Op-Ed: RI Campaign Finance Filings & Newport's $106M School Bond

Thanks to recent quarterly RI campaign finance filings and Facebook activity, the pro-school bond special interests -- working hard to tug at our social justice heartstrings -- continue to reveal themselves. Here is what's new:

(1) Teachers Association of Newport -- making $1,900 in political donations in the last three months, including $500 to Senator Dawn Euer who does not even have an opponent this election cycle.

(2) RI Senate President Dominick Ruggerio making a $400 political contribution to Senator Euer.

(3) $33,000 flowing into the National Education Association RI (NEA RI) political arm over three months while sending $7,300 in political donations to candidates, including three from Newport County.

(4) NEA RI's political arm paying Checkmate Consulting -- a RI political advertising agency -- $2,366, likely for its mid-May, postcard mailing to Newport voters.

(5) Social media reactions to the pro-Newport bond Facebook page coming from Senator Euer and former RI Democratic Party boss and current union strategist Guy Dufault whose son Brad is the owner/founder of Checkmate Consulting.

It may be helpful reviewing recent Newport school bond history. Voters approved the re-building of Thompson Middle School for $19+ Million in 2002. Voters then approved the construction of a new Pell Elementary School for $30+ Million in 2013. Student achievement levels remain marginal and the measured social-justice achievement gaps are huge. Formal teacher surveys -- swept under the carpet -- reflect deep staff unhappiness. It should be obvious that Newport's new school buildings are not translating to better prepared Newport students and happier Newport teachers.

What is preventing Senator Euer, the lobbyists, and political action arms from focusing on improving outcomes for Newport's students? When will they put kids first and adults second?

Mike Cullen

Candidate, Newport School Committee