[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,74,86,98,110],{"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43,"_44":45,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6461342,"mediaKeyId","5824442-a5371fbc3f1fc20316e6e3b014526855","parentId",5824442,"title","Portsmouth reports small unaudited surplus; unexpected revenue and higher transportation, electricity costs noted","audioSeconds",357,"startMs",1978000,"endMs",2335000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824442-a5371fbc3f1fc20316e6e3b014526855&start=1978&end=2335","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824442-a5371fbc3f1fc20316e6e3b014526855/thumbnail_1978000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6461342/Portsmouth/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/Portsmouth-reports-small-unaudited-surplus-unexpected-revenue-and-higher-transportation-electricity-costs-noted","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461342-fd4be89c88aba2e48b329699241cdaa4/orig.mp4?Expires=1769954107&Signature=Yz0WYbhGE2DHlBmDqNkD-RBEvmssMv606H2v34Cd1~zI3DC5ZeHIX7iU~wTL-r6AAdsaJcdEEpu0SzmuoAkAo~u-ldg4kldfE7jIqlTW0-WtftYuplWTz7jocVDvVK-v57UjdivfDs0N6K9ryd2l3rSPp0ZZGa-IpAambbQVt0yOLvlJjYModIFxOHRavWnBr9Z-oJg26IAQSYZU9~2yQwG63KC81BWwDNUPpAJ4g~pgpvTZpXR-aAdH9HD1PhilyxG1scewqnkoWNH7UQG8zRKqrERZH5AFALDkJ92WOCyJHzIENivKlzmMqYA69GQdvBdClCTTHNmTyKpGcKK66Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Portsmouth RI Live Stream","date","2025-09-24T00:00:00Z","article","The Portsmouth School Department ended fiscal year 2025 with an unaudited net surplus of $305,000, or about 0.68% of budget, the committee was told Sept. 23.

Mister Giro, the department’s finance staff, told the school committee the surplus was driven by favorable revenue receipts totaling about $461,000 and offset by an expenditure overage of approximately $156,000. He identified two unbudgeted, one-time revenue items: a $250,000 equity distribution tied to the liquidation of the East Bay Education Collaborative and about $204,000 in additional group-home funding after the state adjusted bed counts.

On the expenditure side, Giro said transportation and electricity were the main pressures. Transportation was significantly over budget in part because of an unbudgeted $55,000 cost to transport a single out-of-district student to a Tiverton CTE program and more than $100,000 in costs after the district brought its life-skills program back in-house following the East Bay Education Collaborative liquidation. Giro said statewide transportation totals were over budget by about $91,000.

Giro also described notable electricity-cost issues: a 255% increase in Rhode Island Energy’s distribution charge per kilowatt hour that has raised distribution costs above supply costs; a 55% increase in energy usage at Melville after installation of a new HVAC heat-pump system; and invoicing inaccuracies from the utility. He told the committee that the district had gone months without accurate bills for some accounts and cited an example of a single-month invoice for Melville that initially read about $900,000 and was later identified as erroneous. Giro said Rhode Island conducted a separate audit finding about $2 million in overcharges statewide.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about specific line items, including the transportation line and electricity accounts. Giro said the contract with First Student for district busing ends at the close of the fiscal year and staff have begun an RFP process for the next vendor.

Why it matters: The unaudited surplus reduces short-term budget pressure but the district faces continuing operational cost risk from transportation and utility volatility. The invoicing and distribution-rate issues at the state utility introduce uncertainty for budgeting and cash flow.

