Breaking Down The Numbers: Coventry's Four Budget Options

COVENTRY, RI — On Tuesday, the Coventry Town Council will be faced with a difficult decision: which budget to present to voters during the second referendum in June. There's a lot at stake, with massive cuts to schools and town programs on the line in the three alternate budget options presented by Interim Town Manager Edward Warzycha on May 22. Residents have called for the council to resubmit the original budget and allow voters a second chance now that they have seen what is at stake.

Here's a look at the four budget options and what each could mean for the future of Coventry schools.

Option One: Original Budget, 3.99 Percent Increase From FY 2019

Regarded by many voters and the school district as the best-case scenario, the original budget included just under $3.3 million in additional funding from last year's budget to the school department, or an increase of 4.63 percent. While that's a large increase, Coventry Superintendent Craig Levis said every penny is needed t

o allow schools to continue to function at the same level as the 2018-19 school year.

Overall, the entire town budget would be a 3.99 percent increase from last year.

Option Two: 2.54 Percent Increase From FY 2019

The most generous of the alternate options presented by Warzycha, this budget would raise the town's budget by 2.54 percent from last year. To meet this amount, the town's budget would have to be reduced by $350,000, while the school budget would be cut by $600,000.

Under this plan, the residential tax rate would be $22 and the commercial rate would be $26.62.

If this budget is passed, the following would be completely eliminated:

• Curbside yard waste pickup
• One Department of Public Works building and grounds employee
• One part-time emergency dispatcher
• One police officer opening would be left unfilled
• Receptionist switched to part-time
• Part-time program assistant
• Custodian assistant
• One temporary Human Resources employee
• Travel expenses for the Town Manager
• Overtime across several departments would be cut by $35,000

Option Three: 1.96 Percent Increase From FY 2019

The same town-level cuts totaling $350,000 would apply to this budget, meaning all of the above cuts would be put into place. Under this plan, the school budget would be slashed by $1 million.

The residential tax rate would be $21.84 and the commercial tax rate would be $26.33

Option Four: Level-Funding (0 Percent Increase From FY 2019)

Called the worst-case scenario by school officials, this austere option would fund the town and school district at the same level as last year's budget. To make this work, extreme cuts would be made across the board in both the town and school department. At this level of funding, the residential tax rate would be $21.37 and the commercial rate would be $25.76.

On top of all the above listed cuts, the following would be cut from the town as well:

• Curbside bulk waste pickup
• One building custodian
• Town transfer station
• Two probationary police officers
• The entire parks arm of Parks and Recreation, including summer programs, the teen center and more

Until a budget is approved, Superintendent Levis said the school department will be planning for a level-funded budget, leading to nearly 400 teachers receiving a layoff notice and massive program cuts. At this time, only 40 teachers are guaranteed a job in Coventry schools next year, though the district plans to recall as many as possible before the beginning of the school year.

If the budget is not increased, Coventry High School will begin operating on double sessions, cutting all nonessential teachers, classes and programs. In addition, nearly all after-school sports and activities will be eliminated across the board.

READ MORE:

• 385 Coventry Teachers Receive Precautionary Pink Slips
• Coventry Community Irate As 500 Teacher Layoffs Loom
• Double Sessions, Teacher Layoffs Planned For Coventry Schools