East Providence Public Schools Launches Public Engagement Campaign for Construction of a New High School

EAST PROVIDENCE, RI – East Providence Public Schools officials this week launched a three-month public information and engagement campaign to promote awareness about the proposed construction of a new East Providence High School (EPHS). The campaign is designed to educate residents about the November 6 referendum vote for a $189.5 million bond to finance the project.

The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) has granted preliminary approval of the city’s application to replace the existing East Providence High School and Career and Technical Center with a new, state-of-the-art comprehensive high school. Under the State’s new School Construction Program, initiated to renovate and replace public schools in disrepair across Rhode Island, East Providence has an opportunity to receive as much as 74 percent State reimbursement for the project. In order for the project to move forward, voters must approve the State and local school construction bond referendum measures on November 6.

Earlier this summer, the East Providence Building Committee overseeing the project selected East Providence-based Peregrine Group as the Owner’s Project Manager and Providence-based Gilbane Building Co. as the Construction Manager at Risk. The Gilbane team is working with Superintendent Kathryn Crowley and other district officials to design and launch the public information and engagement campaign, which features the slogan, “Pride in Our Schools, Commitment to Our Community.” The campaign will include:

• Visibility activities at community events across the city, began with an information booth at The Looff Arts Festival 
• Two community forums open the public, with presentations and opportunities for questions and comments: Tuesday, September 18 and Monday, October 15, both 6 – 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium, 2000 Pawtucket Ave.;
• A series of information sessions for every school in the district and other community groups; 
• A website, www.epbuildingcommittee.com, to serve as a digital hub of information about the project (in development);
• Facebook and Twitter accounts, providing ongoing news and announcements about campaign activities; 
• Periodic e-mail updates to families, staff, and community members; and
• A suite of print and digital informational materials, in English and other languages, including fact sheets and answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), distributed across the city.

While voters will be asked to approve the total cost of the project, not to exceed $189.5 million, the new State program will provide partial reimbursement, ranging from 54 percent to 74 percent of eligible costs.

“This project represents a tremendous opportunity to invest in our students, our schools, and the future of East Providence,” said Superintendent Crowley. “We’re excited to launch this campaign to inform the entire community about the unique chance we have to receive the State funding needed to replace our outdated high school building with a brand new facility.”

The new educational and athletics facilities would be built on the existing site, with an anticipated opening in the Fall of 2021, followed by demolition of the existing buildings. The project is designed to feature flexible classroom spaces for collaborative teaching and learning. In addition to the core curriculum, the new school will offer a range of Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, including new and expanded specialties in automotive technology, culinary arts, forensic science, graphic communications, marine biology, and more. New athletics facilities will include a football stadium, track, and soccer, baseball, softball, and lacrosse fields, as well as a gymnasium with three basketball courts, plus an indoor walking track available for community use.