Cranston School Committee Chair urges full budget funding to support education growth

Cranston's education system is at a critical juncture as the City Council and Finance Committee convened on April 8, 2025, to discuss the urgent need for increased funding for the school department. The chair of the Cranston School Committee emphasized the importance of fully funding the school budget, highlighting that the district employs nearly 12,000 staff and serves over 11,000 students. Despite recent funding increases from the mayor and city councils, the district faces significant challenges, including the issuance of 51 layoff notices to teachers due to financial constraints.

The chair pointed out that Cranston is one of the few districts that has not experienced a major decline in student enrollment post-pandemic. However, the funding levels do not reflect this stability. With an average spending of $19,483 per student—well below the state average of $22,000—the district is struggling to maintain its educational standards. The chair expressed concern over the capital reserve fund, which has dwindled due to years of underfunding, leaving the district vulnerable to unexpected expenses.

Lizbeth Larkin, president of the Cranston Teachers Alliance, echoed these sentiments, urging the council to fully support the superintendent's budget. She criticized the historical underfunding of schools and the reliance on state aid, emphasizing that the educational community has consistently delivered results despite financial challenges. Larkin called for a collaborative approach to address the funding issues, stating that the current situation cannot continue without detrimental effects on the quality of education.

The discussions at the meeting underscored the pressing need for the city to prioritize educational funding as a means to secure a brighter future for its students. With rising costs and an aging infrastructure, the call for action is clear: the time to invest in Cranston's schools is now.