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School budget draws a lone 'no' as committee member cites lack of data and process concerns
Summary
The school committee approved an $86.12M FY27 operating request but at least one member voted no, citing late information, unanswered questions and concern about facilities and legal spending; council and managers will work to reconcile higher health‑care costs before final adoption.
The North Kingstown School Department presented an $86.12 million operating request for FY2026–27 and defended staffing additions the superintendent said were driven by student needs, including more psychologists and student‑services staff.
"We are still not at where we should be," the superintendent said, arguing national guidance supports one psychologist per several hundred students and that the district needs more mental‑health coverage. School leaders also highlighted $2.4M in anticipated federal restricted revenues (IDEA, Medicaid) that offset some costs.
At the school committee meeting one member, Megan Riley, explained her 'no' vote on the budget. Riley told the council she lacked timely information and that many data requests had gone unanswered; she called for earlier, more transparent budget work and a review of legal spending patterns. "I could not in good conscience vote yes when I had information that was still outstanding," Riley said during public comment.
Ralph and school officials acknowledged uncertainty over health‑care premium projections: the manager used a 10% assumption but trust estimates now suggest about 17%, a gap that could cost roughly $700,000 across town and schools combined. The council approved the manager's preliminary appropriation for the schools (town appropriation $66.02M) to post for public hearing; the school allocation vote at the council was 4–1.
