Attachments

20250212-150149-e7f-BusinessCFY26TotalBudget2ndDraft_1.pdf

Superintendent Ana Riley presented the latest incarnation of the district's proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget to the Bristol Warren Regional School Committee at its February 10 meeting, the working document showing a 2.96 percent increase in year-over-year in anticipated operational costs.

The third draft (see attachment), which Riley noted had not changed since the most recent gathering of the joint finance committee of town representatives, suggests an outlay of $61,934,044, which is $1,781,716 more than $60,152,327 adopted for the current FY 2025.

The administration's initial proposal, developed by the district's Director of Finance & Administration Danielle Carey, for next year came in at $64,236,640 and was used as the first working draft. That was trimmed to $63,829,869 for the second draft, then decreased again to the current figure at the conclusion of the JFC's last meeting held the week prior.

As is often the case, the bulk of the uptick pertains to existing collective bargaining agreements (employee salaries, $472,691, and benefits, $383,415) and other contractual obligations the district faces (out of district tuition, $372,630, and Pupil Personal/Special Needs transportation $316,728).

Riley referenced another discussion her staff with their counterparts from respective towns held earlier the day on February 10 during which the district again provided them "the updated numbers."

The superintendent said the raise being requested of the towns would put Warren, specifically, "very close to their four percent" maximum annual allowable property tax hike.

Residents of Warren will know this current fiscal year the town had to request and were granted a one-time waiver from the state to exceed the maximum rise, to the tune of 5.8%, because of an unexpected bill it incurred following the resolution of a lawsuit against the municipality.

Riley concluded the discussion by saying the continued communication with the respective towns is done so each is fully aware of the impact it will have on its coffers as they begin their individual budget seasons.

The superintendent, in part, said, "Our hope in sharing it with both town administrators is that they're also preparing their council members and chairs for this conversation. And so none of this is a surprise that's the work we tried to do ahead of time so that we have a smooth JFC when we get to it."

The JFC meets twice more, February 27 and March 27, as the Warren and Bristol town budget discussions begin in earnest.

MHHS program changes
In the stead of principal Michelle King, who was unable to attend the February 10 proceedings, Riley led the committee through a brief overview of program changes planned at Mt. Hope High for the 2025-26 term.

The changes include the addition of graduation requirements for students with Individualized Education Programs and those who qualify for the Alternate Assessment.

Also, to receive National Honor Society notice, a requirement regarding maintaining academic and social standing was added. The superintendent said this alteration was done to meet the national organization's guidelines.

Riley enthusiastically introduced a couple of new items to the curriculum, including a preliminary Health Careers Pathway to the Career and Technical Education course.

The superintendent explained the program must offered initially before it can apply for and receive full accreditation.

"We're excited to see how many students engage in that program," Riley added.

A offering named Spanish for Heritage Language Learners is slated to begin in the fall with an emphasis on reading and writing.

Riley said the course is aimed at those students who excel and are proficient in speaking Spanish, including as their native tongue.

One subtraction of note is the planned ending of the Algebra I Support Course provided to ninth graders upon their arrival to MHHS.

Instead, Riley said the plan is to work with the Kickemuit Middle School staff to provide students continued after-school assistance there as well as summer programming prior to starting high school.

"Rather than take up a whole block of their schedule when they could sign up for an elective or do something else that might engage them in school, we're going to identify those kids for some summer work to get ahead," the superintendent explained.

Perfect test scores
The committee and superintendent's office recognized the superior performances of a handful of district students on the 2023-24 versions of the Rhode Island Comprehensive Assessment System (RICAS) and Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT).

RICAS perfect scores for the previous term were cited by building as follows:

• Kickemuit Middle School — Sophie Giannini, sixth grade English Language Arts; Simone Mack, sixth grade ELA; Natalie Christina, seventh grade ELA; Emma Sorrentino, seventh grade ELA; Stella Kitchen, eighth grade math; Lillian Dyer, eighth grade ELA; Cali McMillan, eighth grade ELA; Rowan Mark, eighth grade ELA
• Colt Andrews Elementary — Daniel Dougherty, third grade math
• Guiteras Elementary — Zachary Moll, third grade ELA and math
• Hugh Cole Elementary — Evan Hunt, third grade math
• Rockwell Elementary — Anna Cavalieri, third grade math; Cara Cavalieri, fourth grade ELA

In addition, Mt. Hope High School student Nathanael Bagg, who earned a perfect ELA score on the 10th grade PSAT, was also recognized.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Riley said, "For all of the parents who were here, I think you can see how amazing it is that these kiddos got these perfect scores. Not every kiddo is getting a perfect score, so congratulations to all of you."

Two other students with perfect scores — Kaia Brown, for eighth grade RICAS in ELA and math, along with Jessica Deal, Mt. Hope High ELA 10th grade PSAT — were unable to attend the February 10 meeting. They are scheduled to be recognized at the committee's March 12 forum.