Critics worry about charters moving into empty Providence school buildings. Is that happening?

Excel Academy may take over a recently shuttered Providence public school, adding weight to concerns raised by a city councilor over charter school expansion in the city.

On Monday, Mayor Brett Smiley's spokesman, Josh Estrella, confirmed that Excel is being seriously considered to fill Carl G. Lauro Elementary School, which abruptly closed last year.

At the time, news of the closure came with an announcement that two other schools would also cease operations: Alan Shawn Feinstein Elementary School at Broad Street, which is now closed, and Gilbert Stuart Middle School, which was set to graduate its final class in 2025 but will close this year instead.

Since then, educators, parents, members of the teachers' union and politicians have been frustrated about what they perceive as a lack of transparency on school closures, with some openly speculating that these decisions are paving the way for more charter schools to move in.

Having competed with four other bidders, Excel became the favorite to take over Carl Lauro's former Kenyon Street home, and was recommended by the city for the space. If the city's Board of Contract and Supply approves of Excel's bid, the city will negotiate a lease with Excel which will then require City Council approval.

Days before, city councilor warned of charters moving into old school buildings

Last week, City Councilman Justin Roias introduced a resolution calling for greater transparency, an assessment of charters, and a "comprehensive fiscal impact study of their impact on enrollment trends and funding dynamics within the public school system."

Councilwoman Shelley Peterson, and most other members, sponsored the resolution, which passed.

"My worry is what happens to these vacant buildings," Roias said after the Council meeting. "Will we keep handing them over to charter schools? Personally, I suspect there's a deliberate effort to expand charters, which we may not be able to sustain financially."

Maribeth Calabro, head of the Providence Teachers Union, said that as a result, "per-pupil expenditures and school buildings are being siphoned by charters."

According to Roias' resolution, the Providence Public School Department is losing nearly $30 million-per-year because of tuition for charter students.

How many former public schools have been occupied by charters?

But the total number of charters that have occupied old Providence public school buildings isn't very high. At present, Paul Cuffee High School, a charter, sits in what was once Feinstein High School, which closed in 2011. (Not to be confused with the more recently closed elementary school.)

In the past, Achievement First has occupied the old Perry Middle School and shared a space at Fortes Elementary, which closed in 2022.

More: What's happening with Providence school closings? Everything you need to know

Chiara Deltito-Sharrott, executive director of the Rhode Island League of Charter Schools, suggested this isn't as much of a trend as critics claim, and pointed to "public confusion around facilities."

"While I cannot speak for Providence, they are making their own decisions around their facilities and what will work best for their students," said Deltito-Sharrott. "If a school in Providence, or any other community, came on the market, our schools might join other interested parties to analyze it as an option. However, our public schools are not the impetus for those decisions."

Clarification: This story has been updated to reflect a changed timeline for the closure of Gilbert Stuart Middle School. It was slated to close in 2025, but is now closing this year, according to the Providence Teachers Union.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: As school buildings close in Providence, are charter schools moving in?