Boston Globe Commentary
The Carl G. Lauro building in Providence was always meant to be a school, parents say
Parents, teachers, students, and community members packed a Providence City Council Ordinance Committee meeting on May 12th to advocate for the return of an empty building back into a school.
We came to support the lease of 99 Kenyon Street, the now vacant Carl G. Lauro building, to Excel Academy. Excel is a charter public school that predominantly serves families of color, most of whom have children receiving free-and-reduced price lunch, from Providence, North Providence, and Central Falls.
This building has been empty for two years. The last time the city put out a request for proposals, only one came in for housing, and it wasn’t accepted. Excel’s proposal was strong, and the city approved it. This lease will save the City $700k per year in maintenance costs of an abandoned building. Now, a group of families who love this school and love this city are asking the council to follow through.
Excel Academy families and Providence activists hold a press conference at the former Carl G. Lauro building
Twenty-six of us gave testimony in favor of the lease. We shared deeply personal stories about how Excel is transforming the lives of our children with high academic expectations, emotional support, and a culture that sees and respects every family.
Among us was a single mother of three, a Providence resident, taxpayer, and small business owner, who stood up to provide testimony to the council. After moving to the city and not finding a good fit in the public schools for her daughter, she paid $15,000 a year for a private school. She made that sacrifice because she was committed to finding a safe, high-quality education for her children. Now, her daughter is thriving at Excel Academy, a free public school that finally meets her needs.
Her request to the council was simple: “Say yes to Excel. Say yes to me. Say yes to my daughter.”
We showed up with dignity and respect. We waited for hours to speak. We told the truth.
The City Council delayed the vote.
Only six people spoke against the lease and just four letters of opposition were submitted, compared to over 200 letters of support. That means for every one person opposing this lease, 20 of us loudly support it.
An Excel Academy student gives testimony to the Providence City Council
One opponent, a ward 11 resident, said he prefers the building to remain empty so he can use the grounds as a dog park. Another cast our children as outsiders. Some repeated false claims and unfounded fears about Excel Academy. We invite them to visit our school and see for themselves the wonderful school our children attend everyday.
When over 300 families take time off work, arrange child care, and wait for hours to participate in a public process, we show our deep investment in our families, our futures, and our city. And when the City Council in turn delays the vote indefinitely, searching for any alternative other than to give our children the education they deserve, it raises hard questions about whose voices matter in this city.
What is this really about?
Excel is a public school, open to all. It is already serving Providence students and is simply seeking a larger building closer to home. The city supports the lease. The Providence Public School District (PPSD) Superintendent supports the lease: Providence Public Schools will use half of the building as swing space for the first few years, and Excel will contribute to PPSD’s building renovations, bringing more funding to PPSD schools.
So why the delay?
We’re not asking for special treatment. We’re asking for a system that uses public resources wisely, respects all families, and gives every child a fair shot, regardless of their zip code or background.
Every Providence family wants the same thing: for our kids to be safe, supported, and successful. Sharing space doesn’t make us competitors or take away opportunities, it makes us neighbors. It allows more families, especially those from underserved communities, to access diverse educational options. This lease is about expanding opportunity in our city.
Carl G. Lauro was a school for over 100 years. It can, and should, be a school again.
We urge the City Council to say yes to families, yes to kids, and yes to this lease.
Signed,
Frangely Rojas (Ward 8 resident and Excel Academy parent)
Reyna Ramirez, (Ward 7 resident, Carl G. Lauro School alumna, and Excel Academy parent)
Kpannah Cooper Jackson (Ward 7 resident and Excel Academy parent)
Carla Donatien (Ward 13 resident and Excel Academy parent)
Leopoldina Valenzuela (Ward 11 and Excel Academy parent)
