Smithfield Schools May Lay Off 18 Teachers At Level Funding

A fourth year of level funding won't be enough to keep all of the Smithfield School Department's teachers on the payroll, said Superintendent Robert O'Brien.

So, he said, he's asking Smithfield taxpayers to approve raising taxes up to the state mandated 4 percent cap, bringing in another $1.1 million for the school department — just to avoid laying off 18 teachers. "That does not include the raises for the teachers," O'Brien said.

While the budget has remained at about $32 million the last three years (about $27 million of which taxpayers provided), "Everything else is going up," O'Brien said. Despite financial challenges, O'Brien noted during a recent presentation to the Smithfield Town Council that school performance has excelled during that time. "We aren't using that (level funding) as an excuse for not getting the performance," O'Brien said.

Recent Smithfield (New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) scores showed 59 percent of the SHS junior class , and 53 percent were proficient in writing. Smithfield High School had the largest gain across the state in math, showing a 23 percent improvement.

O'Brien made special note of the reading scores. He said RI scored as the top New England state in reading, putting Smithfield among the top districts in New England.

When asked how he'd respond to those who'd point at those scores as a reason to avoid spending more on schools, O'Brien said he views the future of the school department in light of the question: "What would I want from my grandchildren for their education?"

In his presentation, O'Brien also pointed out the district's additional needs, including the ability to offer more than five advanced placement courses (most RI districts offer 8), expand applied technology and engineering courses and upgrade classroom technology, which would require additional funding beyond what O'Brien's asking to avoid layoffs.