Providence Mayor Brett Smiley and school Superintendent Javier Montanez are at odds over mid-year budgeting.
Smiley said he was given an ultimatum to close a ten-million-dollar budget deficit within 24 hours, or cuts will be made that will harm student learning.
The mayor said the school administrator's fiscal management is irresponsible and reckless.
A school department spokesperson said investing in children should not be controversial and the city should meet its legal obligation.
Meantime, the Superintendent took issue with the Mayor's assessment that the his request was an ultimatum.
Montanez says he was going public with his financial issues in the spirit of transparency.
So far there has been no response from the Mayor.