NOAA Undersecretary Lubchenco Visits Roger Williams Middle School

Event highlighted American Jobs Act which would put hundreds of Rhode Islanders to work fixing schools.

President Obama's Commerce Undersecretary and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Administrator Dr. Jane Lubchenco joined Mayor Angel Taveras, Schools Superintendent Dr. Susan Lusi and Building Futures Rhode Island Director Andrew L. Cortés at Roger Williams Middle School on October 17. The school tour highlighted the importance of the American Jobs Act, which will put Americans to work rebuilding and modernizing schools like Roger Williams Middle School, and invest in new science, technology and math classrooms for our students.

"Modernizing schools in Providence like Roger Williams to help teachers improve education, including science, technology, math and engineering education, or STEM education, is essential to the future of our nation's economic competitiveness. Dr. Lubchenco's visit and the President's American Jobs Act is a much-needed step in the right direction for Providence schools," said Mayor Taveras.

The American Jobs Act will invest $25 billion to put Americans to work rebuilding and modernizing 35,000 public schools. Rhode Island would receive $85.6 million in funding under the Act for school infrastructure improvements, which could support as many as 1,100 jobs, including construction workers, engineers, electrical workers and other workers. The money will go to schools most in need of improvement.