Rogers High Students Walk-Out Protesting Mice And Mold In School

NEWPORT, RI — About 100 Rogers High School students, some wearing masks, at 1 p.m. Wednesday walked-out of their classrooms in protest of the school's poor conditions.

A memo was passed out to other students earlier this week explaining the reasoning behind the protest. It read:

"To support the RHS (Rogers High School) community. To let people know that the conditions of the school are unacceptable. To unite as a community and stand for what is right."

Superintendent Colleen Jermain refuted the claims that the school is unsafe for students.

"We welcome all to come take a tour of the school. It is clean, safe, and dry," Jermain told Patch. "We have had building inspectors, the Trust, and others tour, review and inspect our building. It has passed all oversight and was actually praised for being so clean."

According to Jermain, the number of students protesting was not 100, but much smaller. She gave her account of what happen.

"This afternoon at RHS (Rogers High School) a group of parents and community members urged students to do a peaceful walkout about the condition of RHS," Jermain said. "Five parents and community members were present and around 30 students walked out and protested peacefully. Principal Vance, the Newport Public School District and Newport School Committee all acknowledge RHS is an old building and needs to be replaced. We invite again all interested parties to make an appointment with Principal Vance to tour our building and see the condition of the building. It is warm, safe, clean, and dry, and our custodians do an excellent job doing their best to keep an old building running smoothly and looking its best. "

On Sept. 20, initial reports about the state of Rogers High School were made public to Patch and other media outlets. Students Sierra Wright and Bella Pine took photos of the conditions and alerted local media outlets.

"We can't use lockers due to the mice and mold building up inside," Wright told Patch.

Jermain on Sept. 20 told Patch there hasn't been any confirmed reports of mold, but there has been mildew because of the humidity.

"We've taken all precautions in following up concerns (to parents) and brought in an exterminator," Jermain said.

A bond issue to build a new high school is on the ballot this November, but city officials told WHGH that a new school is at least five years away. Jermaine told Patch if the ballot measure passes, the school can receive state funding as early as 2020.

Rogers High School was built in 1957.

Photo by Sierra Wright