$32.5m budget adopted with zero capital money from the town

What happened

The School Committee voted 4-0 to adopt an FY2027 operating budget of $32,463,726, then voted 4-0 to approve a capital budget of $0, which the minutes state reflects zero capital funds received from the town. Capital money is what pays for roofs, boilers, paving and other work that keeps buildings usable. In April the superintendent had told a joint budget meeting that North Smithfield has the lowest per-pupil cost in Rhode Island while achieving high results, and that the state aid calculation had affected the town's contribution.

Why it matters to families

A capital budget of nothing means building work has to come out of the operating budget or wait. Boilers, paving and heating upgrades approved this year were all paid for another way.

The evidence

The June 29, 2026 approved minutes record the roll call vote 4-0 to adopt the FY27 operating budget as presented in the amount of $32,463,726.00, and a separate roll call vote 4-0 to approve a $0 capital budget reflecting zero capital funds received from the town. The April 30, 2026 joint budget meeting minutes record the superintendent's statements on per-pupil cost and state aid.

The source