PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) -- A judge has ruled in favor of the R.I. Department of Education amid a fight between the state-run school district asking the city for additional funding. R.I. Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Lanphear issued a written decision on Friday that denied Providence’s appeal to block a request by the state. Last month, R.I. Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green made a request to state Treasurer James Diossa to withhold $8.5 million in car tax reimbursement payments from the state to the city. The monthly state aid is being held in escrow until the matter is resolved. However, Lanphear said the court needs more evidence in order to determine exactly what would be owed, and that will happen at a later date. BACKGROUND: Judge to make decision in Providence school funding fight In early October, the district threatened potential layoffs, hiring freezes, cuts to school sports and some RIPTA passes for students if the district didn’t receive $10.9 million in funding outside of what the city allocated to the schools in this year’s budget. Lanphear said he would also issue a bench decision on the motion on Friday afternoon. Target 12 has reached out to the city, district and RIDE for comment and is waiting to hear back. Last week, Providence City Council leaders said it would offer the district $2.5 million in an attempt to prevent cuts to student athletics and RIPTA bus passes for some students. In addition to the $1 million from Lifespan and RISD, the council said it would reallocate $1.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act dollars. (The Providence City Council’s Committee on Finance was scheduled to meet on Thursday night to discuss and vote on reallocating the ARPA funds, but announced late Wednesday night it would cancel its meeting and postpone that decision due to the ongoing litigation.) The $2.5 million was offered to the district with conditions that it be used to save student athletics and RIPTA bus passes, in addition to agreeing to a third-party audit of the school department’s finances. District leaders previously told the city the $2.5 million was “insufficient,” and renewed the district’s request for $10.9 million. This story is developing. Stay tuned for updates. Alexandra Leslie ([email protected]) is a Target 12 investigative reporter covering Providence and more for 12 News. Connect with her on Twitter and on Facebook.