Pawtucket school committee fails first passage of proposed FY27 budget after heated debate over staffing cuts

The Pawtucket School Committee failed to pass the first reading of the proposed fiscal 2027 budget after more than two hours of public testimony and committee questions about staffing changes and a projected $7.4 million gap.

Educators, coordinators and nonprofit leaders told the committee that moving several 12‑month positions to 10 months would undermine summer programs and legally required work. "When school budgets are cut, students don't just lose services, they lose access to learning," a public commenter identified in the record as Mr. Boe said. "Fewer teachers means larger class sizes. Larger class sizes mean less attention, less support, less learning."

Why it matters: Consultants presented a budget picture driven by declining enrollment (about 865 fewer students, roughly 10% since FY22), $6 million in required new spending (including an estimated $4.3 million for contractual pay increases, $1 million for a new science curriculum and $700,000 for technology), and the loss of one‑time funds that were used in FY26. Using the governor's proposed state aid figure, consultants said revenue changes — including a net $1.5 million reduction when compared with FY26 recurring sources — and the new spending produced a $7.4 million shortfall.

Public testimony and reaction: Dozens of employees…