The funding of Providence’s schools has remained in recent news. The Providence Public School District recently came under fire for a sudden $10 million demand, citing an inability to function effectively. If not granted, cuts to sports, jobs, and programs may ensue. This has led to comments calling for an audit, specifically from those who approved yet another year of heavily underfunded schools. Just recently, the court ruled in the school district’s favor, stating schools have a right to additional funding from the city. The mayor responded, threatening to cut vital resources from libraries, housing programs, and more.
This conundrum was inevitable. Before the 2024/2025 budget passed, schools needed substantially more than they were being given. In response, $3 million was to be allocated; however, after educational officials rallied the public, the council and mayor passed the budget, yielding an additional small bump, still substantially well under the necessary minimum. Notably, this same budget calls for a sizable increase in funds for the police, which just recently spent a large sum on militarization.
From years of not valuing education, Providence’s school system remains in poor shape, with officials seemingly unaware that underfunding schools ultimately costs more than funding them. The short- and long-term consequences of yet another generation of students deprived of a proper educational system cannot be overstated. It’s not just about education itself either; it includes failing to address systemic issues such as crumbling buildings, lack of food, safe transportation, and the push for more charter schools. These problems have been either disregarded or deliberately worsened by recent decisions from officials.
What isn’t talked about enough was the proposal for government-instilled audits in response to the district’s demand for more funding. The cost of this would be significant. Moreover, what if the audit is not sufficient? Do we audit the audit? Why aren’t there calls to audit the city council or mayor about the recently passed budget, potential misuse of funds, and private interests around charters and transit?
Critically, why is it that when educators make a decision or recommendation, they’re looked at under a magnifying glass and questioned about their intent and expertise?
City officials are viewing these demands as a manipulative ploy for the district to obtain more money after supposedly mismanaging its own funds, but what did they expect to happen after they themselves caused this issue in the first place? No matter how you slice it, it doesn’t look good after they knowingly continue to undervalue education.
Why don’t we just fund our schools in the first place?