Judge Rebuffs Woonsocket's Effort to Block Charter School Opening

Teachers and parents of children attending RISE Prep Mayoral Academy in Woonsocket are breathing a sigh of relief Tuesday after a Superior Court judge denied a suit filed by the city to block the new charter school from opening its doors next week.

Judge Michael A. Silverstein ruled that the city failed to meet the criteria for the injunction to be issued and could not prove they were likely to succeed in proving that the approval process was flawed.

The school is set to welcome its first class of kindergartners next week.

“The stress of this litigation has been difficult on our families and scholars who have remained unwavering in their commitment to RISE Prep,” said Rosalind Murphy, Head of School. “Our school is and will always be about giving scholars and families a quality, college preparatory choice for their public education. Today, we are grateful that choice was protected. We couldn’t be more thrilled to start our scholars on their educational journey next week.”

The suit was brought against the school and state education officials and alleged that the property was not zoned for a school in addition to the charge that the approval process was flawed.

The school, which will serve Woonsocket, North Smithfield and Burrillville, would cause “irreparable harm” to the towns, according to the suit, because the seeding communities will lose funding for each student that enrolls in the charter school.

Also named in the suit was North Smithfield Town Administrator Paulette Hamilton, who serves as RISE Prep’s board chairperson. The suit alleged that she was violating the town charter.

“The ruling this morning validates what I have always believed; that children should come first. It’s not always easy to stay the course but when it’s the right thing to do, it’s imperative to keep the goal in sight. I was certain that the court would agree that I had not violated the Town Charter. I’ll be very proud to shake the hands of our incoming scholars,” she said in a statement.

In an e-mail, spokeswoman for the Rhode Island Mayoral Academies Katelyn Silva said ”. The multiple attacks against the school have been worrisome and stressful for our families. Their unwavering commitment to being a part of the RISE Prep community through this entire process is a testament to their belief in its value and need. We couldn’t be more honored to serve them.”

Photo: RISE Prep Mayoral Academy via Facebook