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Resident alleges school committee overspent budget, council debates charter implications
Summary
A public commenter told the council the regional school committee used separate funds to cover more than $2 million in expenditures without voter appropriation, alleging a violation of the town charter; councilors agreed it was concerning and discussed potential charter-review options but took no formal remedial action at the meeting.
During the open forum at the Dec. 18 Glocester Town Council meeting, a resident identified in the record (transcript speaker 4) alleged that the regional school committee repeatedly used a separate fund (referred to in the record as an "old pad fund") to cover expenditures without voter appropriation and claimed the practice resulted in more than $2,000,000 in unappropriated spending over several years.
The commenter said such use of non‑appropriated funds appeared to violate provisions of the town charter and urged consequences or a charter review. Councilors responded that the charter contains language regarding appropriations and overspending; one councilor noted the difficulty of enforcing penalties and said the only remedy under the charter would be removal via vote. Another councilor suggested a charter review to examine sections addressing use of alternate accounts.
No formal action, investigation, or referral was taken at the meeting. The allegation remains an unresolved claim in the public record; councilors expressed concern and agreed to consider the issue further, but the transcript records no subsequent staff assignment or timeline for follow-up.
