Raptakis, Parents Propose Coventry Schools Restructure Study

• Jan. 11: Coventry Schools Restructure Intended to Meet $1.5M Deficit
• Jan. 13:  Coventry Schools Restructure Vote Delayed 
• Feb. 5: Parents Demand Delay On Coventry Schools Restructure
• Feb. 8: Cowart Withdraws Coventry Schools Restructure Plan

COVENTRY, RI — Last Thursday, minutes before Superintendent Don Cowart withdrew his Coventry Schools restructure plan, Sen. Lou Raptakis suggested a study committee to examine the idea in depth.

While he agreed with the decision to table the idea, Raptakis said, a community approach to gather information and input into what the benefits, cons, costs and work required to put the plan into effect would be is in order.

“I think the decision was wise, but I think the hard work now is in front of us. My recommendation is that we form a study commission, with the members of the School Committee, members of your district, school superintendent, the parents, the teachers, anyone else you can think of to get together immdiately, try to look at this issue, over the summer, come back with a report during the fall, early winter,” Raptakis said.

“We’ll see what else we can do as far as the eight members of the General Assembly that represent Coventry. So there is a lot of work out there but I will commit myself and my colleagues in government to do whatever we can to assist you, Mr. Cowart. I think it’s very important that we all work together.”

The sentiment was a popular one, after parents and teachers thanked Cowart for taking the plan off the table for the fall.

“I just want to say, Thank you, Mr. Cowart,” said Hilary Connors, “My suggestion is that you have a parent committee, school board committee, administrator, teacher panel, a small panel, representatives, to help make these decisions moving forward,” she said.

“When we revisit it in the future, we can put together a team and work together for our kids, and get some really good data involved, so we can see how it will affect our kids overall,” said Melissa Nelson.