Jonathan Howard
@jonathanwhoward.bsky.social
Writer and former strategy consultant now focused on grandparenting, travel, advanced puttering and the fates of public schools and students. Occasional contributor to PVEeye.org on school issues.
@danmcgowan.bsky.social's opinion piece on Gilbert Stuart MS is a low blow. GSMS didn't "fall into disrepair." It was pushed. PPS wants PPSD follow the law - as required under RIDE's regs for school demo. Restored historic buildings are good enough for Moses Brown kids, why not So.Prov kids?
October 9, 2025 at 8:09 PM
@danmcgowan.bsky.social's opinion piece on Gilbert Stuart MS is a low blow. GSMS didn't "fall into disrepair." It was pushed. PPS wants PPSD follow the law - as required under RIDE's regs for school demo. Restored historic buildings are good enough for Moses Brown kids, why not So.Prov kids?
Reposted by Jonathan Howard
A lesson for us all on why you should not promise the impossible to the terminally insane
September 3, 2025 at 7:23 AM
A lesson for us all on why you should not promise the impossible to the terminally insane
Reposted by Jonathan Howard
Let’s be clear about what this means.
It means kids and families in our mid-Michigan #MI07 community—and districts like yours across the country—are going to lose crucial investments.
These firings aren’t a plan—they just keep funding from schools that need it the most.
It means kids and families in our mid-Michigan #MI07 community—and districts like yours across the country—are going to lose crucial investments.
These firings aren’t a plan—they just keep funding from schools that need it the most.
July 14, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Let’s be clear about what this means.
It means kids and families in our mid-Michigan #MI07 community—and districts like yours across the country—are going to lose crucial investments.
These firings aren’t a plan—they just keep funding from schools that need it the most.
It means kids and families in our mid-Michigan #MI07 community—and districts like yours across the country—are going to lose crucial investments.
These firings aren’t a plan—they just keep funding from schools that need it the most.
No doubt the PVD Teachers Contract protects underperforming teachers. Yet it offers no protection to highly performing teachers who are targeted for their union activism and/or gender identity. The Union and management (whether RIDE or PPSD) are clearly both comfortable perpetuating the status quo.
The Providence teachers’ contract was a major target of the Johns Hopkins report that launched the state takeover of PVD schools
Now that the final contract of the takeover has been ratified, I looked at what has actually changed:
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/06/30/m...
Now that the final contract of the takeover has been ratified, I looked at what has actually changed:
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/06/30/m...
In taking over Providence schools, R.I. leaders pledged drastic changes to the teachers contract. What happened? - The Boston Globe
Changes were made to the contract, but it wasn’t dramatically overhauled. The next contract will be back in the hands of city leaders.
www.bostonglobe.com
July 10, 2025 at 2:33 AM
No doubt the PVD Teachers Contract protects underperforming teachers. Yet it offers no protection to highly performing teachers who are targeted for their union activism and/or gender identity. The Union and management (whether RIDE or PPSD) are clearly both comfortable perpetuating the status quo.
Sad news for monarchists. After decades as West Warwick's King of Meats, Jerry has apparently abdicated his throne. We wish all the best to Citizen Jerry.
July 9, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Sad news for monarchists. After decades as West Warwick's King of Meats, Jerry has apparently abdicated his throne. We wish all the best to Citizen Jerry.
I’m proud to be from Rhode Island, where crooked pols have some class and try to keep their crimes quiet.
Trump family's net worth has increased by $2.9 billion thanks to crypto investments, new report says
As the Trump family's crypto ventures increase their wealth, the president's administration pauses a dozen federal crypto probes.
www.cbsnews.com
May 7, 2025 at 4:03 PM
I’m proud to be from Rhode Island, where crooked pols have some class and try to keep their crimes quiet.
Gina sure does sell that no-nonsense competent persona, but her actual performance as RI Governor was characterized by some truly terrible appointments with dire consesquences that we still suffer from.
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/05/01/m...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/05/01/m...
