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THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2020 Page 3 Council calls for the reinstatement of Whelan School educators By Barbara Taormina C ity Councillors this week threw their support behind three A.C. Whelan School educators who say their contracts with the Revere School District were not renewed in retaliation for their union activity. The City Council unanimously supported a motion from Councillor-at-Large Jessica Giannino and Ward 1 Joanne McKenna that calls on Mayor Brian Arrigo to request the school district reinstate 5th grade teacher Katie Cochrane, 4th grade teacher Victoria DeVincent and school adjustment counselor Heather Kantrowitz. The council also voted to send a letter to Arrigo that outlines their call to reverse the decision not to renew their contracts. “This is an issue where employees of the City of Revere were retaliated against for their union activities,” said Giannino. “If the School Committee is not going to do something, and no one else is going to say anything, we felt it was our responsibility to do something.” Cochrane and DeVincent were part of a group of 17 teachers who staged a one-day protest against the district’s requirement to record student participation in the school breakfast program. The teachers said recording the breakfast count was not part of their contract, but they also said there were more serious problems at Whelan, including class sizes, school safety and support and respect for educators. For participating in the protest, Cochrane and DeVincent received verbal reprimands from the administration which were noted on their professional records. They fi led grievances to clear their names, but Whelan Principal Jamie Flynn, Superintendent Dr. Dianne Kelly and the School Committee all declined to rescind the reprimands. Cochrane and DeVincent, who have been teaching at Whelan since 2017, had always been assessed as either profi cient or exemplary in all categories of their performance evaluations. However, after fi ling their grievances they were rated as teachers in need of improvement because of their lack of professionalism. They were also both one day short of qualifying for tenure. In early June, they received letters notifying them that their contracts were not being renewed. Kantrowitz said her contract was not renewed because she questioned administrators and supported teachers who protested the breakfast count. McKenna, who taught in Revere Schools for 33 years, shared a story of an unjustifi ed reprimand that she received from administrators and how she decided to accept it and move on. Looking back, she wishes she had fought against it. “I know what it’s like not having a voice and not being heard, and I understand unfairness. I have lived it as a teacher,” said McKenna. “I am here to advocate for these three educators and to lend my voice because no one else is hearing them.” Other councillors who have been fielding phone calls and emails from constituents who support the three educators called for their contracts to be renewed. “This is terrible,” said Ward 6 Councillor Richard Serino. “No teacher should be retaliated against by the administration.” Councillor-at-Large George Rotondo said the administration’s decision raised questions and did not “pass the sniff test.” Ward 3 Councillor Arthur Guinasso said he admired the superintendent and the School Committee but added that sometimes oversights occur, and harsh judgements are made. Guinasso said the teachers should be reinstated and the decision on the contracts should be reviewed because the severity of the punishment did not fi t the situation. Revere Teachers Association President Gina Garro said Cochrane, DeVincent and KantrowRevereTV Spotlight I f you do not follow RevereTV on Instagram, please do, as we have offi cially relaunched our page to include more of what is going on around the city and our studio. Our username is @RevereTV. On our stories, you will see more informational graphics, some of which are reposted from other city organizations. RTV’s Instagram posts will include some IGTV videos of events we cover, and pictures of the work we do in and out of the studio. RevereTV has always been and will continue to be active on Facebook, but Instagram is another way for us to reach our viewers in a more concise way. Be sure to check it out! On the RevereTV community channel, we are airing the latest episode of “The Senior FYI.” Revere’s Elder Aff airs Director, Debbie Peczka-DiGiulio, interviews Public Health Nurse Adrienne Sacco-Maguire. This episode is mostly about informing seniors about COVID-19, along with safety tips and suggestions. “The Senior REVERETV | SEE PAGE 11 itz are exceptional educators who stood up for their fellow educators, students and families and, as a result, have lost their jobs. “As a union, we would not make this appeal to you except for the administration’s attack on our members’ protected rights to speak up for themselves and others,” she told councillors. Garro said the union generally respects the administration’s right not to renew the contracts of nontenured teachers as they see fi t. “But the administration does not have the right to dismiss teachers because of their union activity, and that is what happened here,” she added. After months of disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the social upheaval that’s occurring as communities confront racism, Garro said, it is critical that students return to schools with experienced educators they know and trust. Garro, who has been exploring legal remedies for the three educators with lawyers for the MasA.B.C. CIGAR 170 REVERE ST., REVERE (781) 289-4959 Same Location * Same Service for 48 Years! sachusetts Teachers Association, said it is not too late to change course. “Rather than spending the city’s precious funding on legal fees to fi ght this battle, you can invest in hiring educators, buying school supplies and the personal protective equipment needed to return to school safely,” she said. Rotondo told Garro that the City Council stands with the RTA and with Cochrane, DeVincent and Kantrowitz. “What’s been done here is appalling,” said Rotondo. “I hope the mayor will ask for reconsideration for these teachers.” City Council President Patrick Keefe said he still had faith that the School Committee would do the right thing. “But certainly, we will stand with the teachers,” he said. Chris Dan Steve We Welcome You Back & Wish You Well! * Desktop Humidors * Travel Humidors * Vapes * Juice * Cigar Accessories * Bongs * Lighters & Ash Trays * Glass Pipes * Gift Cards * Rewards Program * Juuls * CBD Infused Products Cigar of the Month! Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Magnum Box of 20 - Only $149.95 Buy your Cigars by the Box & Save! Plus our “Golfers’ Special” 15 Handmade Cigars - Churchill Size including a Cohiba! Only $43.95 STORE HOURS 8 AM - 7 PM Mon. - Sat., Sun. 8 AM - 6 PM

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