reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-3.2 - School and Family Empowerment Act › Section 16-3.2-2. - The empowerment school.

§ 16-3.2-2. The empowerment school.
(a)
The following entities may be designated as an empowerment school: a school in a public-school district, a school within a school in a public-school district, a career and technical education program within a public-school district, a state school.
(b)
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, all statute regulations, and collective bargaining agreement terms and conditions shall apply to empowerment schools.
(c)
Notwithstanding §§ 16-2-9 and 16-2-11, the principal and professional staff of a empowerment school, acting in concert as a school leadership team, shall make decisions regarding the school’s policies and practices, including, but not limited to, curriculum, instructional practices, policies and procedures, calendar and schedule, allocation of resources, staffing, and professional development, consistent with the district collective bargaining agreement and school-based amendments as defined in § 16-3.2-4(f). Leadership teams shall determine methods to document and communicate the latest decisions that emerge through the leadership team process. Noncertified staff, parents, students, and community members may also be members of the school leadership team at the school’s discretion. The principal shall have final authority in all instructional, personnel, managerial, and operational matters, except for those matters expressly delegated to the school leadership team through the participatory leadership process, consistent with the district collective bargaining agreement and school-based amendments as defined in § 16-3.2-4(f).
(d)
Students from the district in which the empowerment school is located shall be funded either pursuant to §§ 16-3.2-7 and 16-7.2-5 or, based on mutual, written agreement between the superintendent and the principal of the empowerment school, in accordance with an alternative agreement with the school district.
(e)
Teachers and other staff who work in empowerment schools shall maintain their full status as members of their respective bargaining unit and as employees of the district and service in an empowerment school shall not be deemed to be an interruption of service in the school district for purposes of seniority and teachers’ retirement.
(f)
Although existing collective bargaining agreements shall apply to an empowerment school, empowerment schools shall be eligible to amend the existing districtwide collective bargaining agreement through an expedited and timely process, subject to approval of the superintendent, district union membership, and school committee. School-based amendments to the districtwide collective bargaining agreement shall be non-precedent setting for future district bargaining or contract administration. In all instances, final approval or non-approval by all parties of school-based amendments to the districtwide collective bargaining agreement shall be made within ninety (90) days of submission of such request.
History of Section.
P.L. 2016, ch. 142, art. 11, § 7.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-3.2 - School and Family Empowerment Act › Section 16-3.2-4. - Empowerment school principal.

§ 16-3.2-4. Empowerment school principal.
(a)
Principals of empowerment schools shall be the educational leaders and administrators of their schools and shall supervise the operation and management of their schools and school property. It shall be the responsibility of the principal to promote participatory decision-making among all professional staff for the purposes of developing educational policy and practices. The term professional staff shall include all teachers, administrators, instructional leaders, specialists, and related service providers who are certified by the state as education professionals. Principals employed under this section shall be responsible for recommending the hiring and assigning all teachers and other professional staff, athletic coaches, instructional, or administrative aides and any other personnel assigned to the school and for terminating all such personnel, subject to this chapter and the review and approval of the superintendent. Any assignment to an empowerment school of a teacher previously employed in another school in the district, including, but not limited to, voluntary transfer, involuntary transfer, reduction in force, and recall, shall be subject to the approval of the principal, consistent with the district collective bargaining agreement and school-based amendments as defined in § 16-3.2-4(f). No teacher or staff may be laid-off, suspended, or terminated by a school district who would not otherwise have been laid-off, suspended, or terminated except for an employment decision by an empowerment school principal pursuant to this section.
(b)
The principal of the empowerment school shall serve at the pleasure of the superintendent, with the advice and consent of the school committee, through a written contract not to exceed three (3) years.
History of Section.
P.L. 2016, ch. 142, art. 11, § 7.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-3.2 - School and Family Empowerment Act › Section 16-3.2-5. - Budgets and funding.

§ 16-3.2-5. Budgets and funding.
(a)
All services, centrally or otherwise, provided by the school district in which the empowerment school is located that the empowerment school decides to utilize, including, but not limited to, financial services, transportation, food services, custodial services, maintenance, curriculum, professional development, media services, libraries, nursing, and warehousing, shall be subject to negotiation between the empowerment school and the school district in which the empowerment school is located and paid for out of the revenues of the empowerment school.
Nothing in this chapter shall prevent empowerment schools from electing to receive the same district services as it did prior to the empowerment school designation.
(b)
An empowerment school shall be eligible to receive other aids, grants, Medicaid revenue, and other revenue according to Rhode Island law, as though it were a school district. Federal aid received by the state shall be used to benefit students in the empowerment school, if the school qualifies for the aid, as though it were a school district.
(c)
An empowerment school may negotiate and contract directly with third parties for the purchase goods and services, consistent with applicable law.
History of Section.
P.L. 2016, ch. 142, art. 11, § 7.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-3.2 - School and Family Empowerment Act › Section 16-3.2-6. - Review of empowerment schools.