Gina Raimondo is mulling a 2028 presidential run. Don’t count her out, David Axelrod says. - The Boston Globe
While the former Commerce secretary and R.I. governor has moved the needle in Rhode Island for much of the last 15 years, she’s still not a household name in national politics.
www.bostonglobe.com
May 1, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Gina sure does sell that no-nonsense competent persona, but her actual performance as RI Governor was characterized by some truly terrible appointments with dire consesquences that we still suffer from.
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/05/01/m...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/05/01/m...
I may be the only person in PVD outside of City Hall to find anything good in the Mayor's plan for return of schools. It's not enough, but it's at least a thorough overview and set of proposals that could be debated and resolved. If we had a process. Which we don't.
Can the City and the Commissioner Collaborate?
After 5 years of state management of the city’s schools, Mayor Brett Smiley has released his plan for taking back control from the RI Dept of Education (RIDE). The plan [...]
pvdeye.org
April 23, 2025 at 4:23 PM
I may be the only person in PVD outside of City Hall to find anything good in the Mayor's plan for return of schools. It's not enough, but it's at least a thorough overview and set of proposals that could be debated and resolved. If we had a process. Which we don't.
Here's one small nonprofit with the courage and clear-headedness to tell Trump to shove it now. The MAGA regime will make nonprofits do a degrading dance for just the hope of funding before they cut them off anyway. Might as well take the initiative and begin the long work of finding another way.
‘We couldn’t live in that uncertainty’: A Boston nonprofit rejects a $250,000 federal grant so it can protect DEI - The Boston Globe
826 Boston, which provides free tutoring to students, decided to forgo a sizable grant rather than comply with Trump administration’s new rules that clashed with the organization’s mission.
www.bostonglobe.com
April 22, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Here's one small nonprofit with the courage and clear-headedness to tell Trump to shove it now. The MAGA regime will make nonprofits do a degrading dance for just the hope of funding before they cut them off anyway. Might as well take the initiative and begin the long work of finding another way.
Reposted by Jonathan Howard
Come for Kathy Gregg's detailed rundown on lobbying in RI, stay for @riaclu.bsky.social's Steve Brown's insights from decades at the Statehouse www.providencejournal.com/story/news/p...
Lobbyists made $16.4M in RI last year. Here's who made the most, and who they worked for
Last year, 607 registered lobbyists earned a total of $16.4 million to sway the actions of RI's governor, lawmakers and other elected officials.
www.providencejournal.com
April 14, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Come for Kathy Gregg's detailed rundown on lobbying in RI, stay for @riaclu.bsky.social's Steve Brown's insights from decades at the Statehouse www.providencejournal.com/story/news/p...
I'm surprised by the scope and detail in the Mayor's plan for local control, especially the commitment to school-based decision-making and respect for teachers. I'd love to hear what others think.
www.providenceri.gov/wp-content/u...
www.providenceri.gov/wp-content/u...
www.providenceri.gov
April 14, 2025 at 3:44 PM
I'm surprised by the scope and detail in the Mayor's plan for local control, especially the commitment to school-based decision-making and respect for teachers. I'd love to hear what others think.
www.providenceri.gov/wp-content/u...
www.providenceri.gov/wp-content/u...
I used to read this kind of thoughtful, reasonably hopeful story about the future of global resource use and feel like it might just happen in my lifetime. I still think we'll make the change, but now I hope it will happen in my sons' lifetimes.
grist.org/energy/trade...
grist.org/energy/trade...
April 14, 2025 at 3:38 PM
I used to read this kind of thoughtful, reasonably hopeful story about the future of global resource use and feel like it might just happen in my lifetime. I still think we'll make the change, but now I hope it will happen in my sons' lifetimes.
grist.org/energy/trade...
grist.org/energy/trade...
Reposted by Jonathan Howard
Typical fossil fuel thuggery.
She Inspired Laws to Hold the Fossil Fuel Industry Accountable. Now She’s a Target.
A conservative group is suing for emails of a law professor who helped create legislation to force oil, gas and coal companies to pay for climate damage.
www.nytimes.com
April 10, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Typical fossil fuel thuggery.
"The easiest path with authority is inevitably acquiescence: the stupider they are the stupider you need to be." Australian novelist Richard Flanagan, Gould's Book of Fish.
