May 19, 2021 5:50 pm
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – As pressure mounts for the leader of Providence Public Schools to resign over his hiring of a school administrator accused of inappropriately touching students, a lawmaker has announced plans to submit legislation to reform oversight of the district.
Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin said she and her colleagues were “horrified” when hearing about the allegations against former Providence Schools Administrator Olayinka Alege, who was charged with simple assault and battery by the Warwick Police Department on April 20 after he gave a forced foot massage to a minor at a gym.
Before working in Providence, Alege worked for Hillsborough County Public Schools in Tampa where similar incidents were reported.
May 19, 2021 9:18 am
Photo credit: Barbara Polichetti
RI Commissioner of Education Angélica Infante-Green and Providence Superintendent Harrison Peters pose beside on of the 25 “Congratulations, Providence Seniors!” signs on RIPTA buses
PROVIDENCE, RI (WLNE) – Rhode Island Department of Education Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green has asked Providence Public Schools Superintendent Harrison Peters to resign, according to a spokesperson.
The commissioner’s request comes amid growing calls for his resignation from both state lawmakers and teachers unions over his vetting process and hiring of former Providence Schools Administrator Olayinka Alege.
Court records show Alege was charged with simple assault and battery by the Warwick Police Department on April 20 after he gave a forced foot massage to a minor at a gym. The charges were filed on May 10.
Providence Mayoral Candidate Gonzalo Cuervo
Gonzalo Cuervo, one of the leading candidates for Mayor of Providence, is calling for the immediate resignation of Harrison Peters as Providence Superintendent.
“By putting personal friendship and loyalty above the safety and welfare of Providence’s children, Superintendent Peters has demonstrated questionable judgment and cast a dark cloud over ongoing efforts to turn our schools around. Ultimately, our youth suffer as a result,” said Cuervo. It s time for conversations and actions that revolve around - and engage - our youth and their families, Cuervo added. We ve heard a lot from the adults in the system and not nearly enough from those impacted the most by a failing system. It s time to change that dynamic in order to bring about systemic change. Involving more community input in the hiring process for our next superintendent can ensure that our children’s best interest remains at the forefront. GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEW
May 17, 2021 2:56 pm
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – Rhode Island lawmakers met about the vetting and hiring of a former Providence school administrator accused of wrongdoing on Monday.
The Providence delegation to the Senate asked Senate Rules, Government Ethics and Oversight Committee Chairman Louis DiPalma to convene an oversight hearing regarding their vetting process and hiring of former Providence Schools Administrator Olayinka Alege.
Court records show Alege was charged with simple assault and battery by the Warwick Police Department on April 20. The charges were filed May 10.
During the hearing, Providence Public School Superintendent Harrison Peters admitted he knew about Alege’s actions prior to his hiring, but did not tell the hiring committee or anyone in the school community.
WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ON GOLOCAL LIVE ABOVE
“I’m still just upset. I trusted someone that betrayed that trust,” said Peters on GoLocal LIVE. “I brought someone to the community of Providence that betrayed the trust of the community.”
Peters discussed both the recent arrest and what he knew in Florida.
“I got an email from the Warwick Police Department and it simply said they were getting ready to investigate an allegation of Dr. Alege and a situation at the gym, so I immediately called them to get as much information as they had at the time,” he said. “In less than 24 hours we put him on administrative leave.