Mammone leaves E.P. Schools HR role for state position

Demolition of new EPHS remains on hold; council back new para-pros contract

By Mike Rego
Posted 7/26/21

EAST PROVIDENCE — The East Providence School Department is on the look out for a new director of Human Resources following the recent announcement Cheryl Mammone will be leaving the district in …

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Mammone leaves E.P. Schools HR role for state position

Demolition of new EPHS remains on hold; council back new para-pros contract

Posted

EAST PROVIDENCE — The East Providence School Department is on the look out for a new director of Human Resources following the recent announcement Cheryl Mammone will be leaving the district in short order after accepting a position with the state.

Superintendent Kathryn Crowley confirmed the information Tuesday, July 26. Ms. Mammone recently applied for an opening in the Rhode Island Department of Human Resources as an assistant in the Office of the Executive Director. She learned of her hiring on Friday, July 23, according to the superintendent.

“We were a bit surprised,” Superintendent Crowley said of Ms. Mammone's resignation. “Cheryl is very qualified, very capable. We wish her well.”

Ms. Mammone has been with the EPSD for some six years, having been hired in early 2015 by former Superintendent Kim Mercer to replace Donna Moschetti, who resigned from the post earlier that year.

Superintendent Crowley said the search to find a replacement has begun, pending formal approval of the job description by the School Committee, which is expected to take place the body’s August meeting.

Demo on hold
As for other notes from the district, demolition of the old East Providence High School building remains on hold as contractors await a review of existing gas lines into the Pawtucket Avenue property by National Grid.

Razing of the building was supposed to begin sometime in early July, starting with the addition built in 1999 in anticipation of EPHS receiving freshmen as part of the district’s plan to go from a junior high school to middle school structure.

However, as preparations were being made, three gas lines leading into the grounds were found by construction crews. One is believed to still be active, the two others are thought to be dormant.

National Grid gave project managers a range of between July 16-29 for it to inspect the site. Superintendent Crowley said a meeting between the parties to discuss the situation was slated for Tuesday morning, July 27.

While awaiting a resolution to that matter, the superintendent said the main portion of the old EPHS building continues to be prepared for asbestos abatement.

It should be noted demolition of the existing building has no immediate affect on the opening of the new EPHS, which remains well on target  to be ready for the start of the 2021-22 term later this summer.

The new EPHS continues to outfitted with furniture and fixtures and the athletics stadium in the rear of the grounds in nearing completion.

Where the old EPHS sits will be the future location of artificial turf fields for softball and baseball as well as tennis courts, all illuminated. Start of that part of the $189.5 million project wasn’t anticipated to begin until late this calendar year and more likely at the beginning of the next construction season in early 2022.

School reopening plan
Superintendent Crowley reaffirmed the administration’s intention to formally present a health and safety plan for the reopening of schools in late August/early September at the August 10 School Committee meeting.

The superintendent said she was awaiting updated pandemic guidance from the Rhode Island Department of Health while also working with the superintendents around the East Bay to formulate a comprehensive approach.

Superintendent Crowley said, based on state figures, approximately 80-90 percent of district staff has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine with some 40 percent of high school aged students having been inoculated at least one. The superintendent emphasized the district is not and does not track employees on health issues.

New contract
The City Council, at its July 20 meeting, gave necessary approval of new collective bargaining agreement between the district and the East Providence Paraprofessionals Association.

The three-year deal, which expires on October 31, 2023, was negotiated by the administration and previously backed by the School Committee.

Superintendent Crowley said the administration will soon be meeting to conclude a revised contract with the bargaining unit representing the district’s custodians, the last of the pacts needed to be updated among the district’s four unions of employees.

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Jim McGaw

A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.