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RI Education
Cicilline Calls This A Critical Time In The History Of Providence Public Schools
The three appointees: Mary E. McClure, Robyn A. Frye and Umberto Crenca were sworn into three-year terms, and will join six other Board members and School Board Emeritus Dr.Gene Burns. As Mayor David N. Cicilline administered the oath of office, he said the new appointees bring a wealth of experience and energy to the School Board and assume their new roles at a “critical time” in our schools’ history. “We have done everything we can to make the Providence School Department the most efficient school district in the state.” said Mayor Cicilline. “We’ve cut the budget to the ‘bare bones’ and have forged a new spirit of cooperation with the Teacher’s Union. “Under the leadership of Superintendent Melody Johnson and our dedicated teachers, our children have experienced significant gains in English language and Mathematics and astounding gains in student proficiency. In independent studies, Providence Schools ranked among the highest in the nation for the percentage of dollars that flow directly to the schools and students.” “We are at a critical crossroads and I’ve chosen the new school board members because of their extraordinary leadership skills and I know they are up to the challenge.” The three nominees were among nine finalists chosen by the School Board Nominating Commission for the Mayor’s consideration out of 23 candidates who applied for the School Board. McClure, Frye, and Crenca were ultimately chosen by the Mayor and approved by the City Council. Mary E. McClure, current president of the Providence School Board, and two-term Board member. She is a former member of the PROBE committee and a founding member of Parents for Providence Public Schools, member of the RI Association of School Committees executive board, and former manager of IT services at Brown University. Her two children, now grown, attended Providence Schools. Umberto Crenca, founder and director of AS220 Gallery in Providence, he works with youth and at-risk youth, and is an arts instructor at the Rhode Island Training School. He conducts an afterschool arts program at AS220, is a mentor for students at the Met School, and has taught at UCAP and New Pride – alternative junior high schools. An acclaimed artist in his own right, he has held an extensive number of exhibitions and performances throughout New England. A former Pew Civic Entrepreneur Institute fellow, he has also been an advisor and judge of many cultural and artistic programs. Robyn A. Frye, director of community relations for the West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation, and co-chair of the West End Community School at Gilbert Stuart Middle School Governance Board. A community activist and graduate of Leadership Rhode Island, Frye has worked closely with Women in Transition, the Local Learning Partnership of Making Connections, and is a mentor and minister to women inmates and at-risk teenagers. She was a nominee for the Volvo for Life Awards 2004, and recipient of the Volunteer Center of Rhode Island 2004 Outstanding Volunteer Award.
