Providence School Dept. Claims Two Schools Are “Crumbling” But Won’t Disclose Which Ones

Providence School Dept. Claims Two Schools Are “Crumbling” But Won’t Disclose Which Ones

In a nasty exchange between the Superintendent of the Providence Schools and the head of the Providence Teachers Union, the spokesperson for the administration wrote in a statement that two Providence schools were “crumbling.’

It is not clear the extent of the deficiencies at the schools or if there is a risk to students, faculty and staff.

Nick Domings, the Chief Communications Director for the Providence School Department, refused to disclose the two schools.

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According to the statement, “It is disgraceful that it has taken this long to get our students out of buildings that were constructed over 100 years ago when Grover Cleveland was in office. Out of respect for PTU members and families in the affected buildings, as well as the School Board, the plan was - and still is - to provide full details to these groups first and release information to the larger community shortly afterward.”

Domings also refused to answer follow-up questions.

Over the weekend, a series of insults were hurled at one another by the President of the Providence Teachers Union, Maribeth Calabro, and the Providence school department administration. The Providence Teachers Union said in a tweet that the effort by the administration to hold community meetings just days before Christmas was improper. "Deliberate disrespect of families time," said the tweet.

Domings in his statement, called union leaders by name, and said they were "hostile and unprofessional."

"Maribeth Calabro and Jeremy Sencer have once again shown their true colors by running to social media to advance their own agenda of sewing turmoil, rather than addressing the longstanding critical issue of school facilities with District leaders like true thought partners," wrote Domings. READ MORE HERE

 

School Board Member Calls School Department Statement Immature

One member of the Providence School Board criticized the Providence School Doming’s statement.

Mark Santow tweeted, “This release [by Domings] is unprofessional. As a Board member I'm embarrassed, and I apologize to my PVD neighbors. Imagine being asked to be transparent about something as vital to this community as closing schools -- even if closing for good reasons -- and getting this response. Grow up.”

Santow is an Associate Professor and Chair of History at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, “specializing in 20th-century American urban history, politics, military history, civil rights and social policy.”

 

Just the Latest

This is just the latest battle between the Providence Teachers Union and the administration. Other recent conflicts have emerged over the management of COVID, the previous Superintendent, and the union contract.

Providence is ranked as one of the worst school districts in America.

Less than two weeks ago, the principal at Providence's Central High School was stabbed and three juveniles beat another student. SEE VIDEO HERE

Presently, the Providence School Department is under state control.