Senate Leadership’s Refusal to Disclose New Education Formula Draws Fire
Tuesday, June 06, 2023
On Friday, the House Finance Committee passed a new formula for aid to school departments across the state. The effort was led by Senate Majority Leader Ryan Pearson. But, the Senate leadership refuses to disclose the new formula's impact.
Cranston School Committee member Anthony Melillo (Ward 6) has called on state leaders to release the projected state education aid figures to Rhode Island school districts as provided for in the budget passed by the House Finance Committee.
“With the passage of the proposed state budget by the Finance Committee [on Friday June 2], I am calling on state leaders to share any adopted formula changes and projected state aid to each school district,” said Melillo.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAs GoLocal exclusively reported, Senate leadership refused to provide a fiscal note -- or any indication of financial impact to communities -- with regard to the proposed changes to the state education formula.
On Monday, the spokesperson for Senate President Dominick Ruggerio repeatedly refused to answer if Ruggerio had reviewed the new formula and the impact that it may have on the communities he represents sections of North Providence and Providence.
"I know the budget has not yet passed the full House of Representatives and will require Senate approval, [but] someone has calculated what each community will receive if finally adopted and approved by the Governor," he added.
Melillo is now running for the open City Council seat following former Councilman Matt Reilly's resignation.
Impact on Cranston
Melillo said that with the final adoption of the Cranston school budget by the City Council, the administration and school committee is going through the process of adjusting their fiscal year 2023-2024 budget.
“We have to quickly make some difficult choices to reduce the school budget since the amount appropriated by the City was less than we requested," he said. “If we are getting more state aid than we anticipate it would be helpful to know sooner than later.”
Melillo said that the school budget has to be brought in line by June 30th, and that the budget adopted by the school committee was $180,579,917 from all projected revenue sources. He added that the final approved budget by the City Council was for $178,742,952.
“We need to adjust our budget by $1,836,965 which is no easy task.”
Melillo said the initial budget proposed by Governor McKee included a state education aid increase of $1,534,927 which was a reduction for Cranston of $852,217 from the previous year increase.
“If we are going to get more than the initial projection, it will help our decisions that may affect staffing and some programs”, said Melillo.
Melillo said he was encouraged to learn that the House Finance Committee included a $19.9 million “hold harmless” fund to assist communities faced with students transitioning to other districts or charter school programs.
“We know that the Governor, Senate President and House Speaker have all expressed support for the $14 billion budget passed [Friday] night by the House Finance Committee," he said. "Cranston and all school districts would love to know how that translates into state education aid dollars for their communities. I urge the state to tell us of any other changes in the education aid formula.”
UPDATED: 7:45 AM
Related Articles
- EXCLUSIVE: Court Docs Show Cranston Councilman Texted He “Medicated” His Children, Then Left for Sex
- Hopkins, Fenton-Fung Join Dems Calling for Cranston Councilor Reilly to Resign After GoLocal Report
- Shekarchi and Ruggerio Give $765,000 in Vaccine “Bonuses” to Staff - Move Called Illegal
- Biah Quits Congressional Race, Will Take on Ruggerio’s Hand-Picked Candidate for Senate
- Cranston Councilman Reilly Arrested on Drug Charges—Crack Cocaine and Fentanyl Found
- EDITORIAL: Are Shekarchi and Ruggerio Actually Democrats?
- Former Cranston Mayoral Candidate Sepe Charged With Assault — Victim Alleges Unwanted Sexual Contact
- VIDEO: Molotov Cocktail Attack in Cranston - Three Arrested
- Reilly Resigns From Cranston City Council
- Senate President Ruggerio Says 195 District Opportunity “Has Not Been Fully Realized”
- Cranston Police Release Names of 2 Killed in Dirt Bike Crash
- Senate Approves Ruggerio’s Bill to Allow Sports Betting on URI, PC, and Others in Tournaments
- Teens Arrested for Vandalizing School in Cranston Reportedly Defaced Eagle Scout Project
- Cranston’s Budlong Pool Will Not Open This Summer - “Scaled-Down” Pool Slated to Open in 2024
