Dear John,

 

Education empowers people. That is why as Mayor I have focused on improving the quality of education for our City’s youth. We now more than ever understand how education influences children’s behavior and ability to work towards goals, academic or extracurricular. An educational foundation provides the blueprint for a successful future beyond the classrooms.

 

As a product of the Providence Public School System, I often point out that I barely graduated high school and was turned down by multiple colleges. I was able to turn my life around because people believed in me and they opened doors for me. I would graduate first in my Accounting class at URI. However, the school system has failed far too many children and not enough have been provided with the fighting chance to succeed beyond high school.

 

Our school system is failing. The current contract for the Providence teachers’ union prioritizes entrenched teachers rather than the quality of education. The status quo has failed our kids and we must do better for them. Nearly two years after I brought the state in to take over Providence Schools so that they could invoke their extraordinary powers to transform the teachers contract, we are once again in exactly the same place, with a stubborn union unwilling to embrace change to a hiring and firing process that protects adults at the expense of our children. 

 

Given this unfortunate, if not entirely unpredictable situation, I am calling on the state to immediately exercise their full authority under the Crowley Act to make the necessary changes to the teacher contract.

At the local level, we don’t have the power to fix our schools alone, And as a community, we are open to all options that support the unique needs of our students and families.  As Mayor, I have and am more than willing to continue to take the heat for difficult changes. I will continue to affirm that the greatest investment the City of Providence can make is in the future of our children. I want to give parents and students from our community the opportunity to use their voice again, and join me in this call for state intervention.

I’m grateful for your continued support in tackling these difficult issues head on and ask: 

 

Would you consider donating $25 or however much you can to support our vision for Providence?  

 

Despite the obstacles we’ve faced, our resolve is the same. Providing Providence children and families with a foundation for success is a priority and we will continue to push for school reform in our city. 

 

Warmly, 

Jorge

 

 

    


 


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Paid for by Friends of Jorge Elorza, PO Box 23420, Providence RI 02903 |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please [link removed].