EAST PROVIDENCE — Nine members of school committees around the state yesterday pledged their support of the city board’s efforts to hold teachers’ contract negotiations in public.

The schools’ current contract with its nearly 500 teachers expires on Friday. Since August, the sides have debated whether to hold closed-door bargaining sessions, with the School Committee against them and the East Providence Education Association favoring them.

A union representative did not return a call from The Journal yesterday.

“Many times the School Committee members themselves want to keep the public out, so this is certainly a positive sign,” wrote William Felkner, of the Chariho Regional School Committee, in a news release yesterday. The release was also signed by school board members Douglas Roth and Renee Cockerill, of North Kingstown; David Coughlin, of Pawtucket; Sandra Gabaree, of Johnston; Mark Baker, of Glocester; Jean Ann Guliano, of East Greenwich; Paul Cannistra, of Warwick; and Joseph Quinn, of Tiverton.

Felkner said, “There really is no reason for this secrecy. If taxpayers had a say, I’m sure they would insist on open meetings.”

East Providence School Committee member Anthony Carcieri said taxpayers’ rights are the reason he suggested open negotiations in the first place.

“To me, it’s common sense,” Carcieri said yesterday. “We, the people, are the ones paying the money. Why shouldn’t we know what they want us to pay before the deal is done? The union keeps saying open negotiations will create a circus atmosphere, but all we want to do is let the people know what’s going on.”

After a standoff, talks resumed last week with a mediator present. A meeting was held last night and additional times were slated for the rest of this week. Yet they are proceeding without any ground rules, including one that used to gag negotiators from sharing specifics with the media.

That lack of rules allows Carcieri to inform the public anyway.

He said school district lawyer Daniel K. Kinder made it clear in last week’s talks that the city needs millions of dollars in annual concessions to cope with its growing $4.2-million deficit. Carcieri said the specific amount, which he was advised not to disclose, can be affected by a combination of factors: minimum or no salary increases, copays toward health insurance benefits and the elimination of a current contract provision that allows teachers to receive up to $5,100 if they choose not to take coverage under the school’s health-insurance plan.

“The school buildings are in bad shape and there’s no money for anything,” he said. “All the money is going to the union. It’s not about the teachers. We’re not badmouthing the teachers. It’s the unions that are taking everything.”

apina@projo.com