Providence Mayors Target Schools As Priority For Newly Elected Smiley

PROVIDENCE, RI — Providence voters recently selected their next mayor, and, among the things at the front of their minds at the polls was how to fix the public school system.

Today, Mayors Jorge O. Elorza, Angel Taveras and Joseph R. Paolino Jr. added their opinion while presenting a series of education recommendations to mayor-elect Brett Smiley.

“For decades, Providence’s education system has been one of the City’s greatest structural challenges, even as we have each continued to work to address systemic barriers,” said Mayor Jorge Elorza (2015-2023). “Together, we have outlined the bold changes needed for our students and families, and what we believe can best position Providence’s future in education. I thank Mayor-elect Smiley for his openness in receiving these recommendations.”

Mayors Elorza, Taveras and Paolino made four recommendations, which include:

1. Address the management structure within the public school system
2. Investing in 21st century school buildings
3. Investing in out-of-school learning time
4. Working with key stakeholders and amplifying their voices

Chiefly among the recommendations is changing the management structure within the school district, which the former mayors called "unworkable."

"Currently, the Providence Public School District (PPSD) is governed by contract provisions, teacher tenure laws, and state arbitration laws," a news release stated.

It continued:

"Together, this structure strips principals and the superintendent of the autonomy and power to act in a broad array of circumstances and stands in the way of bringing about meaningful change. Most noteworthy is principals’ and superintendents’ lack of basic authority to manage their own personnel and to set their own calendar, regardless of whether the City of the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) has ultimate oversight of PPSD."

These mayors went as far as to recommend that, if the management structure doesn't change, that Smiley should consider increasing the number of public charter schools across the district.

Mayor-elect Brett Smiley was present at the news conference and said he appreciated the recommendations.

"I am grateful to the former Mayor's for their continued commitment to our students and our families and for these recommendations," said Mayor-elect Smiley. "As I mentioned throughout my campaign, I am committed to providing high-quality education opportunities in every neighborhood. We are all frustrated by the lack of progress in our classrooms but collectively, with PPSD leadership, teachers and families, we can improve outcomes for our students."

The full letter of recommendations can be read online here.