GLOCESTER – A regional school budget that would have seen no increase in the local appropriation nonetheless failed to gain traction with voters Tuesday night, who rejected the fiscal plan in a vote of 133-103.
Officials in the district, which oversees Ponaganset High School and Middle School, will now need to return before Foster and Glocester voters with a new proposal.
One opponent, who launched a campaign with others encouraging residents to reject the plan in advance of this week’s financial meeting, said on Wednesday she did not feel the district’s priorities were in the proper order.
“Although it was technically the same tax levy as last year, the voters were unhappy with the spending side of the proposal,” said resident Laurie Gaddis Barrett in a message to NRI NOW following the vote.
The proposal envisioned total spending of $33,091,080, with $18,058,039 to be raised through taxation. Although the total amount of local funding would have remained the same under a proposal released by Supt. Renee Palazzo earlier this month, the town of Glocester would be on the hook for some $350,000 more in the 2026/2027 school year due to changes in enrollment, while Foster’s burden would decrease.
The now rejected budget marked a $822,853 spending increase from last year, to be covered through added revenue from state aid and tuition.
Palazzo expressed disappointment that the plan failed to gain approval.
“We worked hard to provide clear, detailed information about our schools, programs and budget, so I am certainly disappointed that a budget offering a 0 percent increase in local appropriations did not pass,” she said in a statement.
On Wednesday, Gaddis Barrett said that budget priorities should include funding for an independent investigation into the matter surrounding former gym teacher Alisha Crins, who is facing sexual assault charges over an alleged relationship with a former student. Members of the Glocester Town Council passed a resolution last week also urging the district to take such action.
The resident also pointed to the district’s plan to utilize a $400,000 fund balance for operational expenses, stating it would create a structural deficit. She noted that the initial budget proposed $1,086,000 in spending for professional/tech services, although historically the district has only spent $637,000.
Gaddis Barrett was among those circulating a flyer prior to the financial meeting held at the high school on Tuesday, March 24.
“They say ‘flat taxes,'” the flyer noted. “We say stop the spending waste and secret deals.”
Palazzo did not immediately address how the district might adjust the proposal going forward. But with the initial financial meeting now technically on recess, a new budget will need to once again go before voters on a date to be determined.
“I remain hopeful that we will ultimately approve a budget that balances fiscal responsibility with the needs of our students and schools,” Palazzo said.
Funding for the regional district – which does not include Glocester’s elementary schools – accounts for a large portion of the town-wide budget to be determined in the coming months in a separate process. The Budget Committee submitted their recommendation for that broader fiscal plan to the Town Council on Thursday, March 19, and a public hearing has been scheduled for Monday, April 20.
Budgeters included the regional district’s requested $11,681,401 in their recommendation.
That budget will also be subject to vote at an all-day referendum to be held on Tuesday, May 19.
