News Summary
The Providence City Council has postponed a vote to lease the vacant Carl G. Lauro School building to Excel Academy, despite robust support from the community. Many parents, educators, and local residents advocates for the charter school, citing its positive academic outcomes and commitment to serving underprivileged families. The delay has prompted concerns over the impact on educational opportunities in the region. Community members fear that rejecting the lease plan could jeopardize the future educational prospects of many students in the area.
Providence – The Providence City Council has decided to delay a vote on leasing the vacant Carl G. Lauro School building to Excel Academy, despite overwhelming community support for the charter school. During a meeting held on May 12th, numerous parents, teachers, students, and community members expressed their support for the school’s proposal, which aims to address educational needs in the area. The building, located at 99 Kenyon St., has remained empty for two years.
Excel Academy is a charter public school serving predominantly families of color, many of whom qualify for free and reduced-price lunch in Providence, North Providence, and Central Falls. The school has gained a reputation for its strong academic performance and dedicated support for students, ranking among the top 10 schools in Rhode Island for student growth in both math and English Language Arts.
The city originally sought proposals for the use of the Lauro building, but the only housing proposal received was not accepted. In contrast, the city’s approval of Excel Academy’s lease proposal projected annual maintenance savings of approximately $700,000 on the currently unused property. During the recent meeting, 26 individuals provided testimony in favor of the lease, highlighting Excel Academy’s positive influence on their children and sharing personal narratives that reinforced the school’s impact on families.
Among the supporters, a single mother recounted the sacrifices she made to ensure her daughter could access a quality education, emphasizing her long wait to present her case before the council. The testimonies presented showcased Excel Academy’s commitment to fostering high academic expectations and comprehensive emotional support for its students.
Despite the strong showing of support, six speakers opposed the lease, and only four letters of opposition were submitted, compared to over 200 supportive messages. Some opponents expressed a preference for keeping the building vacant for personal use, questioning whether the school would effectively integrate into the local community.
Excel Academy is open to all students from Providence, North Providence, and Central Falls, aiming to expand educational opportunities rather than escalate competition between different types of schools. Adding to the discussion, the Providence Public School District (PPSD) Superintendent endorsed the lease agreement, confirming that PPSD plans to utilize half of the Lauro building during the initial lease term, which is expected to be a mutually beneficial arrangement. The collaboration is anticipated to contribute not only to the renovations of PPSD facilities but also to bolster funding for public schools through Excel’s rental payments and improvements.
The projected financial investment of approximately $80 million into the city through this lease underscores the potential benefits of bringing Excel Academy to the Lauro site. Furthermore, the Rhode Island Education Collective has pledged $1.25 million to support the partnership between Excel and PPSD, signaling a strong commitment to enhancing educational resources in the region.
The Council’s decision to delay the vote has raised concerns among supporters, who argue that the rejection of the lease could significantly jeopardize the educational future of many local families. Following the Council’s postponement, community backlash has emerged, with protests against the decision and concerns about the thousands of students who remain on waiting lists for charter schools in Rhode Island.
While the council members have yet to vote on leasing the property, the strong community support for Excel Academy presents a compelling case for revitalizing the Lauro building and addressing the educational needs of families in Providence and the surrounding areas.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Rhode Island Honors Civic Leaders at State House Ceremony
Rhode Island Senate Rejects Proposal to Deny Executive Raises
Proposal to Transform Carl G. Lauro Elementary into Charter School
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Additional Resources
- GoLocalProv: City Council Crushes Charter School Expansion
- Boston Globe: RI Commentary on Lauro School
- WPRI: Providence Committee Considering Plan for Vacant School Building
- Wikipedia: Charter School
- Boston Globe: Carl Lauro Building and Excel Academy
