By JOHN HOWELL While he's not participating in the "e;think tank"e; sessions this week on the future of secondary education and Warwick high schools, Mayor Joseph J. Solomon isn't lacking suggestions when it comes to the playing fields at Toll Gate and
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While he’s not participating in the “think tank” sessions this week on the future of secondary education and Warwick high schools, Mayor Joseph J. Solomon isn’t lacking suggestions when it comes to the playing fields at Toll Gate and Pilgrim.
Solomon agreed with the School Committee vote Tuesday to cut repairs and upgrades to the high schools from its initial plan for a $79.9 million bond request since the schools are the focus of the current review and are likely to be the subject of a separate bond proposal.
“We’re on the same side of the fence [on this],” he said.
Solomon applauded improved communication between the administration and schools and voiced his support of the $56 million bond the School Committee endorsed – and which, given City Council and General Assembly approval, would appear on the November ballot.
But when informed that City Council President Steve Merolla pushed to increase the bond to $65 million so as to build state-of-the-art athletic fields at the high schools, Solomon took issue. He said he would love to see new fields, but he observed athletic fields wouldn’t have the same level of state contributive support, meaning the taxpayers would be faced with the lion’s share of the cost.
“I know [Merolla is] very proud of his days as a quarterback,” Solomon said.
He agrees with Merolla that athletic events are an important part of school and in building community, but he doesn’t see spending upwards of $10 million on two fields as a good investment. Rather, Solomon said, he would prefer a central facility that could be used by both schools as well as other groups.
Where might that be?
Solomon thought the former Veterans High School field would be ideal as it is centrally located and in close proximity to the Mickey Stevens Sports Complex.
Although in what could be described as the “think stage” in keeping with visioning for secondary schools, Solomon thought a central field – presumably with turf, lighting and support facilities – would be eligible for grants.
Educational consultant Frank Locker, who is conducting the “visioning,” and Saam Architects, which is doing an analysis of high school facilities, are to finalize a report by April. The committee will use the report in selecting a plan for the schools that may include a new high school.
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Jsimmy230
The fields at these schools are GOOD ENOUGH. We don't need more debt. We don't need new schools, with our existing debt and unfunded pension and health care funds. We definitely don't need to reelect in November the same people that have gotten us in the mess we currently have in Warwick!
Vote them all out. But at a minimum the worst 6 in the City that just gave us the WFD Contract with all the problems found in it, without fixing any of them.
#1 Mayor Solomon with decades on City Council, and his 5 fellow clowns still on the Council ... Howe, Mccallister, Sinapi, McElroy, and the stupidest of all Donna Travis with numerous recent Election Board and Ethics Committee guilty verdicts!
REMEMBER IN NOVEMBER!
Thursday, January 30, 2020 Report this
wwkvoter
was donna travis actually found guilty though?
Monday, February 3, 2020 Report this
Jsimmy230
Yes she was by both the RI Board of Elections for violations involving campaign funds and reporting. Also by the RI Ethics Commission for several violations of failure to report information about the several scam alleged nonprofits she uses to get reelected. One of he nonprofits has owed City taxes since 2011, when their status of being a nonprofit was revoked by RI Secretary of State. It still hasn't been paid. During this time she has approved funding for tax Collector to punish others, not her, for not paying their taxes, water, and sewer bills. She is a dope, and is corrupt. Time for her, and others to go.
Remember in November!
Tuesday, February 4, 2020 Report this
warwick10
Not that I'm a supporter of (taxpayer funded) sports , but what fields, John? There are none!
We don't need more debt, so let's eliminate existing debt and stop city pensions... building a new school is necessary! Invest in our future students NOT pensions. Education is the most powerful investment in our future. Warwick is already deteriorating, without new schools, it'll only get worse!
Wednesday, February 5, 2020 Report this
Jsimmy230
You can learn anywhere, if you want to learn. Kids overseas learn in buildings much, much worse than what exists in Warwick. The existing fields, as they are, are good enough. Pay for the kids to go to private schools, and the City can save money on everything involved with educating the kids, including overpaid babysitters (teachers), their pensions, and all the dope administrators. Except busing, and maybe some books. The kids will get a better education, for less cost to taxoayers. A win, win in my opinion.
Wednesday, February 5, 2020 Report this