Warwick Schools Budget Commission Approved by House

STATE HOUSE —The House of Representatives has passed legislation introduced by Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston) creating a budget commission for Warwick Public Schools.

The bill (2025-H 5252A) would allow the city of Warwick to create a five-member commission to oversee the operations of Warwick Public Schools and present a preliminary analysis of the school district’s financial situation.

The measure now moves to the Senate, where similar legislation (2025-S 0242) has been introduced by Sen. Mark McKenney (D-Dist. 30, Warwick).

Warwick Schools Budget Commission request followed $9M deficit

The enabling legislation was requested by a resolution of the Warwick City Council Jan. 22, after Warwick Mayor Frank Picozzi first proposed the commission upon learning that the school district faced a surprise midyear $9 million deficit.

“It’s the clear duty of the General Assembly to make sure the people of Rhode Island have access to the opportunities of a good education,” said Representative McNamara, who chairs the House Education Committee. “When a school district is undergoing financial distress, as is happening with the Warwick School District, then it’s imperative that the General Assembly do what it can to ensure that these financial difficulties do not in any way endanger the ability of the school district to educate the children of Warwick. This budget commission will have the authority to approve all expenditures of Warwick Public Schools.”

 Warwick School Committee Chairman Shaun Galligan has said the Committee is likely to resolve the entire deficit before the budget commission can be approved and established later this month. In fact, the Committee has so far reduced its projected budget deficit to $3.1 million, as of Feb. 11.