§ 16-3.2-6. Review of empowerment schools.
Each empowerment school shall be reviewed by the department of elementary and secondary education on a schedule determined by the commissioner. Based on an evaluation of the empowerment school’s plan, its impact on student achievement, or its impact on the health and welfare of its students or staff, the commissioner may, in extreme circumstances and at any time during the empowerment school’s authorized period of operation, recommend to the council on elementary and secondary education that the empowerment school’s designation and registration, and/or its open-enrollment designation, be revoked. Prior to recommending to the council that a empowerment school’s designation and registration be revoked, the commissioner shall provide the school, superintendent, and school committee with specific notice of the reasons for revocation and grant the school and school committee an opportunity to be heard in accordance with the process set forth in chapter 39 of this title.
History of Section.
P.L. 2016, ch. 142, art. 11, § 7.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-3.2 - School and Family Empowerment Act › Section 16-3.2-7. - Portions of title 16 applicable to empowerment schools.

§ 16-3.2-7. Portions of title 16 applicable to empowerment schools.
In addition to federal law and this chapter, the following provisions of this title shall be binding on empowerment schools. Accordingly, school committees may not endorse, nor may the commissioner approve, any request for waiver of the following provisions pursuant to this chapter:
(1)
Section 16-2-2 (minimum length of school year);
(2)
Section 16-2-17 (right to a safe school);
(3)
Section 16-8-10 (federal funds for school lunch);
(4)
Section 16-12-3 (duty to cultivate principles of morality);
(5)
Section 16-12-10 (immunity for report of suspected substance abuse);
(6)
Sections 16-13-2, 16-13-3 (teachers’ tenure)
(7)
Section 16-16-2 (teachers’ retirement);
(8)
Section 16-19-1 (compulsory attendance);
(9)
Section 16-20-1 (school holidays enumerated);
(10)
Sections 16-21-3 and 16-21-4 (fire safety);
(11)
Sections 16-21-10, 16-21-14, and 16-21-16 (health screenings);
(12)
Section 16-22-9 (uniform testing);
(13)
Section 16-24-2 (regulations of state board pertaining to children with disabilities);
(14)
Section 16-38-1 (discrimination because of race or age);
(15)
Section 16-38-1.1 (discrimination because of sex);
(16)
Section 16-38-2 (immunizations);
(17)
Section 16-38-4 (exclusive clubs);
(18)
Section 16-38-6 (commercial activities prohibited);
(19)
Section 16-38-9 (misconduct of school officers);
(20)
Section 16-38-10 (power of officials to visit schools);
(21)
Section 16-39-1 (appeal of matters of dispute to commissioner);
(22)
Section 16-39-2 (appeal of school committee actions to commissioner);
(23)
Section 16-39-3 (appeal to state board);
(24)
Section 16-39-3.1 (enforcement of final decision);
(25)
Section 16-39-3.2 (interim protective orders);
(26)
Section 16-39-8 (subpoena power of commissioner);
(27)
Section 16-40-16 (student records);
(28)
Section 16-71-1 (Educational Record Bill of Rights Act);
(29)
Section 16-21-21.1 (Penalties for drug, alcohol or weapons offenses);
(30)
Chapter 21.5 of title 16 (Student interrogations).
Although waivers for § 16-11-1 (teacher certification) are permissible, consistent with the locally approved plan, teachers in an empowerment school must hold at least one teacher certification, which may be different than the certification associated with their assignment, unless such teacher is assigned to teach in a shortage area, whereby the teacher shall be provided with school-based support and work toward a certification to be awarded within five years of the date of assignment at the empowerment school.
History of Section.
P.L. 2016, ch. 142, art. 11, § 7.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-3.2 - School and Family Empowerment Act › Section 16-3.2-8. - Appropriation.

§ 16-3.2-8. Appropriation.
The general assembly may annually appropriate funds to support empowerment schools. This appropriation shall be managed by the department of elementary and secondary education.
History of Section.
P.L. 2016, ch. 142, art. 11, § 7.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-3.2 - School and Family Empowerment Act › Section 16-3.2-9. - Regulations.

§ 16-3.2-9. Regulations.
The department of elementary and secondary education shall promulgate such regulations as are necessary to implement fully the purposes of this chapter.
History of Section.
P.L. 2016, ch. 142, art. 11, § 7.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-4 - Permanent School Fund [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act] › Section 16-4-1. - Custody and investment of fund.

§ 16-4-1. Custody and investment of fund.
The general treasurer with the advice of the governor shall have full power to regulate the custody and safekeeping of the permanent fund for the support of public schools, and, subject to the provisions of chapter 10 of title 35, shall keep the fund securely invested in bonds or notes of the United States, or in bonds of towns or cities within this state, or certificates of deposit, or commercial paper, or in other investments authorized by virtue of § 35-10-6; provided, that the securities in which the fund is invested may remain a part of the fund until exchanged for other securities.
History of Section.
G.L. 1896, ch. 30, § 1; G.L. 1909, ch. 40, § 1; P.L. 1922, ch. 2234, § 1; G.L. 1923, ch. 41, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 194, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 16-4-1; P.L. 1979, ch. 173, § 1; P.L. 1986, ch. 287, art. 12, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-4 - Permanent School Fund [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act] › Section 16-4-2. - Duties paid by auctioneers.

