Group Calls for Resignation of Providence Schools Advisor and “End to State Takeover”
Monday, November 28, 2022
A representative of a group of families, students, legislators, community organizations, and individuals on Monday announced that they are expressing "concerns regarding issues in the Providence Public Schools, as well as the state intervention in the district."
Organizer Gabe Mernoff announced that on Tuesday morning, they will be holding a press event -- calling for the resignation of top schools official.
On Monday, Mernoff released the following:
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"The community has received numerous complaints from employees within the school department.
The first being reports of violation of Federal Laws pertaining to student grading policies. Since then, complaints of retaliation, discrimination, racism, low morale, and intimidation tactics to name a few, are at an all-time high. The Providence School Board received an anonymous letter from eight high-level administrators describing professional misconduct of the Superintendent’s Senior Advisor. After a review of the reports, it has been determined that the trust of our Executive leaders has been broken. We, the community, are convinced the overall intervention and the factual conditions of PPSD while under the takeover, has exasperated [sic] the already depleted morale of our school community.
The Senior Advisor specifically, has been accused of such retaliation, discrimination, racism, and intimidation tactics. In 2017, a 40-page civil rights lawsuit was also filed against this Senior Advisor. These complaints from a previous employer mirror the complaints administrators are experiencing today. Although the lawsuit was settled out of court in 2019, a pattern of behavior has continued, directly resulting in the conflicts our district continues to face. Throughout the state intervention, we have seen poor hiring practices, constant and consistent negative reporting, and a lack of community involvement in our school district.
Most importantly, we have also seen a decrease in RICAS and SAT scores. Unfortunately, the Commissioner continues to use the Crowley Act to prevent input and involvement from legislators, school board members, parents, students, and community members, resulting in the district performing at an all-time low. This takeover has FAILED to accomplish what it was set out to do in November 2019.
Due to the poor performance of the state intervention, and recent allegations against the Superintendent’s Senior Advisor, the community will be holding a press conference and will address the following:
● Immediate resignation of Providence Public Schools Senior Advisor
● Providence Delegation to bring an end to the Providence Public Schools State Intervention beginning September of 2023
● Removal of powers for the RI State Education Commissioner under the Providence takeover, upon return to legislative session in January of 2023
● A special Senate Oversight Committee hearing to discuss the overall status of the takeover and recent allegations into the Providence Superintendent’s Senior Advisor
● An independent investigation regarding potential graduation inflation occurring in PPSD
● An independent audit of the metrics/outcomes of the takeover
Those scheduled to attend the press conference include:
Pilar Mccloud - CEO and Founder of A Sweet Creation Youth Organization Tiara Mack - Rhode Island State Senator
Gerard Catala - President Elect of the NAACP
Gary Dantzler - RI Executive Director of BLM
Dwayne Keys - Chairperson of the Southside Neighborhood Association Angel Lopez - Parent, Community Organizer
Roberto Gonzalez - Founder of Steam Box
Gloria Johnson - Community organizer and Providence resident"
Related Articles
- School Committee Member in RI Says “Right-Wing is Fanning Flames of Transphobia”
- Police Make Multiple Gun Arrests During Music Video Shoot at Providence Elementary School
- Providence City Councilor Wants to Remove Background Check Requirement for Certain School Volunteers
- Superior Court Judge Appoints Receiver to Recover $3 Million Embezzled From School for Disadvantaged
- RI Schools Should Reject Body Cameras for School Resource Officers, Says ACLU and Student Groups
- Charges and Countercharges Levied Over Charter School Expansion
- Juvenile Apprehended at Hope High School After Latest Pellet Gun Assaults on East Side
- North Providence High School Freshman Arrested for Possession of Weapons on School Grounds
- Undefeated: Central High School’s 1969-1970 State Champ Team Featured in State Archives
- Pearson Elected RI Senate Majority Leader - Opposed Expansion of Highly Successful Charter Schools
- 3 Contractors Charged With Stealing $64K in Wages from 14 Workers Tied to School Construction
- 13-Year-Old Girl Reports Being Groped Walking to School in Providence
- First E-Sports Team Announced at Providence Public School
- Smiley Urged to Consider Expanding Public Charter Schools - Here’s Why
