CENTRAL FALLS – School and union officials said Sunday they have reached a tentative deal to let Central Falls High School’s 87 fired teachers and other employees return to their jobs this fall without reapplying.
The draft agreement calls for the school’s staff members to “recommit to their jobs” and interview with its new principal. Other stipulations include a longer school day, more after-school tutoring and a new evaluation system.
“From the start, my principal concern was not who would be working at the high school, but whether the new school leadership team would have the flexibility it needed to improve student achievement,” Central Falls Superintendent Fran Gallo said in a statement. “Today’s agreement provides this flexibility.”
R.I. Education Commissioner Deborah Gist applauded the two sides for coming to an agreement, which followed extensive mediation by Judge Ernest C. Torres. Gist said it was now “time to move forward.”
The Central Falls Teachers Union is scheduled to vote on the agreement at a meeting Monday. More details will be released after the vote.
“Working together, we and the district have arrived at a solid, forward-looking agreement that provides supports for our students and the tools our teachers need to help them succeed,” Central Falls Teachers Union President Jane Sessums said in a statement.
The Central Falls school district’s board of trustees voted in February to fire the entire staff at the poorly performing high school, setting off a national firestorm but winning support from President Barack Obama for promoting accountability.
Additional information is available at cfschools.net.
