Mayor Brett P. Smiley has announced his five picks for the Providence School Board, aiming to strengthen local education.
Providence: Mayor Brett P. Smiley has put forward his recommendations for five seats on the Providence School Board. Three of these candidates are already serving board members.
On Tuesday, Smiley shared his choices for half of the board, which has ten members in total. The other five members will be elected by voters in November. A total of 25 people applied for these appointments.
These picks still need the City Council’s approval. The board used to have nine members, all appointed by the mayor, but a charter change in 2022 allowed for half of the seats to be elected starting in November 2024.
Among Smiley’s selections are Melissa Hughes, Ashley Newmann, and Night Jean Muhingabo, who are all currently on the board. Hughes is a parent and board secretary, Newmann teaches art and social justice, and Muhingabo has focused on health and wellness.
Smiley also recommended Jenny Mercado, a nursing assistant and advocate for bilingual parents, and Steven Williamson, a planning specialist at the Rhode Island Department of Health.
The City Council will discuss these appointments at their Thursday meeting, but they won’t be on the official agenda. After the council reviews them, they’ll go to the finance committee for preliminary approval.
If everything goes smoothly, the candidates will be sworn in by Mayor Smiley in February. The terms for the appointees will vary, with Hughes serving one year and others serving two or three years.
City Councilor John Goncalves expressed his excitement on social media about the new appointees. Smiley believes these recommendations are crucial for improving education in Providence and ensuring every student succeeds.
Despite the new structure, the school board still lacks typical powers due to state control by the Rhode Island Department of Education. This control has been in place since 2019, and while it was supposed to end last year, it has been extended through 2027.
Smiley is hopeful that the city can regain control of the school department by July 1, 2026, and may seek assistance from the General Assembly to make that happen.
