5Q: Tom Giordano | Executive director, Partnership for Rhode Island
1. More than three-quarters of Rhode Island voters in November approved a $250 million bond request for public-school facility improvements across the state over five years. Why did the Partnership for Rhode Island – which includes representation from major corporations, colleges and universities, and nonprofits – endorse the referendum? A recent study found that Rhode Island’s 306 school buildings are operating with more than 50,000 deficiencies, ranging from leaky pipes to broken windows to severe structural issues. These deficiencies are putting kids at risk and directly impacting students’ ability to learn and teachers’ ability to teach.
2. Beyond voicing support, did the organization advocate for the measure in any other way? In the last month of the campaign, the [partnership] invested in a nonpartisan, digital advertising campaign to raise awareness about the referendum and educate Rhode Islanders about the many benefits that would come with this once-in-a-generation investment.
3. Why did the organization choose to take a stand in the election? We supported Question No. 1 because it [fits] our mission. We believe Rhode Island’s students and educators deserve to spend their school days teaching and learning in warm, safe, dry and up-to-date facilities. … Studies show that newer, more-up-to-date school buildings result in higher achievement and significantly fewer student sick days.
4. How does the referendum relate to the partnership’s four core focus areas? The [partnership] is committed to support causes and initiatives that make Rhode Island a better place to live and work.
Our four core focus areas are high-quality, K-12 education; infrastructure; lifelong workforce-development training to help the state reach full employment; and attracting new businesses. The school bond is obviously in line with the education and infrastructure fronts – but we believe it will also move the needle with the state’s business community.
The ability to showcase … freshly renovated public-school buildings will improve Rhode Island’s standing with businesses looking for new places to set up shop.
5. How will the partnership continue to support the implementation of the referendum into 2019? The first step was approving the referendum. … The next step is to get to work, break ground on projects and give our students and teachers the warm, safe and dry schools they need and deserve.
Emily Gowdey-Backus is a staff writer for PBN. You can follow her on Twitter @FlashGowdey or contact her via email, Gowdey-backus@PBN.com.
