Warwick council defeats proposal to ask state for special election on $350M high‑school bond

Council President Sanappi and the Intergovernmental and Appointments Committee held an extended public hearing on PCR 15‑25, a resolution asking the Rhode Island General Assembly to permit a special municipal election that would seek to revoke the city’s authority to issue further indebtedness under the $350 million bond approved in 2022 for two new high schools. The intergovernmental committee first moved the resolution to the full council without a recommendation.

The subject drew sustained public comment both for and against the resolution. Supporters of PCR 15‑25 said voters who approved the 2022 bond did not see the current or projected cost increases and urged another public vote. Michelle Comar, a Ward 1 resident, said the project’s projected overrun and uncertain taxpayer impact justified sending the question back to voters. Several other…