Providence council advances school procurement ordinance amid praise from members

Council members on Thursday approved a package of measures on second reading that includes an ordinance intended to improve procurement timelines and financial oversight for Providence Public Schools.

Councilwoman Davidson, the lead sponsor, told colleagues the ordinance was developed through collaboration with the Providence Public Schools, the school board and the administration and said passage would ‘‘create substantial financial oversight while also speeding up the process of getting what students and teachers need to improve teaching and learning in our schools.’’ She urged colleagues to move quickly so the ordinance is in place before students return to class.

Multiple councilors praised Davidson’s leadership. ‘‘This is exactly what we needed as we get back to local control,’’ a colleague said, adding that moving the ordinance before the start of school would be ‘‘a game changer’’ for students and faculty.

The clerk recorded that items 7 through 11, 14 and 15 were approved for second reading by roll call (12 ayes, 3 absent). Councilors framed the change as part of the city’s transition to local control of schools and emphasized procurement timeline reductions that sponsors said cut typical processing from about 97 days to roughly 50 days.

Supporters said the ordinance balances speed with transparency and will help deliver supplies and services more quickly to classrooms. Opponents did not block the motion on second reading but some members signaled the work would continue in committee and through implementation oversight.

The council moved on to other business after the second-reading vote; sponsors said they would follow up on implementation details with administration staff and school officials.