TruthTeller

It’s not baffling- she listened to her constituents. That’s what leaders do. @RachelRI is committed to finding a use for the building that does not take away from Providence Public School students.

Pedro Espinal says there’s two ways to look at the issue: charter vs traditional or financially. “I choose to look at the finance,” Espinal said. He points out that the lease will bring a total of $32 million in investment and rent to the city. @wpri12

RI Education Commissioner @AInfanteGreen says she’s “relieved” that the education funding will be released. RIDE has not received official notification on today’s announcement (which would include any terms and conditions on the money)

Providence Community! Beginning next week, the Providence School Board is rolling out a series of Community Listening Sessions to better understand your vision for Providence youth + guide a strategic plan. Register: bit.ly/46XIjtZ Learn more: providenceschools.org/peoplesplan

Calling all Providence families, students, educators and neighbors! Beginning next week, the Providence School Board is rolling out a series of Community Listening Sessions. This is your chance to help shape our return to local control and set the goals and guardrails that will…

Thank you for supporting our district @RachelRI. With collaboration I’m sure we can find a great use for that building. Wouldn’t it be great to have a place for kids to go for extra homework help? A space for mental health support perhaps?

We’ve also witnessed pizzas being delivered, boxes of yellow shirts unloaded, and party favors being handed out. Anyone know of another public school that can do this? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

From a PTU teacher: Just got a text from a teacher who saw two of her students there. She asked if they are going to Excel. They said “no, we got paid to be here” Someone needs to look into this! @StephMachado @steveahlquist @AlexandraLeslie @NBC10 @StreetStories12

PACKED @pvdcitycouncil meeting as they will vote on the controversial Carl Lauro lease agreement. @wpri12

“This vote weighs extremely heavily on me,” John Gonsalves says as he takes the floor. He talks about his “compelling” conversations with Excel families. “There’s no way I can look at these families in the face and not want to give them the opportunity to go to this school.”

However, Gonsalves says he defers to the council president’s position because she knows her ward best and how to best serve them. That’s why he’s choosing to abstain on the issue. “Not out of indecision, but to hold space for complexity and respect for my colleagues.”

Councilman James Taylor says he will vote for the lease after talking with parents. He adds that he’s not sure what caused the train to “derail” in the last 24 hours after the council president announced she will vote against the proposal despite working months on the lease.

Councilwoman Graves says she will vote no because she’s worried about school funding in the future and potential segregation of students of color in the future. “We got to come up with a better system,” Graves said.

Councilwoman Shelley Peterson takes the floor and goes over the long term concerns she has like when the revenue will be available and how it would force PPSD to sublet and pay a private entity to use the public building in the future.

“My responsibility is for every child in Providence, not just those who win the lottery,” Peterson said. She adds that the investment needs to go to public schools for ALL kids.