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I am still confused as to how the school committee thinks a consolidation plan that has Pilgrim at or above capacity and Tollgate at 68% capacity is a good plan. Does the Career Center really make up 30% of the student population? Also, why are all the Title one schools going to be sent to Pilgrim? Overcrowded classrooms does not seem to support the goals of Title One and leaving no child behind. I am not sure how the SC believes that there will not be a disparity in education between the two schools. The combination of low income and overcrowded classroom does not seem to be conducive to learning. Any educator or educated person knows that poverty is a hindrance to learning but it makes sense to send the poorest students in the city to an overcrowded school. I am sure they will receive the educational assistance they will need. How quickly will we be pointing our fingers at the Pilgrim teachers for their inability to raise test scores under those conditions?

Medeiros states that people are not moving to Rhode Island, and this is likely true. But why would they want to move to Rhode Island, especially to Warwick, RI with the current state of affairs? Level funding for education, School committee members who walk out while parents are speaking, emailed responses telling a parent not to vote for him in the future, and this consolidation plan do not make Warwick an attractive place to live. Honestly, I can say that I would like to get out of the city before my younger children get to middle school. I cannot imagine that Pilgrim will be the school it was when my oldest son graduated.

Stephanie Shelton

Disappointed and Concerned Parent