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:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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the state of Rhode Island;

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

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

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

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

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

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university level and beyond;

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

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

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

 

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board of education;

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

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education in the governor’s cabinet;

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

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

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

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

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

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policies of the information technology division;

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

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

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

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

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

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otherwise expressly provided by law.

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     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

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

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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