Prov. residents debate school's future

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Providence parents are back in the public school board meetings, for a chance to weigh in on the future of a local school that has recently closed.

Asa Messer Annex was one of several schools shut down several weeks ago, as a means to save the city some money. Now, Trinity Academy of Performing Arts is looking to expand its charter school into the old Asa Messer building. Not everyone is happy with the proposal. In a meeting held Tuesday afternoon, area residents said the school was closed because officials said the building was too damaged for students to use.

"The public school district deemed this a building of death, it's unsafe for children here," said one frustrated parent.

Supporters say the charter school would improve the neighborhood and bring more money into the city, because charter schools are not a part of the city's budget.

"Charter schools are not part of the city's budget," said Carlton Jones, C.O.O. of the Providence School District, "therefore, if the charter school is paying for one of our buildings, that brings resources to the city."

Still, many parents are upset over their children being bussed out of their own neighborhood.

"They've been edged out and crammed into classrooms," said Susan O'Connell.

The Providence City Council will make the final decision on the building's future.