April 9, 2025 at 3:52 PM
"The easiest path with authority is inevitably acquiescence: the stupider they are the stupider you need to be." Australian novelist Richard Flanagan, Gould's Book of Fish.
Attorney General Peter Nerohna imagines massive resistance and a general strike in the event that Trump ignores a Supreme Court decision. If only I could imagine this Court making a decision Trump would want to defy.
Attorney General Peter Nerohna talks about suing Trump and the future of Rhode Island - Part Two
One of the first things Pam Bondi [told DOJ lawyers] is, "You can't use paper straws anymore." I'm not joking. They got a memo. No more paper straws. This is where the priorities are?
open.substack.com
April 8, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Attorney General Peter Nerohna imagines massive resistance and a general strike in the event that Trump ignores a Supreme Court decision. If only I could imagine this Court making a decision Trump would want to defy.
Reposted by Jonathan Howard
Thousands take to the streets of Providence to protest the Trump/Musk Administration
"Thousands mobilized today because we stand united against Rhode Island being bought, sold, and gutted just so billionaires can get a few more tax breaks."
steveahlquist.substack.com/p/thousands-...
"Thousands mobilized today because we stand united against Rhode Island being bought, sold, and gutted just so billionaires can get a few more tax breaks."
steveahlquist.substack.com/p/thousands-...
Thousands take to the streets of Providence to protest the Trump/Musk Administration
"Thousands mobilized today because we stand united against Rhode Island being bought, sold, and gutted just so billionaires can get a few more tax breaks."
steveahlquist.substack.com
April 6, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Thousands take to the streets of Providence to protest the Trump/Musk Administration
"Thousands mobilized today because we stand united against Rhode Island being bought, sold, and gutted just so billionaires can get a few more tax breaks."
steveahlquist.substack.com/p/thousands-...
"Thousands mobilized today because we stand united against Rhode Island being bought, sold, and gutted just so billionaires can get a few more tax breaks."
steveahlquist.substack.com/p/thousands-...
Reposted by Jonathan Howard
@bostonglobe.com: three pages on historic #handsoff rallies from Saturday. @providencejournal.bsky.social: zero. When does ProJo go to bed, on Thursdays?
April 6, 2025 at 3:22 PM
@bostonglobe.com: three pages on historic #handsoff rallies from Saturday. @providencejournal.bsky.social: zero. When does ProJo go to bed, on Thursdays?
Reposted by Jonathan Howard
Look, for over a year, one brave Cassandra was warning you that massive tariffs were coming and that they’d wreak havoc on the economy. But no one listened to Donald Trump.
April 4, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Look, for over a year, one brave Cassandra was warning you that massive tariffs were coming and that they’d wreak havoc on the economy. But no one listened to Donald Trump.
We found a successful working model of educator-led schools in Springfield MA last week. To do that here, we'd need to break the old model of micromanagement and micro-meddling from above and outside of schools.
Springfield’s Empowerment Zone Schools Thrive- A Model for Providence?
Providence Schools have struggled to show any signs of significant improvement over the last five years of state control. Meanwhile, through state intervention of another kind, a group of public [...]
pvdeye.org
March 26, 2025 at 12:35 PM
We found a successful working model of educator-led schools in Springfield MA last week. To do that here, we'd need to break the old model of micromanagement and micro-meddling from above and outside of schools.
As if our 90% non-white school students needed more barriers, here comes Trump to block minority teacher recruitment. Gee,thanks, White Superman!
Trump administration investigating Providence schools over ‘educator of color’ loan forgiveness program - The Boston Globe
The student loan forgiveness program is for full-time teachers of color in Providence, and is funded through a grant from a private nonprofit
www.bostonglobe.com
March 25, 2025 at 2:03 PM
As if our 90% non-white school students needed more barriers, here comes Trump to block minority teacher recruitment. Gee,thanks, White Superman!
