School Committee and Teachers’ Union President Exchange Blows on Innovation Schools

New Bedford School Committee members joined the Taylor Cormier program on WBSM Saturday to discuss two innovation school proposals. Jack Livramento and Marlene Pollock have openly supported the plans, which would use classroom space at the Gomes and Roosevelt schools to emphasize Spanish-language and arts education, respectively. Opponent and Teachers' Union president Lou St. John joined the conversation, saying the proposals are incorrectly represented as "new" schools.

Pollock challenged that statement, saying the schools arent "converting" to exclusively innovation models, and no teacher would be forced to join the innovation team.

The two plans are being reviewed by the School Committee, who will vote to approve the creation of each school, in January.