To the Editor:

“The same prudence which in private life would forbid our paying our own money for unexplained projects, forbids it in the dispensation of the public moneys.” Thomas Jefferson

Publisher John Howell continues to give front page coverage to discussions about the construction of two new high schools in the City of Warwick. That is a good thing because many questions, particularly those concerning the ultimate cost of the project, remain unanswered.

Howell writes that School Committee Chairman David Testa “has no qualms the two schools can be built for $350 million”.(“Ready for new schools?”, Feb. 9) But can Mr. Testa actually guarantee that the costs won’t exceed $350 million? I don’t think so.

Concerned citizens Robert Cushman and Robert Cote, who are knowledgeable about this subject, don’t share Mr. Testa’s confidence. They foresee costly overruns that will adversely affect our tax rates, making it prohibitively expensive to live here in Warwick.(Advocates for, against school bond approval”, Oct. 20, 2022)

With so much at stake, we shouldn’t be pressured into starting this project prematurely. It appears the RI Department of Education is trying to rush things.

Fortunately, Mayor Picozzi wants to tap the breaks.(“Would delay save on building new schools?”, Feb. 16) He is being prudent.

A.H. Liddle

Warwick