August 10, 2007

Mr. Peter McWalters
Commissioner of Education
RI Department of Education
255 Westminster Street
Providence, RI 02903

Dear Commissioner McWalters:

It has come to my attention that the Providence School Department has violated state regulations pertaining to class size restrictions for mild/moderate self-contained classes. 

As you are aware, the Providence School Department has not completed the public comment and public input process required before a variance is requested. 

Currently, the School Department has adjusted self-contained class size to 12 students per class for elementary and 15 students per class at the secondary level and is staffing accordingly.

Please consider this letter a formal complaint against the Providence School Department and its decision to violate state regulations on special education class size restrictions.

Sincerely,

            Steven F. Smith

President

SFS/mmf