Coventry school board pulls the plug on restructuring plan, for now

COVENTRY, R.I. (WLNE) — A continuation of Monday’s school board meeting in Coventry drew another massive crowd as officials discussed consolidating the town’s elementary schools.

But the proposal never made it to a vote.

Superintendent Don Cowart opened what was expected to be an hours-long meeting of public comment and a vote with a shocking move.

Pulling the plan off the table to look at it closer with the community.

“The feedback and criticism I have heard and that people have raised makes me understand that the community needs more time,” Cowart said.

Dozens of parents, educators, students, and community members gathered outside of the school and in the halls to protest against the proposal.

“We didn’t expect this at all,” parent Melissa Nelson said. “We came in ready for another fight, we had our talks ready for our three minutes before and our three minutes after, and we didn’t expect this at all.” 

Following the announcement, the focus for community members turned to whatever will come next. 

“I think there’s a lot of work moving forward and it’s not over,” Parent Hilary Conners said. “But at least for now, we can move forward with a new plan.”

Now the district has to look at how it will address a nearly two million dollar deficit that prompted this discussion.

It may come back to a restructuring, but now the hope is to bring the community into the fold on whatever choice they make.

“There are times where even no matter how many voices there are and how loud they are, leaders are in a position where they have to make tough decisions,” Cowart said. “I don’t know if we’re in that situation right now you know. I’m hoping that we can do what we need to do to figure a way out of a deficit situation for next year to be able to put forward a balanced budget”

There isn’t much time before that, as the budget is due in March.

However, staff are hopeful the community will stay as involved in the fight for more funding from the town and the state as they were for the merger.

Categories: News, Rhode Island