Settlement reached in 360 High School federal complaint
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island Department of Education, Providence Public School District, and the Rhode Island Center for Justice said that all involved parties have reached an agreement on the class action lawsuit filed about the closure of 360 High School.
The agreement, which was forwarded to the presiding judge, seeks to allow input from students and families of 360 to be taken into consideration for the new unified school meant to replace it.
The feedback will be used to “preserve certain laudable aspects” of 360.
A number of students filed the suit originally claiming the closure of the school presents a civil rights issue to multi-language families, as the teachers would not be employed once the merger with Juanita Sanchez Education Complex.
The parties involved with the lawsuit released the following statement:
We are all committed to supporting students, families, and teachers while ensuring the success of a unified school community at the redesigned Juanita Sanchez Educational Complex. The agreement we have reached considers input from 360 High School students and families to preserve certain laudable aspects of the school in alignment with the approved redesign plan for the unified school that will offer greater access to high-quality learning experiences aimed to support post-secondary and career success with a focus on Rhode Island’s growing life sciences industry. The Rhode Island Department of Education and Providence Public Schools will continue to work closely with students, families, staff, and community partners to foster a school community at the new, unified school, that promotes academic excellence and offers a welcoming and supportive learning environment where all students can thrive. The families’ focus in the case has been on ensuring that multilingual learners and their families have positive educational experiences in the new school and the parties are pleased to be able to reach this agreement with that goal in mind.