§ 16-4-2. Duties paid by auctioneers.
The money that shall be paid into the state treasury by auctioneers, for duties accruing to the use of the state, is appropriated, and the money shall annually be added to the school fund.
History of Section.
G.L. 1896, ch. 30, § 2; G.L. 1909, ch. 40, § 2; G.L. 1923, ch. 41, § 2; G.L. 1938, ch. 194, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 16-4-2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-4 - Permanent School Fund [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act] › Section 16-4-3. - State funds forfeited by cities or towns.

§ 16-4-3. State funds forfeited by cities or towns.
Whenever any money appropriated to any city or town from the state treasury, for the support of its public schools shall have been forfeited by the city or town, the money shall be added to the school fund, and shall forever remain a part of the school fund.
History of Section.
G.L. 1896, ch. 30, § 3; G.L. 1909, ch. 40, § 3; G.L. 1923, ch. 41, § 3; G.L. 1938, ch. 194, § 3; G.L. 1956, § 16-4-3.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-4 - Permanent School Fund [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act] › Section 16-4-4. - Repealed.

§ 16-4-4. Repealed.
History of Section.
G.L. 1896, ch. 30, § 4; G.L. 1909, ch. 40, § 4; P.L. 1922, ch. 2234, § 2; G.L. 1923, ch. 41, § 4; G.L. 1938, ch. 194, § 4; G.L. 1956, § 16-4-4; Repealed by P.L. 1986, ch. 287, art. 12, § 3, effective June 24, 1986.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-4 - Permanent School Fund [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act] › Section 16-4-5. - Use of fund and income — Unexpended funds.

§ 16-4-5. Use of fund and income — Unexpended funds.
The income from the fund is appropriated to be used for the promotion and support of public education. The board of regents for elementary and secondary education may adopt rules and regulations for the expenditure of these funds. In expending the income the board shall first consider public school improvement projects and programs whose effects could benefit the public schools of any one or more city, town, or school district in the state. The commissioner of elementary and secondary education shall regularly make recommendations to the board about specific programs and projects to be supported by these funds and the general assembly may make appropriations from the fund principal for educational purposes. Whenever any funds are appropriated for educational purposes, the funds shall be used for educational purposes only and all these state funds must be used to supplement any and all money allocated by a city or town for educational purposes and, in no event, shall state funds be used to supplant, directly or indirectly, any money allocated by a city or town for educational purposes. The commissioner shall oversee the fund, assess the effectiveness of its programs and projects, and make recommendations about the general use and operation of the funds to the board. For the purposes of this section the general treasurer shall continue to hold, subject to expenditure by the board of regents for elementary and secondary education, any part of the income of the fund unexpended.
History of Section.
G.L. 1896, ch. 30, § 5; G.L. 1909, ch. 40, § 5; P.L. 1922, ch. 2234, § 3; G.L. 1923, ch. 41, § 5; P.L. 1925, ch. 611, § 1; P.L. 1929, ch. 1342, § 1; P.L. 1932, ch. 1920, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 194, § 5; impl. am. P.L. 1951, ch. 2752, § 21; G.L. 1956, § 16-4-5; P.L. 1986, ch. 287, art. 12, § 2; P.L. 1993, ch. 138, art. 77, § 8.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-4 - Permanent School Fund [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act] › Section 16-4-6. - Additions to the fund.

§ 16-4-6. Additions to the fund.
(a)
The general assembly shall review the adequacy of the permanent school fund on a regular basis and may make any appropriations to carry out the purposes of this chapter as it deems necessary. In addition, the board of regents for elementary and secondary education is authorized to accept grants and bequests from public and private sources in order to carry out the purposes of this chapter.
(b)
It is the intent of the general assembly that the funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this section shall be provided within the annual appropriations act.
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 287, art. 12, § 4; P.L. 1988, ch. 84, § 73.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-5 - State Aid [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act] › Section 16-5-1 - — 16-5-17. Repealed.

