2014 -- H 7668

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LC004841

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - SECRETARY OF EDUCATION

     Introduced By: Representatives Tomasso, Amore, Walsh, McNamara, and Ferri

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2014

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-97 of the General Laws entitled “The Rhode Island Board of

Education Act” is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     16-97-8. Establishment of executive office of education. – (a) There shall be

established an executive office of education, which shall be under the supervision and control of a

secretary of education, in this section called (“the secretary″). The secretary shall be appointed

by and serve at the pleasure of the governor, shall receive such salary as the governor determines,

and shall devote full time to the duties of the office.

     (b) The secretary shall have the following duties and powers:

     (1) Analyze the present and future goals, needs, and requirements of public education in

the state of Rhode Island;

     (2) Review and approve mission statements and five (5) year master plans encompassing

each sector of the public education system, including early education and care, elementary and

secondary education, and public higher education. These mission statements and master plans

shall take into account the secretary’s analysis of goals, needs and requirements and shall be

designed to achieve a well-coordinated system of education from early childhood through the

university level and beyond;

     (3) Approve the appointments of the board of education;

     (4) Make recommendations to the governor concerning the funding of education in the

state and assist in preparing budget proposals to be submitted to the legislature on behalf of the

board of education;

     (5) Serve as the governor’s advisor on educational issues and represent the interests of

education in the governor’s cabinet;

     (6) Serve as an ex officio voting member of the board of education;

     (7) Manage all information technology resources employed by the board of education

including, but not limited to, all resources necessary to implement a longitudinal data system to

coordinate the collection and analysis of educational data from pre-kindergarten programs

through highest education and oversee the departments’ compliance with all standards and

policies of the information technology division;

     (8) The secretary may, subject to appropriation, appoint such other employees as deemed

necessary to carry out the duties and responsibilities, shall be provided with adequate offices, and

may expend sums for other necessary expenses of the executive office.

     (9) Nothing in this section shall be construed as conferring any powers upon the secretary

with respect to the board of education or its department except as set forth in this section or as

otherwise expressly provided by law.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - SECRETARY OF EDUCATION

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     This act would establish an executive office of education headed by a secretary of

education, for the purpose of overall management of the public education system.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC004841

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