Providence has a charter school problem. As the city prepares to regain leadership of the school system, public schools are being closed and charters stand ready to take their place. In this critical time of transition, adding more charters would harm, not help, our city’s students. Mayor Brett Smiley has spoken thoughtfully about the care being taken to set our schools up for success. If he wants our school system to succeed, the mayor should reject the opening of new charter schools.