Providence City Council Rejects Charter School Lease Proposal

News Summary

The Providence City Council voted against leasing the vacant Carl G. Lauro Elementary School to Excel Academy, a charter school, amid public opposition. Council President Rachel Miller reversed her initial support, citing constituent concerns. Mayor Brett Smiley criticized the decision as detrimental to the community, noting the ongoing demand for charter school placements. This outcome reflects the contentious debates surrounding charter schools in Providence and highlights the challenges of educational reform amidst local governance changes.

Providence – The Providence City Council has voted 8-4 against a proposal to lease the vacant Carl G. Lauro Elementary School building to Excel Academy, a charter school. This decision arrives amidst significant public opposition and concern over the implications for the local community.

The Carl G. Lauro school, situated on Kenyon Street in the Federal Hill neighborhood, has been empty for two years following its closure. The building requires substantial repairs, which Excel Academy had planned to cover with an estimated $14.3 million dedicated to renovations. The original proposal included the charter school occupying a portion of the building while the remainder would be utilized as swing space for Providence Public Schools.

In a dramatic shift, Council President Rachel Miller reversed her support for the lease agreement just a day before the vote. She cited inputs from constituents and concerns about neighborhood interests as key reasons for her decision. Many local residents expressed their opposition, prompting Miller to claim that the deal would not benefit either the neighborhood or the city.

Mayor Brett Smiley criticized the timing of Miller’s reassessment of the proposal, arguing that the decision would negatively impact the city, the school department, and may lead to the continued existence of an unused building in the area. Excel Academy reacted to the vote with disappointment, indicating that it sends a troubling message about how political considerations can overshadow the voices of families in need of educational options.

The lease agreement, which the Council had previously endorsed, would have allowed Excel Academy a 35-year tenure on the property. The decision to reject the lease is symptomatic of the ongoing debates surrounding the role of charter schools in Providence. Currently, there are 18,000 students vying for charter school placements in the city, demonstrating a significant demand for such educational alternatives.

Opponents of the lease, including various community advocates, highlighted concerns regarding equity issues related to charter schools and the impact on funding for traditional public schools. Critics note that expanding charter schools could strain finances within the public school system, ultimately harming educational quality and access within the community.

This recent vote also aligns with larger discussions about education quality and governance in Providence, particularly during the ongoing state takeover of local schools. Civil rights organizations including the NAACP have expressed opposition toward charter school expansion, stating that it often serves only a limited segment of the population.

Ward 14 Councilwoman Shelley Peterson voiced apprehensions regarding the long-term consequences of allowing a public asset to be controlled by private tenants. She advocated for exploring alternative uses of the Lauro school building. Prior proposals from Miller had suggested converting the vacant school into housing; however, logistical and financial challenges hindered those plans.

Supporters of charter schools and advocates for family choice expressed frustration at the council’s decision to reject the lease, underlining the importance of providing educational options and a safe environment for students. The initial proposal’s rejection means that Excel Academy will now face the challenge of finding a new location to accommodate its anticipated expansion and uphold its mission.

As the discussion around charter versus traditional public schools continues, the outcome of this council’s vote highlights the complexities and contentious nature of educational reform in Providence, reflecting both the public’s desires and the intricate balance of community needs.

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Additional Resources

• Boston Globe: Rachel Miller and the Providence Charter School Controversy
• Turn to 10: Providence Council to Vote on Proposed Charter School
• Providence Journal: Providence Charter School Deal Falls Apart
• WPRI: Providence Committee on Vacant Elementary School Building
• Wikipedia: Charter School