Next steps: The external audit is in process and expected before December, Giro said. Staff have started an RFP for the transportation contract and are monitoring Rhode Island Energy’s billing corrections and any further distribution-rate changes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Committee Meeting: 9.23.25","oneSentenceSummary","The Portsmouth School Department reported an unaudited fiscal-year 2025 surplus of $305,000, driven by unexpected revenues including a $250,000 distribution from the East Bay Education Collaborative liquidation and $204,000 in group-home funding; transportation and electricity overruns were cited as primary expenditure pressures.","taxTitle","Portsmouth, School Districts, Rhode Island","taxId",72703,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":75,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":76,"_40":77,"_42":78,"_44":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6461344,"Resident urges Portsmouth school committee to keep Portuguese at Portsmouth High School",118,766000,884000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824442-a5371fbc3f1fc20316e6e3b014526855&start=766&end=884","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824442-a5371fbc3f1fc20316e6e3b014526855/thumbnail_766000.jpg","/articles/6461344/Portsmouth/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/Resident-urges-Portsmouth-school-committee-to-keep-Portuguese-at-Portsmouth-High-School","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461344-b45c8265408db02e6944e91e80212ca8/orig.mp4?Expires=1769954107&Signature=F9Z6YXj8ZzTK7DvOfncPXohmx6XY13l-BaumJ9n0Ol6jShc-Fjxs9D8ZTupYSFLwv5IjUJ~L-gHIzg48FJwyafWsswmYCpGEwmLdaHqVqAz-cnhY5Gg0ZZ0cT7dsoLcyWgcZ9KX~MhOG1AggsAgRcqlR8DMU~2vCXHdx~Nzcg1TTGKIFOM2BORoY1QPHGzn0Kv9-czSlnVXq8buDHWLhKeSGiC7BMsESIOrfuYsoYTLdwEB2-HMqAxGJbLyOWU1rJ6d2v4xJfA~wISUVL~WevmdGgxyKhgQGkm6977YTSoQNVQE1tuOSO4j41XXPzC2f0vZXZzNua-QleDsu14TLYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A resident identified as \"K. K.\" told the Portsmouth School Committee on Sept. 23 that she strongly opposes a proposed phase-out of the Portuguese language program at Portsmouth High School and urged the district to preserve at least three world language offerings.

K. K. said Portuguese is “more than just a class” and described the language as a cultural connection for many local families. She told the committee that \"over 95,000 Rhode Islanders identify as Portuguese or of Portuguese-speaking descent, and nearly 30,000 households use Portuguese as their primary non-English language,\" and argued those facts merit keeping the program.

In a prepared two-minute public comment delivered during the meeting's public comment period, K. K. cited neighboring districts that offer three or more languages—East Greenwich, Barrington and North Kingstown—and urged Portsmouth to match that breadth to support heritage learners and global readiness. She recommended several alternatives to immediate program removal, including reintroducing Portuguese at the middle-school level to create a pipeline, offering elementary-level introductory programs, exploring shared or hybrid instruction models and actively promoting the program’s cultural and career value.

The chair of the school committee noted the item was not on the agenda and said the commenter could return with further remarks at budget time. No formal action on the Portuguese program was taken during the Sept. 23 meeting.

Why it matters: K. K. framed the issue as both curricular and cultural, arguing that maintaining Portuguese supports heritage learners and aligns Portsmouth with higher-performing districts that offer multiple language options. The committee did not vote on the program; the speaker said she would raise the matter again during budget discussions.

