Lawmakers debate merits of Caruolo Act

PROVIDENCE—A battle over how to balance local school budgets is taking place at the General Assembly.

Lawmakers heard several bills Tuesday that would reform the Caruolo Act, the law that allows school committees to sue local governments for more money.

But during a time when cities and towns are struggling to balance their own budgets, opponents say it’s time to scrap Caruolo.

“Something’s got to be done. It’s got to be done quick,“ state Rep. Al Gemma, D-Warwick, said.

The House Finance Committee is considering bills to change or repeal the law.

Related Link: Text Of Caruolo Act

West Warwick is currently in court because the school committee wants $3.3 million to balance its budget.

Town Manager Jim Thomas said if the town loses in court, he’ll be forced to put together a supplemental tax increase.

Some say that’s the only way to fund education.

“Ultimately what happens is because the state does not have a state aid formula—one of the only states in the country—then what happens is, is that the only reliance we have,“ said Henry Boeniger of the National Education Association Rhode Island. “So, we have to do one of two things. We either educate our children properly, or there’s no other alternative than to raise the taxes.“

Mayors and town managers who testified said raising taxes is not a good solution.

Gemma said the best way out of conflicts between municipalities and school systems is binding arbitration.

“How simple could that be? Is nobody paying attention?“ Gemma said. “What you do is after a certain amount of time, if you can’t agree to a contract, the Labor and Training Department in the state appoints an arbitrator and gives them their last, best offer.“

Gemma has sponsored a bill that would replace Caruolo with binding arbitration.

Other proposals are less drastic.