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Finance Committee hears FY2027 budget: balanced on paper but reliant on reserves, Medicaid and city aid
Summary
Deputy Superintendent Zach Scott and Finance Director Chris Battissi presented a proposed FY2027 budget described as balanced but built on difficult choices, including position reductions, rising benefit costs and transportation/service contract increases. Staff said the plan fills gaps with city aid, Medicaid revenue and one-time reserves and noted a potential $4 million if the state adjusts a student-poverty funding factor.
Deputy Superintendent Zach Scott and Chris Battissi, the district's executive director of finance, presented the Providence Public Schools' proposed fiscal year 2027 budget to the Finance Committee, describing a balanced plan that nevertheless depends on several uncertain revenue streams and a package of staffing and service reductions.
Scott opened by saying the administration was presenting "a balanced budget for the coming year" but cautioned it came after "a lot of challenging decisions." He identified the main revenue pressures as a projected decline in state aid driven by lower enrollment, lower free-and-reduced-lunch counts and reduced special-education categorical funds. Scott told the committee the administration expects some offset from city aid and stronger Medicaid billing and…
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