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Mr Corrente, without going into why an attorney with the reputation of Mr. Ragostas would be so open with you, let me help give some elements of why Warwick's cost of education is highr than Cranston's. (comparing to Providence is, in many ways, apples and oranges)

First, the Warwick Schoold Dept and its teachers pay into Social Security - Cranston's don't- that is roughly $8-$9 million.

Second: Warwick buses kids over roughly 50 square miles - Cranston buses across 29 square miles. So we run much more buses than does Cranston. I don't have that exact number but buses aren't cheap.

Third, Warwick has a much higher population of students with IEP than does Cranston, We're at 18%,and Cranston isn;'t even close. IEP students by definition, generally require more services and, therefore, more cost.

Fourth, Warwick's teacher steps are significantly higher than Cranston's so our teachers are paid more and we have more of them.

Fifth, at the elementary and junior high levels, Warwick offers more programs such as music, band, and chorus - Cranston eliminated those years ago and is still struggling to get them back.

Sixth,Cranston still owes the city from when it ran up cumulative deficits of $6.9 million dollars.

You want to be Mayor, correct? Focus on why the city-side of the budget has increased by $50 million over the last seven years for that will be much more useful if you want to realy understand where the financial issues are in the city. If you want to run for School Committee, then do that but the more you post the more clear it is that you do not have a good understanding of the Warwick schools.