Remember
Central Falls? That is the small district in Rhode Island where the
superintendent Frances Gallo decided to fire every staff member at the high
school in spring 2010 because of low test scores.
Gallo
got the support of State Commissioner Deborah Gist, and the firings got the
approval of Arne Duncan, who was supported by President Obama.
The
Rhode Island firing squad was hailed as heroes, even though none of the fired
staff had been individually evaluated. The firings set the stage for the
national conversation about “reform,” and reflected Duncan’s belief that the
first step in reform was to fire everyone and start over.
That
fall, “Waiting for Superman” was released with a mammoth publicity campaign
about bad teachers, failing public schools, and amazing charter schools.
“A nonprofit organization backed by the Bill &
Melinda Gates Foundation is spending $7.5 million to buy and renovate a former
Catholic school for the Blackstone Valley Prep Mayoral Academy.
“The group, Civic Builders, of New York City, has
purchased the former St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Academy on Lonsdale Avenue.
According to Civic Builders, the sale will provide a permanent home for BVP’s
middle school while helping the Holy Spirit Parish pay for improvements to its
buildings….
“Roughly a third of Central Falls’ students attend a
charter school. But rather than view charters as a threat, Central Falls Supt.
Frances Gallo welcomes the diversity of choices they offer.
“Blackstone Valley Prep has proven itself as a model
of academic success,” she said. “Don’t we want what’s best for our kids?”
The success of charter schools such as BVP is linked to a longer school day and setting high expectations, Gallo said, noting that homework is mandatory.
“It’s not because our teachers can’t compete,” Gallo
said.
“These kids get only one shot at an education,” said
Central Falls Mayor James Diossa. “It’s important that if parents feel strongly
about a school, they can go. We welcome the almost 400 students, teachers and
staff to Central Falls, more than 100 of whom call our community home.”
Not everyone was happy to see charters picking off
students and resources from their public schools.
“Because of its size, Blackstone Valley Prep has
come under criticism from some surrounding districts, which fear the charters
will siphon limited resources from district-run public schools.
“We have way too many charters serving the Central Falls
area,” said Jane Sessums, president of the Central Falls Teachers Union. “But
we have a mayor and superintendent who have supported charter schools. That
sends the wrong message to parents.”
Sessums said Gallo and Diossa “should be advocating for our public schools.”
“The nonprofit also has access to New Market Tax
Credits, a program set up by the IRS to encourage development in needy
communities such as Central Falls.” These tax credits enable investors to
double their money in seven years.