I hope some of you were able to enjoy February school vacation week. In this week’s letter I will discuss the Providence City Council’s endorsement of reforms to the Providence Public Schools.
A. The City Council’s Resolution
At its February 20 meeting, the Providence City Council approved this Resolution urging reforms to the Providence Public Schools in connection to the transition to local control. The Resolution specifically endorses the reforms contained in Senate Study Commission report (summarized in this Power Point). The Resolution follows a May 6, 2024 Letter signed by the Mayor, the City Council President and (then) School Board President also endorsing the findings of the Senate Study Commission report.
B. The Importance Of A Successful Transition To Local Control
At that City Council meeting, Council member Helen Anthony presented in her speech a cogent argument for these reforms. You can view it by going to the Youtube recording of the meeting and skipping ahead to the 38:30 mark. She notes (I believe correctly) that the current lively debate about the timing of the transition from State control of the Providence Public Schools to local control is ultimately less important than our need for a transition plan that supports improvement in the quality of public education we provide to our students. I appreciate the initiative of Councilors Helen Anthony and Sue Anderbois to introduce this Resolution and Councilman Juan Pichardo’s skillful management of committee hearings that informed the Council’s decision.
C. The Successful Example In Springfield, Massachusetts
Both the Resolution and the Study Commission report cite the successful reforms of the Springfield, Massachusetts public schools, which implemented an Empowerment Zone. The Empowerment Zone incorporated many of these reforms into a teacher contract that was approved by 96% of union membership, which in turn depended upon certain components of the Massachusetts legislative framework that Rhode Island lacks. With that in mind, I am preparing legislation to support these necessary reforms for the Providence Public Schools.
D. An Opportunity To Learn More
You can learn more about the Study Commission’s report and its findings at a community meeting Councilman John Goncalves will hold tomorrow night, Monday, February 24 at 6:00 p.m. at the Fox Point Boys and Girls Club at 90 Ives Street. You can register for the meeting by clicking here. I appreciate the Councilman’s making time for this issue, especially given his own personal background as an educator.