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10/22/2015
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Senator Da Ponte and Representative Amore named to Governor’s school funding formula review working group
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STATE HOUSE – Senate Finance Chairman Daniel Da Ponte, a chief architect of the original 2010 enabling legislation that formed the state’s school funding formula, and Representative Gregg Amore, who was vice-chair of a similar commission last legislative session, have been appointed by Governor Gina Raimondo to her education funding formula review working group.
“In 2010, the mechanism in which our children’s educations were funded was drastically flawed and Rhode Island was the only state in the country without an education funding formula. With the help of Senate Education Chairwoman Hanna Gallo, we got the state’s first funding formula passed and hoped it would lead to a fair distribution of funds to each and every child in Rhode Island’s schools,” said Senator Da Ponte (D-Dist. 14, East Providence). “And, although the funding formula has benefited many, it is also is in need of updates to reflect current circumstances within our school departments. I have confidence that this group will be able to strengthen what is working within the formula and will identify and rectify issues that have appeared within the last five years. Our children deserve the best funding formula possible,” added Senator Da Ponte.
“As a high school history teacher for the City of East Providence, I’ve closely followed the formation of the funding formula and I’ve watched and experienced first-hand its effects on the schools and students,” said Representative Amore (D-Dist. 65, East Providence). “Our current funding formula for our schools is good and was much needed in 2010 when it was created, but, it is lacking in certain areas and I am looking forward to analyzing what has worked and what needs fixing for the betterment of our children’s education,” added Representative Amore.
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.
The Governor has asked the Working Group to explore several themes:
· Fairness across school types: Our funding formula must be fair and supported by data.
· Flexibility and sufficiency: Our funding formula must enable prudent and sustainable flexibility at the district, school, and student levels.
· Responsiveness to unique needs: Our families, communities, and schools have unique needs, and the funding formula needs to account for and accommodate these unique needs.
· Fiscal responsibility: Our funding formula needs to direct resources to the areas in which they are needed most and the funding formula must encourage savings and efficiency whenever possible
· Improved Outcomes: Our funding formula needs to invest these resources wisely to ensure improved outcomes.
The group will provide the Governor with a draft report of its initial findings and recommendations by Jan. 1, 2016. In order to engage the public and to ensure transparency, the group will meet in public session at locations across Rhode Island.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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