A man recognized by his peers for his financial oversight of the new East Providence High School’s construction and for his management of that city ‘s school finances will take charge of Warwick school finances June 2.

Craig Enos was the top candidate for the Warwick job, which was vacated earlier this year soon after it was disclosed that the School Department faced a $9-million operating deficit in FY 25 unless it took dramatic cost cutting measures immediately. Joseph Crowley, former director of the Warwick Area Career and Technical Center, who is serving as interim school finance director, knows Enos, having worked with him.

“He’s very open,” Crowley said of Enos’ ability to answer questions and articulate conditions to give a clear picture of a situation and what needs to be done. Enos also received favorable reviews from city Finance Director Peder Schaefer (who officially retired Friday), David Testa, who chairs the school building committee, and state Auditor David Bergantino.

“He’s good,” said Schaefer. “They certainly need some stability there,” he said of Warwick schools. Testa said he hasn’t met Enos, but has heard nothing but accolades.

“I’m very very pleased that he’s gone through what we’re going through,” he said.

Enos’ appointment was a surprise to Bergantino, who has worked with him. He feels Warwick has made a good move given the overall paucity of school finance personnel.  

Enos faces no lack of challenges here.

Warwick schools have not yet closed the audit of the fiscal year that ends June 30, which is projected to show of deficit of several million dollars. Enos will have to finish the current year, which will surely show a deficit, and nail down the FY26 budget that was sent to the School Committee on April 1 and takes effect July 1.

Then there’s the new Toll Gate and Pilgrim high schools. Groundbreakings on the new schools are slated for this spring even though their projected costs are expected to exceed the $350 million voters approved in 2022. Ward 5 Councilman Ed Ladouceur, who is chair of the council finance committee, is calling for a special election this spring for a vote on a second school bond to cover unexpected school costs of up to $50 million. As of this week, a resolution has not come before the council to consider a special election, which would also require General Assembly approval.

That’s not all Enos will face.

With legislative approval, but not the governor’s signature as he said he would do, the School Budget Commission is projected to be up and operating by the end of this month. Mayor Frank Picozzi proposed creation of the five-member commission soon after school officials disclosed they faced a deficit in the current operating budget. It’s taken this long to get off the ground.

Assistant Superintendent William McCaffrey, who is filling in for Lynn Dambruch while she is on personal leave, said Enos has made the rounds of school administrative offices and will be in periodically during school vacation next week. McCaffrey is enthusiastic about having Enos on the team, citing his experience with construction of the East Providence High School, which came in on budget at about $190 million. Enos will join Carlyle Vincent, assistant controller, and Yarmayn Rodriguez, controller, to round out a trio that McCaffrey said will give the department a strong financial team.

“I’m very excited about being a part of the Warwick team … rolling up my sleeves and diving in. There’s no time to be taking it slowly,” Enos  said in a Friday interview. He  said the first thing on his agenda is opening up communications and getting to know the culture of the city and its schools.

A Rhode Island native and resident of Barrington, Enos – and his wife, who works at the Rhode Island Department of Education – are the parents of two grown children. He said he is a point in his career to make a change and was impressed with the administrative team he met in Warwick. He met Picozzi two years ago when he and other city leaders took a tour of the new East Providence High School.

“It’s going to be a lot of work,” Enos said. He plans to spend time off owed him by East Providence to meet people in Warwick and orient himself in the system before officially starting. He said he is poised “for a great future with Warwick schools with the fantastic staff we have.”

East Providence hired Enos as school finance director in April 2018. Before that, he worked for 13 years as the director of administration for  the Northern Rhode Island Collaborative.

In 2021 the Rhode Island Association of School Business Officials named Enos “School Business Official of the Year” for 2021-22.

In nominating Enos for the award, then-East Providence Schools Superintendent Kathryn Crowley, wife of Joseph Crowley, currently interim finance director for Warwick schools, wrote, “… two of Craig’s most welcome assets are his pleasant nature and ever-present smile. His is in a most demanding position; however, he is simultaneously able to relieve tension and get the job done.”