Woonsocket School Committee 04.22.2026

The Woonsocket School Committee held a meeting on April 22, 2026, focusing primarily on financial and procurement matters related to the upcoming fiscal year 2027 budget. The finance subcommittee provided updates indicating a projected $120,000 surplus for the current fiscal year, with discussions about a proposed 4% increase in the local funding share for the education department. The committee also addressed personnel hiring updates and the challenge of filling certain positions, which has led to expenditure overruns in purchased services. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to reviewing and approving outstanding invoices from the city council, including payments for School Resource Officers (SROs) and audit fees. The committee approved a payment plan for SRO invoices that accounts for days officers were absent, aiming to establish a fair daily rate for future budgeting. Regarding audit fees, the committee agreed to pay $30,000 for the 2022 audit and $50,000 for the 2023 audit, noting concerns about the allocation of costs between the city and school department. Additionally, the school building committee reported on capital projects, including the need for remediation and demolition funding for a clubhouse structure. The meeting concluded with the approval of a records retention policy. Overall, the meeting involved critical budgetary decisions, contract invoice approvals, and planning for capital expenditures affecting future procurement activities.