Barrington Public Schools
Comprehensive FY 2023-24 Proposed Budget Update
“Barrington Public Schools will empower all students to excel.”
On March 2, 2023, the Barrington School Committee voted to submit the 2023-2024 Barrington Public Schools (BPS) proposed budget to the Committee of Appropriations for their review. The BPS 23-24 Budget is aligned with the District’s Strategic Plan, which represents our commitment to delivering world-class educational programs that meet the needs of every student, support excellent teachers and staff, and maintain our national reputation for delivering high-quality instruction resulting in successful student outcomes.
In 2022-2023, Barrington Public Schools was nationally and locally recognized for many achievements. We are proud of the many accomplishments of our faculty, students, and programs, highlighting the following:
Barrington High School was awarded the 2022 Top High School Award by the U.S. News and World Report, placing 308th nationally.
Barrington High School, Barrington Middle School, Hampden Meadows Elementary School, Sowams Elementary School, Primrose Hill Elementary, and Nayatt Elementary School were recognized as Commended Schools by the Rhode Island Department of Education in 2022.
Barrington High School was recognized as one of the most challenging high schools in the country by The Washington Post.
Barrington Public Schools were recognized as the only Common-Sense Media Certified District in Rhode Island.
Niche ranked Barrington Public Schools 573rd in the nation and 1st in Rhode Island in 2023.
Barrington Middle School was named a US Department of Education – Green Ribbon School.
Barrington High School, Barrington Middle School, Primrose Hill Elementary, and Nayatt Elementary School were recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools.
Please visit the Barrington Public Schools website to view other student and teacher achievements recognized throughout the school year.
Our budget development follows a well-established Zero-Based Budgeting (ZBB) process, which starts with building principals reviewing every aspect of their school’s operation and creating a budget based on the operational and educational needs of their students and staff. Conducting this annual process allows our administrators to identify alternative ways to utilize their current resources. District administration meets with every building principal and thoroughly evaluates their budget requests. The District then analyzes student enrollment data, conducts a comprehensive evaluation of all programs, and looks for opportunities to reallocate resources and personnel wherever possible. Our budget decisions are developed and guided by the educational and social-emotional needs of our students and staff.
We recognize that most of our district funding is supported by local tax resources. For this reason, we carefully examined our budget proposal to ensure it is both student-centered and fiscally responsible. It is significant to note that Barrington’s per-pupil expenditure is 15% below the state-equalized average of $16,639, as documented on the Rhode Island Department of Education website.
The District’s FY24 Proposed Operating Budget presented to the Committee of Appropriations on March 7, 2023, was $62,882,309. The budget figure represents a $2.7M, or 4.5%, increase in spending from FY23. The impact on taxpayers will be offset by the anticipated provision of $10.3M from the State Aid Funding Formula plus additional categorical funds for High Special Education Costs. As a result, the net increase in the allocation from local taxpayers for the FY24 operating budget will be $1.98M or 3.98%.
As we continue striving to support student achievement and prepare our students to excel in a global economy, we have aligned our budget priorities and important initiatives to our comprehensive strategic plan. The budget priorities for the Fiscal Year 2024 target six important initiatives directly aligned with the District’s Strategic Plan:
Secondary School’s Science Curriculum
Rhode Island legislation requires all districts to select and implement RIDE-approved science curricula by 2025. EdReports has approved the OpenSciEd middle school curriculum, which will be purchased and implemented in grades 6-8.
Increased World Language programming at Barrington Middle School
Barrington committed to expanding the world language as part of our strategic plan. The increase represents the first phase, allowing us to offer a daily level 1 program for Spanish and French in Grade 8 while building a rotating exploratory language program in Grade 7. The program will ensure that all 8th-grade students take a high-quality language program that mirrors the high school program, allowing them to earn one high school graduation credit and requirement in Grade 8, per the new regulations.
Introduction of new Social Studies electives and additional program support at Barrington High School
BPS examined our high school programs for relevance, interest, and impact on student outcomes. Many students are diverted to study halls due to limited spaces in electives. Students have also expressed an interest in a new offering, African Studies.
New position- Curriculum Director
As part of our strategic plan, we examined the capacity of our central office administration. The Office of the Assistant Superintendent includes only the Assistant Superintendent, who is responsible for many duties over and above the curriculum. With the new state mandates for math, ELA, health, and science curriculum by 2025 and social studies by 2026, the role needs support for teachers to adopt and implement new curriculum, ensuring that all 3500 students have access to high-quality curriculum and instruction.
Primrose Hill School, Sowams School, and Hampden Meadows School are working to attain Blue Ribbon status.
As part of our strategic goal and commitment to excellence, we have been working with National Blue Ribbons Schools of Excellence to comprehensively study our educational models so that we empower all students to excel and earn Blue Ribbon status. Primrose has completed the first portion of the training, and we are ready to engage with Sowams and Hampden Meadows.
Increase of a Special Education Teacher at BHS to support students in World Languages and additional student support
Under the new graduation requirements, world language is now a core course. As a result, we must provide support and structures to ensure the success of all students enrolled in world language, as we do in the other core areas (ELA, math, science, and social studies).
Our proposed budget demonstrates our commitment to providing our students with a world-class, educationally sound, and fiscally responsible education. We will keep you informed regarding updates to the FY24 School Budget. You can also find updated FY24 budget information on the District website.