PPSD and city come to an agreement; details not public yet

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The City of Providence and the Providence Public School District returned to court Wednesday.

The judge announced in the courtroom both parties had come to an agreement on funding for schools in the city, but no details have been released.

Mayor Brett Smiley said the city has already implemented a hiring freeze and that should save programs at libraries and rec centers.

The mayor added that a tax increase in “inevitable,” but a mid-year tax increase may be avoided.

He also described how the disagreement has impacted students, teachers, city staff, and more, using the word “anxiety” multiple times.

“This sort of fighting we have been having over budget and finance has not been good for Providence families and it has not been good for all of our employees,” Smiley said. “I am happy to say that moment has now passed and we have come to a resolution.”

The judge said both parties must announce their agreement, including a dollar amount, by the end of business on Nov. 22.