PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Rhode Island Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green is withholding funding from the capital city in an attempt to come to an agreement sooner on the school district's financial situation.

Infante-Green said the city has been underfunding the school district for years, leading to a $10.9 million deficit that could lead to mass layoffs, furloughs and even the end of sports programs as soon as January.

"We just want the city to come to the table and prioritize our students," Infante-Green said.

The funding being withheld, however, is typically put toward the city's schools. That's why the city is now suing the state.

Lawyers for the city and state met for a 30-minute closed-door conference Thursday afternoon to hash out the finances.

"Withholding money only hurts our students, our schools and our teachers," Providence City Council President Rachel Miller said.

The Providence City Council voted unanimously to back Mayor Brett Smiley's $1 million proposal for schools, so long as the district agrees to an audit and the state provides $3 million.

TARGET 12: Smiley slams Providence school leaders over 24-hour 'ultimatum' for $10 million

But Infante-Green argues that the state has paid their part.

"The state has been providing," she said. "The state has increased funding by $30 million."

School leaders are now calling for the city to dig into its rainy-day fund. But the vast majority of parents, teachers and students said they don't care who pays as long as something is done.

"I want the city, the school district ... [and] election officials to just provide the adequate funding that our students and our children deserve," a Providence student told the school board.

Attorneys for the state and city are expected to meet in court again next Wednesday.

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