Rhode Island spends billions to improve schools with goal of improving student outcomes
by ABBEY BUTTACAVOLI, NBC 10 NEWS
CENTRAL FALLS, R.I. (WJAR) — Rhode Island is working to build better schools following decades of crumbling infrastructure, old technology, and high rates of student absenteeism.
In the past five years across the state, more than $5 billion has been used to build better schools.
Just this year, $1.3 billion has been allocated to nearly 60 projects in 11 districts.
That money comes from taxpayers. The state claims it will impact more than 30,000 students.
“Well, this was something that we talked about for a long time because it’s not just about new buildings, it’s also about renovating, upgrading schools that are already in existence because our kids can’t learn 21st century skills if they’re not in 21st century buildings,” Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green said. “That is a fact.”
A fact that the state Department of Education will no longer ignore.
“If you close your eyes, the problems don’t go away. They actually get more expensive, so the time to address them is right now when it’s the cheapest time to do so,” Mario Carreño of the Department of Education said.
Administrators aim to put kids on a more even playing field with other districts.
“We know that when all things are equal, students achieve 20% better when facilities are actually new,” Carreño said.
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Several upgrades are found inside Calcutt Middle School in Central Falls.
“We have even added sound proofing into the ceiling, so there are things that really just make the environment more engaging, a place you want to be,” said Dr. Stephanie Downey Toledo, the superintendent of Central Falls schools.
Students agree.
“I think kids want to come to school more now because of all of these upgrades,” one student said.
And it’s paying off.
“We’re so proud that even shifts like this have led Calcutt’s attendance to go from almost 50% chronic absenteeism down to 25%, and it’s still decreasing,” Toledo said.
Just last year Calcutt students and teachers had old box TVs from the 1980s. Now, more modern tech and furniture fills classrooms.
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School department leaders say the improvements across all schools benefit both kids and adults.
“It goes beyond just building the building. We’re creating thousands of jobs, over 28,000 jobs in Rhode Island. We’re improving community schools, our community assets. They’re not just for students, but they’re for the neighborhood,” Carreño said. “It improves property values right around here have gone up as well as throughout our state, and it improves student outcomes. So, it’s a great use of public dollars.”
Infante-Green said there is no official end date for all of this construction. It will likely be years.
But the goal is to keep new and like-new buildings safe, healthy, clean and cared for, for years to come.