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3/7/2025
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Reps. Knight, Boylan cosponsor bill to prevent aid cut to Barrington schools
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District’s school aid facing reduction in state share under education funding formula
STATE HOUSE – Barrington Representatives Jason Knight and Jennifer Boylan are cosponsoring legislation intended to help school districts facing a sudden drop in state education aid, as Barrington could be next year.
Rhode Island’s education aid formula takes many factors into account, including property values, household income and poverty in a community. Under the state education aid funding formula, Barrington’s total education aid would drop by nearly $500,000 in the 2026 fiscal year. Local officials have attributed the loss to rising median income among residents, as well as rising property values in town.
The legislation (2025-H 5749) Representatives Boylan and Knight are cosponsoring would increase the funding that is provided to soften the impact of state share reductions. Currently, if a district’s state share ratio is to decline by more than 2% from the previous year, the state will make up 50% of the loss attributed to that decline through a “poverty loss stabilization” fund to give the district more time to align its budget. The legislation would increase that funding to 75% of the difference.
The legislation would ultimately result in the state providing about the same total education aid to Barrington as last year.
“When a school district is set to lost state aid under the formula, it’s appropriate that the state gives the district enough time to adjust its budget. If passed, this bill will help Barrington make that transition,” said Representative Knight (D-Dist. 67, Barrington, Warren).
Said Representative Boylan (D-Dist. 66, Barrington, East Providence), “Our school district is experiencing the same rising costs as the rest of Rhode Island and the nation. Losing a substantial portion of education funding is going to have a negative impact on kids. That shouldn’t happen here or anywhere else in our state. If a community is going to lose aid under the funding formula, that reduction should be instituted gradually so the district isn’t forced to suddenly and drastically cut programs that students rely on.”
The bill’s primary sponsor is Rep. Justine Caldwell (D-Dist. 30, East Greenwich, West Greenwich). The East Greenwich school district also stands to lose education funding next year.
The legislation was introduced Feb. 26, and is now before the House Finance Committee.
For more information, contact:
Meredyth R. Whitty, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-1923
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