Dear Parents and Guardians,

During the FY20 budget process, it was clear that the Narragansett Regional School District was going to have a budget shortfall. The proposed expenses outweigh the anticipated revenues by $1,176,169. The School Committee certified a budget of $20,383,102 on March 6, 2019. Given that the override did not subsequently pass in both District member towns, this necessitated the need for the School Committee to recertify their budget and consider other options. At this point the School Committee reduced their original budget by $596,213, bringing the budget to where it currently stands at $19,786,889. Since then, the District and it’s member towns have had various meetings, to include two district wide meetings, to approve funding to meet the revised amount of $19,786,889. At both District Wide meetings an amended budget amount of $19,500,000 was passed by majority vote. On both occasions, the NRSD School Committee voted to recertify the FY20 (current and higher) amount of $19,786,889. On Tuesday October 1, 2019 the NRSD School Committee met and requested a list of cuts that would need to be made in order to reduce our budget by $286,889, thereby bringing the FY20 budget to $19,500,000: 1 Kindergarten Teacher (PMES) $ 46,019 Library Supplies (HS) $ 2,000 1 1st Grade Teacher (PMES) $ 47,054 Computer Software (District) $ 6,025 1 Kindergarten Para (PMES) $ 18,133 General Supplies ( District) $ 29,691 1 Nurse Position (PMES) $ 49,354 Facilities Bldg. Acct (HS/MS) $ 3,000 1 Principal (HS) $100,000 Academic Achievement (HS) $ 3,000 Total Cuts = $304,276

● The number of Kindergarten teachers will be reduced districtwide from 6 to 5; requiring that we combine the PMES Kindergarten students into the (5) TES Kindergarten classrooms. The paraprofessional position assigned to that “6th” Kindergarten classroom will be cut as well.
● The number of first grade teachers will be reduced districtwide from 5 to 4; requiring that we combine the PMES first grade students into the (4) TES first grade classrooms.
● A nursing position will be eliminated; two nurses will support both elementary schools (TES & PMES), requiring one of them to travel between both schools.
● The High School Principal position will be eliminated; requiring the sharing of the administrative responsibilities between the Middle and High Schools by District administration.

 On October 22, 2019 at 7pm, the voters of Templeton and Phillipston will engage in their final District Wide meeting. The results of this upcoming meeting will ultimately determine the budget number that the School Committee will take under advisement for certification. Simply put, if the $19,500,000 (the lower number) is voted at the District Wide meeting and certified by the NRSD School Committee, the above listed cuts will take place. In closing, I hope that the registered voters of this District take part of the process, regardless of their position on this matter. It is vitally important that people not only vote their heart, but that they are an active part of this very important process.
Sincerely,
Dr. Chris Casavant
Superintendent of Schools