Deputy Whip Ackerman welcomes RI Principal of the Year to State House

 

STATE HOUSE — House Deputy Majority Whip Mia A. Ackerman welcomed Cheryl Vaughn, principal of Community Elementary School and Rhode Island’s 2025 Elementary Principal of the Year, to the State House Tuesday.

“It is hard to think of a more deserving recipient of this award,” said Representative Ackerman (D-Dist. 45, Cumberland, Lincoln). “Principal Vaughn is well-known for her exceptional leadership, attention to detail and commitment to building relationships with the families, faculty and staff of her school — qualities that have been instrumental in making Community one of the top-ranked schools in Rhode Island. On behalf of the entire Cumberland delegation, it is my honor to recognize Principal Vaughn as our Elementary Principal of the Year.”

Representative Ackerman was joined by the rest of the Cumberland House delegation in presenting Principal Vaughn with a citation recognizing her outstanding achievements and distinguished honor of receiving this award.

During Principal Vaughn’s tenure, Community Elementary School received a National Blue Ribbon School award from the U.S. Department of Education, a recognition earned by only 342 schools nationwide. This year Community was ranked as the second-best elementary school in Rhode Island by US News and World Report.

Principal Vaughn was given her award by the Rhode Island Association of School Principals at in a Feb. 10 ceremony at the Community Elementary gymnasium in Cumberland, where she has been principal since 2017.

Texas Democratic Congressman Al Green is being censured by the House. During President Trump's speech Tuesday night, Green stood in the aisle of the House chamber and waved his cane at the president. He continued his protest despite being warned that he'd be removed if he didn't sit down.        Stocks are lower on Wall Street. It comes as investors seek more clarity on the latest tariffs implemented by President Trump this week. Yesterday, the White House announced a one month delay for tariffs on automakers, which led some traders to believe more exemptions are on the way.        The Department of Education is at risk of being shut down. President Trump is reportedly planning to sign an executive order soon that effectively shuts down the department. The draft order, seen by the Wall Street Journal, will direct Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take all steps permitted by law to facilitate the department's closure.        The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is confirming mass layoffs in the department. It was reported Wednesday that the V-A plans to fire 15-percent of its workforce, about 70-thousand employees. VA Secretary Doug Collins confirmed the news on social media, saying "the federal government does not exist to employ people."        Defense attorneys for Bryan Kohberger say his autism diagnosis should remove the death penalty as a possible sentence. Kohberger is charged with the murders of four University of Idaho students. In a court filing, defense attorneys say the death sentence would be unconstitutional, because of the autism diagnosis.        Adidas says it has sold the last of its Yeezy shoe stock. The company cut ties with Kanye West in 2022 after the rapper made antisemitic remarks. The company's chief financial officer said in an earnings report Wednesday that there's not one Yeezy shoe left, adding "that episode is behind us."