WOONSOCKET, R.I. (WPRI)  — Many students will head back to the classroom on Wednesday in Woonsocket.

12 News sat down with Superintendent Patrick McGee ahead of the start of school, who shared some changes that students and parents can expect this year.

“We have been very busy with upgrades at some of our schools. For example, at our high school, we put in new science labs throughout the building,” said McGee.

There will also be upgrades to the gymnasium and auditorium at Woonsocket High School, along with updates to gymnasiums at some of the Elementary schools.

“We’re really excited about those capital projects that I think our families, our students and our staff are going to be really excited when they come back to see that work,” McGee said. “Some of that work will not be completed, however, we’ll be working on it throughout the course of the fall and the winter.”

One big change happening this year is that some students at Pothier Citizens Elementary School will be relocated due to a decrease in enrollment.

This will impact about 90 students who will now be going to Savoie Elementary School.

“Our goal is always to have a low, student, teacher ratio. However, in Woonsocket and across the country and certainly across the state, we’ve seen unfortunately a decrease in funding,” McGee explained. “So, we did not have the funding this year to maintain smaller size classrooms, which we have been able to do in the past.”

The district also hopes to break ground on its new elementary school, which will hold a little more than 1,000 students and is expected to be completed by 2027.

Wednesday, August 28 is the first day for students in Grades 1 through 9 and Kindergarten Students with their last names beginning A-L.

Thursday, August 29 is first day for students in Grades 10 through 12 and Kindergarten Students with their last names beginning M-Z.

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