Bristol Warren committee approves FY26 budget after debate over staff cuts, coaches and school closures

The Bristol Warren Regional School Committee approved its FY26 recommended budget on Monday after a presentation from Superintendent Riley and roughly an hour of discussion about staffing, program priorities and fiscal pressures.

The budget presented to the committee projects overall expenditures to rise about 2.7% for fiscal year 2026, driven by higher out-of-district placements, a new transportation contract, contractual obligations with bargaining units, increases in health and other insurance costs, an unanticipated employer pension contribution increase from the Employees' Retirement System of Rhode Island (ERSRI) and an approximately $220,000 reduction in state aid across multiple funding categories.

Superintendent Riley told the committee that the FY26 request is tied to the district strategic plan and the district is asking the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) to consider the material in the budget book. She said the district expects a transportation bid increase when the new contract is awarded and that ERSRI changed employer contribution rates without advance notice, forcing districts and towns statewide to absorb higher costs.

Committee members questioned specific staffing choices. Member Miss Alito noted administration headcount listed in the budget packet rose from 50.5 (FY24) to 56.4 in the FY26 figures and asked why administrative staffing was increasing while enrollment declines. Riley and Business Office staff explained that the listing consolidates several teaching and support positions under department budgets so the “administration” category includes non-administrative teaching positions (for example, occupational therapists and coordinators previously shown as fractional FTEs at individual schools). Riley said the number does not reflect an increase in central-office administrators, and that an accounting manager position in the business office is being eliminated in this budget.

The budget also funds two new coaches (math and English learners), which Riley and other staff described as teacher positions negotiated under the teachers’ contract and intended as embedded professional learning rather than direct student-facing hires such as additional teaching assistants. Riley noted the district currently has a small cadre of roughly four coaches working in elementary grades to support nearly 300 teachers and that the district relies on department heads and coordinators for coaching at the middle and high school levels.

Committee members asked what programmatic cuts would occur because of school consolidation and lower enrollment. Riley and Danielle from the budget office summarized reductions tied to the pending closure of Gutierrez and shifting grades into Colt Andrews and Hugh Cole: reductions will include one physical education teacher, a 0.6 FTE art teacher and one music teacher across elementary schools; elimination of the Gutierrez school secretary, its custodians and the school nurse assigned to that building; a reduction of one social studies position at Kickemuit Middle School; and a reduction in the high school SSO position. Administrators said services to students are expected to continue but staffing configurations will change as tracks (class sections) at several elementary grades move from four to three.

Riley said the district does not currently anticipate federal grant reductions and expects to learn final Title grants in May; she also said state leadership does not anticipate cuts and the district hopes for increases in Perkins/CTE funds.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda (multiple routine items): approved by committee voice vote. - FY26 recommended budget: motion made and seconded earlier in the meeting; committee voted in favor (chair called “All in favor. Aye.”). - Rhode Island Department of Health Youth Risk Behavior Survey (Kickemuit Middle School): approved; parents will retain opt-out rights and the survey is administered by the state and managed by URI in aggregate form. - Six final-read policies (KD public participation; BAA school committee procedural evaluation; new board member orientation; LB relations with other schools; ADD safe schools policy; JLCDD Narcan policy): each approved on final read.

What this means locally The approved FY26 budget allocates resources to meet strategic objectives including climate and culture, teaching and learning, professional learning, career and technical education and communication, while absorbing higher fixed costs. District leaders said they will continue to work with town officials in Bristol and Warren on appropriations and will adjust if federal or state funding levels change.

Several board members emphasized fiscal caution and noted transportation and pension cost volatility as major budgetary risks. Superintendent Riley said staff will monitor grant funding through the spring and report back with any needed adjustments.

The committee also publicly recognized a $6,000 donation to Best Buddies — donated by Chris Coelho and his son Adrian through an online auction — that was designated for programs at Mount Hope High School and Kickemuit Middle School.

The committee adjourned after approving the remaining items on the agenda.