House looks at bill preventing sudden school closures, mergers in Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Wednesday saw another step in the ongoing fight to save 360 High School from a merger at the end of the year.

This time the support came from the State House, and, like many of the meetings around 360 High School, ended with the school still on track to be merged with Juanita Sanchez at the end of the year.

Community members said, for the first time, it felt like they saw real momentum in their fight.

House Bill 7726 outlined a public, transparent process that would require districts in the Rhode Island Department of Education to explain their process for school closures and mergers.

That process includes a comprehensive description of the reasons behind that choice and a schedule of meetings to get the community involved.

“This is about ensuring that there is a specific guideline and a series of policies that says if you are serious about moving forward with a school closure you cannot unilaterally decide that and run roughshod on the community,” said Representative David Morales, the bill’s sponsor.

ABC 6 News crews have followed the closure of 360 High School since it was announced back in February.

Parents and teachers told ABC 6 the decision upended plans for students, with no input from the community.

“Today (2/9) I had to tell a bunch of eighth graders I hope that you didn’t put 360 because it’s closing,” said Delsesto librarian Sam Wallace back in February. “And that information, not only didn’t make it to the school, but it didn’t make it to our middle schoolers.”

“This decision needed to have more community input and more input from students and families,” Wallace continued.

Students said that even if the bill does not save their school, the fact that it might help another makes it worth it.

“360 students and other schools that have been supporting us, such as Classical,” said 360 senior Nicole Mcclelland. “It shows these kids and young adults that if you really want something you have to fight for it. Even if it doesn’t work in your favor, you’re empowering other people.”

“Just like 360, it may have started out as 360, but now it’s more about the district and statewide impact,” Mcclelland added.

The bill was held for further study, meaning it would return at a future meeting of the commission to possibly be sent to the House floor.

Those opposed to this bill said the one-size-fits-all nature may not work across Rhode Island, but they generally want to work on making a plan like this work.

Students and staff at 360 said the fight for their school is not over and are planning to voice their concerns at the Providence City Council meeting next week.