Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for joining metoday to discuss some of the details of my plan for educationreform for the State of Rhode Island.Today I will discuss some ideas to reform governance over oureducation system. I believe this is the logical place to begin adiscussion of education reform for two important reasons:First, over the past several years we have had sudden andsignificant changes in the way that education policy is created andimplemented in our state and I believe that it is important to take astep back to consider the implications of these changes.Second, children, parents and teachers alike will face significantchallenges in the coming years as we adapt to changing roles andexpectations in our education system. I will address many of thosespecific changes, such as the role of standardized testing in ourschools in a subsequent statement. Today, however, I offer myvision for the structure of our education system to give thenecessary support and guidance to these partners in education.It is critically important to begin with the topic of today’s proposalbecause we can’t discuss specific proposals without first definingthe roles and responsibilities of the administrators who willoversee their implementation.For me, like most Rhode Islanders, whether they are parents,students, teachers or concerned citizens, this issue is all about thechildren.Education has always been the stepping-stone to a better way oflife. That certainly was the case for my sisters and me, and I wantthat same opportunity for every child in Rhode Island.To get there, we must be innovative and accountable. Every boyand girl in Rhode Island deserves the opportunity to receive aneducation that will not only provide essential skills, but alsoprepare them to be part of the workforce of the future.Providing our young people with a world class education willcreate a world class workforce in our state. That, in turn, is anessential component of world class economic development forRhode Island.It is imperative, therefore, that we have one clear and strategicvision for education in Rhode Island -- and that vision must beginat the top.Today I am releasing the first part of my education platform, whichaddresses education governance in Rhode Island.In preparing this platform, I have spoken with Commissioner Gist,President Dooley, President Carriuolo, and President DePasquale.I am very grateful for their hard work every day to benefit ourstudents at all ages and I appreciate their valuable insight, some ofwhich is reflected in my proposals.Commissioner of Education:Accountability must start at the top and all departments mustimplement policies that align with the vision of the individualleading the state. Therefore, I am proposing to have oneCommissioner of Education report to and be accountable to theGovernor, who in turn will be accountable to the voters for thestate of education in Rhode Island. In Cranston, I have been ahands-on mayor, working closely with my department heads and asGovernor, I will continue to work with those who have primaryresponsibility for implementing statewide policy decisions. Thiswill provide for a better alignment to ensure that as a state, we areall working together towards one goal and that is to giveopportunities to our children so that they can succeed in life.Board of Education:I am also proposing to return to two education boards. One is forprimary and secondary education (grades K-12) and the secondboard is for higher education. It is imperative that we return to twoseparate boards in order to get our education system back on track.At the outset, it is necessary to recognize that K-12 and highereducation require separate plans. Taking this one step further, theCommissioner and members of the two education boards wouldcomprise an Education Cabinet, led by the Commissioner ofEducation. As Governor, I will work with the members of thisEducation Cabinet to achieve one strategic K-16 vision for ourstudents, breaking down the silos in our education system throughbetter collaboration and communication.With two separate boards and the Commissioner of Educationreporting directly to the Governor, there would be no need for anadditional commissioner and therefore, I would defund the Officeof the Postsecondary Commissioner. I would propose taking someof this saving and repurpose these monies to enhance STEMeducation in our State and to plan for an expansion to STREAM,which I will discuss in details in the coming weeks.University of Rhode Island:URI is our flagship university and should be treated as such. Iwould like to grant to President Dooley authority to establish hisown governing body such as a Board of Trustees or Board ofRegents. Working in conjunction with President Dooley,guidelines would be established by which the newly formed boardwould be permitted to build an endowment and move toward adegree of independent operations.Doing so may eventually reduce the University’s reliance on statefunding, thus saving the state millions of dollars and providingmore consistency and predictability in the University’s fiscalresources. While URI would remain under the umbrella andoversight of the Commissioner and the Board of Higher Education,its independent board would be more able to hone in on theUniversity’s mission and objectives.Jobs and Education Cabinet:Lastly, and most importantly, I propose to create a Jobs &Education Cabinet. For too long, Rhode Island has failed toacknowledge the need for a single strategic vision incorporatingboth education and our workforce.My Jobs & Education Cabinet would bring together leaders inbusiness, education, the public sector, and non-profitorganizations, along with the Directors of the Department of Laborand Training, CommerceRI, NetworkRI, and Business Regulation,and of course, the Commissioner of Education.This cabinet would specifically discuss the necessary skills that ourstudents will need to compete in the ever changing workplace.With the recommendations from varying sectors, I will ask theCommissioner of Education and our Boards of Education toimplement into their respective policy initiatives programs toaddress these issues.In closing, it is imperative to recognize that education andeconomic development must not be treated as separate discussions.Education equals jobs.If we are serious about restoring our economy and putting ourState back on track we must have a three part commitment: 1.Vision and Accountability that begin at the top; 2. A coordinatedeffort among educators, business leaders and government agenciesto ensure that we pursue policies that are appropriate for theworkforces of today and tomorrow; 3. Above all, an unendingcommitment to students first.Thank you, I would be happy to take any questions.