Next steps: The chair indicated the matter will be revisited around budget time. The committee did not set a formal timeline or take direction during the Sept. 23 meeting.","During public comment at the Sept. 23 Portsmouth School Committee meeting, a resident identified as \"K. K.\" urged the committee not to phase out the Portuguese language program at Portsmouth High School and recommended steps to build a pipeline and preserve at least three world language options.",{"_32":87,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":88,"_40":89,"_42":90,"_44":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6461335,"District reports modest enrollment decline overall; high school CTE participation rises",214,1324000,1538000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824442-a5371fbc3f1fc20316e6e3b014526855&start=1324&end=1538","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824442-a5371fbc3f1fc20316e6e3b014526855/thumbnail_1324000.jpg","/articles/6461335/Portsmouth/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/District-reports-modest-enrollment-decline-overall-high-school-CTE-participation-rises","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461335-82835638ba997301d46d2382a6b5af72/orig.mp4?Expires=1769954107&Signature=gujX8A~7Ab0Pr6XkqBx5Q3oaM2-~wFri-5ljaD5r0Eiv710CnEtTAbx86x4-RpdyPo5Hy0fNtjFLHg06ldoTgNkM8WvgnKbywR-EVBUbwAGxJG7AWth82SfAPcj6AWlKBjkOLry4xMTG7pHaLysu0eRH2jF-wMoPkWKxi5hAKS490HyKAVPIvjQK5KhL5L6J7hZsQTe58~vK7XSwnxk0Tu3WclKcMDligFEZ2eLDOStdtsGhq7ZQS2GUYYdp5rA28wd8LEXEeD6LypNXz6~yirO~gxPtfT6UkM7UCzzRqa4pa5BtvkmkJSUI9rMvDEDWFDszQ-KgKi21x5-uTRp9hg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Portsmouth School Department presented an enrollment update Sept. 23 showing 2,178 students districtwide for the 2025 school year, a decline of 31 students from last year but an increase of 25 students over a three-year window.

Administrators reported elementary enrollment at 743 (an increase of 16 students), middle-school enrollment at 596 (down 9), and high-school enrollment at 763 (down 23). The district said 76 students are enrolled in out-of-district placements—down 15 from last year—which includes charter, regional, homeschool and treatment placements but does not include students attending out-of-district CTE programs.

The superintendent’s enrollment presenter reported growing Career and Technical Education participation: total CTE enrollment at the high school is 290 students. The district also reported an increase in incoming out-of-district CTE enrollments to 78 students—an increase of 43 from prior counts—and named sending districts in that program: Tiverton (44), Bristol Warren (15), Middletown (12) and Newport (7). The presenter said Tiverton was the largest sending district for the CTE program this year.

Officials told the committee the district has 5 Prudence Island students and 76 Little Compton students attending in-district, plus a small number of tuitioned-in students and rising homeschool numbers (42 this year, up from 39). Committee members asked when enrollment stabilizes; staff said November is typically a reliable snapshot and April–May shows more military family movement.

Why it matters: Enrollment trends drive staffing, program and facility planning. The rise in CTE participation affects scheduling, course offerings and partnerships with sending districts.

Next steps: The district said it will present a more detailed CTE program report next month and expects to share a demographic study related to stage-2 building planning later in the fall.","Portsmouth reported total enrollment of 2,178 for the 2025 school year (down 31 students from last year) and said high-school CTE participation rose to 290 students while out-of-district CTE enrollments increased to 78 for the year.",{"_32":99,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":100,"_40":101,"_42":102,"_44":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6461339,"District says middle-school bathroom and bond projects complete, under budget",65,387000,452000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824442-a5371fbc3f1fc20316e6e3b014526855&start=387&end=452","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824442-a5371fbc3f1fc20316e6e3b014526855/thumbnail_387000.jpg","/articles/6461339/Portsmouth/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/District-says-middle-school-bathroom-and-bond-projects-complete-under-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461339-cd84d3b1d778768d7e82f8df343a747d/orig.mp4?Expires=1769954107&Signature=lvZL6dQKcp41e~cEgYPxNzBjh1PSrLmo70xRJW7w5mkTbzVqbaQaVhBa9veIOHRLOwHUh4TlBbtk-44fNkIyflLVmZxsiqRucyZYR0H5uh4TdCvpr2lQppdoAh2~GSiGS1u1E1z4BduZD6NhhaMWpsZ6Sq2clKQR85SAiDZeHfOIg-KV0oOsYeux3rImW-N72YjyAks~wCGWGTrK~ms-WLWn8m4rz35Bhx~f1fRTxppbZ2LTddRURvC4RLgkvaTFI89rg8wRQNxdA-XkqMalMS7jFKwPQQP20r77ERP2E4EgefXIpA6bAZC6IH8UQRUzWglRpq3V7JDc13Jul0DH3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Portsmouth School Department reported Sept. 23 that the district’s bond-funded capital projects are essentially complete, on time and under budget, the committee heard.

