We are parents, families, taxpayers, and community members concerned about the recent Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) decision regarding how out-of-district Career and Technical Education (CTE) tuition must be calculated and what it could mean for our children and our schools. Tiverton budgeted approximately $1.6 million for out-of-district CTE tuition for the 2027 school year. The district is now projecting that cost to be approximately $2.4 million. That is an unexpected increase of roughly $800,000, and Tiverton will not be the only community facing it.

RIDE’s Declaratory Order D.O. 26-003A addresses how tuition must be calculated when students attend approved CTE programs outside their home district. Because the tuition formula applies statewide, this is bigger than Tiverton. We support CTE. Our children should have access to programs that prepare them for their futures, especially when those opportunities are not available in their home district. At the same time, school districts need to be able to plan for these costs without taking resources and opportunities away from other students.

Our School Committee and Town Council recognize the seriousness of the situation and are working together to address it. We stand with them. But Tiverton can’t solve a statewide issue with the CTE tuition formula on its own. We are asking our state legislators to work with Tiverton, other affected communities, and RIDE on a solution. We need help with the immediate impact for the 2027 school year, and we need a long-term solution to the out-of-district CTE tuition formula that communities can actually afford.

Our children only get one chance at their education. They should not lose opportunities because the adults responsible for solving this problem could not find a way forward. We need our state legislators to stand with our communities and help find a solution.

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