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Newport schools forecast $3 million shortfall; committee urged to weigh city support and structural cuts
Summary
District finance presenter warned of an approximately $3.0 million projected shortfall for next year and a $1.9 million shortfall this year, citing rising costs for utilities, transportation and special‑education services and urging committee planning with the city and state auditors.
Mr. Gonolv presented a fiscal forecast showing the district faces an immediate funding gap: approximately $1.9 million projected for the current year and roughly $3.0 million if conditions remain the same for the next school year. He told the school committee that routine cost drivers — pay raises, higher gas and electric bills, and transportation — have outpaced revenue and left the district structurally strained.
“The forecast for the upcoming school year shows approximately $3 million shortfall,” Mr. Gonolv said, adding that the district will need to consider both operational and structural changes to close the gap. Committee members discussed short‑term uses of fund balance and one‑time energy funds to reduce the current‑year deficit and emphasized the need for a longer‑term plan with city partners.
Members pressed for concrete steps. One member noted the legal requirement to notify state auditors and the city when the district anticipates not being able to pay bills, and urged the administration to circulate a preliminary corrective plan within the committee’s reporting window. Committee members also discussed measures such as a one‑time hiring freeze or targeted staffing reductions, audits of administrative contracts and re‑examining nonessential spending.
The discussion ranged into the district’s per‑pupil math: members cited the district roll — listed in the transcript as about 1,795 students — and a per‑pupil figure drawn from the RIDE report cited in committee materials. Committee members pointed to a growing share of the budget dedicated to students with Individualized Education Programs and special needs, and said those fixed costs increase pressure on the general fund.
What’s next: the administration said it will compile options for the committee (including potential spending freezes and contract reviews) and that a notification to state auditors and the city would be prepared as required; the committee indicated it may schedule discussion of a preliminary corrective action next month.
