Money talks, so it’d be hard not to support a plan that would give Cranston $9,629,400 more than they’re used to.

If you’ve been following headlines in the Herald these past few weeks – then you know we need it.

What the Rhode Island Department of Education’s funding formula tells us is that those School Committee members aren’t crazy after all. When they throw around the word “underfunded,” they’re not looking for a scapegoat; they’re trying to explain why providing a well-rounded education isn’t as easy as it used to be.

They’re right, Cranston hasn’t been getting its piece of the pie, and a lot of that has to do with the changing demographics in the city. The overflow from Providence schools are creeping into Cranston, and many of the students accounting for a rise in enrollment represent at-risk populations such as low-income, English as a second language, and students requiring special education services. If we want to keep those students in their home communities – which creates a sense of belonging and facilitates stronger relationships – then the state needs to fund districts accordingly. Districts will top-notch special education services should be rewarded, not punished, for attracting a diverse group of learners.

The fact that Superintendent Peter Nero isn’t straying from his tight ship approach is exactly what the district needs, though. Cranston deserves the extra help, but until the schools’ house is in order, Nero isn’t about to give away the store. Moving forward, a funding formula will help him to bring the city back into the black. Without one, how can we expect school officials to live within their means if their allowance isn’t determined until their budget is out the door?

The result of providing a per pupil expenditure, in addition to factoring in relevant needs, is a district where student retention is central. A fair funding formula not only takes the guesswork out of budgeting, but it provides stability and transparency in the education system.

Cranston wins on both counts, but we hope that RIDE spokesman Elliot Krieger was right when he said that districts seeing cuts would support the formula just the same. Taking a $2.4 million hit in Exeter-West Greenwich won’t be easy, nor will the $3.8 million reduction in South Kingstown. But what those districts need to recognize is that they’re not serving the same number of students they once were, and of the group they’ve got, clearly there isn’t the same level of risk.

If the needs of the students come first, then a funding formula is necessary.