Newport school committee backs keeping NACTC building, asks city and superintendent to find premium funding by March 1

The Newport School Committee voted to support keeping the Newport Area Career and Technical Center building in place and directed the superintendent to work with the city manager to identify possible funding sources to pay the premium required to preserve the facility by March 1.

The motion, presented as agenda item 5.7, drew sustained public comment and committee discussion about costs, student outcomes and the district’s capacity to absorb one-time expenditures. Committee members and community speakers took opposing views on whether to pause demolition plans and reroute utilities until funding was secured.

“Cosmetology changed my life,” Jill Reynolds, a salon owner who said she is a 1995 Rogers High School cosmetology graduate, told the committee. “Preserving the trades including cosmetology, automotive, carpentry are essential. A new facility should not come at the cost of losing opportunities for students.”

Deborah Borland, who identified herself as the cosmetology teacher, said the program is effectively a college-level pathway that teaches technical skills and workplace practices and cited student letters in support. “We are not just hairdressers—these students learn inventory control, time management and critical thinking,” she said.

Supporters argued retaining the NACTC building would preserve programs deemed critical to career pathways and community employers, and could also provide administrative and storage space as the new Rogers High School project proceeds. Opponents voiced concern about the unknown total cost, potential use of one-time fund balance, and the risk that short-term measures become permanent solutions rather than integrating programs into the new building.

A proposed amendment to the funding direction that would have added a requirement to perform learning-space renovations recommended by project architects failed on a 4–3 voice vote. The underlying motion directing the superintendent to pursue funding options passed.

Committee members emphasized the March 1 funding target noted in the motion; administrators said the premium figure and detailed cost estimates would be available after preliminary plans and cost reports are finalized in January. The committee did not provide a numeric roll-call vote in the record, but the chair declared the motion carried.

The committee also discussed who might contribute—school department capital, city support, community fundraising and grants were mentioned—and several members urged formal coordination with the city council before any funding commitment. The committee’s directive instructs the superintendent to return with potential funding sources and next steps.

The committee’s action keeps options open for the cosmetology and automotive programs while leaving final financing and renovation decisions subject to future reports and city partnership.

The committee moved immediately to subsequent agenda items after the vote. No final construction or renovation contracts were awarded at the meeting.