RI state and educational leaders announce PPSD ‘path to local control’ framework
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Rhode Island state and education leaders announced the Providence Public School District’s “path to local control” framework on Monday.
At 2 p.m., Governor Dan McKee, Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green, State Board of Education Chair Michael Grey, PPSD Superintendent Dr. Javier Montañez, and PPSD Districtwide Advisory Council Chair Donna Huntley-Newby met at Martin Luther King, Jr Elementary to outline the framework with help from community members.
The proposed plan is expected to help leaders with a successful transition for PPSD away from full state control, and return to local control by 2026.
“We have established clear parameters to help local leaders build a comprehensive transition plan and develop a clear and cohesive vision for the future of PPSD. I’m confident local leaders will work towards meeting the requirements we’ve outlined and that could be as soon as summer 2026,” Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green said.
The Rhode Island Department of Education listed the following in the framework:
- The City to create a “strong” school board that is an “effective and productive governance partner”
- The Board to go through two years of training through a Student Outcomes Focused Governance coach
- By fall 2025, the Board is expected to spend at least 50% of meeting time discussing the progress made towards goals with the Superintendent and their team
- The City to fully honor the settlement agreement between the City, PPSD, and RIDE
- The City to publicize the minimum local contribution they plan to give to the school district until Fiscal Year 30
- The City to work to get all school construction projects currently in Phase 2 and 3 back on course and completed
- The City to publicize its commitment to reach its goal of delivering new or like new buildings for 100% of students
- The City to publicize its dedication to “performance-based outcomes for all contracts including custodial services”
- The Mayor’s Office to partner with City Council, RIDE, and PPSD leadership to publish a transition plan that addresses questions regarding:
- the City’s “vision” for education from preschool to 12th grade
- process to appoint professionals with education experience and expertise to help guide local stakeholders
- strategies to better serve historically underserved students
In regards to the framework, the board said it expects the stakeholders involved to work together “for the good of the students and educators of PPSD.”
“We recognize that without the proper planning and commitments from local stakeholders, there is a risk that PPSD may reverse course,” Council on Elementary and Secondary Education Member and RI Board of Education Chair Grey said. “All stakeholders should be thoughtful and intentional about carrying out a robust process that ensures the best conditions for all Providence students.”
Providence City Council President Rachel Miller responded to the outline, and said elected city leaders were not made aware of the meeting.
Miller said in a statement:
Today, RIDE and the Governor unveiled a series of conditions the city must meet before regaining control of our schools, without engaging city leaders or addressing us directly. City Council wasn’t briefed on this framework, nor was the mayor’s administration. Instead, we learned about it from the press.
The city has repeatedly extended our hand to RIDE—ready, eager, and committed to work in partnership to ensure the best path for Providence students. They have repeatedly refused to take it. This blatant lack of transparency and collaboration only deepens distrust—a clear disservice to our shared work to improve student outcomes.
While we welcome the prospect of an earlier return to local control, this process cannot exclude the municipal decision-makers who will implement the transition. The state’s failure to engage directly with city leaders further affirms the Council’s position that Providence Public Schools must return to local control in July 2025.”
