Warwick superintendent says teacher absenteeism is a problem

WARWICK, R.I. (WLNE) — Superintendent Philip Thornton says chronic teacher absenteeism is a problem in Warwick schools.

He cites RIDE data showing 11 percent of all Warwick teachers were chronically absent last school year, and in some schools it was higher than 20 percent.

Those are some of the highest rates in the state.

But Warwick Teachers Union President Darlene Netcoh is taking issue with that data.

“Before jumping to conclusions, consider the source, consider the data, consider the methodology, all of which are under question right now,” she said.

It’s not under question for Thornton, who said, “The data is the data.”

Netcoh says she doesn’t trust the data, pointing out some other schools were listed as having zero absences.

“You can’t tell me with 100 teachers in a high school no one was ever absent that year,” she said.

Thornton also points to Warwick’s longstanding but unusual policy of allowing 90 sick days.

Netcoh says that’s used for things like chronic illness and maternity leave because there is no temporary disability insurance.

“Our own human resources department reported that there’s no abuse of that 90 days,” she said.

Netcoh also says now that teachers have to work until age 67 to qualify for pensions, they’re more likely to be ill.

“When teachers, as with anyone, get older, we get more illnesses, weakened immune systems,” she said.

Thornton says he’s pleased to start a discussion on the issue.

Netcoh says she plans to work with him on better understanding the data.

© WLNE-TV / ABC6 2020