Providence School Funding Agreement Reached Following Court Ruling
In a significant development announced on Friday, the City of Providence has agreed to allocate an additional $15 million in funding for the fiscal years 2024 and 2025, with a further commitment of $11.5 million for fiscal year 2026 and additional sums thereafter. This agreement comes after tensions arose over the Crowley Act, which mandates city contributions to school funding, leading to a court ruling that deemed Providence was not meeting its obligation.
Superintendent Javier Montañez expressed relief at the settlement, stating that controversial cuts to programs, including spring sports and RIPTA bus passes, will no longer be necessary. Mayor Brett Smiley acknowledged that raising taxes at a higher-than-usual rate will be required next year but promised that it would be coupled with significant cuts and fiscal restraint within city government.
Critics, including parent Susan Rohwer, voiced concern over the city’s delayed commitment to funding, noting the embarrassment of requiring a court order to fulfill educational responsibilities. The state took control of the Providence Public School District in 2019 due to chronic underperformance. While recovery metrics remain mixed, Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green indicated that the schools could return to local governance within three years if improvement continues.
Smiley welcomed the prospect of regaining local control of the schools, emphasizing collaborative efforts between the state, city, and school officials. As part of the settlement, a financial audit of the school district is set to take place within the next month, a move seen as a crucial step in addressing the systemic issues plaguing Providence schools.
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