Pawtucket School Committee unanimously declines city-led operational audit

The Pawtucket School Committee voted unanimously on Dec. 5 to decline participation in a city-led operational review proposed by PFM MBC Group, saying the review’s timing and scope could circumvent the committee’s oversight role.

Chair Preston Schabenow introduced the PFM MBC Group scope of work, which staff said had been working with the city for months. Schabenow told colleagues the proposal appeared to be “an operational audit of the school department” and warned that if the committee agreed to participate “you abdicate your responsibility.”

Several members and district staff questioned the plan’s access to personnel records and the legal basis for interviewing district employees who are not city employees. A central-office staff member said she had “never seen an organizational study with an analysis function of this scope” unless a district was facing a state takeover.

Superintendent Royal said the district did not request the review and that, while staff would collaborate where appropriate, the district was already undergoing multiple audits — a Title I audit, a food-service audit and the annual financial audit. Royal said an additional review was "not my need."

Committee members also raised cost questions; one member noted figures discussed at the meeting, and staff confirmed the city had contracted with the firm for a portion of the work. After discussion, the committee voted, by roll call, to decline participation in the PFM MBC Group scope of work.

The committee’s vote was 6–0 to deny participation. The chair said the committee would provide the incoming committee with context and noted his concern that an outside review could be used to bypass locally elected oversight.

Next steps: the committee did not direct staff to engage with PFM for the district’s participation; members said the city may continue its own work but the committee would not consent to district involvement.