No Decision Yet on Woonsocket School Takeover - ABC6 - Providence, RI and New Bedford, MA News, Weather

No Decision Yet on Woonsocket School Takeover

There was no decision Tuesday from the State or Rhode Island, on a request to take over the Woonsocket school system. 

Kids played on this sunny day at a Woonsocket school playground, but a dark cloud loomed overhead.

The School Committee, which is broke, is asking the state to take over the schools. As of now, the state has not decided.

Deborah Gist, RI Education Commissioner says, "It isn't just a request and a decision. There are some prerequisites that have to be met."

The biggest questions is whether the state even has the money to run Woonsocket schools. Classes have ended for the year, but there's no guarantee things will be as normal in the fall:

Deborah Gist said, "Obviously what we want to do is minimize any impact to our students."

ABC-6 Reporter Mark Curtis says, "The possible state takeover of Woonsocket schools comes about because the school committee, the City Council and even the General Assembly could not come together to solve the schools 10 million dollar budget deficit."

The only City Council member who opposed the supplemental property tax, now believes Woonsocket is headed for receivership.

Roger Jalette,Woonsocket City Councilor says, "I think that we need to live within our means in the City of Woonsocket and the State of Rhode Island for that matter and stop overspending."

If the state does take over the schools union leaders want teacher's jobs protected.

 "We're working well with the students. Scores are increasing. Teachers are doing what they're supposed to do. The Administration is doing what they're supposed to do. We just need the revenue to run the schools. If this accomplices that then I guess that's the way we got to go," says Jeff Partington, of Woonsocket Teachers Union.

 The Education Commissioner gave no timetable for deciding on the school takeover request.