It’s About The Kids

RI charter school bosses make significantly more $ than their public school counterparts. Their workers make significantly less. @RIHouseofReps labor committee is hearing a bill that would require prevailing wages. It will be telling to see the testimony.

There are 64 school superintendents in Rhode Island. That’s crazy and excessive.

@RISenate @RIHouseofReps

Several principals are raising concerns that charter schools are getting student contact info from RIDE/PPSD, given their targeted outreach to high-performing students. The pattern seems clear: recruitment is focused on students who score proficient or advanced on RICAS.

Joan Jackson set the tone for executive leadership: treating the school board with open dismissiveness, avoiding collaboration with PTU, pushing out Black and Brown leaders, keeping everything off email, and snickering about Javier’s incompetence behind his back.

As Joan Jackson makes her grand exit from PPSD, let’s stroll down memory lane and recall how her connection to Deputy Commissioner Kelvin Roldan basically made her untouchable, the queen of the iron fist era.

ICYMI: Leviton Dual Language School is a gem in the Providence School District! Our teachers there are teaching the next generation of bilingual and biliterate students! #PTUPROUD @RIDeptEd @AlexandraLeslie

@GoLocalProv @PPSDTruthTeller

Elorza, Raimondo, Infante-Green, Capellan, and Smiley quietly mapped out a plan to downsize PPSD by closing schools, expanding charters, and reshaping K–8s to push families out. The Excel Academy lease denial is a major setback to that long-term strategy.

I’m getting t-shirts made that say: “The state took over our schools and all we got was higher property taxes.” #Unbelievable

The hard truth: if PPSD loses 1,000 students in 2 years, we’ll be forced to close 2–3 more schools. And just like that, the cycle continues—giving away schools year after year. It’s a domino effect we can’t afford. #SaveCarlLauro #FundPPSD

From a PTU teacher: Just got a text from a teacher who saw two of her students there. She asked if they are going to Excel. They said “no, we got paid to be here” Someone needs to look into this! @StephMachado @steveahlquist @AlexandraLeslie @NBC10 @StreetStories12

PPSD spends $48K/year on a student with special needs. While 16% of PPSD students get special ed services, Excel serves less than 1%. When 1,000 students shift to Excel, PPSD loses funding but keeps its highest-cost students. That’s not equity—it’s fiscal harm. #SaveCarlLauro

If someone could explain why a big box charter which claims it’s a public school needs FOUR PAID lobbyists that would be great. @CoreyJonesPVD @justinroias @pvdcitycouncil @DanMcGowan @AlexandraLeslie @JMuhingabo @DavidMoralesRI

2 years ago, Carl Lauro Elementary was forced to close its doors. Now, the building is being considered for a 35-year lease to Excel Academy, a big-box charter school. This proposal is about more than a building: it will accelerate the defunding of our Providence Public Schools!

ZERO teachers at Excel academy in MA are sped and/or ESL certified. ZERO @pvdcitycouncil @PVDMayor @TyrelleStephen3 @PTU958 @RIDeptEd

How did we get to a point where students miss 50+ days of school, still get promoted to the next grade… and then we act surprised when they’re failing?

Why are some Chicago leaders ok with obstructing CTU contract negotiations? You need to be advocating for the schools Chicago students deserve. Is it easier to prop up a failed CEO with political theater? 🛑 We need a fair contract now!! Proud CTU member @CTULocal1

A $6.8 million investment in an unproven vendor that only produced marginal gains should prompt an investigation into that contract.