RI school district that fired teachers wins $1.3M

CENTRAL FALLS, R.I. – A Rhode Island school district that fired all the teachers at an underperforming high school has been awarded $1.3 million to continue its reform process.

The money comes from a $4 billion U.S. Department of Education fund aimed at helping transform 5,000 low-performing schools around the country.

Central Falls High School made national headlines last year when it fired its teaching staff. President Barack Obama appeared to endorse the firings, saying drastic action may be warranted when schools show no signs of improvement.

The teachers later struck a deal to get their jobs back. But the current school year has gotten off to a rocky start, with teachers calling out sick or quitting.

The money for the Central Falls School District will be used to buy new computers, pay professional staff and develop a performance management system.