Committee tables RIDE variance request for Welk pre-K integrated classrooms for one week

The Warwick School Committee on March 11 voted to table for one week a request to send a temporary variance to the Rhode Island Department of Education that would allow Welk programs to use available peer spots and temporarily exceed state-mandated integrated-classroom ratios.

Miss Barber, who presented the variance request, said the change in RIDE procedure means the district must now route the request through the superintendent and the school committee to the commissioner. She said the variance would ensure students with IEPs would not be denied placement while limiting classroom size so no class would exceed 15 students.

Committee members raised concerns about compliance risk and staffing. Mr Wiggins said he was “concerned about increasing RIDE” and requested more time to review the Welk facility and position control. Other members said failing to request the variance could force the district to pay an estimated $210,000 to preserve placements or risk noncompliance litigation.

After debate, the committee voted 3–2 to table the request one week to gather additional information and possibly discuss it at a special meeting scheduled for March 19. Members in favor of tabling cited the need for clarity about class composition and supports; members opposed argued that the variance merely ratified existing placements and should be approved to avoid denying services.

The administration clarified there would not be a single classroom containing 14 students with IEPs; the placements under discussion would be spread across multiple sections and mix peer spots and integrated classes. The committee asked the administration to provide detailed counts and service plans for the March 19 meeting.