Pell Elementary School Breaks Ground

Newport School Committee members, Newport City Councilors and dozens of Newport residents gathered under a tent on this rainy Friday afternoon for the Claiborne D. Pell Elementary School groundbreaking ceremony. The celebration was across from .

Pell Elementary School, which will put all of Newport’s elementary students under one roof, will have everything that has been lacking in the currently elementary schools, Superintendent John Ambrogi said.

“This school will transform education in Newport,” he said.

Mayor Stephen Waluk gave special credit to the Newport School Committee for its members' work toward making the school possible. The Pell School marks a commitment to our kids and their future, Waluk said.

After the remarks, the crowd made its way across the street to the empty lot where, in 15 months, the new school is expected to open. The school committee, city council members, Congressman David Cicillne, Senator Teresa Paiva-Weed and other officials dug their shovels into the ground and were met by cheers and applause from attendees.