Coventry Schools: It's Hard To Budget For 'The New Normal'

COVENTRY, RI — Across Rhode Island, students, teachers and parents are hard at work, trying to finish the year off strong despite having to resort to distance learning.

School adminstrators, meanwhile, are scrambling to adjust budgets and create plans to make sure that all students and staff will be safe if and when school resumes in the fall.

In Coventry, Superintendent Craig Levis is doing his best to adjust to the new reality while keeping spirits high.

"We don't know [what's to come,] but we have to stay the course," Levis said. "We can't just throw in the towel and say we can't afford it."

The budget originally submitted to the school committee did not plan for an extended school shutdown owing to the coronavirus pandemic, Levis said, but the administration is working on a plan for the upcoming year.

"Nothing about this new world is in our budget," Levis said.

Even if there are savings in their year's budget from decreased electricity use and other sources, it won't be enough to address the issues created by the coronavirus pandemic, Levis said.

Smaller class sizes, more custodians for sanitizing facilities and other measures will be needed to keep students and staff safe, and all will require money to accomplish. If distance learning continues, the district will have to make more investments in digital technology, particularly Chromebooks, for more students. In addition, schools will have to offer robust summer programs to address gaps caused by distance learning.

Nonetheless, the department is moving forward with the original budget and will address those gaps as they arise.

"We're not looking to go backwards," Levis said.

With state and local revenues expected to fall and federal funding uncertain, it's impossible to know now how much will be available in the coming months. Levis said the district has worked to be as creative as possible financially, both now and in past years, cutting unnecessary expenses and making investments to save money over time.

For example, the district agreed to buy energy from a solar farm in Johnston, which is expected to save $8 million to $11 million over 25 years, as well as installing LED light bulbs in several schools. The administration also saved $500,000 from this year's teacher contract, Levis said.

Levis said he is concerned that the town council will turn down the current budget, saying that now is the time for the town and school department to collaborate and be as transparent as possible with the public.

"I'm concerned about what the council is going to do," he said. "It's a time to work together."

A revised budget calendar has been drafted to accommodate delays due to the coronavirus.

• May 6: Public hearing on capital, municipal and school budgets
• May 18: Town Council meeting to amend and adopt budgets
• May 25: Advertisement of budget summary and property tax disclosure statement
• June 9: Financial town meeting
• June 11: Town budget referendum

No matter what happens, Coventry schools will find a way, Levis said.

"It's going to be a challenge, but what's the alternative?" Levis continued. "We still have a responsibility to provide the best education we can to the community."