Report: Local control of Providence schools on track for end of June 2026

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The president of the Providence School Board, Tyrelle Stephens has sent a progress report on how the Capital City schools are doing so far and when the district can return to local control.

The big takeaway: Stephens says don’t hold your breath on a fast track to local control of Providence’s schools.

The school is working to meet the criteria set by Rhode Island Department of Education Commissioner, Angélica Infante-Green including committing to two years of professional development with a student-outcomes focused vendor.

PPSD says they’re 98 percent complete with that goal.

Second is working with the community to establish goals and guardrails, and the district says they’re 92 percent complete with that goal.

And finally, monitoring the progress toward the adopted goals and guardrails; the mid-year progress report says the district is zero percent complete with this goal.

Stephens says the district is on track to complete that last goal by December.

On the first day of school Mayor Smiley said he expects schools to return to local control by the summer of 2026.

According to the report, PPSD is currently on track to return to local control at the end of June 2026.

Stephens will send a more in-depth report on the school year, so far, in the beginning of January.