07.13.2020

The views expressed in this letter are my own and are not an official communication from the Town Council or Town of East Greenwich.

During the Town’s recent budget hearings I received dozens of messages from students, teachers, parents, and residents in support of  education in our community.  Everyone highlighted the importance of  the people and programs that had a positive impact on their lives and that they want to see continue and thrive.  The messages I received are evidence of the central role that schools play in our community’s identity and in making our town such a desirable place to work, live and raise a family.  East Greenwich is one of the few towns in Rhode Island that is growing, primarily because families want to come here for our strong school system.  

In my role as an elected official in EG, I share this commitment to public education.  Last year, the Council supported programs that had been previously eliminated, including the library media specialist, director of teaching and learning, and chorus.  In addition we approved supplemental funding for security improvements to enhance the protection of our students and teachers.

In constructing this year’s budget, one of the Council’s major priorities was preventing faculty layoffs of educators in the classroom.  The town’s final budget required the town to leave several vacant staff positions unfilled, postpone most of our planned capital improvements, and raise commercial rates on larger business to levels comparable to neighboring communities.  Although we could not meet the school department’s entire funding request, the Council allocated an additional $431,000 from the initial budget proposal to help support staff for  library media studies, music, language, PE, and behavioral health faculty .  

Many obstacles remain ahead for our schools and town.  State aid for education is up in the air.  The state’s budget, which determines crucial funds for East Greenwich educational and town services, will not be completed until August, and will likely contain significant cuts to our state aid. Schools face the difficult task of reopening in the fall, and the public health response to coronavirus remains demanding.  We are fortunate, however, that the adopted 2021 budget which begins July 1, puts our community in a good position to respond to these challenges and preserves  important services for East Greenwich.  

Mark Schwager

President, East Greenwich Town Council