Who: Rhode Island Department of Education (DOE)
What: Cut city funds by what stimulus funds were expected, replacing money that had been budgeted and diverting it elsewhere. In other words, the stimulus will be used to fund projects as Rhode Island sees fit.
Why it’s an outrage: The proponents of the stimulus said that the funds were supposed to be used in addition to, not in place of, existing state budgets, but it looks like the states aren’t buying it either. But the director of school business affairs notes that while there’s no new money coming in, audit and accounting requirements are creating more work for the schools.
Where to vent: Call the Janet Birch at the finance office of the Rhode Island Department of education at 401-222-4649
