Warwick council asks state for authority to hold special election on $50 million school bond

The Warwick City Council voted to ask the Rhode Island General Assembly for permission to put a $50 million bond question before city voters to cover construction overruns on two new high schools and, if any funds remain, to pay for citywide recreation and athletic facilities.

The request, submitted as draft legislation to the General Assembly, would let the city finance construction, renovation, landscaping, equipment and related costs for "two new high schools and on-site athletic fields, and recreation and athletic facilities throughout the city," and would authorize the issuance of bonds and notes if voters approve the question at a later special election.

Mayor Picozzi told the council the request is a contingency. "I requested that city council consider this because we're at a point where we know the schools currently can't be built for $350,000,000," he said, adding that the school construction program faces overruns and that a voter-authorized safety net would help avoid work stoppages during construction. The mayor also said the enabling language would allow unused proceeds to be applied to recreation projects if warranted.

Why it matters: The city already authorized a $350 million program for the two high schools. City officials and the school department have since reported cost shortfalls as design and bid costs came in; city staff briefed the council that the shortfall has trended down but remains. Council members and the administration said they want the option to call a special election quickly if the need becomes clear rather than risk construction delays.

Council members pressed administrators for specifics about timing, repayment and who would decide whether to move to a special election. City Treasurer Lynn Prodger provided a fiscal estimate showing three repayment-term options: 20 years (worst-case first-year impact of roughly 1.6 percent on the tax rate), 25 years (about 1.39 percent) and 30 years (about 1.27 percent). Prodger told the council those percentages are percent increases to the overall tax bill under the worst-case single-year issuance scenario and that exact tax-rate effects depend on property valuation changes and other debt in the city’s debt service schedule.

Council members sought legal clarification about what would take effect immediately if the General Assembly passed the enabling language. Solicitor Walsh told the council the assembly's passage would only authorize Warwick to hold a special election; any bonds would require voter approval in that election and later appropriations by the council.

Public commenters were divided. Resident Barry Cook urged caution and asked for clearer detail about how much of the $50 million would be used for schools versus recreation, saying voters deserve clarity. Darlene Netco and other residents said voters previously approved the $350 million and that it is appropriate to let voters decide whether to authorize additional borrowing.

What passed: The council moved, by voice vote, to submit the request to the General Assembly. The motion was made and seconded in council and carried (roll-call vote recorded; individual tallies were not specified in the transcript record available).

Next steps: If the General Assembly approves the enabling language, Warwick officials said the city could schedule a special election as soon as mid‑June, depending on the Secretary of State’s calendar and procedural requirements. Council members said the city would provide full disclosure materials to voters before any special election.