Johnston backs out of pilot program

JOHNSTON, R.I. (WPRI) - The union representing local teachers has forced the Johnston School District to back out of a math and science pilot program.

The program would have dramatically improved both courses for students and teachers.

The schools' assistant superintendent, Kathryn Crowley, says she has told state officials that union job actions will keep Johnston from participating in the $12.5 million dollar project funded by the National Science Foundation.

Johnston was the first of six school districts chosen for the project because it was the first to commit an administrator.

It was the only school named as a pilot when Governor Don Carcieri announced the statewide effort in a news conference at Johnston High School last fall.

However, since that time, the town's high school and middle school principals have been told that their science teachers will not carry out any preparations for the program and they will not participate in required coursework this summer.

The principals were told they can not do the work because it is not required by their contract.

The district's contract with the teachers union expired August 31st of 2008. The school district will not immediately benefit from the grant and may have to give back hundreds of thousands of dollars.