§ 16-5-1 — 16-5-17. Repealed.
History of Section.
G.L. 1896, ch. 53, §§ 1-5; P.L. 1898, ch. 544, §§ 3, 46; P.L. 1903, ch. 1101, §§ 5, 6; P.L. 1904, ch. 1147, § 3; G.L. 1909, ch. 65, §§ 1-5; ch. 66, §§ 9, 10; ch. 74, §§ 2, 3, 5; P.L. 1909, ch. 446, § 1; P.L. 1910, ch. 545, § 1; P.L. 1912, ch. 845, §§ 1-4; P.L. 1914, ch. 1098, § 1; P.L. 1915, ch. 1234, § 1; P.L. 1918, ch. 1654, §§ 1, 2; P.L. 1919, ch. 1725, § 2; P.L. 1921, ch. 2055, § 1; P.L. 1922, ch. 2234, §§ 8, 9, 17; G.L. 1923, ch. 67, §§ 1-5; ch. 68, §§ 1-5; ch. 70, §§ 8, 9; ch. 81, §§ 2, 3, 8; P.L. 1925, ch. 594, § 1; P.L. 1925, ch. 597, § 1; P.L. 1925, ch. 598, § 1; P.L. 1926, ch. 775, § 1; P.L. 1935, ch. 2250, § 149; P.L. 1936, ch. 2375, §§ 1, 2; G.L. 1938, ch. 178, §§ 8, 9; ch. 192, §§ 1-5; ch. 93, §§ 1-4; ch. 197, §§ 2, 3, 5, 8; P.L. 1939, ch. 659, § 2; P.L. 1940, ch. 825, § 1; G.L. 1956, §§ 16-5-1 — 16-5-17; Repealed by P.L. 1960, ch. 27, § 12.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-5 - State Aid [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act] › Section 16-5-18. - Funds for training of practical nurses.

§ 16-5-18. Funds for training of practical nurses.
Funds shall be provided to the state board of regents for elementary and secondary education for vocational education for:
(1)
Establishment of a program for the training of practical nurses in the Woonsocket area.
(2)
After the establishment of a program for the training of practical nurses in the Woonsocket area, the existing facilities of the Providence program for the metropolitan area shall be expanded.
(3)
After the establishment of a program for the training of practical nurses in the Woonsocket area, and after the existing facilities of the Providence program for the metropolitan area have been expanded, the present program shall be extended to those other areas of the state where the need is evident.
(4)
The acceleration of the recruitment program for applicants for the practical nurse training program.
History of Section.
P.L. 1956, ch. 3764, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 16-5-18.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-5 - State Aid [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act] › Section 16-5-19 - — 16-5-21. Repealed.

§ 16-5-19 — 16-5-21. Repealed.
History of Section.
G.L. 1896, ch. 53, §§ 7-9; P.L. 1898, ch. 540, § 1; G.L. 1909, ch. 65, §§ 7-9; P.L. 1916, ch. 1348, § 1; G.L. 1923, ch. 67, §§ 6-8; P.L. 1925, ch. 595, § 1; P.L. 1935, ch. 2250, § 149; G.L. 1938, ch. 192, §§ 6-8; G.L. 1956, §§ 16-5-19 — 16-5-21; Repealed by P.L. 1960, ch. 27, § 12.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-5 - State Aid [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act] › Section 16-5-22. - Appropriations to aid evening schools.

§ 16-5-22. Appropriations to aid evening schools.
The general assembly shall annually appropriate any sum as it may deem necessary for the support and maintenance of public evening schools in the several cities or towns of the state, to be apportioned by the board of regents for elementary and secondary education for the support of the schools as may be approved by the board; and the state controller is authorized and directed to draw his or her orders for the payment of the sum, or so much of the sum as shall be required, on vouchers approved by the department of elementary and secondary education.
History of Section.
G.L. 1896, ch. 53, § 10; G.L. 1909, ch. 65, § 10; G.L. 1923, ch. 67, § 9; P.L. 1925, ch. 596, § 1; P.L. 1935, ch. 2250, § 149; G.L. 1938, ch. 192, § 9; impl. am. P.L. 1939, ch. 660, § 65; impl. am. P.L. 1951, ch. 2752, § 21; G.L. 1956, § 16-5-22.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-5 - State Aid [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act] › Section 16-5-23 - — 16-5-29. Repealed.

§ 16-5-23 — 16-5-29. Repealed.
History of Section.
G.L. 1923, ch. 81, §§ 9-11; P.L. 1936, ch. 2375, § 4; G.L. 1938, ch. 81, § 11; G.L. 1938, ch. 197, §§ 9-11; P.L. 1939, ch. 691, § 1; P.L. 1943, ch. 1275, § 1; P.L. 1944, ch. 1501, §§ 1, 2; G.L. 1956, §§ 16-5-23 — 16-5-27; Repealed by P.L. 1960, ch. 27, § 12.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-5 - State Aid [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act] › Section 16-5-30. - Withholding of aid for infraction of laws or regulations — Report to general assembly.

§ 16-5-30. Withholding of aid for infraction of laws or regulations — Report to general assembly.
The commissioner of elementary and secondary education may, for violation or neglect of law or for violation or neglect of rules and regulations in pursuance of law by any city or town or city or town officer or school committee, or for nonpayment of tuition owed by one community to another including but not limited to those children in state custody, vocational education, or special education, order the general treasurer to withhold the payment of any portion of the public money that has been or may be apportioned to the city or town; and the general treasurer upon the receipt in writing of the order shall hold the public money due the city or town until the time as the commissioner by writing requests the withheld funds for the purposes of eliminating the violation or neglect of law or regulation that caused the order to be issued, or the commissioner of elementary and secondary education shall notify the treasurer that the city or town has complied with the order as the department of elementary and secondary education shall make in the premises, in which case payment shall be made to the town immediately. If the violation is for nonpayment of tuition and it has been determined by the commissioner that the tuition is owed, then the commissioner shall, subject to the debtor community’s right to appeal to the superior court, order the general treasurer to deduct the amount owed from the debtor community’s school aid and to pay the community which is owed the tuition. The board of regents for elementary and secondary education shall report to the general assembly annually all infractions of school law which shall be brought to its attention, with a record of this action as the department shall have taken in each instance.
History of Section.
G.L., ch. 63, § 5; P.L. 1922, ch. 2234, § 4; G.L. 1923, ch. 65, § 5; G.L. 1938, ch. 176, § 2; impl. am. P.L. 1951, ch. 2752, §§ 8, 10, 21; G.L. 1956, § 16-5-30; P.L. 1988, ch. 336, § 8; P.L. 1996, ch. 100, art. 22, § 6.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-5 - State Aid [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act] › Section 16-5-30.1. - Penalty for violation.

