Central Falls supt. wants all 74 high school teachers fired

CENTRAL FALLS, R.I. - The superintendent of Central Falls, R.I., has sent letters to 74 of the high school’s teachers telling them she has recommended they be fired.

Supt. Frances Gallo said the teachers union would not agree on a plan to fix the struggling school that included a longer school day and tutoring before and after school.

Gallo said she offered the teachers 100-percent job security for next school year if they agreed to the conditions. The union disputes that claim.

Union President Jane Sessums said no job security promise was made.

The dispute over Gallo’s plan was mostly over pay. The teachers wanted to be paid more for working extra duties.

Central Falls High School is one of the poorest performing schools in the state, with a less than 50 percent graduation rate.

Gallo sent letters on Thursday to every teacher telling them that she is recommending their termination. She sent a letter to the Board of Education recommending they be fired last week.

The teachers plan to protest in front of the school Tuesday.

No matter what happens, the teachers will finish out the current school year.