Providence Schools Superintendent Harrison Peters.
The Rhode Island Department of Education says that Commissioner Angélica Infante Green was “not aware” of now-former Providence schools official Olayinka Alege’s controversial past in Florida prior to his hiring in Rhode Island.
Alege who was arrested this week for “forcibly rubbing a stranger’s foot” and subsequently resigned was known in Florida for “toe-popping” students as a form of punishment.
Peters had faced serious criticism for his handling of a separate sex incident in Florida, as GoLocal reported.
Alege s Behavior
“Five boys told deputies that King High assistant principal Olayinka Alege asked them on numerous occasions to take off a shoe and sock behind closed doors, and allow him to pop their toes. They said it didn t hurt, but they didn t like it, either,” reported the Florida Sun-Sentinel in July 2009.
Industry representatives tell lawmakers a system of third-party laboratories to test products and check labeling will be needed to assure safety for consumers.