Cranston School Bond Issue Supported By Mayoral Candidates

Cranston School Bond Issue Supported By Mayoral Candidates

Cranston Mayor Kenneth Hopkins announced on Tuesday his public endorsement of the $40 million local school bond referenda that will be considered by voters on June 4th.

“As early voting has begun and mail ballots are still available on an emergency basis, I wanted to urge Cranston voters to support the school bond issue at the polls on June 4th,” said Hopkins.

"The $40,000,000 bond for schools is critical for the school department’s capital needs and in particular the successful completion of the Gladstone Elementary School and Phase 3 of Eden Park Elementary School,” said Hopkins. “In addition, the bond issue will enable the school department to acquire and renovate the Apprentice Exploration School (AES) on Sharpe Drive.”

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“I have said many times that construction trades education and vocational pathways are a critical component to the range of educational opportunities in Cranston,” said Hopkins.

In addition, Hopkins said several other school projects will be addressed if the bond issue is approved including a new parking lot at Cranston High School West, stating “The timing of this special election has been questioned by some voters.”

Hopkins claims that the school department is trying to meet a June 30th deadline with the Rhode Island Department of Education (“RIDE”) for bonus point reimbursements.  Hopkins stated that on the ballot, the bond issue will refer to a minimum of 50% state reimbursement, but school officials are pressing for up to 74% reimbursement from RIDE.

“Based on the superintendent and her administration’s representation of the 74% reimbursement. I am comfortable in supporting its passage,” Hopkins said.  “My finance team has factored in the 74% reimbursement to their analysis of affordability of our debt service.”

 

Ferri and Fenton-Fung

The campaign for Councilor Robert Ferri, a candidate for Mayor of Cranston, said he too supports the bond.

“Councilman Ferri does support the school bonds passage and credits Council President Jessica Marino for her leadership to get the referendum on the ballot,” said Michael Beauregard, a spokesperson for Democrat candidate for Mayor

Republican State Representative Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung said she also supports bond funding.

“As a cosponsor of the Cranston bond at the General Assembly, I am in full support of getting these funds to upgrade our schools at a very high state reimbursement level to our city, which maximizes our relief for local taxpayers,” said Fenton-Fung.