In 2018, the school department received a budget increase of 2.53 percent.

A year later, the increase was 2.96 percent, and in 2020, the Barrington School Department received a 3.59 percent increase. In fact, if the proposed budget was to pass as it stands today, it would continue a streak of inflating budget increases. 

Information provided by the Barrington School Department shows budget increases jumped from 2.53 percent in 2018 to this year’s recommended increase of 4.5 percent. (Taxpayers will have the final say in the proposed school department operating budget increase when they vote on it next month at the financial town meeting.)

A recent district-wide email from Barrington Superintendent of Schools Michael Messore referenced the vote by members of the Committee on Appropriations which called for a reduction in the proposed increase. Initially, school officials had requested a 5.41 percent increase to the operating budget, which equated to a $3,095,786 increase. COA members voted by a 3-2 margin to recommend a lesser increase — a 4.5 percent raise which equates to a $2,555,595 increase.

“It is important to understand that with the COA's recommended budget, the Barrington Public Schools cannot implement many of the districts priorities for FY23… and cannot fully maintain the programs and services currently provided,” Messore wrote in the email. “We realize that members of our school community have numerous questions about which cuts the administration will propose for the school committee’s consideration. We are exploring various options across the board, with a goal of minimizing the impact on teaching and learning to the extent possible. However, in order to meet all state and federal mandates, as well as our contractual obligations, we will have to make difficult decisions to account for the shortfall in expected local funding.”

When asked what the reason was the budget increases continue to grow, Messore wrote: “…one factor that leads to budget increases yearly are the increases tied to salary and benefits of all employees. Our enrollment remains stable and the costs of operating the district increases as well.”

More state aid

Barrington schools have also seen a steady increase in the amount of state aid over the last five years.

In 2018, Barrington schools received approximately $5.23 million in state aid. That figure grew to $5.37 million in 2019, and increased again to $5.71 million in 2020. A year later, in 2021, Barrington schools received $5.88 million. 

For 2022, the state contributed a much larger amount of aid to Barrington schools — $8.06 million. 

Earlier this spring, Barrington school officials announced they are expecting a significant increase in state aid again: a 23 percent increase. 

During a school committee meeting on Feb. 17, Doug Fiore, the district’s director of finance and administration, told school committee members that state aid to Barrington will increase to $9.78 million next year. Barrington School Committee member Dr. Megan Douglas asked Fiore if the state increased the total amount of aid to all schools in Rhode Island, or if Barrington was getting a bigger piece of the pie.

Fiore said the total amount of aid to schools statewide was actually shrinking — the reason, he said, was a drop in student enrollment statewide. Fiore said there are about 6,000 fewer students going to public schools in Rhode Island. But in Barrington, student enrollment is remaining level, he said. Fiore added that the level of expected state aid to Barrington next year is “unprecedented.”

Tracking budget surpluses

Barrington school officials offered a recap of operating budget surpluses over the last five years. The surpluses range from a low mark of $280,768 for 2021, to a high mark of $1,430,368 in 2021. 

Officials did not offer a figure for the current school year, as the budget year ends in June.