PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — The state-run Providence Public School District still has more than 70 classrooms without a full-time teacher to start the 2025-2026 school year, but school officials say that number is a marked improvement.
“This year’s vacancy number is the lowest number of classroom vacancies we have reported at this time over the past five years and lower than vacancy rates pre-takeover,” district spokesperson Suzanne Ouellette told Target 12 on Tuesday. On Wednesday morning, Ouellette said there were 71 vacancies, down from 77 the day prior.
There were 104 vacancies on the first day of school last year, which dropped to 94 by the first week of classes…