Closure of Providence Schools is Racist, Says Former NAACP Officer & Smiley Team Member

Closure of Providence Schools is Racist, Says Former NAACP Officer & Smiley Team Member

A community member and member of Providence Mayor-elect Brett Smiley’s transition team is calling the announcement of the closure of the city’s schools “racist,” ahead of a community meeting Wednesday night. 

On Tuesday, students and families learned that Alan Shawn Feinstein Elementary School at Broad Street and Carl G. Lauro Elementary School will close permanently at the end of the year, and Gilbert Stuart Middle School will close after the 2024-2025 school year to allow for the construction of a new Pre-K through 8 facility. 

Pilar McCloud, the founder of the non-profit “A Sweet Creation” and former NAACP Providence Youth Branch Chairwoman, is accusing the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) and Providence Public Schools Department (PPSD) of “gaslighting” the community — and of racism. 

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This fall, McCloud was named to Providence Mayor-elect Brett Smiley's transition team.

“They’re telling you what you’re seeing is not what you’re seeing,” said McCloud. “This is the biggest display of racism I’ve ever experienced in the state of Rhode Island.”

McCloud said that families in the city have been left out of the conversation about the future and direction of Providence schools, since the state takeover in 2019. 

The Providence Teachers Union and the Providence School Board have also criticized the school closure process, citing lack of stakeholder involvement — and lack of transparency from the school administrations. 

“Toward the end of last year, black teachers and educators were getting fired, resigning, or getting demoted [in Providence],” said McCloud. “And Joan Jackson’s name kept coming up.”

Jackson is the Senior Advisor to the Superintendent, and according to her bio:  “Joan oversees the Executive Academic and Student Supports teams to determine programs and policies focused on creating high-quality, equitable, data-driven learning environments for all PPSD students. Joan comes to Providence with 35+ years of experience working in Turnaround schools and districts across the country.”

The community meeting Wednesday night has two main topics on the agenda — the closing of the three schools, and calling for the “immediate resignation of PPSD senior advisor” — Jackson.