East Providence committee declines to notify superintendent her contract will not be extended; most staff contracts approved, one fails

The East Providence School Committee voted not to move forward with a motion to inform Superintendent Dr. Forand that the committee would not extend her contract after the committee's legal counsel explained that the contract contains a written-notice requirement that, if not met at least one full year before the agreement's end, automatically extends the contract by an additional year.

The explanation came as the committee considered agenda item 21, which proposed to notify the superintendent that the committee did not intend to extend her contract. The chair asked the committee's legal counsel to read the contract language aloud, and the counsel said the superintendent's June 2025 contract end date would trigger a required written notice at least one full year before the end; absent that notice the agreement would automatically extend into a fourth year.

The panel did not adopt the proposed notification. "Is there a motion?" the chair asked; after no successful motion, the chair announced, "Item fails." The meeting then moved to public comment.

Speakers at public comment spoke overwhelmingly in favor of retaining Dr. Forand. Bob Rodericks, East Providence City Council president, said he had worked with multiple superintendents and warned that removing the current superintendent would "derail the school department." Rodericks urged the committee to keep "this team together," arguing the city and schools are now working collaboratively.

"She makes me want to be a better teacher," said Kim Murato, a Riverside Middle School teacher introduced by the chair, praising Dr. Forand's local ties and leadership. Principal Bill Black of East Providence High School said the district needs continuity and asked the committee to "renew the contracts of the folks on the agenda so we can move forward." Chrissy Rossi told the committee she was shocked item 21 had been placed on the agenda and said she had no further comments after the committee's apparent decision.

One public commenter raised distinct concerns about special education services. Tori Joseph Crowley said the district has only five Wilson-trained teachers and one Orton-Gillingham–certified teacher, argued that dyslexia affects about 20% of students, and urged the district to pursue grants and incentives to certify more teachers. Crowley also pressed for the special education audit to be published or presented, noting the district has "over 1,100 IEPs" and asking that the outside firm hired to do the audit present its findings so the public can understand the data.

Following public comment, the committee took up a slate of personnel contract approvals. After reading names for the record per legal counsel's direction, the committee approved contracts listed as items 1–11 (Leslie Anderson; Danny Carpenter; Diana Clarken; Sharon Corsi; Emily Diaz; Jeremy Diosa; Craig Ennis; Sandy Farias Borges; Yanniza Gallant; Michael Hubert; John Imo) and then approved items 12–16 (Patrick Erwin; Steven Laughlin; Christina Layman; Patrick McDonald; Jamie McKenzie). The committee then approved contracts for items 18 and 19 (Lindsay Riley; Mason Sanchez) and later approved the contract for Mark Williams.

Item 17, Christopher Murphy's contract, failed for lack of a motion. The chair confirmed the record: "There is no motion at this time ... Item number 17 fails." The meeting adjourned shortly thereafter.

Votes at a glance

- Item 21 (motion to inform the superintendent of intent not to extend her contract): Motion failed (no motion carried). - Contracts approved: items 1–11; items 12–16; items 18–19; Mark Williams' contract approved. - Contract failed: item 17, Christopher Murphy (no motion).

What happened next

The committee took no further formal action on the superintendent's contract during the meeting; public commenters asked for continuity and for more transparency on the special education audit and teacher certification efforts. The committee adjourned after completing the listed personnel votes and approvals.