Dr. Susan Lusi to serve remainder of the school year; Providence School Board, Mayor Elorza to conduct search for new leader of Rhode Island’s largest school district
Providence Schools Superintendent Dr. Susan Lusi today announced she will resign from her position at the end of this school year. The Providence School Board and Mayor Jorge O. Elorza will immediately begin a search for Lusi’s replacement. The daily operations and activities of Providence Schools will function without disruption during the search and transition to a new superintendent.
“I thank Dr. Lusi for her dedicated service to our city as Providence Schools Superintendent,” Mayor Elorza said.
Mayor Elorza continued: “I understand personally the crucial difference that a good education can make in a child’s life, and I am committed to finding a dynamic leader for our school district who is worthy of continuing the progress made during Dr. Lusi’s tenure and who shares my vision for raising academic achievement in every school, engaging our community and reforming the role of central administration to create a school department that just works for students and families.”
Mayor Elorza is pursuing an ambitious agenda for Providence’s schools, including long-term plans for greater administrative efficiencies, empowering principals, teachers, and staff with the autonomy, resources, and training they need, full-service community schools, and investing in school infrastructure.
During the four school years that Dr. Lusi has led the district, graduation rates have risen from 65 to 71 percent; dropout rates have declined from 21 to 14 percent; and reading scores have improved at both the 4th and 11th grade levels and particularly for English Language Learners.
Lusi said, “It has been an honor to serve as superintendent and I am proud of our accomplishments in Providence, but now is the time for me to pursue other professional opportunities. If I have any down time at all, I look forward to spending it with family – my children, my husband and also my parents.”