Mayor Angel Taveras, with the support of the Providence School Board (whose members are appointed by the Mayor), recently hit the city with an absurd double-whammy.  Just 53 days after the new Mayor was sworn in, he issued termination notices to every teacher in the public school system.  A vague promise that the "majority" of the terminations would be rescinded has done little to assuage the feelings of betrayal and uncertainty among not only the teachers themselves, but their families, their students, and the community at large.   On April 28th, after weeks of hearing statements,  pleas, and alternative money-saving plans from terrified parents, outraged community members, students, teachers, and alumni of Providence Schools, the School Board voted to close four neighborhood schools.

The decision to close schools will have a negative impact on everyone.  Obviously, children are traumatized by leaving the familiarity and security of their school community (in the case of the West Broadway children,  this is the second time the've been reassigned).  Leaving the neighborhood to attend school means children will have longer days, less accessibility to after school and extra-curricular activities, and fewer opportunities to interact with their classmates outside of school.  Parents will find it more difficult to volunteer at their children's schools, to attend events, and to connect with teachers.  The communities surrounding these schools will suffer as property values decline even further and families and businesses begin to move away.  

How will Providence grow stronger if its neighborhoods are left to fall apart?