Bristol board confronts multimillion‑dollar shortfall as special‑education costs drive cuts; five non‑tenured teachers given nonrenewal notices

At a meeting of the Bristol School District Board of Education, district leaders, union representatives and city finance officials debated a projected multimillion‑dollar deficit and approved nonrenewal notices for five non‑tenured teachers as part of a reduction‑in‑force tied to budget shortfalls.

Board of Finance member Jeff Pagiano told the board that a mix of one‑time COVID/ARPA funds, rising special‑education costs and prior underbudgeting left the district with depleted fund balances and a running deficit. Pagiano said the city’s board of finance has proposed an increase that would equal roughly a 5% change and urged the board to adopt a hiring freeze. "So I'm asking for a hiring freeze on the board," Pagiano said during his public remarks.

Superintendent Iris White, who presented a previously filed superintendent budget and described recent reductions made to meet the fiscal reality, said she proposed a 12.58% initial increase in January to reflect the actual cost of running the district. "My 12.58% initial increase request was unprecedented in this district," White said, adding that the administration has pursued cost‑saving measures including a hiring freeze with statutory exceptions, relocation of positions to grants, an early‑retirement incentive proposal and the creation of more in‑district special‑education programs.

Board Chair Pines said the board has already reduced its requested budget and emphasized the district inherited longstanding funding shortfalls. "It is unacceptable for the city to cut our requested funding by an additional $3,600,000.0," Pines said, urging partnership but warning additional cuts would affect services.

Union and professional groups urged collaborative work to minimize harm to students and staff. Spot Quad Dapp, identified at the meeting as president of the Bristol Association of Principals and Supervisors (BAPS), asked to be included in budget conversations. Mike Reynolds, president of the Bristol Federation of Teachers, urged the board and the city to avoid layoffs in an already short‑staffed district and said educators want to work with officials on alternatives.

As an immediate personnel action, the board voted to approve nonrenewal notices for five non‑tenured certificated staff members, citing budgetary reasons. The superintendent read the motion noting the nonrenewals were due to budgetary constraints and not performance. The five employees named in the motion were: Julia Dolce (grade 5 teacher), Tristan Brunei (grade 2 teacher), Gina Weiss (library/media specialist, grades 6–8), Haley Cassidy (grade 8 math) and Lorilina Park Knowles (grade 8 ELA). The motion to direct the superintendent to advise the employees in writing passed after discussion.

Board members and public commenters repeatedly returned to special‑education costs. In the district’s special services report presented to the board, staff reported that 22.58% of Bristol students were identified as requiring special‑education programming, a percentage the administration said is straining budget projections because out‑of‑district placements and tuition costs have risen faster than budgeted amounts.

Board members scheduled a dedicated budget workshop to review cuts and alternatives with union representation, BAPS, city finance staff and other stakeholders. Multiple speakers requested transparent, regular updates on the district’s running deficit and clearer communications between the board and city finance offices going forward.

The board and city officials did not adopt a final balanced budget at the meeting; board members said the workshop will be used to develop the specific cuts and proposals the board will vote on at a later date.