PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Providence Public Schools Superintendent Javier Montañez was expected to say Friday, Oct. 30, that he is leaving the district, WPRI reported. Only WPRI reported that timing, and none of the outlets covering the story carried an announcement from Montañez or the district.

According to The Boston Globe, Montañez retained his own attorney to work out the terms of his leaving with the Providence School Board. Citing three people with direct knowledge of the talks, the Globe said his exit could become public before the end of 2026, even though his contract runs until June 30, 2027. Montañez and board President Ty'Relle Stephens declined to comment to the Globe.

In a statement reported by NBC 10 News, Stephens said the board "has taken no official action." A district spokeswoman, Suzanne Ouellette, told WPRI the district would not discuss personnel issues.

Montañez would be the fourth senior district leader to go within weeks, WPRI reported. District spokeswoman Alex Torres-Perez said Zack Scott, deputy superintendent of operations, resigned Sept. 25; Paula Dillon, deputy superintendent of academics, on Oct. 16; and chief of staff Lisa DiMartino on Oct. 23. "The positions remain vacant," Torres-Perez told WPRI.

The shake-up is unfolding in the district's first months back under city governance. The state had run Providence schools since 2019 and handed them back in July.

State Rep. David Morales, the Democratic nominee for mayor, told WPRI, "This certainly came as a surprise," adding that leaving did not come up when he spoke with Montañez after the September primary. The Globe described Morales as all but certain to take office in January.

"Once we are given the authorization from the school board, my team hopes to be a part of the process as it relates to selecting the next acting superintendent," Morales told NBC 10. WPRI reported that a policy the board adopted recently bars an acting superintendent from seeking the permanent post.

The board faces strife of its own. The Globe reported that Stephens recently fended off an attempt by several colleagues to remove him as president, and NBC 10 reported that a postponed vote on his removal is expected at the board's Nov. 18 meeting.