E.P. Budget Board OKs New Posts for City Hall, Schools, Camp

East Providence is looking to hire a new information technology manager, an HVAC specialist and a plumber, a budget analyst, a deputy tax collector, several teachers, and summer staff for the recreation department.

The Budget Commission approved all of those posts at its meeting Thursday afternoon in City Hall. All of the posts fit within the 5-year spending plan approved by the budget board, which is now sitting only to deal with personnel matters.

The hiring of a new IT manager is part of a reorganization of the information technology department, which actually will grow from 4 to 6 staff members with the new hire and the transfer of an MIS position from the finance department. The position is vacant. It has a base salary of about $47,000. 

The budget analyst will provide monthly and quarterly reports that compare actual to projected expenses while assisting in the day-to-day operation of the accounting department.

The new deputy tax collector will replace someone who retired last January. It will pay about $43,000 as a base salary.

The HVAC specialist and plumber will provide services to 31 school buildings that are now being handled by private contractors on an emergency basis.

“We have been relying on emergency repairs,” said City Manager Peter Graczykowski, to the tune of about $170,000 last year.

“There are leaking pipes everywhere,” added Superintendent Kim Mercer. “There are water fountains in schools that are wrapped in plastic bags.”

The HVAC specialist will be paid an annual base salary of around $56,000; the plumber’s base salary will be around $52,000. 

A math teacher, a cosmetology teacher at the Career and Technical Center, and a Title I literary coach also are being hired for the schools. And an art teacher who now works a 2/5 FTE position will be boosted to a 4/5 FTE position.

The math teacher will have a base salary of around $66,000. The cosmetology teacher will be paid about $65,000 from a federal Perkins grant. The art teacher will be paid a base salary of around $57,000. The literacy coach’s salary of around $70,500 will be funded by federal Title I money; there is no cost to East Providence. The coach will serve five schools with students with poor reading skills. 

Seasonal summer positions for the recreation department include camp “recreation leaders” for the most part. Many of the camp leaders from last year are expected to reapply; the final number needed for this year will be determined by the number of kids who sign up for this year’s camp at Pierce Field.

An estimated 15 recreation leaders and 4 special-needs recreation leaders are anticipated along with a supervisor. Two bus drivers and two recreation center supervisors also are needed for the summer. 

The Senior Services Department also is looking to hire a temporary van driver to take the place of the regular driver who is out on medical leave for an unknown amount of time.