KALUS REACTS TO WPRI’S REPORT ON THE USE OF ARPA FUNDS BY PROVIDENCE SCHOOL DISTRICT

WARWICK, RI – Today, Ashley Kalus, the Republican nominee for Governor, released the below statement following a report stating that the Providence school system has spent only 5 percent of the $128 million allocated to the district from the American Rescue Plan Act.

Per the same report, the entirety of the 5 percent that has been spent was shamefully used to fund union bonuses.

Kalus said, “There’s no denying the Providence school system is broken. And the fact that District administrators have only spent 5 percent of the $128 million allocated to the district to address learning loss is nothing short of a dereliction of duty. Worse yet – the entirety of the 5 percent was spent on union bonuses.

For decades, politicians used to stand in the schoolhouse door and refuse to let minorities in; today, union leadership stands in the door of failing schools and won’t let minorities out. 

“Union leadership has failed the students. It’s time to provide a world-class education to every child regardless of their zip code.” 

Ashley Kalus is a mom, successful small business owner, Golden Gloves boxing champion, and political outsider. A resident of Newport, she is ready to fight for the people of Rhode Island.