Rhode Island

RI Foundation plan would overhaul school funding, shift costs to state

Published

2 months ago

January 5, 2026

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RI Foundation plan would overhaul school funding, shift costs to state

A new report proposes a major overhaul of Rhode Island’s education funding to simplify the system.
The plan would shift many education costs, like teacher pensions and transportation, from cities and towns to the state.
This proposal includes a net increase of about $300 million in overall education spending.

A proposed overhaul of Rhode Island education funding unveiled by a panel of experts and the Rhode Island Foundation on Monday, Jan. 5 would simplify the way public education is paid for and shift spending from municipalities to the state.

A 33-page report from the Blue Ribbon Commission describes the state’s current funding formula as “complex,” “opaque,” and “unpredictable,” the product of years of emergency tweaks and political compromises.

“We are constantly confronted with the limitations of the current funding formula. We hear about it all the time, both as a funder and as a partner in the public education sector,” David Cicilline, Rhode Island Foundation president and former congressman, told reporters at a briefing on the plan, whose release was delayed as a result of a shooting at Brown University.

The commission recommends that the state share the cost of some things now borne entirely by local governments, such as transportation, building maintenance and vocational schooling. And it wants the state to take on some costs entirely − including retired teacher pensions, high-cost special education and out-of-district transportation − that are now shared with municipalities.

The current system places “an outsized fiscal burden on districts,” the report’s executive summary says.

But the price tag for taking that burden from cities and towns is large, and in a time of economic uncertainty might give Rhode Island State House leaders sticker shock.

At the same time that the commission shifts costs to the state, it is also proposing a roughly $300 million net increase in education spending to better reflect what its experts believe is necessary to guarantee.

The commission’s preferred scenario, in which the state covers 58% of school costs, would increase the state education budget by $590 million. Under this plan cities and towns would save $278 million.

Cicilline notes that state leaders could choose to phase the new spending in over two or three years to soften the budget impact.

Recent years have seen significant annual increases in education spending under the existing funding formula. The current state budget saw a $59 million increase in education spending from the previous year.

Cicilline also noted that the state’s unfunded pension obligation is projected to fall dramatically in 2036, at which point the cost of covering those payments for cities would fall.

The state currently pays 40% of teacher pension costs. Picking up the full cost of retiree pensions would push the state cost from a little over $100 million to more than $270 million, according to projections from the commission.

Who participated in the Blue Ribbon Commission?

The commission, hosted by the Rhode Island Foundation and Brown University’s Annenberg Institute, included representatives of nonprofits, municipal government, teachers unions, research academics and public schools, both traditional and charter.

The panel did not include any elected officials or state policymakers, such as members of the Rhode Island Department of Education or members of the General Assembly. However, Gov. Dan McKee, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and Senate President Valarie Lawson were briefed on the recommendations.

How did state officials react to the recommendations?

All reserved judgment on the plan, although many of the ideas in it align with priorities that Lawson, president of the National Education Association Rhode Island, expressed in an interview at the start of the month.

Shekarchi thanked the foundation and said the House will be “carefully reviewing” the recommendations. “A strong educational system is essential in making sure our students are well prepared for the rapidly-changing 21st century economy and is a critical component of our state’s future prosperity,” he said in an email.

The report “reflects a strong commitment to strengthening public education and expanding opportunity for every Rhode Island student – goals my administration has been working towards diligently,” McKee said in an email.

Senate spokesman Greg Pare said the Rhode Island Foundation is slated to give the chamber a presentation on the report Jan. 15.

“The Blue Ribbon Commission’s work raises important issues that we will be exploring, including state support relative to areas such as high-cost special needs and transportation,” Pare wrote.

Municipal winners and losers under new funding plan

Although most cities and towns come out big winners with the Blue Ribbon plan, some do better than others, and a few communities are projected to see a net loss.

In place of the current “quadratic mean” formula, which includes bonuses for communities with expensive real estate but a large number of low-income students, the commission proposes basing municipalities’ aid level entirely on real estate value. (The higher the assessed value of property in a city, the less aid it would receive.)