§ 16-5-30.1. Penalty for violation.
Any community that does not comply with the provisions of §§ 16-21-7, 16-21-9, 16-21-12, 16-21-14, and 16-38-2 shall be subject to the penalty provided in § 16-5-30.
History of Section.
P.L. 1961, ch. 133, § 7.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-5 - State Aid [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act] › Section 16-5-31. - Educational improvement block grant.

§ 16-5-31. Educational improvement block grant.
(a)
There is created an educational improvement block grant.
(b)
The dollar equivalents resulting from the difference in the statewide local tax rate as defined in § 16-7-19(a) and (b), and as divided in § 16-7-19(c), may be expended for any of the purposes set forth below:
(1)
Providing preschool programs, of at least one-half (½) day’s duration, for four (4) year old children who are at risk of school failure;
(2)
Providing parent education programs including the provision of resource materials on home learning activities, private and group educational guidance, individual and group learning experiences for the parent and child, and other activities that enable the parent to improve learning in the home;
(3)
Reducing class size with the ultimate goal of an average pupil/teacher ratio of 15-1 in grades pre-kindergarten through three (3); and
(4)
Providing full day kindergarten programs with first priority given to children who are at risk of school failure.
(c)
Education improvement block grant funds shall be allocated to every community in the proportion to which each community’s share bears to the total state share as computed under § 16-7-19(a) and as further adjusted by minimum share and regional school district provisions as provided for in § 16-7-20. In order to be eligible to obtain funds provided in this section a school district must submit, for the commissioner’s approval, an application which clearly and specifically describes how the funds will be used for the purposes intended.
(d)
The commissioner of elementary and secondary education shall establish and promulgate regulations for the purpose of carrying out the intent of this section. Funds granted under this section shall not be used by districts to supplant local funds. School districts may carry over to the next fiscal year a maximum of fifteen percent (15%) of their allocation.
History of Section.
P.L. 1960, ch. 27, § 9; P.L. 1985, ch. 182, §§ 3, 4; P.L. 1986, ch. 198, § 8; P.L. 1988, ch. 336, § 8; P.L. 2001, ch. 86, § 30.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-5 - State Aid [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act] › Section 16-5-32. - Elementary and secondary education excellence fund.

§ 16-5-32. Elementary and secondary education excellence fund.
(a)
There is created a fund of three million dollars ($3,000,000) for the purposes set forth below:
(1)
Two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) shall be used to make competitive grant awards to local school districts for exemplary dropout prevention programs;
(2)
One hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) shall be used to establish training programs for parents, with special emphasis on parents of preschool children, and to make competitive grant awards to local school districts for exemplary parent involvement programs;
(3)
One hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) shall be used for school committee and administrator training;
(4)
Two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) shall be used to make competitive grant awards to local school districts which develop exemplary school site management programs;
(5)
One million dollars ($1,000,000) shall be prorated among local school districts on the basis of their 1987-88 entitlement under § 16-7-20 to fund grants to further the literacy focus in instruction in kindergarten through grade three (3) for all students and supplementary literacy instruction for educationally disadvantaged students in grades kindergarten through twelve (12);
(6)
Two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) shall be used to establish a statewide screening program for all children just entering school;
(7)
Three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) for use by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education to implement recommendations of the task force to study the governor’s 1991 report on education;
(8)
Five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) shall be used for vocational education in accordance with § 16-45-7; and
(9)
Two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) will be used to establish and expand programs in area vocational schools.
(b)
All grant money received by a local school district from this fund will be ineligible for reimbursement under the school operations aid program. Funds, with the exception of subsection (a)(8), may not be used to supplant funding for existing programs and activities.
(c)
The commissioner of elementary and secondary education shall promulgate any rules and regulations as he or she shall deem necessary for the operation of the education excellence fund. The decision of the commissioner of elementary and secondary education shall be final on all questions regarding grants.
History of Section.
P.L. 1987, ch. 581, § 1; P.L. 1988, ch. 84, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-5 - State Aid [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act] › Section 16-5-33. - Education partnership fund.

