Reps. Gemma, Naughton recognized by education reform group

(From The Warwick Beacon, September 9, 2010)

Democrats for Education Reform have named Warwick Representatives Al Gemma and Eileen Naughton as two of the top ten influential legislators responsible for the enactment of the state’s education funding formula.

Lack of a funding formula was a reason why US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan rejected the state’s initial application for Race to the Top funding.

“It was clear that a strong effort was necessary at this point by the General Assembly to act immediately to enact the formula for the second round application,” Gemma says in a release.

“I am humbly grateful for this honor on behalf of all the children in our school system. For over 30 years I have tried my best to be an advocate for our children, who can’t speak for themselves. They are our greatest treasure; they are our future.”

In the second round of applications the state won $75 million in Race to the Top funding. In addition to the funding formula the group listed a vote taken in 2008 which allowed for the creation of an innovative type of public charter school called the Mayoral Academy model and a vote this year to lift the cap on the number of public charter schools allowed in the state from 20 to 35 in making the selection.

Others cited are Reps. Douglas Gablinske of Bristol, Kenneth Vaudreuil of Cumberland, Scott Slater and Joseph Almeida, both of Providence; Mary Ann Shallcross Smith of Lincoln, Jon Brien of Woonsocket, Agostinho Silva of Central Falls and William San Bento of Pawtucket.