Chariho school committee votes to advance single unified elementary option to RIDE Stage 2

The Chariho Regional School District school committee voted Oct. 21 to advance a single unified elementary-school option to the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) as the district's Stage 2 application.

The committee’s motion, made by member Tyler and seconded by Mr. Luzon, passed by roll call after more than two hours of public comment and committee discussion. Several committee members voiced support for long-term operational savings and improved student services from a single campus; others raised concerns about longer bus rides for some students, the loss of small local schools, site acquisition, and the tax impact on residents.

The superintendent, Gina, told the committee the district has spent roughly $5–6 million on elementary maintenance since FY20 and stressed the need for a capital plan that qualifies for RIDE reimbursement. Using the example figures presented to the committee, a one-school unified option was estimated in the materials at about $117 million in construction and associated costs; with a 65% state reimbursement the district’s share would be roughly $41 million in that example. Superintendent Gina emphasized the district’s goal: "warm, safe, and dry means you need capital reserve dollars," and said Stage 2 will include conceptual designs and more detailed cost and land information.

Residents at the meeting urged different outcomes. Supporters argued a unified campus would centralize special services and expand career and technical education pathways; opponents cited research and local experience favoring smaller elementary schools, the risk of site contamination on potential parcels, and the projected taxpayer burden. Community members also pressed for more transparent breakdowns of construction, 'soft' and other costs and for clearer packet headers where report columns were mistakenly labeled.

The vote record shows several committee members voted yes and three voted no; the clerk announced, "Motion carries." The committee also authorized bond counsel to begin drafting legislative language and ballot materials for the bond process and extended the meeting past the statutory 10 p.m. adjournment time to complete business. Next steps spelled out by staff include detailed Stage 2 design work, community engagement sessions, and providing voters with visual cost comparisons and timelines if the committee proceeds to a bond question.

The Stage 2 submission to RIDE does not by itself obligate voters; the committee and administration will return to the public with more detailed visuals, cost estimates and timelines before any ballot question is finalized. The committee asked staff to ensure community input continues and to provide clear comparisons of the unified option versus renovations or three new schools during upcoming public meetings.