Mass teacher firings could be avoided

CENTRAL FALLS, R.I. (WPRI) - The superintendent who fired every teacher at Central Falls High School says she is willing to negotiate with the teachers' union, in an effort to prevent the mass firings.

Superintendent Frances Gallo released a statement Wednesday, saying she's excited that the union is willing to support reforms at the chronically low-performing school.

"[The teachers' union's reform agenda] so closely monitors my requests for assurances that I am pleased to reassure the union their place in the planning process," says Gallo.

Speaking with Eyewitness News Wednesday night, Superintendent Gallo said she was hopeful, but it was too early to make any guarantees.

"Perhaps we can move back and say most of the [termination] letters are rescinded. It depends on what kind of a plane we have, and how well we work it out," Gallo said.

Jane Sessums, president of the Central Falls Teachers Union, said Tuesday night they would have eventually agreed on a reform plan, if negotiations had not broken off.

"We're cautiously optimistic. If we can get back to the table, we can settle this and start looking at what's best for the kids," Sessums said. "That's what we're all about."

On Tuesday, the teachers' union released its own recommendations for reforming the troubled school.  They include:

• Longer school days
• Additional support for students
• Rigorous teacher evaluations

Also on Tuesday, the union filed three unfair labor practices complaints with the Rhode Island Labor Relations board, accusing the Central Falls School Department of failing to bargain, refusing to provide information necessary to make decisions, and issuing unfair terminations.

On Wednesday, before the superintendent's announcement, union leaders met with Rhode Island's entire congressional delegation in Washington, D.C.

"We want to thank our leaders in Washington for meeting with us," said Rhode Island Federation of Teachers President Marcia Reback in a statement.

"We had productive conversations where we laid out the facts and agreed to keep our national leaders up to date as we work toward a solution."

Representatives Patrick Kennedy and Jim Langevin and Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse released the following joint statement Wednesday afternoon:  “We had productive meetings with Central Falls teachers today and will continue our conversations on this important matter.”