The Newport School Committee approved the fiscal year 2025 budget in a 5-2 vote during their meeting on June 13. The budget approval comes amid concerns from parents and teachers over cuts to student-facing positions and services.
Director of Finance Gonzalez presented the budget, noting it was the most challenging year since he started due to forecasted reductions from the state. The budget aims to balance the district’s finances without making additional cuts by identifying alternative funding sources.
Parents and teachers expressed their worries about the impact of these cuts on students. Shannon Matos, a parent, passionately addressed the committee, saying, “The foundation of education starts at the elementary level. This is where the kids are learning the most. And as they move on to the middle school and the high school level, you know, they build on the fundamentals that should have already learned at an elementary level. And for cuts to be made for help that is needed for these little kids that are in such a crucial development stage is just mind-blowing.”
Colleen Turner, a history teacher at Rogers High School for 25 years, criticized the superintendent’s actions, stating, “Many of you are aware that MLL students have been a valuable part of our district for many years. Where other states have plans to increase MLL certifications that are supportive and purposeful, Jermaine and Mooney have created a disingenuous plan based on zero research in the field.”
Kate Doucel, an 8th-grade teacher at Thompson Middle School, expressed her concerns about the changes, saying, “As we finish this year, I know that we are navigating declining enrollment and a changing population, and that a reduction in staff may be warranted, but the way that these changes have been carried out was unfair to staff and is not in the best interest of students.”
Superintendent Jermaine addressed the concerns, explaining the district’s focus on improving tier one classroom instruction and providing support for teachers through coaching models. She emphasized the importance of the teacher in the classroom, stating, “The research is very, very strong that the teacher in the classroom is the one person that has the most significant impact on a child’s learning and achievement.”
Despite the challenges, the budget passed with a majority vote. School Committee Chair Bolan acknowledged the difficult year, saying, “It’s a very, very tough year. Very tough. None of us have wanted to do any of this. But I did want to ask the superintendent, you have talked about the science of reading. Talk about that, please. And how many of our teachers are trained in that, and then the ML certifications that teachers have gotten.”
As the district moves forward with the approved budget, parents and teachers remain concerned about the potential impact on student learning and support. The Newport School Committee and administration face the challenge of balancing financial constraints while ensuring the best possible education for their students.
Summary
The Newport School Committee meeting covered several key agenda items:
Budget for Fiscal Year 2025:
- Director Gonzalez presented the proposed FY2025 budget, incorporating the latest state aid information from April 2023.
- Alternative funding sources were identified to balance the budget without additional cuts, including:
- Pausing hiring for some positions
- Utilizing grant funds for certain roles
- Allocating $150,000 from the education fund
- After discussion, the FY2025 budget was approved by a vote of 5-2.
Teacher Recognition:
- Katherine Carullo was honored as the 2025 Newport Public Schools Teacher of the Year for her dedication and inclusive teaching approach.
- The unified basketball team was recognized for winning the state championship for the second consecutive year. Players and coaches were invited to the front.
Policy Updates:
- The committee approved revisions to Policy 1510 regarding the organizational meeting schedule, with two members opposing.
- A resolution was passed requesting RIDE to review the reading level of math test instructions to ensure grade-level appropriateness.
Other Discussion Points:
- Concerns were raised about potential cuts to reading intervention and support services, with parents and teachers advocating for their importance.
- The process for notifying and transferring teachers due to staffing changes sparked debate around transparency and following proper procedures.
- Establishing protocols for renting school parking lots to community events was discussed, with plans to consult legal counsel.
- Exploring a cell phone restriction policy was proposed, with workshops planned to gather community input.
The meeting also included the superintendent’s update, subcommittee reports, approval of invoices/requisitions, correspondence, and other routine agenda items.
