School committee member says 30 teachers face layoffs; urges council to restore 4% increase

Lynn Kapiskis, a member of the Woonsocket School Committee, told the city council on Monday that the district will lay off 30 teachers and close more than 40 positions under current funding levels and urged the council to restore a 4% increase to the school appropriation.

"This year because of level funding we are going to be laying off 30 teachers. We are closing more than 40 positions," Kapiskis said. She said last year the district laid off 43 educators and eliminated behavioral interventionists and other support positions, and that those cuts are worsening school climate and student behavior.

Kapiskis described staff dedication and cited examples of educators taking unpaid time to gain skills for students: her daughter, she said, is spending two hours of her own time twice weekly for eight weeks to learn Spanish for educators. She urged the council to provide a 4% budget increase the schools have repeatedly sought.

Why it matters: The district official framed the proposed city budget as likely to force further reductions to classroom and support staff, which the speaker tied to ongoing behavior management challenges in schools.

Council response: Several council members acknowledged the district's request during budget debate; Councilman Kenoyer and others said they were sympathetic but constrained by overall city fiscal pressures. The council ultimately increased the school appropriation by $150,000 in the amendment to the city budget.

Next steps: The school department will receive the added $150,000 under the council-approved amendment; school and city officials will continue budget planning for FY2026.