By Steve Klamkin WPRO News

The state of Rhode Island will take over operation of the troubled Providence school system by November 1, with a new superintendent in charge, a projected time frame of at least five years, an immediate focus on improving curriculum and hints at potential school closings due to poor physical conditions.

Rhode Island state education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green Tuesday issued her “final order” to “reconstitute” the Providence schools under state control, and said she is in final discussions with a yet unnamed candidate to take over as superintendent, who she expects to announce within days, and to take charge by the November 1 takeover date.

“This is not an “I got you”, this is not, you know, “the state is coming down with this heavy hand”, Infante-Green told reporters. “This is the state coming in to fulfill a promise that we have failed the community for many years.”

The state takeover follows a scathing report from Johns Hopkins University issued in June that found significant shortcomings in Providence schools.

“It is a change to have systematic… restructuring of a district. That has not happened in… you know, over 30 years.”

In response to community concerns, Infante-Green said that she would appoint an advisory committee comprised of parents to contribute to the take-over process.

She also projected a five-year time frame for her mandate, rather than an initial three years.

“We are making a commitment of not giving back the school system until the school system is in a very stable place.”