Providence Mayor Proposes School Closings, Dozens Of Layoffs

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- Providence Mayor Angel Taveras is proposing closing four schools and eliminating up to 70 school jobs to bolster the finances of the city's cash-strapped school system.

Taveras and Providence Schools Superintendent Thomas Brady announced the recommendations Monday. The Providence School Board must approve the closures.

According to Brady, the schools picked for closure are in poor condition and are near other schools that can absorb new students.

The recommendations would save $12 million. Some 1,925 students would be affected.

Taveras said the city will offer stipends to teachers eligible for retirement to reduce the number of layoffs.

Last month the city notified all of its nearly 2,000 teachers that their jobs could be eliminated. The city faces a deficit of
$180 million for this year and next.

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