§ 16-5-33. Education partnership fund.
There is created and established a program to be known as the “education partnership program.” The commissioner of elementary and secondary education is authorized to accept grants and bequests from public and private sources with the approval of the director of administration which shall be deposited as general revenues. In order to carry out the purposes of grants and bequests the commissioner shall oversee the appropriated funds, adopt rules and regulations for the expenditure of these funds, and assess the effectiveness of its programs and projects. The state controller is directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of the sum, or so much of the sum as may be required upon receipt by the controller of vouchers duly authenticated by the commissioner.
History of Section.
P.L. 1988, ch. 336, § 9; P.L. 1995, ch. 70, art. 40, § 43.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-5 - State Aid [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act] › Section 16-5-34. - Repealed.

§ 16-5-34. Repealed.
History of Section.
P.L. 2006, ch. 264, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 298, § 1; Repealed by P.L. 2010, ch. 23, art. 13, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-6 - Teachers’ Salary Grants [Repealed.] › Section 16-6-1 - — 16-6-6. Repealed.

§ 16-6-1 — 16-6-6. Repealed.
History of Section.
P.L. 1947, ch. 1887, art. 9, part 1, § 2; P.L. 1948, ch. 2131, § 1; G.L. 1956, §§ 16-6-3 — 16-6-6; Repealed by P.L. 1960, ch. 27, § 12.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-7 - Foundation Level School Support [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act] › Section 16-7-1 - — 16-7-14. Repealed.

§ 16-7-1 — 16-7-14. Repealed.
History of Section.
P.L. 1955, ch. 3419, §§ 1-5, 7, 8; G.L. 1956, §§ 16-7-1 — 16-7-14; R.P.L. 1957, ch. 68, §§ 1, 2; Repealed by P.L. 1960, ch. 27, § 12.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-7 - Foundation Level School Support [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act] › Section 16-7-15. - Statement of purpose.

§ 16-7-15. Statement of purpose.
The purpose of §§ 16-7-15 to 16-7-34 is to provide a quality education for all Rhode Island youth by requiring a minimum per pupil expenditure level, by encouraging school committees to provide superior education beyond this minimum, by identifying fiscal responsibilities of school committees, by further improving the efficiency of our school systems through encouraging small school districts to combine into larger, more efficient regionalized units, and by incorporating the many various state aids into one comprehensive program.
History of Section.
P.L. 1960, ch. 27, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-7 - Foundation Level School Support [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act] › Section 16-7-17. - Time of payment of state’s share of the basic program and approved expenditures.

§ 16-7-17. Time of payment of state’s share of the basic program and approved expenditures.
There shall be paid by the state to each community in twelve (12) monthly installments an amount as determined by law to be the state’s share of the cost of the basic program for the reference year and all approved expenditures in excess of the basic program for the reference year, provided, however, that these payments to a community shall be reduced by the amount of funds deposited by the department into the local education agency EPSDT account in accordance with § 40-8-18 on behalf of the community. The July payment shall be two and fifty-four hundredths percent (2.54%) of the state’s share based upon the estimated pupil data, valuation data, and expenditure data for the reference year and the August through June payments shall each be eight and eighty-six hundredths percent (8.86%) of the aid due and payable based upon the data for the reference year, except for the city of East Providence which shall be paid during October and April in accordance with chapter 344 of the Public Laws of 1982.
History of Section.
P.L. 1960, ch. 27, § 3; P.L. 1982, ch. 344, art. 7, § 1; P.L. 1991, ch. 6, art. 20, § 1; P.L. 1991, ch. 44, art. 46, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 289, § 2; P.L. 1992, ch. 399, § 2; P.L. 1992, ch. 133, art. 79, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 86, § 31; P.L. 2012, ch. 241, art. 12, § 5.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-7 - Foundation Level School Support [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act] › Section 16-7-18. - Determination of mandated minimum program level.

§ 16-7-18. Determination of mandated minimum program level.
The mandated minimum program level shall be determined annually by the board of regents for elementary and secondary education upon recommendation of the commissioner.
History of Section.
P.L. 1960, ch. 27, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-7 - Foundation Level School Support [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act] › Section 16-7-19. - Computation of standard local tax rate.

