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Council delays school-bonding item amid concern about conflating redesign and construction and proposed $1.1 million consultant study
Summary
Councilors continued a discussion on the use of current school bonding and future school-bonding needs after members expressed concern about conflating an instructional redesign process with construction plans and a possible $1,100,000 consultant engagement; the council voted to continue the item to a future meeting.
The Pawtucket City Council voted to continue consideration of an item concerning use of current school bonding and future school-bonding needs after members expressed concerns about process, timing and cost.
A council member recounted that the school committee had postponed and then continued its own discussions; council leadership said they do not believe the city has capacity to undertake additional major construction while it is building a high school they described as a $330,000,000 project. The council member noted a school-committee plan was being discussed for a Slater Bridal School redesign (as described in the transcript) and said that the redesign discussion was being conflated with a separate construction and bonding process.
The council member reported the school committee might consider a special meeting and possibly engage a consultant at an estimated cost of $1,100,000 to study options. Council members warned against rushing into a consultant contract or construction planning without clarity on funding given recent tax increases tied to debt service for school construction.
A motion to continue the item to the council's next meeting was moved and seconded; Councilor Rubio moved the continuation with Councilor Moreno and Councilor Ruggio noted as seconds. The motion carried on a voice vote and the item was continued to the council's next meeting for further consideration.
