are smaller than most boys and girls' hockey does not involve body checks. She also stated that the estimated $800 cost to play would be covered by her completely.

“Mr. Littlefield is concerned about co-op as in regards to who would be coaching, the schedules and if the teams’ missions would be opposed to ours,” said the superintendent of schools.

Lusi also said that “pay-for-play” is illegal in this state. The audience laughed at this last statement.

“I’ll make a donation to the Booster’s Club. This in no way will cost the school district,” Makuecevich said.

Dr. Lusi said she would seek legal council and come back to the School Committee with some sort of answer to the request.

School Committee Honors High School Senior

PHS Senior was honored for his achievement in the National French Contest sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of French. McDonald finished in fifth place in Rhode Island and in twelfth place nationally.