Gallo retiring from Central Falls schools leadership

CENTRAL FALLS School Superintendent Frances Gallo announced her retirement Tuesday night to her board of trustees, effective June 30. / COURTESY CENTRAL FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT
CENTRAL FALLS School Superintendent Frances Gallo announced her retirement Tuesday night to her board of trustees, effective June 30. / COURTESY CENTRAL FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT

CENTRAL FALLS – School Superintendent Frances Gallo announced her retirement Tuesday night to her board of trustees, effective June 30.

During Gallo’s tenure, the district said in a press release, reform and improvement have been possible, including launch of the Innovation Lab, a partnership with Rhode Island College that provides educational and other programming to members of both Central Falls and the college.

Other new programming includes the Mass Insight Education’s College Success program for secondary schools, which helps teachers embrace new instructional strategies and raise expectations for students, the district said.

Deborah A. Gist, Rhode Island’s commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, issued a statement Wednesday morning praising the outgoing superintendent, calling her “steadfast and bold.” Over the past four years the graduation rate at Central Falls High School has risen from 54 percent to 74 percent, Gist said.

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“Fran has worked closely with her students, with her team of educators,and with the entire community of Central Falls to earn support for education and to build pride in the accomplishments of Central Falls teachers and students,” Gist noted. “Fran has also worked in partnership with the charter public schools that serve students in Central Falls, as she recognizes that, whichever school students attend, they are, in her words ‘all our students.’ ”

Anna Cano-Morales, chairperson of the trustees, and the board accepted her letter of resignation following eight years of service with regret.

“For the past eight years, I have marveled at the leadership and care with which Dr. Gallo approached her work in our Central Falls district,” said Cano-Morales. “She will definitely be leaving this district in a much better place than when she found it. There are no words to truly express how grateful we are for her unwavering commitment to put children, their community, and progress in education front and center of her work.”

Sonia Rodrigues Grace, vice chairperson of the board of trustees also noted that Gallo’s “love for and belief in the children of Central Falls – our children – drove every action she took as superintendent. Her grace and unflinching commitment to world-class public education inspired me and, I’m sure, many others in our city and beyond. We will miss her deeply.”

In February 2010, under Gallo’s leadership, the school district’s board of trustees voted to fire the entire staff at its poorly performing high school. At the time, the school had a 48 percent graduation rate and consistent student performance below state and national standards. The action gained national attention, with President Barack Obama supporting it. Teachers returned to their positions that fall.

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