All public school students and families in our state deserve to be treated with dignity and given fair access to public resources. That includes the ability to learn in public school buildings and classrooms.
No public school students, whether they attend a district public school, a charter public school, or a statewide public school, should have to experience the frustration Excel Academy students, teachers, and families have been forced to endure for the last 18 months, as they sought to receive approval from the Providence City Council to lease the vacant Carl G. Lauro School building in Federal Hill.
The Excel team experienced a constant shifting of the goal posts, despite the transparent completion of every aspect of the bureaucratic checklist, including engaging in the formal procurement process. A series of promises were made, only to be broken at the 11th hour. This is a painful reminder that when it comes to charter public school students, equitable access to public resources and facilities is never guaranteed, and often denied.
Excel Academy endured a litany of false and damaging accusations against their public school educators and community, including the unforgivable use of criminalizing language (“stealing” a building) to describe predominantly Black and Brown families and kids in the City of Providence.
The League stands by the Excel Academy community during this difficult time, and is committed to supporting them in any way to ensure students and educators find a facility that allows them to learn, teach, and thrive.
The League is also grateful to the many elected officials who approached this lease with an open mind: who listened to students and families and were willing to advocate for what is right. We see you. Thank you for your courage and commitment to the City of Providence and all public school children.
Charter public school families, students, and educators are part of the public education community. Our school communities deserve fair access to facilities. We look forward to working with those in positions of power and influence to make sure all charter public schools receive the resources they need to support kids, educators, and families.