DeRobbio Calls on City Council to Block Superintendent’s Contract Extension Until Federal Settlement Documents Are Released

“Providence residents have a right to know how their schools settled a federal
investigation into these abysmal learning conditions,” says former superintendent and
candidate for mayor.
PROVIDENCE, RI — Robert DeRobbio, longtime educator and candidate for mayor, calls on
the Providence City Council to block a contract extension for Superintendent Chris Maher until
the school department releases their plan for complying with the federal settlement around their
inability to provide the minimum required English Language Learning instruction.
“Providence residents have a right to know how their schools settled a federal investigation into
these abysmal learning conditions,” said DeRobbio. “Right now, the mayor is blocking the release
of this information and the City Council should hold him accountable by refusing to extend the
superintendent’s contract until the public gets the transparency they deserve. In a city where almost
60% of students come from homes where English is a second language, there is no excuse for the
city to only provide proper education after a federal Department of Justice investigation.”
As mayor, DeRobbio will make English Language Learning a priority. He will emphasize
recruiting a diverse, bilingual teaching corps and providing all teachers with the resources they
need to be successful.