School committee approves budget, recognizes students

By Allie Lewis
Posted 6/21/17

The School Committee unanimously approved a final budget Monday night for the upcoming fiscal year.

In February, the committee requested an increase of $1.7 million in funding to Mayor Allan Fung, …

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School committee approves budget, recognizes students

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The School Committee unanimously approved a final budget Monday night for the upcoming fiscal year.

In February, the committee requested an increase of $1.7 million in funding to Mayor Allan Fung, which was a 1.8 percent increase to the budget, according to Superintendent Jeannine Nota-Masse. Fung was only able to set aside $700,000 of the request, however.

Due to public support for the increased budget, Nota-Masse said the city council agreed to set aside more than an additional $420,000 in a contingency account. This one-time infusion of money can only be used in the fourth quarter and cannot be used towards salaries or creating additional positions. Such actions would create a structural deficit within the budget.

“While the additional money from the city council is certainly helpful and appreciated, it cannot completely fill the holes left from the $800,000 cut,” Nota-Masse said.

Although it’s not ideal, Nota-Masse said the committee has worked hard to reconcile the budget over the past six months.

“The forecast is not as grim as it was in January,” Nota-Masse said.

In addition to approving the final budget, the committee also took time to recognize the accomplishments of students both on the field and in the classroom. Nearly 50 student athletes were recognized for making All-State, All-Division or All-Academic.

Notably, Molly Botts of Cranston East was recognized as the fifth ranked hammer thrower in the U.S. and the all-time record holder at Cranston East. Citywide Michael A. Traficante made special mention of the Cranston East boy’s volleyball Team, which was the undefeated Division II champions, and Mike Walsh of Cranston East, who was named Coach of the Year for Division I baseball.

Dozens of other students were recognized for their academic performance on the National Spanish Exam, the National Italian Exam and the Stock Market Game.

In other business, the committee approved dozens of school board administrators, principals, teachers and athletic coaches for the upcoming academic year. Among these appointments was Cranston native Tricia Totolo, who’ll take over as the new principal of Stone Hill Elementary School.

Nota-Masse sang Totolo’s praises and highlighted her many years of experience within the field of education.

“We’re very fortunate to have her,” Nota-Masse said. “We are confident that her demeanor, her knowledge of special education, her wealth of management experience, will be assets to this school community.”

Totolo said she’s excited to be working in a new district and is looking forward to a new challenge.

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