A number of school buildings around Rhode Island have recently gotten revitalized or completely rebuilt to create a quality learning environment for students — but many others are still in dire need of repairs.
Rhode Island taxpayers voted in 2018 to approve $250 million in state spending for school construction projects, a fraction of the more than $2 billion in deficiencies highlighted in a study the year before.
In November, voters statewide will once again be asked if they want to approve a $250 million school construction bond. Several communities including Providence, Warwick and Pawtucket will also have a total of $1.3 billion in municipal bond proposals on their ballots.
In 12 on 12 Digital Original, Kait Walsh takes you inside the classroom and talks to state education leaders about why this funding is so crucial.
In This 12 on 12: Foundations for Learning | School Tour | Full Interview: Education Leaders | Ballot Questions: School Bonds
Watch: Foundations for Learning
Tour: Hopkins Hill Elementary in Coventry
Interview: RI Dept. of Education Leaders
Ballot Questions: State and Local School Bonds
Here is the statewide school bond issue that will be on all ballots in Rhode Island:
2. RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL BUILDINGS – $250,000,000
To provide funding for the construction, renovation, and rehabilitation of the state’s public schools.
Approve/Reject
Here are the individual cities and towns that will separately have municipal bond questions on their ballots asking for more money to fund school construction projects.
East Providence: $150 million
- New Martin Middle School, Early Childhood Center and renovations to Waddington Elementary School
Middletown: $235 million
- All new schools, contingent on regionalizing with Newport
North Providence: $125 million
- Three new elementary schools
Pawtucket: $330 million
- One unified high school
Providence: $125 million
- Projects TBD
Warwick: $350 million
- Two new high schools
Westerly: $50 million
- One new elementary school and repairs
Further Reading
State of Rhode Island Schoolhouses Study (Sept. 2017) »
Renewing the Dream: RI School Building Authority Report (Feb. 2022) »
School renovations: RI leaders outline progress, future projects (Feb. 2022) »
More underserved RI schools getting help through Facility Equity Initiative (Sept. 2022) »
Credits
Reporter/Editor – Kait Walsh
Executive Producers – Shaun Towne, Jen Quinn
Graphic Designer – Lisa Mandarini
Special Thanks – Michael Costanza, Nick Blair, Lee Dooley, Susan Tracy-Durant, Karen Rezendes
