Residents, teachers urge Cranston City Council to fully fund school budget as layoffs loom

Dozens of residents, teachers and school leaders urged the Cranston City Council finance committee on April 8 to fully fund the Cranston Public SchoolsFY26 budget request, saying recent underfunding has forced painful staff cuts and left district facilities at risk.

The appeals came during the committee—s public hearing portion of a special meeting and a subsequent finance committee meeting. Speakers included Cranston School Committee chair Dominic Fusco, Cranston Teachers Alliance president Lizbeth Larkin, Vice Chair Anthony Malillo and Superintendent Janine Nadeau-Massey.

"Please fully fund the school department budget," Dominic Fusco said, noting the district had issued 51 layoff notices this year and asking the council to act to avoid more cuts. Superintendent Janine Nadeau-Massey told the committee the district is at a "crossroads" and said underfunding was starting to harm programs and staff retention.

Why it matters: Cranston—s public schools educate more than 11,000 students. Residents and school officials said city funding per pupil—about $19,483 in figures cited at the hearing—lags the state average of roughly $22,000 and leaves limited room to absorb rising costs such as pensions, health care and utilities. Speakers also warned that a low capital reserve and aging buildings increase the risk of expensive emergency repairs.

What the district asked for: School committee members and public commenters described two competing budget figures. Mayor Hopkins— proposed…