Rhode Island public schools are in need of funding for repairs and new building construction in order to better serve students' needs. The General Assembly recently passed a $250 million school renovation bill, but this is far short of the estimated $2.2 billion in repairs that our public schools require. 

A second referendum for $250 million is not scheduled for a vote until 2022. Our educational system needs more capital sooner. Rhode Island must develop a long-term plan to meet schools' repair needs. The problem is not lack of revenue — the last thing we need is new taxes — but misplaced spending priorities. 

To come up with this money we need to reallocate funds from other areas of government. Show someone a budget and you reveal your priorities. For too long our spending priorities have shortchanged our public school infrastructure. Let's invest in our children by adequately funding our schools.

Rhonda Holmes

Barrington

Ms. Holmes is a Republican running for RI House, District 66.