The mayoral academy proposed for Cranston has been denied, but that doesn’t mean that Achievement First is packing its bags.

In his letter to the Board of Regents, Governor Lincoln Chafee did not outwardly oppose the mayoral academy concept. His concerns focused on the outcry of Cranston teachers and parents, and instead suggested that Providence could be a more fitting location.

“Unlike Cranston, Providence has demonstrated broad support for a mayoral academy…further, the challenges facing Providence’s urban school district seem comparable to those experienced by New York City and New Haven – two cities that have supported Achievement First charter schools,” Chafee wrote.

While it’s too early to know for sure whether Achievement First will consider such a move, mayoral academy proponents say that expanding charter schools in Rhode Island continues to be a priority.

“We felt at the time, and continue to feel, like the Achievement First Mayoral Academy proposal was an excellent proposal that deserved to be approved on its merits and would have had huge benefits for the families of Cranston and Providence,” said Michael Magee, CEO of Rhode Island Mayoral Academies (RIMA). “That being said, certainly the governor’s support of a mayoral academy in Providence is encouraging. Hopefully that bodes well for the future. Rhode Island Mayoral Academies will continue to be committed to opening outstanding regional public schools for families across the state.”

Thursday’s Regents vote, he said, is a “bump in the road.”

The Rhode Island Campaign for Achievement Now (RI-CAN) has been a vocal supporter of the Cranston proposal. Despite frustrations over the Regents’ vote – which they called “a win for special interests” – Executive Director Maryellen Butke says the organization would continue to support reform.

“If ever there was a day that illustrated the need for a movement of Rhode Islanders to coalesce in support of education reform, today is that day,” she said in a statement. “RI-CAN will continue to build that movement to fight for the reforms necessary to ensure every Rhode Island child has access to a great public school. Our resolve is only stronger.”

Already, RI-CAN is supporting a Providence application, should one be submitted.

“Our children deserve access to great public schools, and Achievement First is a great public school,” she said.

O’Siris Harrell says this has always been the writing on the wall.

A Providence parent, Harrell attended several of the public hearings in opposition of the mayoral academy that, though located in Cranston, would accept Providence students.

Now, he says it’s clear that Providence was the target all along.

“Cranston is just a diversion; Providence is the real target,” he said.

When the school was proposed for Cranston, it made headlines and put pressure on the Regents, thanks to hundreds of public comments against the application. Parents rallied, teachers lined up to speak and Council chambers was often overflowing with opponents.

That is not a picture Harrell expects to see in Providence, but he says using that as evidence for support would be unfair.

“A lot of the parents in Providence are so stressed out, just paying rent. You’re not going to see hundreds of parents coming out in the street,” he said.

Cranston Teachers Alliance President Lizbeth Larkin promised to support parents like Harrell if the public hearing process begins anew in Providence.

“We will continue to support any community that Achievement First wants to go in and target,” she said.

“I know I will be there,” added Cranston School Committee member Janice Ruggieri.

Moreover, Providence City Councilman Brian Principe says that Chafee’s claim of “broad support” is an overstatement. His City Council President Michael Solomon supports the concept of a mayoral academy in his city, but Principe attended last week’s Regents meeting to let the Board know not all officials were in agreement.

“I am not in favor of the Achievement First proposal. The Providence City Council as a whole has not weighed in on this,” he said.

Further, Cranston School Committee member Stephanie Culhane pointed out that the opinion of the Providence School Committee is not necessarily indicative of voters. As members to that board are appointed, she believes Providence Mayor Angel Taveras, who supported Cranston in its application, could influence their opinions.

“That does not give you a true scope; it’s not a fair assessment,” Culhane said.

Commissioner of Education Deborah Gist remained positive last week in light of Chafee’s letter. Though the initial application was denied, she continues to support RIMA’s efforts for education reform and believes that it is the public’s right to have their voices heard.

“I think this is an example of how we best make public policy. You put forward an idea that is carefully thought through, but then you listen to public feedback,” she said, adding, “I'm confident in the quality of Achievement First and what they can provide to Rhode Island students.”

Magee said Tuesday that discussions with Achievement First have already begun to see if they will consider a Providence application.

“We’re already talking to them. We think they’re one of the very best public school operators in the country,” he said.

Rhode Island, he added, is not the only state recruiting AF schools, so he did not comment on the likelihood of the charter provider signing on to a new proposal.

When asked if Mayor Allan Fung could still be the board president of a Providence mayoral academy, Magee said it is not out of the realm of possibility.

“The chair of any mayoral academy school board needs to be a mayor from one of the communities from which students are enrolled in school. The statute is silent on the question of where facilities are actually located,” he said.

Fung did not comment on that possibility. He says he has not yet had a chance to review Chafee’s letter, or determine how “genuine” the governor is in his support for a Providence mayoral academy.

“It’s too early to even make any type of commitment on that front,” he said, “but I’m going to support any other mayor or town administrator that wants to put a mayoral academy in their community.”