September 16 Providence LWV Conversation‏

A Providence Conversation:

A New Voice on the Providence School Board

The Providence League of Women Voters

Invites you for

Conversation over coffee and dessert with:

Mark Santow, PhD

historian, parent, and

new member of the Providence School Board

Come here his experiences as he grapples with charter schools, budgets, contracts, and testing.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

49 Humboldt Avenue, Providence, 7:00 to 8:30 pm.

For more information, e-mail: joan.retsinas@gmail.com, or phone (401) 272-0422

WPRI: Providence reminds parents of important school resources

Shaun Towne; Reporting by Kelly Sullivan
Published: August 26, 2015, 11:13 pm

The Providence School Department sent out some important reminders for parents Wednesday as the new academic year looms. Full Story

Gov. Raimondo unveils $20M fund for school construction

Dan McGowan, WPRI.com Reporter
Published: August 11, 2015, 2:12 pm  Updated: August 11, 2015, 9:46 pm

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – Making the case that Rhode Island schools need to be “safer, better and healthier” learning environments, Gov. Gina Raimondo on Tuesday launched a new program aimed at repairing and refurbishing aging schoolhouses across the state.

Known as the Rhode Island School Building Authority (SBA), the governor said the program and its advisory board will oversee the school construction process, starting with an independent assessment of all of the state’s school buildings.

The SBA is funded with $20 million from the new 2015-16 state budget, money that will be used to immediately assist schools will smaller construction projects over the next year. Those projects will be determined in the coming weeks and Raimondo said work could begin as soon as September.

Full story

Mayoral assistance with City services‏

The Mayor’s Center for City Services is a new constituent service office. Located on the first floor of City Hall, City Services provides a streamlined and responsive experience for anyone seeking assistance from the city. Residents can stop in, or simply call 421-CITY to speak directly with a staffer.

City Services is also expanding to every corner of Providence to better connect with residents. A new, mobile City Services van is traveling to locations throughout the city, providing the same high-quality service available at City Hall. And there will be Community Office Hours – a new initiative that brings City Services staff directly into supermarkets, community events and other locations.

The first Community Office Hours are Tuesday, August 11 at Compare Foods, 863 Broad Street, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, August 15 at the Hope Street Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Providence Schools: Parent Forums: August 4, 6, 13 and 17

Come and meet Providence Schools Superintendent Chris Maher and share your views on the direction of our schools and how to make them stronger!
Time and Locations

WPRI: Councilman seeks to block ex-pols from spiking their city pension

Dan McGowan, WPRI.com Reporter
Published: July 22, 2015, 9:27 am  Updated: July 22, 2015, 8:43 pm
PROVIDENCE, R.I.

Councilman David Salvatore said Wednesday he plans to introduce an ordinance that would prevent politicians who also held a municipal job from counting their time in elected office toward their pension credits. Full Story

WPRI: Providence tax rate still ranked among highest

By Ted Nesi
Published: July 16, 2015, 5:00 am  Updated: July 16, 2015, 5:37 pm

This marks the second year in the row that the study pegged Providence’s rates at fourth-highest. The city’s ranking has improved somewhat in recent years – it topped the list in both 2011 and 2012, but then bankrupt Detroit took the crown. New York City and Chicago ranked third- and fourth-highest, respectively.
Full Story