City Council Finance Committee Approves Bishop Funding

The Finance Committee of the City Council has unanimously approved the plan to fund Nathan Bishop and other schools in Phase 1 of the school reconstruction plan. The full ProJo story can be read here.
Now the issue goes to the full Council at its meeting tonight, July 25.
Please attend this meeting, if you can, to [...]

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Vartan Gregorian Success in ProJo

Today’s ProJo has a nice article documenting evidence from Vartan Gregorian Elementary on the renewed interest in public schools on the East Side.  In particular, it tells how demand has lead the school to add a third kindergarten for next year.
If there is a theme to the story, it is the importance of parent and [...]

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Mayor Proposes Reinventing Rhode Island Task Force

Friday’s ProJo has an Op-Ed piece by Mayor Cicilline, proposing a task force to make recommendations for the state on deficit reduction, fiscal responsibility, state government modernization, and tax reduction. The piece notes that “a five-year strategic financial plan, along with discipline, have had a major impact in Providence. Since 2004, the rate of [...]

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Education Budget Effects Across Rhode Island

Our focus here has been on Providence, but I thought it would be useful to share reports of the effects of the recent education funding freeze on other parts of the state. I think this shows that Providence and other municipalities are, in many ways, in the same boat:

COVENTRY – Class sizes will get [...]

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City Council Considers Suit Against State on Ed. Funding

[Followup:  The Council authorized exploring this suit]
Today’s Projo reports that the City Council will consider retaining counsel to explore a lawsuit against the state to force adequate levels of education funding. Read the story here.
The RI Constitution provides that the General Assembly has a duty to promote education:
RI Constitution, ART XII: Duty of general [...]

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