Parents, teachers rally against $4M proposed cut to Warwick school funding

WARWICK, R.I. (WLNE) — There was a strong display of support for Warwick Public Schools on Monday, as parents and teachers rallied outside city hall in opposition of a nearly $4 million education cut in Mayor Frank Picozzi’s proposed budget.

Darlene Netcoh is the president of the Warwick Teachers Union, and organized the rally ahead of the city’s budget hearing.

“We cannot provide the services that the students of Warwick need if we have so few positions left after the cuts have happened,” she said. “Right now the mayor is increasing the overall budget of the city by between $14-19 million, and of that only $409,000 is going to the schools.”

Picozzi said Monday night that, since his original proposal, the city found more money in the budget to help the schools, but added that there also needs to be a balance.

“There has to be give and take on both ends, we have a budget too,” Picozzi said. “They’re 60% of the city budget, for us to cut our budget would mean reducing services, trash pickup, filling potholes, things of that nature.”

Mary Townsend has been with the district for 44 years, and said the schools should be a priority.

“We love our kids, we love our students,” she said. “I think they need to reflect on how they care about our students, who are children of parents that are taxpayers here in the City of Warwick.”

Advocates voiced their opinions for over an hour at Monday night’s budget hearing, which is scheduled to continue Thursday evening before city officials settle on a final budget.