Fight to save Rhode Island's last one-room schoolhouse

Saying he was concerned about the safety of young children who would have to ride a ferry to get to school, Douglas Wilkie entreated fellow members of the School Committee last night to reconsider their decision to close the Prudence Island School, the only one-room schoolhouse in the state.

His appeal failed on a tie vote. But that may not be the end of the story.

Prudence Island residents said after last night’s School Committee meeting that they have written a letter to the state commissioner of education, asking him to intervene to keep the school open.

Prudence Island parents would have to send their kids to a mainland school by ferry and bus -- adding up to a school day over ten hours long. At the moment there are only two children enrolled in the K-4 school, so one can see the financial arguments for closure. Nonetheless, it seems grossly unfair for island parents to be cut off with a flippant recommendation that they home-school, especially given that they are still required to pay for the public schooling they are now being denied. Vouchers or tax credits would seem the least that should be done for them.

Posted by David on April 25, 2007 4:56 PM