By Steve Klamkin WPRO News

Saying teachers need more control of the learning process at the local level, gubernatorial candidate Patricia Morgan Tuesday issued an education “Blueprint for a stronger Rhode Island“, favoring local control of schools rather than what she called the current, top-down approach.

The House Minority Leader who is running for the Republican nomination for governor also brushed off as a “push poll”, polling partially released last week by fellow Republican Allan Fung that showed her 40 points behind the Cranston Mayor.

“I have the better ideas, and I’m willing to fight for them. I’m in this, running for governor because I think Rhode Island is worth fighting for,” Morgan said in her Warwick campaign headquarters.

“My opponent in the primary has no ideas. He won’t talk about them. He won’t take a stand on either side of any issue,” she said.

Morgan proposed a $250 tax credit for teachers buying classroom supplies, which was discontinued in recent years in federal tax filings. She also proposed using technology, or computers in what she termed “virtual learning” for students removed from classrooms for disciplinary and other reasons.

Morgan said the state cannot afford the $250 million school construction bond that will appear on the November statewide ballot, and proposed what she termed an exemption to the prevailing wage law for school repairs and construction, which she estimated would cost 15% to 20% of the cost of repairing schools.

The West Warwick Republican lawmaker who is ending her tenure as Minority Leader to run for governor said teachers must be trusted to help students overcome difficulties.

“In the first three years I’m going to actually begin a program where teachers will be mandated to identify children who are lagging behind in reading, and we will provide those students with specialized learning.”