Educators chase down water leaks at Richmond Elementary School, at times forcing the school to close. Some classes at Ashaway elementary are held in a trailer. At Charlestown Elementary, occupational therapies and other similar programs are held in hallways for lack of space.
All three schools are more than 75 years old and are part of the Chariho Regional School System, where voters this week rejected a $150 million school construction bond issue that would have replaced all three schools.
Disappointed, School Superintendent Gina Picard remains hopeful the district will respond to needs, either through costly repairs for which they don’t have funds now, or a future bond issue. Immediately, however, she’s asking the school committee to approve seeking General Assembly approval for the district to pursue a $15 million bond to cover “safety concerns on the main campus (high school, middle school).” The safety issues were included in the $150 million bond.
If approved by the General Assembly, the request for the bond would go to the Rhode Island Department of Education, where it would proceed through its various stages.
While some outlets have reported that the vote was close – some 75 votes – that’s misleading. The school committee had previously voted that each of the three towns – Charlestown, Richmond and Hopkinton – would have to approve the bond. Even if the overall vote would have approved it, if one town did not vote approval, it would fail. Charlestown voters approved, Richmond by a small margin and Hopkinton by a large margin rejected the bond.
Perhaps the most critical issue at the elementary schools is Richmond, where Picard said, “water will find a way.” She said they have tried a number of remedies, including pointing of the bricks, but still water gets in.
Residents of Richmond and Hopkinton, according to residents, were concerned about increases in taxes, and some felt they could save money by repairing the old schools. Picard suggests otherwise, noting that those favoring the bond felt it more prudent and economical to build the three new schools that not only addressed safety concerns, but also were equipped for 21st century learning.
Approval now would have saved the district considerable money. The $150 million would have been offset by about an 80 percent match from RIDE. As of June some of those incentives disappear, reducing what might be expected in matching funds in a future.
Picard said that it is not unusual for districts to see bond issues rejected, only for them to be approved on a second or third pass through the communities. In nearby Westerly, it took three efforts at school bonds, and on the third the voters approved a $50 million bond that is funding renovation to two elementary schools, and replacement of a third.
School officials in Chariho will now look to what comes next, beyond the $15 million bond. Among the options, Picard said, might be a plan that would consider building of one elementary school serving the entire district.
