APRIL 2021 -- On November 2, 2020, Newport voters overwhelmingly approved the $106.33 million school bond that will allow the city to build a new high school to replace the aging RHS built in 1957, as well as add eight classrooms to the overcrowded Pell Elementary School.
Work is in progress on a final design (RHSAA room included?). When this is done RHS construction begins in the spring of 2022 and should be completed by the fall of 2024. As of this printing, the plan is to use the current RHS land starting in the back by the soccer field and move forward to Wickham Road. By doing this the students can stay in the old building for classes.
Alumni, especially, are concerned about the auditorium. Most would like to see it repaired and kept as is. It is unique and one of the biggest school auditoriums in the state. Like most things it comes down to what is most feasible, aesthetically and financially. The gym is also a rare find with the state high schools. It is one of the biggest. Like the auditorium, it does need major “tweaking”, but, it is already there. I am hopeful all this will be taken into account with the school reps and the architects.