Newport Public Schools faces a projected $1.6 million budget shortfall for the upcoming academic year, Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain revealed during Wednesday’s monthly “Ask the Superintendent” community forum, just one week before classes begin.
The gap stems primarily from special education and out-of-district costs, Burns Jermain explained during the session hosted by What’sUpNewp.
“We’re not in a deficit right now. We’re not behind on anything. We can pay our bills,” Burns Jermain said. “But mapping out what our year looks like, especially in the area of special education and out-of-district costs, we are forecasting approximately 1.5, $1.6 million right now.”
Special education costs present ongoing challenges for the district, as students can transfer in with individualized education programs requiring expensive services or placements outside regular school settings. Transportation costs for these specialized services add to the financial burden.
“You never know what can happen in that area, special education, because children and families move into a district,” Burns Jermain said. “A child can come from another district with an IEP that has certain requirements that may require they get their educational services outside the regular school day or in another location.”
The superintendent emphasized that the district remains hopeful about closing the gap during the school year through various cost-saving measures and potential adjustments.
Enrollment shifts create additional pressures
Enrollment changes are adding complexity to budget planning. Kindergarten registration at Pell Elementary has exceeded projections, forcing the district to open a sixth kindergarten class with a seventh potentially needed.
“We started off in our planning and budgeting for five kindergartens, which is low for Pell,” Burns Jermain said. “We’ve already had to open an additional grade kindergarten, so we have six. And now I’m hearing this morning I only have probably four seats left in a seventh kindergarten.”
The enrollment increase represents good news for the district but creates additional budget pressures due to staffing requirements and class size limits.
Despite budget constraints, the district eliminated the school counselor position at Pell Elementary, a decision Burns Jermain described as “very painful.”
“The counseling position at the elementary school is not required,” she explained, noting that budget pressures forced difficult choices across the district. “Whenever we cut positions, it’s very, very difficult.”
All positions filled despite layoffs
Despite the budget challenges, all staff positions are filled for the upcoming year, though the district still has four or five teachers on layoff from recent cuts.
“All staff positions are filled. Filled, yes,” Burns Jermain said. “As of this time we still have teachers on layoff, though we don’t have. We have not been able to bring back all our teachers. So I believe we have about four or five still out.”
State funding formula criticized
Burns Jermain criticized the state’s education funding formula, calling it “broken” and noting that factors like English language learner populations weren’t adequately considered when the formula was created 10 years ago.
“The way we fund public education, it’s broken,” she said. “Something has to be done about it.”
New Rogers High showcases modern facilities
The budget discussion came as the district prepares to celebrate students and staff occupying the new Rogers High School for the first time when classes begin Sept. 3.
Burns Jermain conducted the interview from inside the new building, showcasing the modern facilities that include over $2 million worth of grant-funded glass designed to maximize natural light. The school features adjustable science lab tables for ADA compliance, multiple STEM labs, and specialized programs including culinary arts, cosmetology, and automotive training.
“This building, I believe, is a testament to our young people in our community and our families, to how much we care and value them,” Burns Jermain said.
The new Rogers incorporates community-focused design elements, with spaces available for public meetings and events. The building houses the Seaside restaurant, which serves the public, along with cosmetology and automotive programs that offer services to community members.
Rogers High School will implement the state-mandated cell phone ban from the first day of school, with devices required to be turned off during school hours.
“Rogers High School will be starting that and implementing that on the first day of school,” Burns Jermain said. “Cell phones are to be turned off and not turned back on until the school day is over.”
Safety protocols emphasized
Following recent school violence elsewhere, Burns Jermain emphasized the district’s comprehensive security measures during the conversation.
“Student safety is first and foremost our number one priority,” she said, noting that all schools require visitors to be buzzed in through secure holding areas with identification requirements.
“You have to be buzzed into all our schools. There’s a holding area in all our schools. You have to show identification if needed,” Burns Jermain said. “We have cameras in all our schools.”
The district has implemented new security measures, including enhanced entry systems at Thompson Middle School and continued safety protocols across all buildings.
The district conducts regular safety drills with staff at the beginning of each school year to review protocols and procedures.
Regionalization efforts stalled
Regionalization efforts with Middletown have stalled after that district’s school committee voted against the proposal last week, despite support from both Newport’s city council and school committee.
“Unfortunately they did not. The school committee, their school committee did not support regionalization,” Burns Jermain said, though she noted continued collaboration through shared professional development and purchasing agreements.
Individual student focus
Burns Jermain also addressed the district’s approach to ensuring equal opportunities for all students, emphasizing the importance of understanding where each child starts academically.
“We look at each and every child and where they are, and we call it entry points,” she said. “Not all children have the same experiences. So one has to understand where children are coming from in order to teach so they can learn, improve, and grow.”
Recognition and rankings
The district received recognition from U.S. News & World Report, ranking Rogers High School 24th among Rhode Island high schools and in the top third nationally among 18,000 schools evaluated.
Classes for grades 1-12 begin Wednesday, Sept. 3, marking the start of what Burns Jermain hopes will be an exciting year despite budget challenges.
The “Ask the Superintendent” series airs monthly on What’sUpNewp’s website and social media channels. Community members can submit questions in advance at whatsupnewp.com/ask-the-superintendent/.