Newport would lose $7.8 million in state aid, the Chariho school district would lose $7.7 million, Westerly $1.3 million and Middletown $400,000, according to commission projections.

But all other communities would gain.

Providence would see see state aid increase by $186 million and its own projected costs fall from $118 million to $90 million.

East Providence would see state aid rise by $33 million and its own projected costs fall from $65 million to $44 million.

And Warwick would see state aid rise by $35 million while its own projected costs fall from $127 million to $92 million.

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Rhode Island

RI House speaker unveils housing bills for 2026. What to know

Published

10 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

RI House speaker unveils housing bills for 2026. What to know

Rhode Island House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi has introduced a new package of housing legislation.
Highlights include allowing property owners to divide single-family lots and legalizing single-staircase, four-story apartment buildings.
The package also seeks to expand the Homeless Bill of Rights and streamline the creation of emergency shelters.

House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi is once again taking aim at the regulations he says are stifling new homebuilding.

The Warwick Democrat unveiled his sixth annual suite of housing legislation on Thursday, Feb. 26, a few weeks after announcing he would not be running for governor this year.

“We are still trying to play catch-up for all the years that Rhode Island was dead last in the country for new housing starts,” Shekarchi said. “While Rhode Island remains a relatively affordable option for people moving here from other states, our own residents are too often priced out of the neighborhoods they grew up in.”

The legislative text of the nine-bill housing package, and with it the specifics of how it would work, were not available for Thursday’s news conference.

But highlights of the package, according to summaries, include:

Infill housing. Allow property owners to divide lots in single-family zoning districts, creating multiple dwellings instead of one, provided they have water and sewer service.
Parking maximums. Put new limits on how much off-street parking communities require for new apartment buildings.
Homeless Bill of Rights. Expand the state’s Homeless Bill of Rights to require 15-day notice to the occupants of encampments before local authorities clear them.
Emergency shelters. Let communities build temporary shelters, such as the ECHO Village Pallet shelter in Providence, during a state of emergency.
Stairs. Legalize the construction of four-story apartment buildings with a single staircase.
Affordable housing taxes. Overhaul the tax system for income-restricted housing covered by the state’s “8 Law.”

Is land-use reform working?

Since Shekarchi was elected speaker in 2021, the General Assembly has passed dozens of bills he backed that tweaked state land-use statutes or streamlined the process for building.

How successful this approach has been is subject to debate.

Many local elected officials wary of development in their communities continue to rail against efforts to erode their power over construction.

Others in the growing Yes In My Back Yard movement see Rhode Island’s piecemeal approach as inadequate in comparison with the scale of the affordability problem and what other states are doing.

As evidence that his changes are making a difference, Shekarchi said Rhode Island saw a 70% increase in building permits in 2023 and a more modest increase in 2024. (Statistics for last year were not immediately available.)

Gov. Dan McKee’s 2030 plan calls for 15,000 new housing units built by that year.

Democratic primary challenger Helena Foulkes is slated to roll out her housing plan on Monday.

It is expected to include a millionaires tax to fund affordable housing, a revolving fund and target of 20,000 new homes.

What would the new laws do?

Letting property owners put multiple homes on a plot of land is one of the most direct ways that lawmakers can encourage the construction of more homes, but it is also one of the most controversial.

That’s especially true in areas zoned for large lots and single-family homes.

How far the new bill allowing lots to be subdivided in single-family zones goes is unclear. It is sponsored by Rep. Stephen Casey, D-Woonsocket.

Legislation setting maximum parking requirements for new developments, introduced by Rep. Joshua Giraldo, D-Central Falls, would apply to areas accessible by public transit.

Critics of off-street parking requirements say they make it harder to build new apartments and make the units that are built more expensive.

Shekarchi proposed the emergency shelter bill last year. It passed the House and died in the Senate.

It was the result of how long it took state officials to navigate Rhode Island’s building code and open the ECHO Village Pallet shelter in Providence.

The staircase bill, sponsored by Rep. June Speakman, a Warren Democrat and chair of the House’s home affordability study commission, follows a wave of cities and states relaxing rules on how many exits are required in new construction.

