Providence Finalizes Deal with State Over Funding for Public Schools

The deal comes after a judge ruled earlier this month that Providence must pay a higher contribution towards its schools, even though they’re still under state control

November 25, 2024

Under the terms of a deal announced Friday, the city must contribute an extra $15 million of funding for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years. The city is also committing to $11.5 million more in fiscal year 2026 and additional funding after that.

With the agreement in place, Providence Schools Superintendent Javier Montañez says unpopular program cuts are no longer on the table.

“When it comes to the spring sports and it comes to the RIPTA bus passes, yes, we’re making sure that that’s going to continue,” Montañez said.

This story was reported by The Public’s Radio. You can read the entire story here.

Olivia Ebertz Olivia Ebertz comes to The Public’s Radio from WNYC, where she was a producer for Morning Edition. Prior to that, she spent two years reporting for KYUK in Bethel, Alaska, where she wrote a lot about how the warming climate is forcing local Indigenous communities to change their traditional lifeways.

Prior to her career as a journalist, Olivia worked in film. Her documentaries have screened at festivals worldwide.

Olivia likes to pursue stories inspired by questions from community members.
Ella habla español, lei parla italiano, и она говорит по-русски.

Education

Rhode Island Wins Release of $29 Million in Federal Education Funds After Neronha-Led Lawsuit

Attorney General Peter Neronha and a coalition of states forced the Trump administration to restore nearly $7 billion in frozen U.S. Department of Education funding, including $29 million for Rhode Island schools

August 26, 2025

Ian Donnis

Transportation

RIPTA Considers Reducing Bus Frequency on Most Routes to Close Budget Gap

Gov. Dan McKee revised a previous plan to eliminate bus routes and instead proposed service reductions on 46 of the system’s 58 routes

August 26, 2025

Ben Berke

Climate & Environment

Rhode Island Lawmakers Tilt at Windmills, Hoping to Save Revolution Wind

State officials joined with union leaders to condemn the abrupt decision by the Trump Administration to stop work on a project that’s roughly 80% completed

August 26, 2025

David Wright

Health

Q&A With Rhode Island’s Amy Dolan Founder of Mothers Healing Fund

After battling lupus, pulmonary hypertension, Graves’ Disease, and leukemia while raising four children, Amy Dolan created Mothers Healing Fund to provide financial relief and holistic support for moms in Rhode Island and beyond

August 25, 2025

G. Wayne Miller