Warwick Schools Budget: Picozzi Contributes $2M, Council Reviews FY26

WARWICK, RI — Hours after Warwick Teachers protested outside Warwick City Hall urging officials to increase the Warwick Schools budget, Mayor Frank Picozzi increased school funding to $2.1 million.

The new city appropriation to schools is now $143 million. Also, health care savings may provide another $1 million, nearly closing the gap between Picozzi’s original proposed budget and the $144,994,757 funding the school district requested, discussed at Thursday’s special meeting on the school budget. 

“We were at a financial cliff. We still have some challenges, but we’re getting there,” said City Councilman Bill Muto.

Muto noted the district is still short about $1,525,000 with Picozzi’s increase to the budget.

Picozzi said that increase, making the total amount for schools $2,194,746 from the city, had been managed without  affecting the estimated tax rates for his budget proposal.

“It does not alter our estimated tax rate,” Picozzi said Monday night.

McCaffrey said the additional funding for schools was appreciated, and thanked Picozzi.

“It does make a difference,” he said.

McCaffrey said the potential savings of about $1 million on healthcare is subject to contractual clauses, which may not apply to the entire year, so the ultimate amount saved remains to be seen.

Councilman Jeremy Rix and Councilman Bryan Nappa asked about the 20 Warwick Teachers Union and 25 WISE positions cut, and if they were likely to be restored with the new funding.

McCaffrey said the announced layoffs are based on student population and enrollment, which may be adjusted if numbers of students on the first day of school is more than expected.

“I’d be pretty confident in saying that most of the positions will not come back next year,” McCaffrey said.

Nappa asked if sports programs would be spared.

McCaffrey said he was looking for efficiencies in healthcare first. After that, he said, he intends to look at the basic education plan and see what there is left to fund.

Teachers Rally Supporting Warwick Schools Budget

Prior to the budget hearing, members of the Warwick Teacher’s Union protested outside Warwick City Hall, urging Councilors to increase funding to the Warwick School Department.

Thursday, a day after appearing before the Warwick City Council during their special meeting to discuss the district’s budget,  Acting Superintendent William McCaffrey sent a letter to parents and the community asking their support to increase local city funding (aid) to the school department.

“The Mayor’s Recommended Budget proposes an increase of just $409,000 to our schools’ operating budget. This represents a mere .29 percent increase over our current local appropriation of approximately $141 million. By comparison, other city departments are proposed to receive operating budget increases of up to 10 percent,” McCaffrey wrote.

He noted the district had already cut 20 teachers and 25 other staff positions, a total of 45, and also cut back on non-staffing spending for the FY26 budget. He wrote the community must do everything it can to prevent more reductions directly affecting students’ learning experience.

“I strongly encourage you to attend, make your voice heard, and show the City Council that Warwick families care deeply about the future of our schools,” McCaffrey wrote. Monday afternoon, dozens of teachers and parents did that, according to a WPRI report. An online petition to support adding funds to the school budget also drew 1,239 signatures.

The budget hearings proceeded through the last department on the agenda, the water department, before the Council voted to end the meeting. The budget hearing will continue, including continuing discussion, possible admendments and a vote on the final budget, on Thursday, May 22, at 4 p.m. in Council Chambers, Warwick City Hall, 3275 Post Road. Thursday’s agenda has been posted online with the RI Secretary of State.