Providence School Board invites public to meeting on closure of 360 High School

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A letter was sent to families of students attending 360 High School and Juanita Sanchez Educational Complex inviting them to the Providence Public Schools’ board meeting on Feb. 14 to address the impending merger of the schools.

The letter, penned by School Board Member Ty’Relle Stephens, comes a day after students walked out of 360 High in protest of its planned closure.

“Having been a former student at Juanita Sanchez and having witnessed the establishment of 360 High School back in 2018, I have developed a profound respect for the dedication and excellence demonstrated by Principal Kerry and her team at 360 High School,” Stephens said.

He added that the meeting will address the reasons behind the closure, when teachers at 360 High School will learn their employment status, and how much involvement students and the community have in the decision-making process.

“Although I am currently on vacation, [School Board Member] Night Jean and I have a meeting scheduled for the upcoming week with the Superintendent and his team,” Stephens said.

The full letter can be read below:

Students at the walkout said they were upset that their teachers were not part of the merger.

“They say they are going to take 360’s culture, but not their teachers, but you can’t take the culture without the teachers,” senior Nurkis Payamps said.