Nero Proposes $133.5 Million School Budget

Superintendent Peter Nero tonight unveiled a $133.5 million budget for fiscal 2013 - a 3.5 percent increase over last year.

The budget increase of $4.5 million will only require an extra $1.6 million in municipal funds — the lowest increase in at least 10 years, Nero said.

Making up the most of the difference is an increase in state aid to the tune of $4.8 million thanks to a new statewide fair funding formula. Cranston benefited from demographic changes in the city in recent years, Nero said.

Also helping the budget picture were significant concessions granted by the Cranston Teacher's Alliance, the teacher's union, Nero said.

Nero said the budget picture is actually brightening for Cranston and he foresees "programs once considered extinct" being brought back to the schools — middle school music and sports, to name just two of the myriad cuts made in recent years.

"I've never been this optimistic," Nero said about heading into this budget season. "I'm usually very depressed when I am about to present this budget."

For more on the budget, check back tomorrow.