A Rhode Island Superior Court judge on Friday ruled in favor of the state education department, which has withheld $8.5 million in aid from Providence for failing to meet funding obligations for city schools,

In a dispute between the state-run Providence public school district and the City of Providence, a judge has sided with the state, but did not yet say exactly how much the city owes the schools.

R.I. Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Lanphear denied Providence’s appeal to block a request by the state that would continue withhold millions of dollars of state aid intended for the city.

A state Superior Court judge on Friday sided with state and city education officials in a clash with the city over school funding, a decision that could mean millions of dollars withheld to the city in state aid.