Currently, the state building code requires two stairways in buildings with more than three stories, and fire officials have opposed all efforts to change that.

Speakman’s bill would allow four-story buildings with a maximum of 16 units with a single staircase.

Supporters of single-stair buildings say they allow development of small sites that would otherwise sit vacant and allow family-sized units with more light and better ventilation.

A previous Rhode Island single-stair bill would have allowed six stories, but it died in committee.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey signed an executive order in mid-February to study the idea.

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Rhode Island

One of Africa’s soccer giants will be based in Rhode Island for the World Cup – The Boston Globe

Published

22 hours ago

February 26, 2026

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One of Africa’s soccer giants will be based in Rhode Island for the World Cup – The Boston Globe

Providence has positioned itself as an alternative to Boston, one of the official host cities for the 2026 competition. Located just 30 miles away from Gillette Stadium — or “Boston Stadium” as it will be known during the World Cup — Rhode Island’s leaders have been touting the tiny state as more-affordable for fans and closer to the action. Seven matches, including a quarterfinal, are scheduled to be played in Foxborough.

“Today we announce that Ghana will be staying in Providence and we’d also like to extend an invitation to the fans and families to come to our city,” said Providence Mayor Brett Smiley in a statement on Thursday. “We are committed to being a festive destination for soccer fans from around the world.”

Bryant University athletes work out inside the Bulldog Strength and Conditioning Center, seen on February 5, 2026. Bryant University in Smithfield, RI will serve as home training base for Ghana’s men’s soccer team as they prepare for matches in the World Cup. Lane Turner/Globe StaffLane Turner/Globe Staff

The news has created excitement among the local Ghanaian community in the state.

Kwame Larbi, the president of the Ghana Association of Rhode Island, said Ghana’s decision will be a chance for people to celebrate the West African country’s culture through its soccer team and an opportunity to see what successful Africans look like on a grand stage.

“The Black Stars represent everything Ghanaian. They are Ghana’s pride and joy, our strength, perseverance, and freedom,” he said. “Hosting the Black Stars at Bryant would mean so much for our community. More specifically, our youth. Representation is everything.”

Larbi said the local community plans to show out for the team with traditional Ghanaian dances at Foxborough when they face England on June 23.

“We will all be in our Ghana T-shirts, Ghana flags and our drums,” he said. “I just came from Ghana. My shirts are ready.”

This is the fifth time that Ghana has qualified for the World Cup. Their best showing was in 2010, when they reached the quarterfinal after defeating Team USA only to be eliminated when Uruguay prevented them from scoring in extra time with an intentional handball on the goal line. The team boasts some world-class talent who compete in top leagues around the world, such as star players Mohammed Kudus, who plays for the English Premier League team Tottenham Hotspur, and Antoine Semenyo of Manchester City.

Larbi is bullish about Ghana’s chances at this year’s tournament.

“We are going to beat England. It’s a big name, but we have hope. We are going to surprise everyone, and with the spirit of brotherhood and all, we are going to be successful,” he said.

A “Ted Lasso” sign in the locker room, inside the Navigant Credit Union Field House, seen on February 5, 2026. Ghana's men's soccer team has chosen Bryant University in Smithfield as a site for their training during the World Cup. Lane Turner/Globe Staff — A “Ted Lasso” sign in the locker room, inside the Navigant Credit Union Field House, seen on February 5, 2026. Ghana’s men’s soccer team has chosen Bryant University in Smithfield as a site for their training during the World Cup. Lane Turner/Globe StaffLane Turner/Globe Staff

Rhode Island Congressman Gabe Amo said his father, who hails from Ghana, is excited about the team being based in the state.

“The first thing he texted back to me upon the announcement was ‘Nice. Exclamation point. Buy me a ticket,‘” he said. “There’s a lot of immigrants and immigrant kids who are going to feel some special feelings across the weeks that Ghana has us as their home base.”

Amo said he hopes Ghanaian fans from places such as Worcester, Mass., and New York City will join their compatriots in Rhode Island and create a vibrant atmosphere in the state.

