Paul Cuffee Lower School educators vote overwhelmingly to join RIFTHP

“With both schools now represented by RIFTHP, educators have a stronger platform to collaborate with administration and ensure that our shared goals are met for the benefit of all.”

From a Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals press release:

Educators at Paul Cuffee Lower School have voted to unionize with the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals (RIFTHP), joining their Upper School colleagues who successfully unionized in October. This milestone reflects a unified effort by Paul Cuffee School educators to strengthen their voices in advocating for their students, profession, and community.

“We are honored to welcome the Lower School educators of Paul Cuffee School into the RIFTHP family,” said Maribeth Calabro, President of RIFTHP. “With both the Lower and Upper Schools now united, Paul Cuffee educators are positioned to work together for meaningful improvements that benefit students, staff, and families.”

Lower School educators have expressed a clear desire to ensure their voices are heard in decisions affecting the school’s future, its students, and their working conditions. The unionization vote builds on a growing commitment across campuses to strengthen collaboration and prioritize student-centered improvements.

“Unionizing with RIFTHP gives us the tools to advocate for what our students and school community need,” said Andrea Lahlum, a second-grade teacher. “We look forward to working with our colleagues across campuses and with the administration to continue building a school environment that supports everyone.”

Paul Cuffee School serves students from kindergarten through grade 12 across three campuses in Providence. Its education is rooted in academic excellence and social responsibility. By forming a union, Lower School educators join their Upper School colleagues in a collective effort to enhance the quality of education and the workplace conditions that make such excellence possible.

“This is an exciting moment for the entire Paul Cuffee School community,” said Noah Provost, a second-grade teacher. “With both schools now represented by RIFTHP, educators have a stronger platform to collaborate with administration and ensure that our shared goals are met for the benefit of all.”

RIFTHP represents over 12,000 educators, healthcare professionals, and public employees across Rhode Island. The addition of Paul Cuffee Lower School educators to RIFTHP reflects a growing recognition among charter school professionals of the importance of collective advocacy to meet the needs of students and staff alike.

The next steps in the process include certifying the union and negotiating the Lower School’s first contract. Educators are committed to working collaboratively with the administration to address key priorities and ensure the highest standards of education and workplace conditions.