PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — The state-run Providence Public School District remains at odds with the city over nearly $11 million in additional funding the district said is urgently needed to prevent layoffs, hiring freezes, eliminating student athletics and more.
The city, district and the R.I. Department of Education battled in court for a second day this week without any resolution.
Last month, R.I. Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green made a request to state Treasurer James Diossa to withhold $8.5 million in car tax reimbursement payments from the state to the city. The monthly state aid is being held in escrow until the matter is resolved.
On Oct. 16, the city filed a complaint in R.I. Superior Court in an attempt to block that request.
R.I. Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Lanphear said he could make a decision about the issues as soon as Friday, but would aim for some time in the coming days.
Lanphear said that’s because there were extensive memos filed which have taken a while to review, and added that while discovery has been filed, “there has not been complete cooperation with discovery.”