“This is a big deal for our state. We get to showcase all the things that make us special — our food, our amazing Rhode Island summer and our people — to Ghana,” he said. “So it’s going to be great soccer … and it’s going to be a great setting for the World Cup.”

State officials say that the team’s training sessions will be closed to the public, but the country’s football association was planning some events with young players in the state.

“We’re working hard to ensure that the FIFA World Cup leaves behind a legacy of passion for the sport and a commitment to growing the game of soccer in Rhode Island. Partnering with the Black Stars will fuel these young players’ passion,” said Jonathan Walker, executive director of the Rhode Island Sports Commission.

For Larbi, he said Rhode Island’s Ghanaian community is ready to prepare some jollof rice for the team. He has lived in Rhode Island for more than 40 years and he never thought that he would see his country’s national team be based in the state for such a huge tournament.

“It has never occurred to us that one day the Ghana Black Stars will be based in Rhode Island…competing for the World Cup,” he said. “It’s not only Ghanaians, but it’s for the whole of Africa.”

Omar Mohammed can be reached at omar.mohammed@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter (X) @shurufu.

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Rhode Island

Cat saved after days stuck in a tree following the blizzard that blanketed Rhode Island

Published

1 day ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Cat saved after days stuck in a tree following the blizzard that blanketed Rhode Island

Local News

Matt Lyons said he climbed 40 to 50 feet to save Pixie, who was stuck up in a tree during Rhode Island’s record snowstorm.

Matt Lyons kept Pixie in his sweatshirt on the climb down. Courtesy of Heather MacKinnon

Pixie, a white and gray cat, weathered Rhode Island’s historic blizzard — stuck 50 feet up in the tree for nearly two full days. But, with three feet of snow on the ground, a local man climbed up and brought her back down to safety.

“She wanted to be safe. She was just petrified, overall freezing. Couldn’t stop shaking,” Matthew Lyons told Boston.com about the rescue. “For about half the climb down, I put her in my sweatshirt and let her head peek out so she could breathe.”

Heather MacKinnon, of East Providence, first noticed her neighbor’s cat Pixie high up in a tree in the shared backyard on Monday evening, as the hurricane-like winds blew and the snow piled quickly. The cat’s owner had been trying to get Pixie to come down from the tree since Sunday evening.

“This went on for hours. We tried everything that we could,” MacKinnon said, adding that they tried to help the cat with a two-by-four, stacking plastic chairs, and rolling over old tires left in the backyard.

Ultimately, the neighbors went to sleep Monday evening without getting the cat down, MacKinnon said. Police, fire, and animal control all said they couldn’t help, she said, advising the neighbors to instead reach out to tree services.

“I’m admitting defeat around like 10 o’clock that night, and everyone went back inside, and I’m just like, oh my god, what am I gonna do?” MacKinnon recalled. She called her aunt, who suggested sharing the situation on the Nextdoor app, a hyperlocal social media app that connects neighbors.

Lyons, a member of Ironworkers Local 37, and his sister saw the post on Tuesday.

“We were actually out shoveling and just decided to go see what we could do about it,” Lyons said. His sister saw the post on Nextdoor, and “if she can go out and help a person or an animal, she will,” Lyons said.

With loaders working to clear unplowed roads, it was difficult to get to the cat, Lyons said, but eventually they got to the tree, buried in snow. Using a nearby chicken wire fence, Lyons said he got to the low limbs nearly 10 feet off the ground.

“I’m confident with free climbing and all that stuff, and climbing that tree was really nothing,” Lyons said about what he estimated was 40 to 50 feet.

Once he got to the top, he put Pixie in his sweatshirt to begin his descent. When he was closer to the bottom, the neighbors congregating threw him a backpack to put Pixie in for him to safely climb down.

“It was crazy to watch,” MacKinnon said. “It was really incredible.”

Lyons said the neighbors almost seemed in shock, including the owner. Pixie is now back with her owner and doing well, MacKinnon said.

“They were very happy and relieved that the cat was down,” Lyons said. “They almost couldn’t believe it.”