The Budget Dilemma Facing Public Schools

Dr. Michael Sollitto 

As the start of another school year comes and goes, it rapidly becomes the time of year where Superintendents and School Business Managers must once again begin working on the next fiscal year’s budget.  While the fiscal year typically begins on July 1st, the budget development starts in October or November.  This shines a light on the many challenges that face public education today, including the following:

• A decline in enrollment has led to a decline in state funding to local school districts 
• An increase of students attending public charter schools or Career and Technical programs in other districts is a challenge.  Since the money follows the child, this comes at a cost to the district.
• Changes in state retirement have led to a large percentage of top step teachers with few retirements.  This comes at a cost to the district as top step teachers are higher paid than those new to the profession.
• Contractual obligations continue to rise as the cost of living increases.
• Transportation costs are rising at an alarming rate.
• The need for Special Education and Social-Emotional Services have increased, causing an increase in cost to districts.
• An increase in state and federal mandates, many of which are unfunded.
• The 4% tax cap limits the revenue a municipality can raise.

These are just a few of the obstacles that public schools face as they develop the annual budget. In short, municipalities are struggling to keep up with the escalation in costs to sustain public education. To balance the budget, cuts to needed services are often made.  It is often the worst part of a superintendent’s job.  So as educators, what keeps us going when we face these challenges?

The answer is simple; despite all of these obstacles, we encounter students every day that need us. They seem to have growing needs educationally, socially, and emotionally.  It can be an overwhelming and daunting task.  Yet here we all are facing these challenges head on with our colleagues by our side. We continue to push forward to do what is best for all kids while we balance the difficult realities of the public school landscape. So I wanted to take a minute to say thank you to all public school educators and to acknowledge that we are all in this together.  Let’s continue to work collaboratively and cooperatively to benefit our students.  In today’s social media world, we are often bombarded with negative posts and comments about teachers and students.  Well here in Rhode Island, in my 30 plus years of experience, I can honestly say that we defy that stereotype. We have amazing, dedicated teachers and administrators and I am thankful for the consistent hard work and dedication that these individuals bring to our students and families. 

Finally, there is hope that the funding challenges will be addressed as a Blue Ribbon Commission from the Rhode Island Foundation published a number of recommendations to reshape the state funding formula.  Give it a look on the links below, talk to your family and colleagues about the difference these changes could make, and continue to support the amazing work that is happening in public school classrooms each and every day.

Blue Ribbon Commission – Recommendations

Blue Ribbon Commission – Full Report

Dr. Sollitto serves as Superintendent of Burrillville Public Schools and Vice President of the Rhode Island School Superintendents Association. He is also an adjunct faculty member in URI’s Educational Leadership & Policy (EDL) program, where he teaches Fiscal Management for Educational Leaders.