2019 -- H 5249

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LC000529

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF

ACT

     Introduced By: Representatives Vella-Wilkinson, Millea, Corvese, O'Brien, and
Casimiro

     Date Introduced: January 31, 2019

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 16-3.1-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-3.1 entitled

"Cooperative Service Among School Districts [See Title 16 Chapter 97 - The Rhode Island Board

of Education Act]" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     16-3.1-2. Agreements.

     (a) Any school committee, acting for or on behalf of its district, may enter into an

agreement with one or more other school committees to conduct jointly instructional education

programs and/or administrative functions, provided that the agreement has been reviewed and is

recommended by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education and has the approval

of each participating school committee. Pursuant to this section, school districts are authorized to

enter into compacts or agreements with other schools that are not part of that school district,

including, but not limited to, charter schools that will enable students to remain a student and

attend classes in one home district, and to attend classes in a school outside of their home district,

for academic credit.

     (b) The department of elementary and secondary education shall provide technical

assistance to any school districts expressing interest in the formation of cooperative services. It

shall review proposed agreements and make recommendations prior to the submission of the

agreements to the commissioner of elementary and secondary education for his or her

consideration. The department shall also provide support and technical assistance to school

districts in their efforts to enter into, initiate, and maintain programs that permit students to

remain a student in one home district while attending classes in another district. As used herein,

the term "home district" refers to the public school district of the school where the student attends

and undertakes the majority of the student's classes.

     SECTION 2. Chapter 16-7.2 of the General Laws entitled "The Education Equity and

Property Tax Relief Act" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     16-7.2-5.1. Foundation education aid to follow student during school year.

     The state's share of the foundation education aid calculated pursuant to §§ 16-7.2-3 and

16-7.2-4 shall follow the student to the school district, including any traditional public school or

charter school district, during the days the student is attending a public school in that district. In

the event a student starts the school year in one public school and then transfers or otherwise

matriculates to another public school in a different school district, the state's share of foundation

education aid payment for that student shall be transferred to the new district, and shall continue

to be paid to that district until the student is no longer attending a public school of that district.

School districts shall make adjustments between and among the districts and apportion payments

between themselves to the nearest monthly increment to account for any payments received for a

month during which a student transfers from one district to another.

     SECTION 3. 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 -- EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF

ACT

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     This act would provide that the state's share of foundation education aid would follow the

student, the school the student is attending, and that districts would make adjustments between

themselves for and to the nearest monthly increment. This act would also authorize school

districts to enter into compacts or agreements with other schools that are not part of that school

district, including, but not limited to, charter schools, that would enable students to remain a

student and attend classes in one home district, but to attend classes in a school outside the home

district for academic credit.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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