North Providence School Committee weighs FY26 budget, approves AI policy and several school policies; OKs bleacher quote and assistant principal job description

The North Providence School Committee on an evening meeting reviewed a fiscal 2026 budget proposal that asks the town for a $1,297,000 increase and approved a package of district policies, including an artificial intelligence policy to take effect next school year. The committee also voted to approve a quote for replacement bleachers in North Providence High School gymnasium No. 2 and to approve an elementary assistant principal job description and contract template.

The budget presentation, delivered by Superintendent Joe Gohor and staff, proposed a local appropriation request of $34,147,734 for fiscal year 2026 — an increase of $1,297,000 from the FY2025 local appropriation of $32,850,000. "This is not a budget that is expanding. We're not expanding staff. We're not expanding programs. This is just to maintain what we have," Gohor said during his overview. The presentation projected state aid of $30,000,704 (an increase the district said was roughly $391,862 over 2025), but Gohor warned that a forthcoming state recalculation could reduce that figure by an estimated $30,000 to $50,000 because preschool students had been counted as full‑time instead of half‑time.

Why it matters: The administration said the request approaches, but does not exceed, the statutory local cap (3.94% of the tax levy request; the legal maximum is 4%). Officials said the district has little access to the one‑time federal COVID-era funds that previously helped bridge gaps and that continuing to use fund balance for recurring operating costs is not allowed. The superintendent told committee members that the district has already cut about $1.1 million from its original request (including reductions in contracted nursing, out‑of‑district special‑education tuition and Chromebook replacements) to limit the local increase.

Budget details and constraints The administration identified several revenue and expense items central to the FY26 forecast. Projected Medicaid reimbursement was listed at about $500,000 compared with roughly $700,000 in earlier years; staff said that decline reflects irregular reimbursements and changes since the vendor transition. Chromebook replacement needs were estimated at roughly $420,000 to maintain the district’s 1:1 device program; the administration said it did not plan to use fund balance to cover recurring replacements this year and removed the Chromebook replacement request from the proposed operating budget. Contracted nursing was cited as a major pressure point; the administration said it had reduced that line by about $416,000 in this iteration of the request. The administration also reported an anticipated increase in fringe benefits and contractual salary steps tied to ongoing negotiations.

Enrollment and special programs Superintendent Gohor and staff noted the district’s relative enrollment stability and a continuing increase in multilingual learners. Gohor said the district’s multilingual learner population has grown markedly over recent years; the presentation showed a count in the mid‑400s. Administrators said the district has reduced out‑of‑district placements but faces rising tuition costs from private providers.

Capital and facilities actions The committee approved a quote to replace the bleachers in North Providence High School gymnasium No. 2 and heard that the district expects roughly 60% reimbursement from the Rhode Island School Building Authority’s health and safety program for that work. "We received word today that they will be reimbursed," Gohor said, asking the committee to approve the vendor quote up to the invoice amount while the district pursues additional athletic grants to lower net cost. Committee members were told the district plans further work to resurface floors and replace padding in both high‑school gyms.

Staffing and school consolidation planning The superintendent asked the committee to approve an elementary assistant principal job description and the associated contract template as the district prepares to transition Greystone and Centeredale into a single, combined elementary school next school year. Gohor described the new position as part of a planned, year‑ahead transition to allow principals and administrators to work across both campuses and said the position "is a new position but it is not an additional position." He estimated the combined school’s enrollment at approximately 550 students and said an assistant principal salary range was being finalized with an initial estimate of about $108,000–$113,000.

Artificial intelligence policy and classroom protocol The committee debated a new district policy and protocol addressing artificial intelligence. Attorney Scunggio, who worked on the template being shared with a number of districts, said the policy is intended as a starting point and will require annual revision as the technology and guidance evolve: "AI is going to be a significant part of not only teaching going forward," he said. Committee members voiced concerns about detection methods, due process and appeals. Committee member Mrs. Picotte urged safeguards, proposing that "students will be informed about how AI tools are used," that AI detection flags not be treated as conclusive evidence, that flagged material be compared with a student’s prior work and that faculty discuss flags with students before moving to discipline.

After discussion the committee approved the AI policy to be effective for the 2025–26 school year and directed administrators to continue developing protocols and training. Administration and other speakers said the policy is meant to be a global statement, with more detailed protocols to be refined by the district tech team, principals and teachers.

Other policies and contracts approved The committee voted to approve several additional policies and agreements on the agenda: a policy governing displays of materials on school property, an updated grading policy and protocol, a student grade‑appeal policy (with a requested timeline adjustment to ensure consistent five‑school‑day response windows at each step), a revised district dress code, and a one‑year Memorandum of Understanding with Hazel Health to provide virtual telehealth mental‑health services for students. The committee also approved the high‑school yearbook bid, routine bills, and use‑of‑property requests.

Votes at a glance - Assistant elementary principal job description and contract template — approved (motion carried). - Quote for new bleachers at North Providence High School gym No. 2 (up to invoice amount) — approved (motion carried); district expects ~60% reimbursement from the Rhode Island School Building Authority health and safety program. - FY26 budget presentation — informational; committee scheduled a budget workshop for Feb. 5 and will vote on the budget at the February meeting. - Artificial intelligence policy and accompanying protocol (effective 2025–26 school year) — approved (motion carried). - Display of materials policy and protocol — approved (motion carried). - Student grade appeal policy — approved with timeline clarification (motion carried). - Updated grading policy and protocol — approved (motion carried). - Revised district dress code policy — approved (motion carried). - MOU with Hazel Health (telehealth mental‑health services, one year of state funding) — approved (motion carried). - High‑school yearbook bid — approved (motion carried). - Routine bills and use‑of‑property requests — approved (motions carried).

What comes next The committee scheduled a budget workshop for Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 5:30 p.m. Committee members and administration said they will continue refining revenue estimates, finalize salary ranges for the assistant principal position, develop detailed AI protocols and training, and prepare the FY26 budget for a committee vote at the February meeting before forwarding the request to the town council.

Sources and attribution Reporting in this article is based on the North Providence School Committee meeting transcript. Direct quotes are attributed to speakers appearing in the transcript: Superintendent Joe Gohor; Attorney Scunggio; Donna Hanley; Mrs. Picotte; Miss Castanelli; David McNally; and others identified in the meeting record.