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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — High school students from Providence and Woonsocket are calling on lawmakers to lift a long-standing moratorium on school construction.
WPRO radio (http://bit.ly/1ESq2fR ) reports that students rallied Wednesday at the Statehouse to talk about the poor conditions of their school buildings. Students say the buildings are infested with rats and cockroaches.
Providence Superintendent Susan Lusi says the schools' needs are "enormous." She estimates that fire code upgrades alone would cost about $40 million. The school district is made up of 37 elementary, middle and high schools.
Gov. Gina Raimondo has submitted a budget article that would lift the moratorium. Her budget proposal includes $30 million for school building repairs. Lawmakers are now considering companion bills in the House and Senate that would allow for the spending.
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Information from: WPRO-AM, http://www.630wpro.com/
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