Concerns raised over Warwick’s special education department

By Bianca Buono

bbuono@abc6.com

@BBuonoABC6

Warwick’s special education department is about to be reviewed by Rhode Island’s Department of Education. Some city officials, though, are concerned that a review by the state won’t be enough to shine a light on all of the problems.

"We are facing an educational crisis in Warwick,” said Karen Bachus, a member of the Warwick School Committee.

Bachus said there are a number of policies being broken. For example, she said in some classes, more than 50 percent of the students are students with IEPs, or an individualized education program.

"How can any teacher teach to that kind of array in any classroom?" said Bachus.

Bachus also said in each classroom, it’s required that there’s a content specialist, a teacher who focuses on a specific subject, as well as a special educator to provide extra help to special ed students. Many teachers say they’re getting no help.

“It’s a disaster,” Bachus said.

Warwick City Councilman Ed Ladouceur started an Education Outreach Committee when he began hearing the horror stories from inside Warwick schools. He says teachers have told him that they’ve been asked not to call 911 when a special ed student becomes a risk to others.

"The most alarming thing to me is the health and safety of these youngsters that are in a special needs program as well as the students that are in the classroom around them,” said Ladouceur.

Just last week, Superintendent Philip Thornton and Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian released a letter, asking Rhode Island’s Department of Education to conduct a review of the city’s special education department; but Ladouceur is demanding an independent investigation.

"I’m not looking for a review. A review is not going to do it. That’s simply a whitewash. It’s a dust over of the issues,” he explained.

Ladouceur says if that doesn’t happen, a class-action lawsuit is likely on the way.

"If I am not completely satisfied with this review that RIDE’s doing, I have a responsibility and a commitment to the people that elected me to take it to any level that I need to take it to to get to the truth,” Ladouceur said.

Mayor Avedisian is out of town, but tells ABC6 over the phone that he feels this review done by the state is an appropriate first step. If the state doesn’t find any problems, he says the council can move forward with an investigation.

ABC6 reached out to the superintendent’s office multiple times but never heard back.

© WLNE-TV 2016