Reposted by Jonathan Howard
Some astonishing numbers in here:
-OpenAI loses $2 for every $1 it makes
-OpenAI projects annual losses of $14 billion by 2026
-To break even OpenAI needs to increase revenue 25x in just 5 years
-33% of VC portfolios are committed to AI
-5 AI-heavy stocks account for 29% of the S&P 500's value
-OpenAI loses $2 for every $1 it makes
-OpenAI projects annual losses of $14 billion by 2026
-To break even OpenAI needs to increase revenue 25x in just 5 years
-33% of VC portfolios are committed to AI
-5 AI-heavy stocks account for 29% of the S&P 500's value
Bubble Trouble
An AI bubble threatens Silicon Valley, and all of us.
prospect.org
March 25, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Some astonishing numbers in here:
-OpenAI loses $2 for every $1 it makes
-OpenAI projects annual losses of $14 billion by 2026
-To break even OpenAI needs to increase revenue 25x in just 5 years
-33% of VC portfolios are committed to AI
-5 AI-heavy stocks account for 29% of the S&P 500's value
-OpenAI loses $2 for every $1 it makes
-OpenAI projects annual losses of $14 billion by 2026
-To break even OpenAI needs to increase revenue 25x in just 5 years
-33% of VC portfolios are committed to AI
-5 AI-heavy stocks account for 29% of the S&P 500's value
Trump voters didn't vote for an end to Social Security, Medicaid, public health, science, workplace safety, higher taxes or unemployment. They didn't vote for Putin. Whether you voted R or D, "You didn't vote for this."
March 25, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Trump voters didn't vote for an end to Social Security, Medicaid, public health, science, workplace safety, higher taxes or unemployment. They didn't vote for Putin. Whether you voted R or D, "You didn't vote for this."
JD Vance on why Yemenis need bombing: "The strongest reason to do this is, as POTUS said, to send a message."
Pete Hegseth came up with: " nobody knows who the Houthis are – which is why we would need to stay focused on: 1) Biden failed & 2) Iran funded." Message accomplished. Great work, Team!
Pete Hegseth came up with: " nobody knows who the Houthis are – which is why we would need to stay focused on: 1) Biden failed & 2) Iran funded." Message accomplished. Great work, Team!
March 25, 2025 at 1:42 PM
JD Vance on why Yemenis need bombing: "The strongest reason to do this is, as POTUS said, to send a message."
Pete Hegseth came up with: " nobody knows who the Houthis are – which is why we would need to stay focused on: 1) Biden failed & 2) Iran funded." Message accomplished. Great work, Team!
Pete Hegseth came up with: " nobody knows who the Houthis are – which is why we would need to stay focused on: 1) Biden failed & 2) Iran funded." Message accomplished. Great work, Team!
Reposted by Jonathan Howard
Segregation was never just separate facilities
It was paying more & getting less in your neighborhood
It was getting the Phd, but still not getting hired
It was needing police for the police
It was building up a newspaper & having it burned (Wells)
It was building a school & having it shot up (JSU)
It was paying more & getting less in your neighborhood
It was getting the Phd, but still not getting hired
It was needing police for the police
It was building up a newspaper & having it burned (Wells)
It was building a school & having it shot up (JSU)
March 20, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Segregation was never just separate facilities
It was paying more & getting less in your neighborhood
It was getting the Phd, but still not getting hired
It was needing police for the police
It was building up a newspaper & having it burned (Wells)
It was building a school & having it shot up (JSU)
It was paying more & getting less in your neighborhood
It was getting the Phd, but still not getting hired
It was needing police for the police
It was building up a newspaper & having it burned (Wells)
It was building a school & having it shot up (JSU)
Reposted by Jonathan Howard
NEW: As federal cuts continue to come down from Washington, advocates are making a fresh push to make school meals universally free in Rhode Island, like they are in Mass.
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/03/20/m...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/03/20/m...
Wary of federal cuts, advocates again push for free school lunch in Rhode Island - The Boston Globe
Rhode Island’s House speaker says the proposal is costly, and it’s a difficult budget year.
www.bostonglobe.com
March 20, 2025 at 12:40 PM
NEW: As federal cuts continue to come down from Washington, advocates are making a fresh push to make school meals universally free in Rhode Island, like they are in Mass.
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/03/20/m...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/03/20/m...