2019 -- S 0263

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LC001281

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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 -- ESTABLISHMENT OF CHARTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

     Introduced By: Senators Sheehan, Gallo, Lombardi, Satchell, and McCaffrey

     Date Introduced: February 13, 2019

     Referred To: Senate Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-77 of the General Laws entitled "Establishment of Charter

Public Schools [See Title 16 Chapter 97 - The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following section:

     16-77-13. Host district to have membership on board of directors.

     Effective September 1, 2019, charter public schools as defined in § 16-77-2.1 shall

include on their board of governors or trustees one member appointed by the school committee of

the host school district with the consent of the charter public school; provided, however, that the

charter public school cannot unreasonably withhold its approval. The appointee shall be a resident

of either the host district or any district sending students to the charter public school. In the event

a charter public school, as defined in § 16-77-2.1, does not have a board of governors, trustees, or

a governing body, such a body shall be established by the school to ensure public representation

in the governance of the charter public school. The charter public school governing board shall be

responsible for, but not be limited to, the expenditures of public funds, the running of fair and

equitable lotteries for attendance at the school and to ensure that students attending the school

reflect the diversity of the sending districts, with regard to ethnicity, special education and income

levels. Members of the board appointed by the host school committee will serve at the pleasure of

said committee.

     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 -- ESTABLISHMENT OF CHARTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

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     This act would require that charter public schools include on their board of governors or

trustees, one member from the host community to be appointed by the school committee of said

community. If no board exists, one shall be established by the school to ensure public

representation of the charter school.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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