CRANSTON, RI – The Cranston Public Schools have submitted their fiscal year 2027 budget request, asking the city for more than one hundred ninety-five million dollars in what represents the largest annual increase local officials have seen in recent memory. The request, which amounts to a six million dollar or three-point-three-eight percent increase over current spending, has prompted pledges of support from city leaders even as they acknowledge the significant burden on taxpayers.
Schools Superintendent Jeannine Nota-Masse presented the budget to city officials last month, outlining the financial pressures facing the district and making the case for the maximum four percent annual increase in property tax revenue allowed under state law. The proposed budget would fund operations for the fiscal year beginning July first, covering everything from teacher salaries and classroom supplies to building maintenance and transportation.
City Council President Dan Wall, a former School Committee member who understands the financial challenges facing the district, called the presentation "great" and described the request as "the largest increase that I have seen since I have been in public service." Despite the size of the ask, Wall expressed confidence that the council would do everything possible to support education. "Listen, I know the superintendent, I know the work they do, and when she says she needs it, I know she needs it," Wall said.
Wall emphasized that the current City Council is "a very education friendly council" and pointed to last year’s decision to raise the tax levy to the city maximum of three percent specifically to allocate more money to the schools. That move demonstrated the council’s willingness to make difficult fiscal decisions when it comes to supporting education, and Wall suggested that similar support would be forthcoming this year.
Councilman Andy Andujar, who chairs the council’s finance committee and has made education one of his primary areas of interest, praised Superintendent Nota-Masse’s budget presentation and said he would support the schools as much as possible. However, he was quick to add that the council must balance its support for education with its responsibility to taxpayers. "And if we can help the School Department, we will," Andujar said, "but we have to put the taxpayers first."
The tension between supporting quality education and maintaining affordable tax rates is a perennial challenge for Cranston officials. The city’s school system is by far its largest department, consuming approximately fifty-five percent of the total municipal budget. But the true cost of education extends beyond that figure. Within the remaining forty-five percent of the budget, the city also funds school crossing guards, school resource officers, and debt service for capital investments in school buildings and facilities.
Anthony Moretti, the mayor’s chief of staff, acknowledged the magnitude of the request, calling it "a hefty ask of four million dollars from our taxpayers." He noted that the schools are under significant pressure to fund unfunded state mandates—requirements imposed by the state government without corresponding financial support. "We believe the state should be responsible" for these mandates, Moretti said, echoing a common frustration among municipal officials across Rhode Island.
Despite the challenges, Moretti made it clear that Mayor Ken Hopkins would work to provide the schools with the funding they need while keeping taxes affordable. "Nonetheless, the mayor will do all he can to provide funding to CPS that is affordable to our taxpayers," Moretti said.
The budget request comes at a time when Cranston Public Schools are navigating a complex landscape of educational challenges. Enrollment trends, staffing needs, special education requirements, and facility maintenance all place demands on the district’s resources. The recent groundbreaking for the Cranston Apprenticeship Exploration School is just one example of the city’s commitment to providing quality educational facilities, but such projects come with ongoing operational costs that must be factored into annual budgets.
The timeline for finalizing the budget is well established. Mayor Hopkins has until April first to present his proposed municipal budget, which will include his recommendation for school funding. The City Council will then review the budget, hold public hearings, and make any changes it deems necessary before final adoption in May. This process allows for public input and ensures that multiple perspectives are considered before the budget is finalized.
For Cranston residents, the school budget debate is more than just a matter of numbers on a spreadsheet. It is about the quality of education their children receive, the condition of school buildings, the availability of programs and services, and ultimately, the future of the community. Quality schools are essential for attracting and retaining families, maintaining property values, and ensuring that young people are prepared for college, careers, and citizenship.
As the budget process moves forward, all eyes will be on City Hall to see how officials balance the competing demands of educational excellence and fiscal responsibility. The stakes are high, and the decisions made in the coming months will have lasting implications for students, families, and taxpayers throughout Cranston.