Here’s how Rhode Island schools make out in the state budget. Why does it take so long to build in Providence? Raimondo heads to Philly

You’ve probably already heard that the free college expansion is out and Governor Gina Raimondo only got half of what she wanted in her pre-kindergarten plan.

But as state leaders continue to press for education reform, what other school-related initiatives were included in the budget that was unveiled late Friday night?

For starters, new Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green scored a big win when lawmakers set aside $390,000 for three high-level positions at the state education department. Those jobs include a staffer to oversee school improvement, someone to work closely with principals, and a person to manage the implementation of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) curriculum.

The urban communities got good news when the House chose to include $5 million for English learners. This isn’t a lot of money – it’s $2.5 million more than last year – but officials in Providence and Central Falls were preparing for even less on Friday afternoon.

The budget also includes $250,000 to support literacy programming for students with dyslexia and districts across the state are getting an additional $34 million through the school funding formula.

Not everything is peachy, though.

Critics of the budget will note that it doesn’t include the $590,000 Raimondo was seeking to support mental and behavioral health in schools or a mandate that free breakfast be served after the school day has started. The House also nixed a new position for a school construction finance specialist.

NEED TO KNOW

Rhode Map wants to hear from you. If you’ve got a scoop or a link to an interesting news story in Rhode Island, e-mail us at RInews@globe.com.

• If you want to know why state lawmakers included a controversial provision that strips Providence of its zoning authority on the I-195 land in the budget, don’t miss my story looking at the difficulties some developers have when it comes to building in the capital city.

• One side note on development in Providence: Despite some of the complaints around the zoning process, Scott Dragos of CBRE New England, the commercial real estate services company, remains bullish on the city. He’s predicting “a lot of change and a lot of growth” in the coming years.

• From the weekend: Bishop Thomas J. Tobin is again facing criticism after the Providence Diocese refused to allow Motif Magazine to host an awards ceremony at McVinney Auditorium following the alt-weekly publication’s decision to run a piece that was critical of Tobin. The Globe’s Ed Fitzpatrick has the story.

• For those of you concerned about Providence changing its tax rates, check out this nifty calculator created by local programmer Bil Herron.

• Congratulations to RDW Group on taking home a New England Emmy for its drunken driving awareness campaign with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation.

• For those wondering, my team lost the Little League championship on Friday night. Blame the coaching.

WHAT’S ON TAP TODAY

Each day, Rhode Map offers a cheat sheet breaking down what’s happening in Rhode Island. Have an idea? E-mail us at RInews@globe.com.

• While we all wait to hear what Governor Raimondo has to say about the proposed state budget, she’s heading to Philadelphia this afternoon for economic development meetings, according to spokesman Josh Block.

• The Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual congressional breakfast this morning at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick. All four members of the delegation are expected to be in attendance.

• Mayor Jorge Elorza is set to make what his office calls a “milestone” announcement this afternoon on the Providence Safe Stations program, which provides support to those suffering from addiction. Meanwhile, Newport is planning to launch a similar program this year.

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Thanks for reading. Send comments and suggestions to dan.mcgowan@globe.com, or follow me on Twitter @DanMcGowan. See you tomorrow.

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