Local leaders react as PPSD funding clash continues

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Local and state leaders continue to clash over the funding woes of the Providence Public School Department (PPSD).

On Wednesday, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee agreed with a superior court judge's decision last week that ordered the city to put more money toward its schools .

"I've let the mayor know that the local community needs to put up their fair share of dollars," McKee said.

BACKGROUND: Smiley says tax increases, layoffs on the table amid school funding fight

Providence schools have been under the state's control since 2019 after an outside review found that the district was struggling to support students academically, socially and emotionally.

In the years since, questions have been raised about how much the city is required to fund the state-run district.

While the court ruled that the city should be paying more, it is still unclear how much more.

Mayor Brett Smiley said it could be anywhere between $10.9 million to $85 million, which would necessitate tax increases , cuts to public services, or both.

"If it hits the high end of the range, that is truly worst case scenario," Smiley said.

He added that if the city is forced to pay, it should regain control of its schools from the state.

"If the Department of Education is going to force us to raise taxes and cut critical funding and send yet another blank check to the Providence Public Schools, then it is time for us to get our schools back," Smiley said. "Enough is enough."

McKee believes that the state has already contributed more than its fair share.

MORE: Providence City Council leaders propose $2.5M offer to public schools

"When we actually [give control of] the schools back ... if the city doesn't keep up with what it should be putting in, [the school district] is going to be underfunded, and it's going to create serious problems," McKee said.

The state is also facing its own financial problems. A recent report estimates that state leaders will need to close a deficit of potentially $400 million to balance next year's budget.

The court will reveal how much the city will have to pay the PPSD at a court hearing next week.

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