Providence has a teacher problem because it has a morale problem.

Imagine you are fresh out of college and one job has good pay and benefits, fixed hours, no negative press, and supportive upper management. Another job has the same pay and benefits, fixed hours, very negative press about its employees (soon yourself), and upper management that is openly antagonistic about its workers. Your wife is probably very aware of this kind of dynamic district to district.

Overall, a state takeover means a lot of control. So a district like Johnston (which I hear mixed reviews from grads) is going to have a lot more flexibility with curriculum and testing (whether it is flexible all depends on the district culture). Providence is going to have less room to bend.

I think whatever happens your kid will be fine with a two very involved parents, one of which is a teacher.

edit: you should sit on a school board meeting for both. I believed Providence has one tonight that can be accessed remotely.