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on improving opportunities beyond the classroom. “I want to grow outof-school-time learning opportunities so that students have access to a well-rounded education and attain skills they will need as they enter the workforce or higher education,” Smiley said.

In addition to increasing these opportunities, another of Smiley’s goals for the district is to invest in and improve school facilities.

Hopes for collaboration

In a January letter reviewed by The Herald, State Commissioner of Education Angélica Infante-Green and Superintendent Javier Montañez expressed that they were looking forward to working with the Smiley administration.

“There is no doubt that we have more work to do,” Infante-Green and Montañez wrote to Smiley. “We look forward to collaborating with your administration and Providence stakeholders to build on the strong foundation we have established as part of the Turnaround Action Plan and ensure Providence Public Schools continue to move forward and thrive.”

“We are working very closely with the superintendent and the commissioner of education to make sure we are making progress in the turnaround so that Providence will be prepared for a return to local control,” Smiley wrote.