STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, COUNTY OF NEWPORT

The Town Council of the Town of Tiverton, County, and State aforesaid held a Special Council Meeting on Monday, May 5, 2025, at 7:00 PM at the Tiverton Town Hall, 343 Highland Road.

                A. Blake Hathaway - Request approval of special event permit for the Luft Klassiker event at Longplex

     Family & Sports Center on May 18, 2025, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. (SPE-68)

Councilor Perry motioned to approve a special event permit for the Luft Klassiker event at Longplex Family & Sports Center on May 18, 2025, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Councilor Committo seconded the motion. The motion passed, 4-2, with Councilors Burk and deMedeiros opposed.  

                     Tiverton School Department Budget

School Committee Chair Farnworth read a prepared statement. She asked the Council to consider declining enrollment, which she said was trending in most public school districts in the state. She attributed this to declining birth rates, lack of business growth and affordable housing. Referencing last year’s decision to close Fort Barton school, she informed the building would be used to operate its special needs program for 18 to 22 year olds. She noted that because of declining enrollment and loss of state aid, they were forced to review the capacity of the school buildings and despite cutting new numerous FTEs, they were projecting a deficit for this year's budget. She stated that when bonds were approved in 2004 to build three new schools, no one could have predicted what student enrollment would look like 20 years down the road. She furthered that if downward enrollment trends continue, they will work with the town on a cooperative plan to decommission the building as a school and turn it back to the town.

Finance Director Andrade and Dr. Sanchioni presented the FY2026 School Department proposed budget appropriation request. Items summarized included Budget Drivers consisting of Personnel, Special Education, Transportation and Utilities. Other highlights included Budget Efficiencies, FY25 spending cuts, student achievements, revenue strategies and FY26 budget goals.

The Council had various questions related to the presentation and Fort Barton closure savings.  After lengthy discussion, the council concluded that the school budget request would be reviewed further, emphasizing the need for fiscal responsibility.

B. Administrator Jones – Discussion and possible vote to allow Town Administrator to proceed with

     Congressionally Directed Spending Request Applications

Councilor Burk motioned to allow the Town Administrator to proceed with Congressionally Directed Spending Request Applications. Councilor Janick seconded the motion. The motion unanimously passed.