School board, teachers union weigh in Smileys PPSD local control plan

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Providence School Board formally discussed Mayor Brett Smiley’s plan to return Providence Public Schools to local control Wednesday night.

Mayor Smiley released his 60-page plan earlier in April about how control would return to the city.

School board members said Mayor Smiley’s plan is a good starting point, but it’s not the entire solution.

In a statement earlier this week, the Providence Teachers Union said Smiley’s outline “fell short in several key areas.”

The main concern PTU President Cynthia Robles noted was lack of input from Providence teachers and a lack of strategies for implementation and funding.

Next month, Smiley will host a community conversation on education at the Providence Career and Technical Academy.