Providence City Council opposes charter school lease of vacant building

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Providence City Council has voted against a plan to lease a shuttered elementary school to a charter school company.

The proposal was whether or not to allow Excel Academy Charter school to take over part of the vacant Carl G. Lauro building.

Less than 24 hours ahead of the city council’s vote on Thursday, city council president Rachel Miller voiced her opposition.

Miller released a statement saying it’s not in the best interest of the neighborhood or the city.

Miller said she’ll continue to work with the city and state leaders to build up the public school system.

In a statement, Excel Academy called Miller’s reversal unexpected following months of meetings.

The statement reads:

After months of public engagement and a previously expressed commitment, we are disappointed by this reversal and final vote and especially concerned about the message it sends to the providence families who participated in this process with honesty, courage, and respect.

City council majority leader Pedro Espinal also sent a statement.

Councilman Espinal writes, in part

Council president Miller and I have personally negotiated the terms of this lease for the past six months. For her to pull the plug with less than 24 hours before the vote is beyond comprehension.

When reached for comment, Excel Charter Schools spokesperson Kate Apfelbaum said in part:

Excel Academy is deeply disappointed by the City Council’s vote against our proposed lease of the Carl G. Lauro building, catalyzed by President Miller’s sudden reversal last night of her prior public support for the agreement.

From the outset, we asked whether Councilor Miller was open to substantive negotiations, as we did not want to waste the Council’s time, our families’ time and energy, or our resources. She affirmed her desire to renegotiate and personally took part in the negotiations over the past six months.