Dear Newport: We are at a crossroads. Our public schools, already stretched thin and lacking critical intervention staff at the elementary level—the very stage when help matters most—are facing the loss of 17 more educators. These are not just numbers; they are veteran teachers, award-winning professionals, and irreplaceable members of our community.
City Council will reconvene on Wednesday, May 27, to continue budget discussions. The question is simple: Do we value our children, our educators, and our schools—or do we prioritize second-home owners, luxury investors, and hotels over the heart of our city?
If we truly value our community, we must act now. Newport needs a tax system that reflects our priorities: higher contributions from the ultra-wealthy and second-home owners, and fair support from all residents who care about the future of our city. Currently, Newport allocates one of the smallest percentages of its budget to education in the state. This is not acceptable.
There is no time for blame. The choice is simple: fund our schools, support our educators, and give our children—and our city—the resources they deserve. Fail now, and we risk losing the very soul of Newport.
Liz Barron
Newport RI
