The Providence School Board is the governing body responsible for ensuring that the Providence Public School District provides a high-quality education for all Providence students. Board responsibilities include:
Establishing policy to guide the superintendent in the administration and operation of the schools:
- Monitoring progress toward achieving district goals
- Engaging the community in planning for and supporting the schools
- Approving annual budget and monitoring district finances
- Selecting and evaluating the superintendent of schools
The School Board governs within a complex environment shaped by the current national focus on improving student achievement. PSB decision-making is constrained by Federal State laws and regulations, often limited resources, and sometimes competing demands from community members and various constituencies.
The Providence School Board is a nine-member Board appointed by the Mayor and affirmed by the City Council. There are three Board officers as directed in the City Charter: president, vice-president and secretary. Appointments generally are made in December with new Board members taking their seats and electing officers every January. Board members adhere to the highest ethical standards, including but not limited to those defined in state law, city codes of ethics, and adopted board codes of ethics. Board members also receive a modest annual stipend.
No special restrictions unless otherwise specified.
Copyright is in the public domain unless otherwise specified. We reserve the right to restrict reproduction of materials due to preservation concerns.
Providence School Department records, 2005-44, Rhode Island State Archives.
The Providence School Department records consist primarily of meeting minutes of the Providence School Committee (1828-1965), resolutions of the Providence School Board/Committee (1965-2001), reports and manuals (1861-1961) and various images (1907-1923) including lantern slides (1800-1870).
The minutes of the Providence School Board include resolutions adopted by the board and are contained within the minutes during the 1960’s and 1970’s. Later on, a sub-series was created called Adopted Resolutions. Another sub-series also emerges called “Resolutions” which are resolutions arranged numerically. These resolutions can also appear within the minutes. Generally there is some duplication between the different sub-series. Generally all records are arranged by school or calendar year. Most of the records from the 1970’s need preservation photocopying.
Lantern slides were used for the publication of the ‘Report of the School Committee, for the year 1899-1900: Centennial Celebration of the Establishment of the Public Schools” in the City of Providence. Printed by Snow and Farnham, City printers, 63 Washington Street, Providence, 1901.
Original brown kraft wrapper labeled "School Centennial Lantern Slides."
Some of the slides are cracked. #29 and #30 have multiple cracks and are unstable. A portion are reproductions of the Providence Town Papers and are transcribed in the school committee report of 1899-1900
The Providence School Department records are arranged into the following series:
Transferred to the State Archives in 2005.
Removed from vault, Central High School, June 23 – 24, 28, 2005. School Board Minutes removed from Providence School Department Administration Building at 797 Westminster Street, Providence, R.I. on October 18 and 21, 2005.
Providence City Auditor – Reports (1891–1938) C#1007
Providence City Council Resolutions (1871–1932) C#1006
Providence City Documents – annual (1854–1908) C#0957
Providence City Manuals – annual (1862–1920) C#1005
Providence School Committee - Reports (1868–1937) C#1008
Public Schools and Education in RI (1851)
Report on Public Schools/Education (1854)
School Fund Book (1828–1847) C#0033
Special Report on Truancy/Absenteeism (1856)
State Agent of Public Schoola (1844)
State Board of Education Reports (1874-1909)
State Board Report, Textile Schools (1898)
Minutes of the Providence School Board include resolutions adopted by the board and are contained within the minutes during the 1960's and 1970's. Later on, a sub-series was created called Adopted Resolutions. Another sub-series also emerges called "Resolutions" which are resolutions arranged numerically. These resolutions can also appear within the minutes. Generally there is some duplication between the different sub-series. Generally all records are arranged by school or calendar year. Most of the records from the 1970's need preservation photocopying.
Includes Copper plates (wood mounted) of images used for Annual Reports, etc.
Lantern slides were used for the publication of the 'Report of the School Committee, for the year 1899-1900: Centennial Celebration of the Establishment of the Public Schools" in the City of Providence. Printed by Snow and Farnham, City printers, 63 Washington Street, Providence, 1901.
Original brown kraft wrapper labeled "School Centennial Lantern Slides."
Some of the slides are cracked. #29 and #30 have multiple cracks and are unstable. A portion are reproductions of the Providence Town Papers and are transcribed in the school committee report of 1899-1900.