PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The teachers at Frank D. Spaziano Elementary School have overwhelming approved going forward with an application to become a district charter school.
The faculty voted 35 to 1 Thursday to pursue its application with the Rhode Island Department of Education. The teachers at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School voted against applying for charter status last week.
This is a new effort by Supt. Susan Lusi. A district charter would have more freedom over schedules and the length of the school day, but its teachers would remain in the union and the district would control its curriculum.
Nine schools originally expressed interest in becoming charters but the tight deadlines made it difficult for schools to complete the application process. They may apply next year.