At a Sept. 17 district building subcommittee meeting attended by committee members, presenters said the middle-school bathroom project is the last outstanding item and that work is finished aside from a small punch list. The subcommittee noted the bond program is approximately $100,000 under budget, funds that can be used only for projects included in the bond but not for unrelated new work.

Committee members praised the administration and contractors for completing the projects on schedule and under budget. A subcommittee member said administrators will confirm final punch-list items and next steps for any remaining scope at the middle school.

Why it matters: The completion and budget surplus on the bond program reduce near-term capital uncertainty and allow the district to consider expanding items within the approved bond scope.

Next steps: Staff will finalize the punch list for the middle-school bathrooms and report back to the committee with any recommended in-scope expansions.","The district's building subcommittee reported that middle-school bathroom work is finished, the bond projects are on time and about $100,000 under budget, and the remaining items are limited to a small punch list.",{"_32":111,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":112,"_40":113,"_42":114,"_44":115,"_46":116,"_48":117,"_50":118,"_52":119,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":120,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":121,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6461328,"Votes at a glance: Portsmouth School Committee, Sept. 23, 2025",127,1842000,1969000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824442-a5371fbc3f1fc20316e6e3b014526855&start=1842&end=1969","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824442-a5371fbc3f1fc20316e6e3b014526855/thumbnail_1842000.jpg","/articles/6461328/Portsmouth/School-Districts/Rhode-Island/Votes-at-a-glance-Portsmouth-School-Committee-Sept-23-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461328-0a7e2315f423b402e4f235da8bb2cfb4/orig.mp4?Expires=1769954107&Signature=GzcVnq6GIdAq~YlCKUkSOACwkJkaa8dPVX2g9M4TmJXSXjCo1snUG6Ncv7p~Ay3I7b9lqfjOCYIwhl5ESlGhy7Zo0EujuHImYaGkjiQirpGWSD67BIwRxg51qzPym~yhVUxFDbTCTBx4iyuBeJEP8afY-uUAdcZ6A-h2~Hn9infYvocFPFg2lBeZLNLGx7xg5PjUJTh9xSW3LYvJRREL9O0lVedF1K-~oCZNWmYMdAFJW5Nbfhz5MiGWaOyS2EWdz8E6fBwOTIQD2babozjiEXCbBBaB63QOOMYx0F3-FGwh5QZpWFSld~5eIXJjQCiAIEyVleCzF-B1DkOEFVTt0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Portsmouth School Committee recorded the following formal actions during its Sept. 23 meeting.

Approval of Aug. 26 minutes and executive session minutes — Passed, unanimous (7-0).

Approval of the consent agenda — Passed, unanimous (7-0).

Approval of Portsmouth High School band field trip to Washington, D.C., contingent upon raising sufficient funds for the trip — Passed, unanimous (7-0). The board discussed that the trip will include a stand-up performance near the Lincoln Memorial rather than participation in the Cherry Blossom Parade, and committee members conditioned approval on the band raising the funds so the district is not liable if the trip cannot be fully financed.

Each motion passed without recorded dissents. No additional formal votes on ordinances or resolutions were recorded at the Sept. 23 meeting.","The committee approved the Aug. 26 minutes and executive session minutes (7-0), approved the consent agenda (7-0), and approved the Portsmouth High School band trip to Washington, D.C., contingent on sufficient fundraising (7-0).","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Portsmouth reports small unaudited surplus; unexpected revenue and higher transportation, electricity costs noted

Resident urges Portsmouth school committee to keep Portuguese at Portsmouth High School

District reports modest enrollment decline overall; high school CTE participation rises

District says middle-school bathroom and bond projects complete, under budget

Votes at a glance: Portsmouth School Committee, Sept. 23, 2025