A letter to Mayor-elect Brett Smiley on Education
Dear Neighbor,
Yesterday I joined former mayors Joe Paolino Jr. and Angel Taveras to provide a series of education recommendations designed to help Mayor-elect Brett Smiley most effectively transform education in Providence public schools.
For decades, our kids and families have been yearning for high-quality public schools and it is our hope that throughout Mayor-elect Smiley’s tenure, our schools will make a dramatic leap towards that goal.
We know that our kids can succeed because we have examples throughout the country, and right here in Providence, of how to address our challenges, how to support our students, and how to raise their performance. High-achieving charter schools have shown that all of our kids can excel when they are supported properly. Every student deserves that kind of environment, and it is important that our schools have the ability to do what has been proven to work: namely, a longer school day, longer school year, effective teachers and principal autonomy to pick and manage their staff.
We each served as Mayor at different times and under different circumstances. However, Mayor Joe Paolino Jr., Angel Taveras and I, have reached the same conclusion and we speak with one voice on this issue. As such, we felt it was urgent to share our thoughts with Mayor-elect Smiley and with the families and students of Providence. Below are our recommendations:
Work with PTU to fix the unworkable management structure or push for an “all public charter” system.
Invest in 21st century school buildings.
Work with key stakeholders and amplify their voices.
We all wish Mayor-elect Smiley the best as he prepares to lead our city forward and I know he will do everything in his authority as the next Mayor to provide high-quality education opportunities for every child in every neighborhood.
Be sure to read our full letter to Mayor-elect Smiley.
Sincerely,
Jorge O. Elorza