Montañez hopes for attendance increase in first year as permanent superintendent

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — With students heading back to the classroom Monday in Providence, superintendent Javier Montañez told ABC 6 News that he is hoping to see attendance increase in his first year in the official role.

“The first thing we need to do is make sure we have attendance up,” said Montañez.

Data from the Rhode Island Department of Education’s “report card” shows that over half of Providence students were consistently absent during the 2020-21 school year.

“Teaching and learning can’t happen if we don’t have the students in the classroom,” he added.

Several reconstruction and renovation projects throughout the school district aim to encourage students to show up to school. The superintendent said that he hopes to create an environment where students want to be.

Before he was named permanent superintendent back in April, Montañez had been serving as interim superintendent since August of 2021.