Providence City and School System Reach Funding Agreement
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The City of Providence and the Providence Public School System have announced a significant funding agreement aimed at enhancing the financial support for local schools over the next four years. The city will provide an immediate boost of $4 million, supplemented by another $11 million in 2025.
Mayor Brett Smiley expressed relief at the resolution following months of negotiation, stating, “It wasn’t easy, but the adults got in a room and we finally figured it out.” Starting with the 2026 budget year, the city has pledged a total of $147 million in funding for the schools, maintaining this amount in 2027.
Moreover, Smiley indicated that this influx of funding may necessitate a tax increase, although local residents seem open to higher taxes in exchange for improved educational resources. Superintendent Dr. Javier Montañez welcomed the agreement as a "step in the right direction" for the community, noting that the funds would preserve essential programs, including winter and spring sports, RIPTA bus passes, special education support, and ESL certification reimbursements for educators.
The city will closely monitor budget expenditures by the school district, as part of the agreement reached in court, ensuring a financial review of the school department’s budget is conducted soon.
Montañez further emphasized the collaborative nature of the agreement, which positions the district to better serve its students without compromising core services. As the city council prepares to review and potentially approve the agreement, both parties are optimistic that this development will promote a stronger educational framework for Providence’s youth, benefiting the entire community.
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