Community Asks Superintendent’s Resignation for Failing to Notify on Broken Fire Alarms

By: Rob Borkowski on April 5, 2017 in Schools

Parents, members of the general public and School Committeewoman Karen Bachus called for the resignation of Superintendent Phil Thornton at Tuesday night’s School Committee meeting over the administration’s failure to alert the community to failed fire alarms at Norwood and Holliman Elementary Schools, with some also calling for School Committee Chairwoman Bethany Furtado and Director of Buildings and Grounds Steven Gothberg to resign.

[CREDIT: File Photo] Warwick Veterans Jr. High School at 2401 W Shore Road.

Thornton: Warwick Veterans Jr. High Septic System Clog Cleared

[CREDIT: File Photo] Warwick Veterans Jr. High School at 2401 W Shore Road. By: Rob Borkowski on March 27, 2017 in Schools

Warwick Public Schools Superintendent Phil Thornton reported this afternoon that a high-pressure “jetting” cleaning of the Warwick Veterans Jr. High septic system by Diffley Septic, Sewer & Drains, Inc. has cleared a clog believed responsible for septic problems and a backup into a physical therapy room last week.

Firefighters on Watch at Holliman, Norwood Schools; Fire Alarms Broken Since Feb. 24

By: Rob Borkowski on March 23, 2017 in Police, Police News & Fire News in RI, Schools

The fire alarm systems have been broken at Holliman Elementary and Norwood Elementary schools since Feb. 24, a situation parents, most teachers, most of the Warwick School Committee, and the City Council were just informed of today, and tomorrow Warwick Firefighters are taking over the first shift for janitors who’ve been assigned to “fire watch,” at the schools for the past month.

Warwick Public Schools Sixth-Grade Move HInges on $3 Million Expenditure

By: Beth Hurd on February 4, 2017 in Schools

WARWICK, RI — The next step in the Warwick School Department’s school consolidation plan — moving the sixth graders into Warwick Veterans Jr. High and Winman Jr. High, converting them to middle schools — will cost $3 million, which Superintendent Phil Thornton plans to a ask for during Monday’s Warwick City Council meeting, as part of an $85 million bond request for building renovations.

Parents, Teachers Protest Unfinished Veterans, Pilgrim Schools Following First Week of Class

By: Beth Hurd on September 7, 2016 in News to You, Schools

Holding signs that read “Class size matters” and “Dr. Phil – Stop Wasting Tax Payer Money,” and “Contract Now,” the auditorium of Toll Gate High School was nearly full for the meeting of the Warwick School Committee held on Tuesday, Sept. 6. The high turnout was due to an item at the bottom of the meeting’s agenda – elementary school consolidation – as well as complaints by parents and teachers about the first week of school.

Officials Tour Warwick Vets, Pilgrim Construction as School Consolidation Advances

By: Rob Borkowski on August 3, 2016 in News to You, Schools

Construction upgrading Warwick Veterans Middle School and Pilgrim High School, in progress since June, continued Tuesday afternoon as Mayor Scott Avedisian, Superintendent Philip Thornton, and School Committee Chairwoman Bethany Furtado toured the buildings, inspecting the work that will prepare the new middle school and expand the high school to accommodate former Warwick Vets High Schoolers.