Warwick won't cut 'gifted' program

WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) – A program for advanced elementary school students will not be cut from Warwick’s school budget next year.  

That was one of the decisions coming out of Monday’s Warwick School Committee Meeting, as the panel considered how to deal with $2.2 million being cut from next year’s budget, a result of state budget cuts.

“We have to go back now and look at all those items, because we still have to make up a shortfall,” said School Committee Chair Beth Furtado.

Many parents and teachers were concerned after rumors surfaced that the program for advanced students would be cut.

The committee also decided not to lay off a few select teachers.

This isn’t the first time Warwick’s school committee has been forced to make major cuts.  In 2009, there were several heated debates when the committee shut down John Green Elementary School to save hundreds of thousands of dollars.

After deciding what not to cut, the committee will now look at how to make up the $2.2 million loss.

“We’re going to start from where we ended and we’ve got to look at everything again,” Furtado said, “So all books are open, so let’s have at it.”

The school department’s financial advisor will examine other possible areas to make cuts before the next committee meeting.