Coincel_pro t1_jbe3hid wrote
The story doesn’t mention it but Johnson is also owner of the Goddard School in S Kingston a private Preschool. Chariho also has a preschool program. So you have an unelected appointee who votes on public school budgets and policies.
it’s literally in his best interests to undermine the public school.
HairyEyeballz t1_jbeczv8 wrote
While I'm not familiar with the exact situation in Chariho, my experience with public preschool was that there was very limited availability. Private ones are an absolute necessity (or they are in my area).
Coincel_pro t1_jbedphj wrote
Sure, and I'm not arguing against private schools in any way and its as you say, capacity is an issue.
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However, the owner of a private school, now in a position to make budgetary decisions that can marginalize their public competitor is uh... not good. Especially when the owner is politically aligned with those that argue for the dissolution of the Dept of Education and public schools as a whole etc.
Mountain_Bill5743 t1_jbhzzz7 wrote
These kinds of conflicts of interest happen all the time in urban districts. For example, Smiley nominated the chair of the trustrees for the Gordon school (admittedly don't know much more so maybe hes a good candidate in ways im unaware of). It is far more unusual for an affluent well ranking school district to have this kind of thing happen, but it happens a lot with public schools and private/charter proteges.
This is going to feel short sighted when teachers flee the budget cuts for well funded districts and home values decline.
WickedDog310 t1_jbk24pp wrote
Just because they happen shouldn't make it acceptable, please call out Dem's for this bullshit too.
Gorden is a private school in EP, while Smiley is in PVD, and the majority of people aren't educated at private k-12 schools like they are for preschools. These aren't quite the same equivalencies, but I like your premise.
Smiley shouldn't be appointing anyone to any role other than those that he's empowered to by the Providence Charter. If he (and other govt leaders) are holding other board seats while serving in government they need to resign. A person can not serve two populations, if you voluntarily seek out public office, you should not be allowed to hold private office, it's a conflict.
WickedDog310 t1_jbk0ziq wrote
But they shouldn't be, there should be a public option that is well funded and successful from the moment that maternity leave ends. If we only give 6 weeks maternity leave, we should have public daycare that starts at that point, economically this is best for employees and employers. You wanna generate solid tax revenue? create opportunities for people to take higher paying positions by supporting them with child care. Let's lengthen maternity leave to a year, and then have public day care options start then.
Sorry, was living in a daydream, but I can dream can't I?
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