VIDEO: Gallo Visits Schools and Council Members Weigh-In
GoLocalProv News Team
VIDEO: Gallo Visits Schools and Council Members Weigh-In
VIDEO By Reynaldo Almonte in partnership with GoLocalProv
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Gallo was named Interim Superintended back in July, just over a month after the Johns Hopkins Report was published.
Gallo previously served as Superintendent of Central Falls before resigning in January of 2015.
Her resignation came just over three years after she received a vote of “No Confidence” from Central Falls teachers, as GoLocalProv reported.
Council Members Raise Concerns
Councilwoman Rachel Miller (Ward 13 - D) said in a statement that she "...will support a state intervention that gives meaningful structural decision making and voice to students and parents. I believe that's the critical missing piece. If we're serious about long-term change, not surface change- if we want to truly change the culture that brought us here- student and parent participation in decision making is non-negotiable. This means finding a path that goes well beyond listening sessions and community forums. I will support a state intervention that includes a transparent process, accountable to the public, not just the state and city structures that got us here. Let's make these critical decisions about our schools in the light of day, where public input is taken seriously and responded to."
Miller added, "I will support a state intervention that looks hard at school buildings and the health of students and teachers learning and teaching in those buildings. One that looks at funding mechanisms for our schools and understands that we didn't get to this crisis point overnight- this has been a long time coming and every state institution, taxpayer, elected or appointed official, has a piece of this and can give a hand in creating positive, lasting change."
In addition, Kat Kerwin who represents Smith Hill (Ward-12) said, "I remain concerned about both the physical conditions and the academic integrity of our schools. Starting today, students will be in class for hours each day, for many months. It is our duty as elected officials to ensure their experience does not continue to reflect what they have already endured for years in the Providence Schools. We cannot improve this system unless the people impacted by the decision-making structure are with us every step of the way."
The truth is our parents, students and youth organizations should not have to beg for a seat at the decision-making table. While community conversations have been offered to these stakeholders, dialogue is not enough. To truly build power and address the very real concerns of our community we must offer them a chance to be vocal leaders in the plan to change our school system," added Kerwin.
School Returns Following Hopkins Report
Tuesday marks the first day of school in Providence since the release of the Johns Hopkins report back in June.
The report found that Providence’s school culture is broken with an exceptionally low level of academic instruction, teachers don’t feel supported, and parents are marginalized and demoralized.
Other findings of the report include:
- The great majority of students are not learning on, or even near, grade level
- With rare exception, teachers are demoralized and unsupported
- Most parents feel shut out of their children’s education
- Principals find it very difficult to demonstrate leadership
- Many school buildings are deteriorating across the city, and some are even dangerous to students’ and teachers’ well-being
At the time, Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza gave the school system a “C.”
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Matt Voskuil
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David Torchiana
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