Fifth Ave. School to Stay Open

Fifth Avenue students get to keep their school.

The Woonsocket School Committee voted against closing the Fifth Avenue elementary school Wednesday night, even though it could cost the district millions of dollars to bring the building up to code, wpri.com reports. There are reportedly several fire violations at the school, including the lack of a sprinkler system. Some reports estimate it could cost the city more than $2 million to bring the school up to code. Closing the oldest school in the city could have saved the city about $198,000 every year.

Superintendent Giovanna Donoyan had recommended the school close permanently in order to save money. But committee members voted to keep the century-old school open.

"I think there's an obligation on our part to respect the people that live in that community that have a real interest in keeping it going", member Chris Roberts said.

The vote will now be forwarded to the Woonsocket budget commission for consideration.