Nearly 400 Coventry teachers laid off – for now

COVENTRY R.I. (WLNE) – Almost 400 Coventry school teachers got pink slips at a school committee meeting Thursday night.

However, Superintendent Craig Levis says he hopes to call back most of those teachers, as long as the budget passes the next time around.

This comes on the heels of voters rejecting the town budget last week, forcing possibly massive cuts.

The schools are preparing for the worst case scenario, which would be a level funded budget should the town reject the budget again at the next referendum.

“This is not cry wolf, these are not threats,” said Levis.

About 500 people are set to lose their jobs, including 120 support staff.

“I want you to understand that your actions later on this evening have potentially a profound impact, not on hundreds, but on thousands of people,” said one teacher during public comment Thursday night.

Worst case scenario means also cutting extra curricular activities like sports, drama, and yearbook clubs , and even some courses, in addition to lay offs.

“It’s gonna devastate our educational system,” said Levis.

The thought of cutting these programs is not sitting well with students.

“Another thing that really struck a nerve with me, is the fact that i have to see a bunch of adults just tossing around my own future and education like a crumpled up piece of paper,” said one student.

Officials say the budget they originally presented is what they need, and they hope that budget is what’s voted on once again in June, and that people will turn out to this time.

The town council will meet on Tuesday night to vote on what budget they will send to the referendum.

©WLNE-TV/ABC6 2019