R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-2-23: Expenditures pending annual appropriation.

The school committee, in the interval between the close of the city or town fiscal year and the making of the annual appropriations for the support of public schools, may expend for public school purposes the unexpended balance remaining in the treasury from the school appropriation of the expired fiscal year, and for each month a sum of money not exceeding one-twelfth (1/12) of the amount appropriated in the preceding year for the support of public schools, and the city or town treasurer shall pay orders drawn by the school committee in accordance with the provisions of this section from any money in the city or town treasury not otherwise appropriated.