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RI League of Charter Schools Names Oliveira Executive Director (June 9, 2017)

http://www.golocalprov.com/news/ri-league-of-charter-schools-names-oliveira-executive-director

Friday, June 09, 2017

GoLocalProv News Team

Keith Oliveira

The Rhode Island League of Charter Schools has named Keith Oliveira, former president of the Providence School Board, as its new Executive Director.

“Our charter schools provide tremendous learning experiences and opportunities for Rhode Island students and families. I am very excited to take on this opportunity to advance the purpose of charter schools in Rhode Island,” said Oliveira.

Oliveira will take over the position effective June 19.

Oliveira as President of the School Board

Oliveira served as President of the Providence School Board from 2011 to 2016, where he oversaw more than 24,000 students, 3,400 employees, and a budget exceeding $360 million dollars.

He resigned from the board in January of 2016, saying he had a “complete lack of confidence” in Mayor Jorge Elorza.

“I thought long and hard about this. I’d been considering this for a while, I took the holiday to reflect on what I wanted to do and how I wanted to do it. I have a lack of confidence in the way the Administration governs — I think it’s inappropriate,” Oliveira told GoLocalProv at the time.

He was first appointed to the Providence School Board by Mayor Angel Taveras in 2011 and elected board President in 2012.

Oliveira as Executive Director 

Oliveira will work with outgoing executive director Timothy Groves on a successful transition through the month of June before taking over on the 19.

“As president of the board, I know I echo the sentiments of each charter school leader in saying that I am excited to have Keith continuing his advocacy for our charter schools in the role of the new executive director. I look forward to working closely with him promoting the charter school movement in Rhode Island,” said Rose Mary Grant, president of the RI League of Charter Schools Board and Head of School at Highlander Charter School.

Groves will start in a new role as Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships for the Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success.

Oliveira’s Background in Education

In 2011, Oliveira helped found and currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer of the R.I Nurses Institute Middle College Charter School in Providence, RI, a first of its kind public charter school in the United States located in Providence, RI.

Prior to that, he served as a public official within the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) where he served as a special assistant and policy advisor to former Education Commissioner Peter McWalters. He also served as coordinator of RIDE’s charter public schools program; RIDE’s legislative liaison to the R.I. General Assembly; and as Commissioner McWalter’s state-appointed monitor of Hope High School during its state intervention.

In 1995, Oliveira helped found the Metropolitan Regional Career & Technical Center (The Met School) in Providence and continues to serve as Chairman of its Board of Trustees.

From 2012-2016, Oliveira served on the Executive Committee of the Council for the Great City Schools, a national urban education policy and advocacy group based in Washington, DC.

Prior to that, he served on the Executive Committee of the R.I. League of Charter Schools; he is a former trustee of the Segue Charter School in Central Falls and had served as Vice-Chairman of The Met School for over 20 years.

He is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island with a degree in Urban Public Policy.