§ 16-7-19. Computation of standard local tax rate.
(a)
The standard local tax rate required to support the basic program shall be forty percent (40%).
(b)
The statewide local tax rate to be used in calculating each community’s share under § 16-7-20 shall be fifty percent (50%).
(c)
Fifty percent (50%) of the difference resulting from the difference between the rate presented in subsection (a) and the rate presented in subsection (b) shall be used in accordance with § 16-5-31 and fifty percent (50%) of the difference shall be allocated annually by the general assembly, upon recommendation of the commissioner and the board of regents for elementary and secondary education, for one or more of the programs listed in § 16-69-2.
(d)
The state controller is authorized and directed to draw his or her order upon the general treasurer for the payment of those sums or any portions of those sums as may be required from time to time upon receipt by the controller of properly authenticated vouchers.
(e)
If the sums appropriated are not sufficient to implement subsections (a), (b), and (c) of this section, then the amount appropriated shall first be utilized to implement subsection (b) of this section. If the sums are not sufficient, then the amount shall be ratably reduced. Amounts remaining after full funding of subsection (b) of this section shall be apportioned among school districts for the purpose of subsection (c) of this section.
History of Section.
P.L. 1960, ch. 27, § 5; P.L. 1964, ch. 242, art. 7, § 1; P.L. 1967, ch. 160, § 3; P.L. 1980, ch. 152, § 5; P.L. 1984, ch. 245, art. XII, § 1; P.L. 1985, ch. 182, §§ 5, 6; P.L. 1988, ch. 84, § 84; P.L. 1988, ch. 336, § 10; P.L. 1989, ch. 126, art. 35, § 1; P.L. 1990, ch. 65, art. 31, § 1; P.L. 1991, ch. 6, art. 21, § 1; P.L. 1991, ch. 44, art. 39, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 133, art. 43, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 70, art. 15, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 86, § 31.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-7 - Foundation Level School Support [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act] › Section 16-7-20.1. - Annual report of number of children with disabilities receiving support.

§ 16-7-20.1. Annual report of number of children with disabilities receiving support.
The director of the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals shall annually report on the first day of September to the commissioner of elementary and secondary education the number of children with disabilities affected by § 16-7-20 and the educational program costs for the children.
History of Section.
P.L. 1979, ch. 234, § 3; P.L. 1988, ch. 84, § 74; P.L. 1999, ch. 83, § 24; P.L. 1999, ch. 130, § 24; P.L. 2013, ch. 501, § 21.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-7 - Foundation Level School Support [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act] › Section 16-7-20.2. - Repealed.

§ 16-7-20.2. Repealed.
History of Section.
P.L. 1992, ch. 133, art. 43, § 6; P.L. 1993, ch. 138, art. 77, § 6; Repealed by P.L. 1994, ch. 70, art. 15, § 2, effective July 1, 1994.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-7 - Foundation Level School Support [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act] › Section 16-7-20.3. - Repealed.

§ 16-7-20.3. Repealed.
History of Section.
P.L. 1993, ch. 138, art. 77, § 3; Repealed by P.L. 1994, ch. 70, art. 15, § 2, effective July 1, 1994.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-7 - Foundation Level School Support [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act] › Section 16-7-20.4. - Repealed.

§ 16-7-20.4. Repealed.
History of Section.
P.L. 1993, ch. 138, art. 77, § 3; P.L. 1994, ch. 70, art. 15, § 1; Repealed by P.L. 2001, ch. 86, § 32, effective July 6, 2001.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-7 - Foundation Level School Support [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act] › Section 16-7-20.5. - Computation of regionalization bonus.

§ 16-7-20.5. Computation of regionalization bonus.
For each regional school district, a state share shall be computed and multiplied by the reference year cost, as defined under § 16-7-16(11), of the basic program, as defined under § 16-7-16(3). The state share shall equal two percent (2%) for each grade so consolidated for the first two (2) years of operation, diminishing thereafter by one-fourth of one percent (¼%) per grade per year, but in no event shall the increased percentage be less than eight percent (8%); provided further, that the individual communities in the Chariho regional districts shall each receive the applicable increased percentage of those grades serviced by the regional school district. Reimbursement payments as calculated under this section shall be made in accordance with the monthly distribution defined under § 16-7-20(c).
History of Section.
P.L. 1995, ch. 370, art. 18, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 86, § 31.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-7 - Foundation Level School Support [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act] › Section 16-7-20.6, 16-7-20.7. - Repealed.

§ 16-7-20.6, 16-7-20.7. Repealed.
History of Section.
P.L. 1995, ch. 370, art. 18, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 100, art. 22, § 2; Repealed by P.L. 2001, ch. 86, § 32, effective July 6, 2001.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-7 - Foundation Level School Support [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act] › Section 16-7-21. - Determination and adjustment of equalized weighted assessed valuation.

§ 16-7-21. Determination and adjustment of equalized weighted assessed valuation.
On or before August 1 of each year the division of property valuation within the department of revenue shall determine and certify to the commissioner of elementary and secondary education the equalized weighted assessed valuation for each city and town in the following manner:
(1)
The total assessed valuations of real and tangible personal property for each city and town as of December 31 of the third preceding calendar year shall be weighted by bringing the valuation to the true and market value of real and tangible personal property. The total assessed valuations of real and tangible personal property for all cities and towns shall be applied to the true and market valuations of the property for all cities and towns and the resulting percentage shall determine the average throughout the state. This percentage applied to the sum of the total true and market value of real and tangible personal property of each city and town shall be the equalized weighted assessed valuation of each city and town.
(2)
The equalized weighted assessed valuation for each city and town shall be allocated to the particular city or town, and in the case of a regional school district that does not service all grades, except the Chariho regional high school district, the commissioner of elementary and secondary education shall apportion that proportion of the equalized weighted assessed valuation of the member cities or towns that the average daily membership serviced by the regional school district bears to the total average daily membership, and the equalized weighted assessed valuation of the member cities and towns shall be appropriately reduced.
(3)
The equalized weighted assessed valuation for each community as allocated or apportioned in accordance with subsection (2) shall be adjusted by the ratio that the median family income of a city or town bears to the statewide median family income as reported in the latest available federal census data. The total state adjusted equalized weighted assessed valuation shall be the same as the total state equalized weighted assessed valuation.
(4)
In the event that certified data is later determined to be incorrect, the division of property valuation, in conjunction with the commissioner of elementary and secondary education, shall inform local education agencies, the senate president, and the speaker of the house of the issue(s) within five (5) days of the determination.
History of Section.
P.L. 1960, ch. 27, § 7; P.L. 1961, ch. 93, § 2; P.L. 1967, ch. 160, § 3; P.L. 1975, ch. 260, art. 4, § 2; P.L. 1980, ch. 264, § 1; P.L. 1983, ch. 134, § 1; P.L. 1988, ch. 84, § 74; P.L. 2006, ch. 246, art. 38, § 3; P.L. 2019, ch. 88, art. 9, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-7 - Foundation Level School Support [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act] › Section 16-7-23.1. - Special maintenance of effort rules for high local contribution and high per pupil expenditure communities.

