Latest news with #ComprehensiveSupportandImprovement
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Protest at Burnet Middle connected to potential loss of teachers, administrators
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Parents and students at Burnet Middle School made their voices heard Tuesday morning as they gathered to protest the potential firings of teachers and administrators. This comes as Burnet, Dobie and Webb middle schools face a critical school year ahead where they must show signs of improvement or face state intervention from the Texas Education Agency (TEA). AISD says expert teachers could improve failing schools In August 2024, Dobie was identified for Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) under the district's Federal Accountability System for the third consecutive year. If a campus fails to exit the CSI for multiple years, then this requires the campus to enter a Turnaround Plan. Discussions about what the district will do moving forward have included closing Dobie and moving students to Lamar Middle School. However, the district is no longer exploring a temporary closure for Dobie, so it is now proposing the district-managed restart plan. To turn around the lower-performing schools, Austin Independent School District is trying to hire the best teachers it can get to replace some of the current ones at all three schools. The teachers the district chooses to remove from their position could then be placed in other AISD schools, according to the district. 'I don't think the new teachers are going to have an easier time — I think they're being set up to fail — and that's a horrible feeling. It's also horrible to lose our teachers who we really like,' said Ellen Knox, who has a child attending Burnet Middle School. On Tuesday night, the Burnet Middle School Parent Teacher Association will meet with AISD Superintendent Matias Segura to make their voices heard. The district will host a job fair on Wednesday and Thursday to look for teachers with a track record of improving students' grades. The positions are eligible for up to $20,000 in stipends to support one of the three restart campuses, according to AISD. Nabil Remadna contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pawtucket School Committee rebuffs claims in superintendent's lawsuit
PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WPRI) — The Pawtucket School Committee has formally responded to a federal lawsuit filed by Superintendent Patricia Royal last month, calling it a 'randomly assembled narrative of dubious allegations and legal claims.' In March, Royal filed a 100-page federal lawsuit against the city, School Committee and several city leaders individually, including Mayor Donald Grebien and School Committee Chairman Omar Reyes. She accused them of defamation, retaliation, negligence, inflecting emotional distress and interfering with her contract, among other things. In a statement last month, Grebien said, 'the city vigorously disagrees with the claims made in the lawsuit.' 'This may be an attempt to shift attention away from the challenges the administration has faced,' Grebien added. In an exclusive interview last month, Royal told Target 12 the working environment she endured forced her to go out on medical leave in late February due to anxiety caused by the job. The district has since appointed an acting superintendent, Randy Buck. (Royal's contract expires in June 2026.) Royal also said the overall experience was shrouded in racism, hatred and sabotage. 'I have experienced racism throughout my life,' Royal told Target 12. 'I've never in my life experienced it in this capacity.' RELATED: Pawtucket superintendent blasts city leaders in lawsuit At the time the lawsuit was filed, Reyes said he was advised by lawyers not to comment on the lawsuit until it was reviewed. Reyes explained in a statement on Monday that since the School Committee had now gotten a chance to discuss the complaint, he felt it was appropriate to issue a response. Reyes said through its legal counsel, the school committee would 'vigorously defend against any claims that unfairly attack' their integrity and 'misrepresent the goals and purposes of any of our interactions with Mrs. Royal.' 'Our passion is our students, and we will continue working on their behalf,' Reyes said. Reyes added Monday that the school district is facing 'unprecedented challenges' in raising proficiency scores, as five of the city's lowest-performing schools have Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) status and one of them, Samuel Slater Middle School, is also in school redesign process. Reyes also noted that the city is in the middle of 'historic' school construction projects, including the almost completed Baldwin Elementary School and the beginning of work on the city's new unified high school. RELATED: Officials break ground on new Pawtucket high school 'This committee is unified in its dedication to do everything it can to address these matters on behalf of our students and families,' Reyes said. 'We believe that the children of Pawtucket deserve the best schools possible, and we will not be distracted from our mission by a randomly assembled narrative of dubious allegations and legal claims.' Royal's attorney, Paige Munro-Delotto, fired back against Reyes, telling Target 12 in a statement on Monday that the complaint is 'backed by extensive evidence,' and 'will undoubtedly confirm' Royal's allegations 'as anything but dubious.' Royal also argued the School Committee's 'claims of prioritizing educational excellence ring hollow in light of their actions.' 'Their attempt to distract from their shortcomings is transparent, and I will not allow their misleading assertions to tarnish my reputation any further. I am committed to fighting for justice for myself and everyone who has faced injustices within the Pawtucket education system,' Royal said. 'The children of this community deserve better, and I will not back down until fairness and integrity are restored.' Royal has also filed claims of race and gender discrimination with the R.I. Commission for Human Rights and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which is required before the issues can be litigated in federal court. Royal has indicated she expects the claims to clear those agencies, and once that happens she plans to add them to the lawsuit. Alexandra Leslie (aleslie@ is a Target 12 investigative reporter covering Providence and more for 12 News. Connect with her on Twitter and on Facebook. Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pawtucket School Committee appoints acting superintendent
PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WPRI) — The Pawtucket School Committee has appointed an interim leader to serve for the remainder of the academic year. With Superintendent Patricia Royal on leave, the committee voted Friday morning to appoint Randy A. Buck as acting superintendent in her absence. Earlier this week, Pawtucket School Committee Chairman Omar Reyes told 12 News an acting superintendent is appointed in instances of medical leave or for administrative reasons. However, he did not disclose Royal's situation. 'As this is a personnel matter, we are unable to comment further at this time,' Reyes said in a statement. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Pawtucket School Committee may appoint acting superintendent 'This was never a guarantee for me. In fact, I learned today that I would be appointed,' Buck told 12 News on Friday. For the past year, Buck has been Pawtucket Public Schools' executive director of school leadership, building relationships and trust with teachers, principals, staff, students, and families. 'That looks like providing them with support, mentoring, and coaching to our principals here in Pawtucket,' Buck explained. 'So, I've developed strong relationships not only with our principals, but with our teaching staff as well.' Originally from Pennsylvania, Buck's career began there, where he served as a school counselor, assistant principal, and principal at a number of schools. Buck said he is also in the process of completing his dissertation at Delaware Valley University. 'With this experience, he is well-prepared to hit the ground running and ensure no disruptions to student learning as we close out the last four months of the 2024-2025 school year,' Reyes added. Buck clarified that he will serve as acting superintendent until Royal returns. He told 12 News he could not provide the reason for her absence. 'I just know that I have been given the opportunity to serve in her absence and she has taught me a lot. I have learned a lot under her leadership,' Buck said. 'I'm looking forward to turning out some good work in Pawtucket.' ALSO READ: Pawtucket announces official closure of McCoy Stadium to prep for construction With this role, Buck becomes the first African American man to lead Pawtucket Public Schools. He said his first goal is to continue to build relationships and ensure staff and students feel safe and supported during Royal's absence. Reyes also said Buck is ready to facilitate 'important and timely conversations' regarding preparations for Samuel Slater Middle School's possible redesign. 'At the present moment, we know that five of our schools are in CSI (Comprehensive Support and Improvement) or redesign status. So for me, that's the biggest challenge—doing that work to support our schools and making sure we are moving them forward,' Buck told 12 News. Reyes assured students and families that there will be no school disruptions during this period. 'We want everyone to know that the Pawtucket School Committee is committed to quickly resolving these issues so that we can continue to pursue improved educational outcomes, improved teacher morale, and maximizing the potential of our Pawtucket kids who deserve a great public education,' Reyes added. Anyone with questions or concerns is encouraged to contact the Pawtucket School Committee. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
