<[link removed]> Hi John, I am deeply honored to write to you as your newly elected representative for Region 1 on the Providence School Board. This victory belongs to all of us, and I’m here to serve every student, every family, and every voice in our community. Our side of the city has some of the most dedicated, detailed, and consistent public servants in all of Rhode Island and I’m honored to be among them. Their newsletters are models of effective communication providing important information as well as their positions and explanations, and I am committed to meeting that high standard. To make sure that as many parents, students, and community members as possible have access to my updates I need your help. Please forward this email to anyone who may find it useful, and encourage them to subscribe at www.coreyjonespvd.com <[link removed]> . Last week I met with the 4 other elected school board members and we discussed the current court battle over school funding, how we can start working together now, and what our vision and goals are for the future of the schools. I’m honored to have the privilege to serve amongst such energetic compassionate individuals and I want to take a quick moment to describe the start of the new makeup of The Providence School Board. Miche’le Lee Fontes in Region 2, is Dean of Students at Sophia Academy she brings passion and experience in the arts, restorative justice practices, and school culture. Having someone who has experience in the building incorporating good school culture will be vital with this new board. Heidi Silverio in Region 3, is a lawyer who works with the city of Central Falls. The legal battles with the school and state will be a vital part of the process to ending the state takeover and Heidi’s legal experience will serve this new board well in that endeavor. Heidi serves on multiple boards and has a history fighting for the multilingual community. Mireya Mendoza in Region 4, is a community advocate who's worked in health care serving young people ensuring they have a voice and good health. She’s a champion for multilingual learners and will be an amazing contribution to the new board. Ty’Relle Stephens in Region 5, is the only incumbent who won; he's been a fierce voice for students, teachers, and families since he was appointed under Mayor Elorza. Ty’Relle is a Providence Schools alumni who was appointed shortly after graduating. Ty’Relle brings his lived experience, professional experience, and his community connections from being a champion for students, teachers, and families throughout his tenure on the board. Update on the Court Battle over School Funding The legal conflict between the state and the city over school funding has intensified, with a recent court decision allowing the state to withhold certain funds from the city. As your representative, I’m committed to telling it like it is while explaining the nuance. Here’s the truth: both the city and the state have valid points. The city has undeniably underfunded schools over the years, but it’s also true that this past year saw the biggest funding increase in fifteen years. Under state leadership, the budget has grown to address essential needs for special education, multilingual learners, and professional development. If the city could continue this level of commitment over the next few years and with sound accounting practices we could close the deficit. The state won its injunction and I’m hopeful we can find a solution that won’t bankrupt the city but will bridge the gap enough for the General Assembly to close what’s left. We need a funding formula change that will increase the amount all cities get for students with special education needs and multilingual learners. Our goal must be to hold both the city and state accountable to pay their fair share. It’s not realistic to expect the city to rectify decades of underfunding in a single year. With this recent decision, I see a promising opportunity to transition back to local control, giving elected and soon-to-be-appointed school board members the autonomy to lead our schools. The school takeover was built on a few premises. One was to renegotiate the teacher union contract and that has happened. Another was to close the structural deficit which we are even closer to accomplishing. I’d advocate for collaboration with state agencies, city, and nonprofits to save costs, ensuring that our focus remains on what matters: supporting our students. With continued city support, a funding formula change, and saving practices that increase co-enrollment, referrals, and embedding existing resources in our schools we can end the state takeover. Bond Updates Housing Bond: $120 million approved for affordable housing initiatives, providing more options for families across Rhode Island. Green Economy Bond: $53 million for environmental projects, including brownfield cleanups and offshore wind infrastructure. Higher Education Bond (URI & RIC): $160.5 million for RIC and URI improvements to expand research and cybersecurity training. Arts and Culture Bond: $10 million to support key cultural institutions across the state. School Infrastructure Bond: Rebuilding Our Schools One of the most exciting aspects of the approved bonds is the school infrastructure investment. With this funding, we are one step closer to rebuilding Martin Luther King Elementary School and a new or like-new Hope High School. All our students deserve new or like-new 21st century learning spaces! I’ll advocate to ensure these schools are redesigned in ways that build on what makes them great! I plan to host a meeting soon to share more details about the rebuilding of MLK Elementary and the future plans for Hope High. This is an opportunity for all of us to shape the future of our schools and create facilities that inspire learning and community. Upcoming Events in Our Region I’m looking forward to connecting with you and listening to your thoughts at upcoming events around the community: Virtual East Side School Board Meeting: November 24th 6:00pm - 7:00pm [link removed] <[link removed]> The passcode is 02906 Representative Rebecca Kislak Climate Action Organizing Meeting: November 25th 6:00pm at Rochambeau Library 708 Hope Street. You can RSVP here: [link removed] <[link removed]> . Councilor Sue Anderbois Community Meeting: December 9, 7 p.m. – general updates and information sharing (location TBD) Mt. Hope Toy Drive: Now through December 16 A donation now of $5, $10, or $25 will help pay for my new zoom subscription for virtual community meetings, my website, and will allow me to conduct polls and host in-person community meetings. It’ll also position me to be prepared for re-election and spend time serving the students and families instead of fundraising. Donate <[link removed]> Thank you for your continued support and trust. It is truly an honor to serve this community that I know and love. I’m here to work tirelessly for every family and every student. Let’s continue to build a stronger Providence together. Please reach out anytime—I’m always here to listen, and I look forward to what we will achieve together. Sincerely, Corey Jones School Board Member-Elect, Region 1 Paid For By Friends of Corey Jones, Abigial McDonough, Treasurer 95 Evergreen St. Providence, RI 02906 Providence, RI 02906 United States Powered by Squarespace <[link removed]> Unsubscribe <[link removed]> <[link removed]>