Chafee’s Budget: A Win for Education
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
The state would fully fund the second year of the education funding formula and award $11 million in additional dollars to underfunded communities under the Governor's budget proposal.
In total, that would mean $39 million in new funding for elementary and secondary education, including full funding for categorical programs such special education, career and technical education, the early childhood fund and transportation. The state would also spend millions to ensure every classroom in the state has wireless internet.
Education Commissioner Deborah Gist said she is "incredibly pleased" with the proposal.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"All across the country states are struggling financially and sometimes unfortunately that means that they look to education and Rhode Island is quite the opposite and that is really, really important," Gist said. "I think the Governor understands the relationship between education and the economy."
Funding for higher education would remain at the same level as last year, but the Governor has proposed a $20 million scholarship fund for qualifying students.
