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Council advances budget on first reading after heated debate over $1.8M school shortfall and layoffs
Summary
At a special meeting to consider the fiscal 2027 appropriating ordinance, the Newport City Council approved a first reading of the budget as amended while residents and school officials warned that a $1.8 million operating shortfall will result in 17 teacher layoffs unless the city identifies additional funding or policy fixes.
The Newport City Council on first reading advanced its fiscal 2027 appropriating ordinance after a night of amendments and a prolonged public comment period that centered on shortfalls in the Newport School Department and proposed layoffs.
Superintendent Dr. Germaine told the council the school department faces a $2.1 million gap in the coming fiscal year and that even if the council approves the administration’s 4% recommended increase for schools “we have a 2.1 gap” and “bringing back all 17 staff is not possible with the 4% alone.” Dr. Germaine said the schools have been transparent with monthly reports but that staffing and structural issues persist.
Students, teachers and parents urged the council to provide more than the standard 4% increase for the school appropriation. Caden Betts, a Rogers High School senior, told the council, “Underfunding public schools is not a budget solution. It’s an economic and civil crisis,” and asked the city to press the state to raise the 4% cap. Several speakers including school committee member Becky Bolen and teacher Patrick Weigant described cuts to intervention staff, librarians and specialists, and warned those reductions harm student services.
City staff and councilors debated options to bridge the gap in the near term. Director of Finance Jim Nolan explained the city expects some state reimbursement for school construction debt but that timing and eligibility vary; he said certain reimbursements will not arrive until fiscal 2028. Councilors raised proposals including temporarily covering the Rogers High School electric bill (vice chair’s motion citing roughly $62,000 per month, which the mover later withdrew to allow staff work) and shifting some non‑instructional expenses onto the city outside maintenance‑of‑effort constraints.
Councilors approved a package of small change‑sheet amendments on voice votes that restored $15,000 to the tree canopy fund, $35,000 to the cemetery commission and $10,000 to the Edward King House Senior Center. The council then advanced the overall appropriating ordinance on first reading, separating general fund and enterprise fund votes for clarity; enterprise fund positions and a personnel ordinance were later advanced on first reading as well.
The council did not adopt any final staffing reversals for the school department at the meeting. Councilors and administrators said they will pursue a combination of short‑term bridging options and longer‑term approaches — including pursuing state approvals or exemptions and exploring shared services — to reduce the structural deficit. The second reading and final votes are expected at a later session.
The council adjourned after approving the first reading of the budget and related personnel and enterprise fund items; more detailed votes and budget decisions will return to the dais at subsequent hearings.
