City Manager Tells Superintendent There is a ‘Crisis in Confidence’

Email communications between Newport City Manager Jane Howington and Superintendent Dr. John Ambrogi highlighted growing tensions between the city and the school department, relating to the budget process and what Howington described as the School Committee's “lack of commitment” to work toward shared services. 

Howington sent a letter Monday stating she felt it was necessary to provide a more detailed analysis of how she made budgetary decisions for the proposed fiscal 2014 budget.

“The inability of the school department to develop and maintain well planned budgets is a factor that has created a crisis in confidence for city leadership,” wrote Howington. “In both of the last two years the submitted school budget request came forward with substantial financial increases, which were not funded, yet in both instances, the year ended with sizable surpluses.”

Howington said during a joint session held in March, it was stated the school department would not be able to produce a budget until September. The City Council must approve a budget by July 1.

“As I was unfortunately not at the work session of March 27, I really cannot comment on who said what and within what context,” responded Ambrogi. “Obviously, you will have a complete school department budget to review during the week of May 20, as I had stated at the Liaison Subcommittee meeting last week (April 23).”

Read Patch coverage of that meeting here.

Ambrogi added variables such as tuition and enrollment are unknown until September, which can significantly impact the budget.

Additionally, Howington reminded Ambrogì that this year’s school budget should reflect the anticipated $798,239 of savings from the sale of the excess buildings and operational savings, as outlined in the financing plan for the Pell School construction. 

Ambrogi responded that in presentations that lead up the bond referendum approval, “we stated emphatically that over a 20-year period there would be $21,029,107 in personnel cost savings. I still stand by that statement. The budget that will be presented will show a first year personnel savings in excess of $814,030.”  

Consolidation of Services

“I must also note the lack of commitment on the school leadership’s part toward any serious efforts to consolidate or share non-educational services,” wrote Howington. This has been an issue brought up over several years, but the school has taken a “just say no” approach, she said. The city has had to step in and perform at least 25 percent of the school related services, she added.

“As the only superintendent on the island in favor of regionalizing, I suppose you were unaware of my support of a thoughtful shared services model,” Ambrogi said. “I had offered some suggestions along the way, and find that they fell on deaf ears.”

The city manager wrote, “I regret the path that you have selected, but remain optimistic that, in the end, you will assume responsibilities for the commitments made by the school officials, past and present, both financial and in sharing of services.”  

Ambrogi pointed out that in the past eight years, the schools have increased test scores, successfully negotiated collective bargaining agreements with higher cost shares, eliminated lifetime benefits for all administrators and most union members — all while working with a budget $1 million less in contributions from the city.

“I am acutely aware of my responsibility and have always held to commitments that I have made,” wrote the superintendent. “I will not however, recommend a course of action to the School Committee unless I am certain that it benefits the operations of the Newport Public Schools in its commitment to providing a quality education to its students at a cost effective price.”