Central Falls board approves schematic design submission for new PreK–8 dual-language school on existing high school site

Central Falls School Board of Trustees members voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a stage‑3 schematic design submission to the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) for a new PreK–8 dual‑language school to be built on the site of the current Central Falls High School.

The vote authorizes the district to submit schematic drawings and related materials that begin the formal RIDE review and approval process. Justin Tebow, a project lead for the design team, told trustees, “we're targeting submitting that, after anticipated approval tonight, to RIDE in the very near future.” The motion to submit was moved by Peralta Pagan and seconded by Hugo Figueroa; the roll‑call vote was recorded as five ayes and no dissenting votes.

The schematic package presented to the board shows a three‑story academic block (pre‑K–6 stacked across the first two floors and grades 7–8 on the third), plus a two‑story gym/dining/community wing that can be partitioned for after‑hours community use. Project managers said the building design keeps the urban street edge by placing the building at the corner of the existing site, includes outdoor play areas and a northern emergency…