The school department in Woonsocket is struggling to fulfill its obligation to educate 6-thousand students and also balance its budget. Woonsocket's school committee has voted and it's requesting the Department of Education take control of the district.
It's a long-shot but, without supplemental tax money coming in to help with its 10 million dollar deficit, asking the state to take control of the schools and pay for them, is one of the few options members had left.
One school committee member voted against the idea Vimala Phongsavanh. She believes that it sends the wrong message, that Woonsocket can't solve its problems on its own.
"I understand the dire situation, I really do, but again, what kind of message is that sending to the community and the rest of the state?"
The request is not guaranteed to be granted. If the state does decide to step in and take control, it would have to agree to do so before July 1st.
