Vote Yes For Chariho!

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Chariho schools are at a crucial moment. The proposed budget is needed to replenish emergency funds and meet rising operational costs and contractual obligations. Further cuts are not a solution – they increase risk, limiting our ability to serve students, and plan for the future. This budget is about protecting what matters most to our schools..

 

Over the past five years, Chariho towns have maintained a modest average tax increase of 1.05% to 2.15%, reflecting a fiscally responsible partnership that continues to invest in education. This budget increase is driven by depleted emergency funds, rising costs, and reduced state aid. Without your support, additional cuts will have a serious impact across the district, reducing educational opportunities and long-term stability. 

 

The Chariho administration presented a budget with strategic reductions and reallocations that protect success. The conservative majority of the School Committee wouldn’t make cuts because they do not want to be responsible for larger class sizes and fewer programs for students. Chariho schools need your vote on April 7.

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Essential Academic Programs & Learning Opportunities

• High-Quality Curriculum Materials

• 21 Career Tech Education Programs

• Interscholastic + Unified Athletic Programs

• Extracurricular Activities & Clubs

• Music + Visual & Performing Arts

• STEM Skills

• AP + College Prep

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Legally Required Student Support & Services

• Special Education & Associated Services – physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, psychological and social work services, audio & vision assistance, one-to-one support

• Individualized Education + 504 Plans

• Early Intervention Pre-K Program

• Transportation

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Dedicated Educators & Staff

• Teachers + Teaching Assistants

• Custodians

• Bus Drivers + Monitors

• Central Administration + School Leaders

• Administrative Assistants + Clerks

• Coaches

• Psychologists + Social Workers + Behavior Specialists

 

FY27 Budget Process

 

When the Chariho administration proposed the budget to the school committee in January, they had already made strategic cuts and reallocations amounting to over $2M  These include:

 

• The reduction of staff positions through attrition and retirement.

• Consolidation of technology and management systems to reduce the costs needed for licensing and maintenance.

• Deferring athletic field upgrades.

• Removing any new furniture requests from the budget, like classroom desks and chairs.

 

What’s in the Budget?

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There are several budget drivers that are critical for legal compliance and the success of our schools. Public education funding is shaped by law and largely determined by fixed costs that cannot be simply cut out of the budget. 

 

• Federal and stage legal requirements guide the administration of transportation, special education, high-quality curriculum materials, and more.

• Spanning over 125 square miles, transportation is a big expense in Chariho. School Districts in RI are also legally mandated to pay for transportation to certain private schools, charter schools, and out-of-district schools.

• The majority of the budget is allocated to staff salaries and healthcare. Certified educator salaries were increased 3% – helping to support staff retention. The support staff contract is currently under negotiation, but had already been adjusted to increase the lowest level of wages from $16 to $20 per hour, which helped fill custodial vacancies. Police and fire rates to provide security at school events have gone up as well.

• The rising costs of operation like heating fuel, electricity, vehicle fuel, contracted services need to be met.

• Chromebook replacements have been delayed but are needed after six years.

 

Here is a graphic from Chariho’s FY27 Budget Presentation that provides additional information about important budget allocations. 

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What are the numbers?

 

Every year, individual town contributions change based on fluctuations in student enrollment and state aid. 

 

Charlestown 

665 students in October 2025

$13,070,130  |  5.02% increase to the District

preliminary state aid $1,457,309

(state aid decrease –$59,430)

 

Richmond 

1,073 students in October 2025

$17,270,325  |  7.82% increase to the District

preliminary state aid $6,075,433

(state aid decrease –$331,064)

 

Hopkinton 

1,120 students in October 2025

16,143,089  |  2.11% increase to the District

preliminary state aid $8,207,572

(state aid increase +$1,001,592)

 

You can see an overview from the Chariho website here, or see all of the budget documentation on the Chariho website here.

 

The Chariho United website also provides infographics with the breakdown of the contents of the budget.

 

With the current preliminary figures for state aid, the town contributions to the district will increase by 4.75%. This isn’t a small increase, but it’s necessary for this moment. The fund balance has been depleted to cover expenses like increased snow removal, maintenance and emergency repairs, and contract negotiations. Operating costs like fuel, electricity, and maintenance have risen much higher than the increased rate of local contribution. State aid has helped bridge the gap over the last several years but the proposed decrease may place a larger burden on Richmond.

 

It’s important to note that this number isn’t the final increase in residential property taxes. While the current preliminary figures show a reduction for Richmond and Charlestown, they aren’t final. During the legislative discussions between now and June, this state aid for the schools will be a factor, and our state representatives (Rep. Megan Cotter and Rep. Tina Spears) are fighting to restore aid to Richmond and Charlestown. 

 

Each town’s tax increase and subsequent mill rate are impacted by town revenue and how the town balances the rest of their budget. Increases in town revenue from sources other than residential property taxes also help to cover the costs, as well as shifts in the town budget.

 

Concerned about an increase in your property revaluation?

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These re-evaluations are required by state law, and the key point to remember is that when assessed values go up, the tax rate goes down. The tax rate is a function of municipal and school expenses along with revenue, and will not be finalized until the school and town budgets have been approved along with state aid. Read more here. 

 

It’s important to remember that the town contributions to the Chariho schools do not directly translate to a change in tax rate. In addition to state aid, changes in town revenue and town budgeting also drive the overall change in mill rate. Across Chariho, average property tax increases have remained below inflation: 1.76% in Charlestown, 2.15% in Hopkinton, and 1.05% in Richmond. 

 

What’s Next?

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Chariho students need your vote on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 to protect what matters most to our schools. You can cast your ballot in-person from 8AM-8PM at your town hall in Charlestown, Richmond, or Hopkinton.

 

If the budget is not approved, the School Committee will be forced to make additional cuts and have the opportunity to schedule additional referendums. Any reductions in the budget would impact staffing and programs.

 

• Athletics – These represent a considerable portion of the budget, and one that doesn’t impact test scores. However, we have quite a few students who are drawn to coming to school in the first place by being able to participate in sports. Cutting sports programs impacts our graduation rate, and creates discipline problems inside and outside of school. 

• Academic Programs – To decrease funding, Chariho would have to reduce options for advanced academics classes like AP courses or Virtual High School. There are over 20 programs at CHARIHOTech that could be reduced. These programs provide invaluable life experience for graduates. They provide students with the option of going straight into the workforce after graduation without going to university. Or for those who go on to higher education, it gives them a huge head start on their higher degrees.

• Transportation – Spending cuts would likely impact transportation as well. Late buses could be eliminated or depot stops implemented. Less buses would increase commute times for kids.

 

If a budget is not approved by referendum by July 1, Chariho will have to operate at the same levels as last year. Chariho would not be able to meet monthly cash flow requirements, given the increases from inflation to operating costs. This financial instability is a risk that we can’t afford to take.