Public Hearings Scheduled for Proposed Charter School

The Rhode Island Department of Education announced it will hold two public hearings on the proposed Newport County STEAM charter school. The purpose of these hearings is to invite comment from the general public about the proposed charter school, which will inform RIDE’s recommendation to the Board of Education.

The school expects to open in August 2014, serving kindergarten through grade eight, eventually serving through grade 12.

The curriculum plans to include real-world experience through apprenticeships and internships, as well as course and graduation credits for work and play accomplished outside of school.

These hearings will be held on:

June 17, 2013 at Newport Public Library, 300 Spring St, Newport

July 8, 2013 at CCRI Newport, Auditorium #134, 1 John Chafee Blvd, Newport

Each agenda item will begin promptly at the times noted below:

6:00 PM: Introduction

RIDE officials will introduce the agenda and review the purpose of the hearing.

6:05 PM: Pre-hearing

The applicant may have ten minutes maximum to present an overview and other information relevant to the proposed charter application. Applicants should plan to use fewer than the ten minutes allocated; the pre-hearing will be timed.

6:15 PM: Hearing

Any member of the public who wishes to speak may do so. A sign-up sheet will be posted and each speaker will have a maximum of three minutes for comment. All speakers will be recorded.