Education and money go hand in hand

To the editor:

In response to a request from Newport resident Ken Nomiyama for the October 13th issue newport this week If I ask directly from a candidate about the possibility of localization, my answer is yes. I support localization.

At its core is the regionalization of administration of the two schools. Newport will receive her $46 million to be paid over the life of the bond passed to build the new Rogers High School and add a new addition to the Pell School. $46 million will be paid to Newport twice a year by the state at $900,000 for a total of $1.8 million annually, with property tax adjustments adjusted accordingly. Going forward, if a boiler replacement is required or a new capital project is required, Newport will receive a 67% state reimbursement. You also gain annual savings by consolidating management through economies of scale.

Some people argue that it’s all about money, but education and money go hand in hand. Can you educate your children properly if you don’t have enough money? The short answer is NO. Some say he’ll wait a year or he’ll wait two years to localize, but once Rogers is done in September 2024, localizing after that date won’t get us anything. not available.

I have never heard an argument against localization that suggests that localization hurts the students of Newport schools. No one is saying test scores will go down, absenteeism will go up, graduation rates will go down. We’ve already partnered with Middletown on plays, hockey, art shows, and even teacher training.

Middletown is our neighbor. we drink the same water We drive the same roads and eat at the same restaurants. For those who are upset about the treatment we received from another Middletown town council many years ago, I ask. Nevertheless, a better education level?

If regionalization is passed, my school board will be dissolved on June 30, 2024, at which time a new combined school board will take over for Newport and Middletown. I am not advocating the passage of localization for my own benefit. I am doing it because I believe it is the right thing for students to do because it will provide them with opportunities for better education and more rewarding programs. We won’t have all the answers until we get it, but we need to be confident that the new committee will do the right thing for our students. why don’t they? We need to use our savings and have faith that the new school board will do the right thing.

If elected for another term, I will do my best to represent you, especially the students.

Jim Dring newport