Superintendent's Update
Newport Public Schools | May 27, 2026
Dear Newport Schools Parents, Families, and Staff,
Tonight at 6:30 PM, the Newport City Council will be addressing the second reading of the FY2027 budget. The discussion will revolve around how to balance the entire budget including funding for our schools and the City to what is best for our community. The Council during this process is able to change/amend the budget. As I have shared previously, we are facing a very challenging environment with a roughly $3.8 million projected budget deficit for next school year. The City has budgeted 4% for next year for the schools (Approximately $1.1M). Even with the 4% funding, there is still a $2.7M gap. This does not enable us to bring back any of the 17 teachers that have been laid off. To address this, we will continue to work with the City administration and Council to come up with a creative plan to enable us to bring back some of our staff.
Along with our budget for next year, the City Council will also need to consider our present year budget. This year we are facing a possible $2.8M deficit. This has triggered a requirement for Newport Public Schools to complete a deficit reduction plan to be filed with the Rhode Island Auditor General. Our finance team worked collaboratively with the School Committee, the City Council, and each of our schools to develop this plan, which calls for cost saving measures including the potential closure of Thompson Middle School while consolidating grade levels between Pell Elementary and Rogers High School. I want to emphasize that this is only a plan with potential cost saving options. We are a long way away from any of these options being finalized. The deficit reduction plan is, however, an indication of just how difficult a fiscal situation our school district is facing.
There are just 5 weeks remaining in the school year. Our last day for students is scheduled for Friday, June 26th. With final exams, final projects, and lots of fun activities happening in all of our schools, our focus needs to remain on Attendance Matters, Every Day. So let's stay focused on attendance as we close out the 2025-2026 school year!
For everyone’s planning purposes, we continue to list summer learning opportunities, camps, and other activities to keep our students engaged over summer break. Take a look to see if any interests your child or you. Also, if you do not already have plans this weekend, I strongly encourage everyone to come out this Friday and Saturday night to see our talented Rogers and Middletown students perform in the production of the famed musical Chicago. Performances begin at 7:00 PM in our new Rogers High School Auditorium. Tickets are $10 at the door.
Finally, I want to share with everyone that last evening our acting principal Mr. Michael Monahan, was appointed as the new Portsmouth High School principal effective July 1st. Michael stepped into the role of acting principal at Rogers during a very challenging time for our high school and has done an amazing job. Please join me in wishing him the very best in his new role. Congratulations Michael!
So a lot of changes are underway effective July 1st. Stay tuned with more updates in June.
Have a great week of learning everyone!
Colleen Burns Jermain, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Summer Bike Camp 2026 is now open for registration. Bike Newport has one-week sessions July 6th-August 14th, 2026.
All campers need to know how to ride a bike and will spend a fun-filled week learning about:
● Bike handling and bike safety skills, basic bike maintenance
● Trail and road riding skills
● Scheduled ‘special sessions’ with community partners
Newport Sings Summer Camp invites students entering grades 2–6 to discover their singing voices, express themselves through music, art, and movement, and collaborate together to perform for family and friends. Learn more and register here.
The Newport Gulls are looking for host families. Click here for more information: https://newportgulls.com/host_families.