March 28, 2024

RI Department of Education Funds EP School Projects

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The Department of Education and the Governor's office issued a press release in which they announced the funding of several school projects. The communities with approved projects are: Barrington, Beacon (charter), Bristol Warren, Burrillville, Central Falls, Cranston, East Providence, Foster, Foster-Glocester, Kingston Hill (charter), Middletown, New Shoreham, North Providence, Pawtucket, Portsmouth, Providence, Tiverton, and Woonsocket. "The Council on Elementary and Secondary Education on Tuesday, October 20th, unanimously approved funding to kick off school-renovation projects that will spur the Rhode Island economy and ensure the health and safety to schoolchildren," said the RIDE press release. "These projects will put people to work, and provide safer, healthier, better learning environments for about 30,000 students and their teachers," said Governor Raimondo. "In addition, these projects all are 'shovel-ready' and can get under way immediately. They will create jobs in the construction industry, which will benefit Rhode Island families and will advance our economy. Let's get shovels in the ground and repair our schools!" said the Governor.

The Authority received applications for 120 projects and was able to fund 86 projects from 18 school districts or charter public schools. The total reimbursements for the approved projects will be $19,347,079, toward a total cost for the projects of approximately $24 million (the balance paid from local funds) said the release. "We want Rhode Island to be a state in which all – not just some – of our school buildings meet the highest standards for quality, safety, and efficiency," said Barbara S. Cottam, Chair of the Board of Education. "These projects say to our students and our teachers: We care about you, and we care about your education. With the approval of and funding for these construction projects, we have put school renovation and repair on a fast track."

Approved projects include fire protection, roofing replacement, hazardous-materials abatement, security upgrades, heating and ventilation upgrades, exterior and elevator repairs, egress repairs, and lighting retrofits. East Providence High School will receive about $105,000 and Riverside Middle School will receive about $160,00, both for infrastructure upgrades.

EP Officials on Funding Review Board for Education:
Dr. Isadore Ramos, State Representative Gregg Amore and State Senator Daniel DaPonte have been appointed by Governor Gina Raimondo to a "Working Group" that will be the state's first formal review of the state's education funding formula. Ramos is former East Providence Mayor and an Assistant Superintendent of Schools; Amore is a member of the RI House Education Committee and DaPonte is the Chairman of the RI Senate Finance Committee. As part of this work, Raimondo signed an executive order appointing a working group to examine whether the formula is working as intended with a particular focus on funding for students with special needs, for English learners, for career-technical education, and for charter public schools.


"A significant part of jumpstarting our economy and creating opportunity for everyone is making sure our kids have access to the best education," Raimondo said. "Rhode Island has a strong formula and it is model for other states. However all key public policies benefit from regular review. After five years, it is time to for a fresh look to review our education funding structure."

Rhode Island's education funding formula, signed into law five years ago, allocates state aid to public schools based on student enrollment, student poverty levels, and community wealth. The legislation that established the funding formula called for regular review.

"With this working group, we will begin to shift our conversation away from school budget line items and toward school investment," continued Raimondo. "We need to shift our focus to our schools, the front lines, where the magic happens. Over time, if we can spend our education dollars more wisely, our families may also benefit from property tax relief," continued the Governor's press release.

Elizabeth Burke Bryant, executive director of Rhode Island KIDS COUNT, and Donald R. Sweitzer, Chairman of IGT Corporation, will co-chair the Working Group.

"At Rhode Island KIDS COUNT, we are committed to improving the health, safety, education, economic well-being and development of Rhode Island's children, said Elizabeth Burke Bryant, Co-Chair of the Working Group. "I am honored to co-chair this Working Group, since we need to be sure we are using education dollars wisely to ensure positive outcomes because our kids are depending on us."

Dr. Kenneth K. Wong, Chairman of the Education Department at Brown University, will advise the group. The group will provide the Governor with a draft report of its initial findings and recommendations by January 1st. In order to engage the public and to ensure transparency, the group will meet in public session at locations across Rhode Island. The Governor has asked the Working Group to explore several themes: Fairness across school types; Flexibility and sufficiency; Responsiveness to unique needs; Fiscal responsibility and Improved Outcomes.

"It's an honor to be asked by the Governor to help with this effort. I have been in education for most of my life and have always been concerned with the flawed state funding formula," said Dr. Isadore Ramos. Ramos was a teacher and administrator for 35 years in the East Providence school system. He has a PhD in Education Administration from UCONN and served on the school committee and city council in retirement.

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