Editor’s note: This is a slightly edited version of comments Christopher Mark made at the  City Council’s May 19 budget hearing.

I'm speaking as a long-term Warwick resident, father, small business owner and educator deeply invested in our community's future. With four children – three currently enrolled in Warwick Public Schools – I understand firsthand the profound impact that our schools have on our children’s lives and our community's future.

Recently, local news, city leaders and the mayor’s office have framed our school budget crisis as a new, singular issue stemming from this current School Committee’s decisions. But let's be clear: this crisis isn’t new, nor is it the fault of any one individual or committee. It is the inevitable consequence of chronic under-planning, consistent underfunding and a failure to think beyond the immediate budget cycle. The resolution being presented now is not a genuine solution; it’s merely a bandage, one that deeply undermines the futures of our children.

As an analytics professional and small business owner, I know how critical it is to develop a workforce with strong analytical skills, technological fluency and exceptional communication abilities. These skills don't appear magically; they are cultivated through consistent, high-quality educational experiences.

Consider my daughter, Taylor, who graduates from Pilgrim High School this spring. Under the guidance of a dedicated teacher, Mrs. Bizragane, she co-founded the school's debate team with virtually no funding or prior experience. Remarkably, they placed second statewide in their first year, beating out schools like Barrington and Cumberland, schools with decades of support, funding and experience. Taylor’s experience didn't just teach her debate – it solidified her ambition and earned her a scholarship to Roger Williams University, where she'll study chemistry focused on behavioral health. Teachers like Mrs. Bizragane foster growth, inspiration and purpose in students every day. They are the teachers we seek out as adults to thank for the impressions placed on us as children to help shape who we are today.

My son Aiden, supported by an Individualized Education Plan, receives critical academic support. Mr. Bailey and his team are more than educators. They are like a second family to my son. Without those services and the committed professionals behind them, he might have slipped through the cracks. Instead, he’s still here – still learning – still part of the system.

Additionally, my niece, who has severe disabilities, relies entirely on the critical special education services provided by our schools. She will proudly graduate this spring – a milestone that would have been impossible without robust support from these essential programs. Cuts to special education are among the most devastating and far-reaching, affecting our community’s most vulnerable students.

These services that have helped my children, and countless others, are not luxuries. They are necessities.

Short-term budget cuts might balance numbers temporarily, but at what cost? These cuts don't vanish; they resurface later, heavier and harder to manage. We’re currently experiencing the consequences of past indiscretions – years of short-sighted funding and planning – and managing these repercussions has become increasingly challenging. And while there appears to be growing support now, maintaining this momentum is crucial. We must fundamentally change our culture and how we perceive our educational pathway, prioritizing long-term vision over temporary fixes. We must remember that our students aren't line items – they're future doctors, accountants, electricians, educators and community leaders.

What I propose is straightforward: reject short-term, reactionary measures and instead demand sustainable, long-term planning. We must shift our cultural approach to prioritize thorough planning, robust modeling and proactive investment in our educational systems. Our children, teachers and community deserve thoughtful solutions that preserve and enhance our schools, not quick fixes that undermine them.

Let's choose to build a future we can all proudly support – a future rooted in robust education and unwavering community commitment.