![[CREDIT: WPS] The Warwick School Committee OK'd a $198M School Budget April 17. The budget must now be reviewed by the Warwick Schools Budget Commission.](https://e8dgfhu6pow.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Warwick-School-Committee-School-Budget-04-17-25.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
WARWICK, RI — The Warwick Faculty Committee authorized its proposed $198,162,060 FY26 finances Thursday, with college finances cuts of $3 million in salaries that weren’t specified, in a 3 to 2 vote.
Warwick Faculty Committee Chairman Shaun Galligan, David Testa, and Sean Wiggins all voted in favor, with Michelle Kirby-Chapman and Leah Hazelwood voting in opposition to.
The finances, posted to the School Department’s website, has additionally been connected on the finish of this text. It might be introduced to Mayor Frank Picozzi’s administration and The Warwick Colleges Funds Fee, the final three members of which will be confirmed April 21.
Galligan stated revisions to the finances are prone to be made.
“This finances proposal represents a balanced method to assembly the wants of our college students whereas remaining financially accountable in assembly our long-term monetary targets outlined in our draft five-year finances deficit discount plan, submitted to the Rhode Island Auditor Normal and Metropolis of Warwick on March 20,” Interim Superintendent William McCaffrey wrote on April 1. “We’re dedicated to transparency and accountability, making certain that each greenback spent meets the academic wants of our neighborhood.”
Faculty Funds Cuts: Wage Particulars Omitted
‘Lecturers union doesn’t know what’s being minimize. The WISE union doesn’t know what’s being minimize. The lecture rooms don’t know what’s being minimize. You must be clear whenever you’re doing this stuff.’ — Committee Member Leah Hazelwood
“In an effort to mitigate bills, there have been budgeted staffing reductions,” McCaffrey stated on the assembly. “The finances contains staffing reductions to WTU (Warwick Lecturers Union , WISE (Warwick Unbiased Faculty Workers), and administration. The full reductions have been mirrored within the finances.”
“I’m not okay with these cuts,” stated Committee member Michelle Kirby-Chapman. “I don’t know the place that is within the finances however I don’t need to vote for it.”
Kirby-Chapman made a movement to revive the minimize positions for WISE, which was seconded by Hazelwood. The movement died after Hazelwood withdrew her movement. Hazelwood defined the withdrawal, saying it will be an ethics violation as a result of she has a member of the family within the WISE union.
“I do have considerations about these cuts,” Hazelwood stated. “These positions haven’t even been seen by the general public. They don’t know what’s being minimize. Lecturers union doesn’t know what’s being minimize. The WISE union doesn’t know what’s being minimize. The lecture rooms don’t know what’s being minimize. You must be clear whenever you’re doing this stuff. If you disguise what you’re doing, you’ll have opposition each time.”
“These are tough cuts,” Galligan famous. “They’re powerful to make.”
Darlene Netcoh, President of the WTU, stated the general public ought to have the ability to know what’s being minimize from the finances, as in earlier years.
“This 12 months, all of the salaries are lumped collectively beneath one line merchandise. Previously, every thing was damaged down into particular FTE’s that have been being budgeted for,” Netcoh stated. “It’s exhausting to touch upon positions after we don’t really know which positions are being minimize.”
Testa made a movement to lower the Trainer/Administrator pension line, which was set at $15.6 million, by $3 million. The movement handed 5 – 0.
Galligan stated the college division had been taking a look at a $5.6 million finances enhance which “included these cuts.”
McCaffrey additionally projected a $6.8 million deficit for the present fiscal 12 months.
FY2026 Superintendent’s Recommended Budget for School Committee 4-17-25 revised 4-16-25
