PROVIDENCE – Education officials in Rhode Island are bracing for up to $45 million in cuts to local schools due to the continuing delay in state approval of a fiscal 2018 budget.
Providence, in particular, could be hard-hit by the reduction in state aid to education. It anticipates receiving up to $12.6 million less in the current fiscal year, prorated over several months, according to a worksheet provided by the R.I. Department of Education.
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This month alone, the state’s largest school system is expected to receive $319,929 less in state funds than it had anticipated. Providence had expected to receive $246.9 million in state aid this fiscal year.
In a statement, Mayor Jorge O. Elorza expressed frustration. “If the budget impasse is not resolved within the next few weeks, the impact will be devastating to cities and towns. Providence stands to lose over $10 million in our schools alone and this deficit can only be closed by massive layoffs. Cool heads have to prevail and a budget has to be passed as soon as possible to prevent layoffs and cuts as we head into the next school year.”
The state’s $9.2 billion budget for the current fiscal year remains in limbo, as legislative leaders are at an impasse over how to address a reduction in the state’s automobile excise tax.
Until the disagreement is resolved, state agencies, and local cities and towns that receive state funds, have been told to operate under fiscal 2017 budget levels.
A comprehensive list of cities and towns affected by the local aid reduction has not been released. But RIDE on Monday issued a summary of education aid impacts.
It shows across-the-board cuts to 38 local education agencies and 22 charter schools and charter systems.
Along with Providence, nine other cities or towns are facing prorated losses of more than $1 million for the current year.
Pawtucket public schools would receive $4.5 million less in state aid. Woonsocket and Cranston schools are looking at up to $3 million in reduced state aid, divided among monthly reductions.
In a statement, state education Commissioner Ken Wagner said his team had briefed local superintendents and charter school leaders, and told them their monthly allocation figures reflect a 5.2 percent reduction to reflect the budget constraints.
“The [state] Budget Office has clearly stated that there is no guarantee that local communities and school districts will be made whole if and when the House and Senate finish their work and pass a budget,” he wrote.
Mary MacDonald is a staff writer for the PBN. Contact her at macdonald@pbn.com
This article is misleading and poorly written. The INCREASES will be missed but the budget operates under 2017 levels. So what is wrong with fiscal 2017 levels?