§ 16-7-23.1. Special maintenance of effort rules for high local contribution and high per pupil expenditure communities.
(a)
Any community that has a local appropriation that funds at least eighty-five percent (85%) of the basic education program shall be defined as a high local contribution community. A high local contribution community that has provided full funding of the basic education program and all other approved programs required in law and regulation is authorized to reduce its local appropriation to schools by an amount up to ten percent (10%) of any increase it receives in state school funds, pursuant to the implementation of the permanent foundation education aid formula as defined in § 16-7.2-3.
(b)
Any community that has a local appropriation that combined with state education aid provides full funding of the basic education program and exceeds the benchmarks established by the department of elementary and secondary education for costs outside the permanent foundation education aid formula, pursuant to § 16-7.2-3, including but not limited to transportation, facility maintenance, and retiree health care, shall be defined as a high per pupil expenditure community. A high per pupil expenditure community is authorized to reduce its local appropriation to schools by an amount up to ten percent (10%) of any increase it receives in state school funds, pursuant to the implementation of the permanent foundation education aid formula as defined in § 16-7.2-3.
(c)
Upon request of the local community, and for good cause shown, the commissioner of elementary and secondary education may grant variances to subsection (a) and (b) if the commissioner finds that such adjustment does not disrupt the continued effective operation of the public school system of the city or town.
History of Section.
P.L. 2010, ch. 124, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 125, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-7 - Foundation Level School Support [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act] › Section 16-7-23.2. - School deficit reduction — Maintenance of effort provision.

§ 16-7-23.2. School deficit reduction — Maintenance of effort provision.
A city, town, or regional school district appropriating authority may appropriate supplemental funds to eliminate or reduce a school budget deficit. To the extent that such a supplemental appropriation represents payment of past annual expenditure, the payment shall not be used in the computation of the maintenance of effort requirements established by § 16-7-23.
History of Section.
P.L. 2012, ch. 241, art. 12, § 7.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-7 - Foundation Level School Support [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act] › Section 16-7-24. - Minimum appropriation by a community for approved school expenses.

§ 16-7-24. Minimum appropriation by a community for approved school expenses.
Each community shall appropriate or otherwise make available to the school committee for approved school expenditures during each school year, to be expended under the direction and supervision of the school committee of that community, an amount, which, together with state education aid and federal aid: (1) shall be not less than the costs of the basic program during the reference year, (2) plus the costs in the reference year of all optional programs shared by the state; provided, however, that the state funds provided in accordance with § 16-5-31 shall not be used to supplant local funds. The board of regents for elementary and secondary education shall adopt regulations for determining the basic education program and the maintenance of local appropriation to support the basic education program. A community that has a local appropriation insufficient to fund the basic education program pursuant to the regulations described in this section and all other approved programs shared by the state and required in law shall be required to increase its local appropriation in accordance with § 44-5-2 or find efficiencies in other non-education programs to provide sufficient funding to support the public schools. The city of Central Falls annual local contribution to education shall be determined pursuant to subsection 16-7.2-6(d).
History of Section.
P.L. 1960, ch. 27, § 10; P.L. 1983, ch. 200, § 1; P.L. 1988, ch. 84, § 74; P.L. 1988, ch. 336, § 10; P.L. 2010, ch. 124, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 125, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-7 - Foundation Level School Support [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act] › Section 16-7-25. - Minimum program required.

§ 16-7-25. Minimum program required.
The school committee in each community shall operate the schools each year on an appropriate level at least as adequate as the minimum established in §§ 16-7-15 to 16-7-34.
History of Section.
P.L. 1960, ch. 27, § 10.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 16 - Education › Chapter 16-7 - Foundation Level School Support [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act] › Section 16-7-26. - Repealed.

§ 16-7-26. Repealed.
History of Section.
P.L. 1960, ch. 27, § 10; Repealed by P.L. 1975, ch. 299, § 1.