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Parents and students press Pawtucket School Committee on teacher shortages and personnel changes
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Summary
At the April 14 meeting students from a seventh‑grade advanced team urged the committee to fill vacant math and science positions; longtime employee Melissa Lavassier disputed a move from a 12‑month to 10‑month role and asked for budgetary clarity and a plan for summer work continuity.
Students and district employees used the public‑comment portion of the Pawtucket School Committee meeting April 14 to press officials on staffing and personnel changes.
Three seventh‑grade students identified themselves and told the committee that their "blue team advanced class" has lacked a math and a science teacher for much of the year, leaving them with substitute teachers who they said were teaching lower‑grade material. The students said they risk falling behind ahead of state testing in two weeks and asked for a permanent substitute and a hired math teacher.
Later, Melissa Lavassier, who said she has served the district for more than 30 years as talent development coordinator, said she was informed her role had been changed from 12 months to 10 months and that the district had not explained how the summer responsibilities she handles (teacher evaluation oversight, mentor programs and related work) would be completed. Lavassier said her position is funded about 20% from local funds and questioned how reducing the months would meaningfully affect local budget savings; she cited a new administrative posting with a stated salary near $115,000 and asked the committee to explain the apparent discrepancy.
Chair and administration responded in public: the chair thanked students for advocating for themselves and said the administration would look into the classroom vacancies. Administration indicated it would follow up on Lavassier’s questions; later agenda items addressed recall notices and personnel procedures in executive session.
Committee members recommended administration and HR coordinate before bringing personnel specifics into public discussion. One member asked that future explanations about recalls or personnel changes be prepared so that affected individuals’ rights under the Open Meetings Act are respected.
The committee did not take immediate action on the students’ request at the meeting but said staff would look into resolving the staffing gaps and would follow up with the concerned parties.
