2022 -- H 7377

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LC004307

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND SUPERINTENDENTS

     Introduced By: Representatives Perez, Vella-Wilkinson, and Williams

     Date Introduced: February 09, 2022

     Referred To: House Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 16-2-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-2 entitled "School

Committees and Superintendents [See Title 16 Chapter 97 - The Rhode Island Board of Education

Act]" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     16-2-5. Composition of city or town school committees -- Election and terms of

members -- Vacancies.

     The school committee of each city or town shall consist of three (3) residents of the city or

town, or of any number as at the present time constitute the committee. In cities or towns having

annual elections of city or town officers the committee shall be divided as equally as may be into

three (3) classes whose several terms of office shall expire at the end of three (3) years from the

dates of their respective elections. In cities or towns having biennial elections the committee shall

be divided as equally as may be into two (2) classes whose several terms of office shall expire at

the end of four (4) years from the dates of their respective elections. As the office of each class

shall become vacant, the vacancy or vacancies shall be filled by the city or town at its regular city

or town meeting for the election of state or city or town officers, or by the city or town council at

its next meeting after this. In case of a vacancy by death, resignation, or otherwise than as is

provided in this section, the vacancy shall be filled by the city or town council until the next regular

city or town meeting for the election of state or city or town officers, when it shall be filled for the

unexpired term as is provided in this section. This section shall not apply to the cities of Providence,

Central Falls, Woonsocket, or the Town of North Smithfield; provided, however, effective July 1,

2026, and thereafter, this section shall apply to the city of Providence, and the city of Providence

shall have an elected school committee.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect only upon approval of this act by a majority of the

qualified electors of the said city of Providence voting at a general or special election, which

election, if held, shall be held prior to July 1, 2026.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND SUPERINTENDENTS

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     This act would authorize the city of Providence to have an elected school committee, as

opposed to an appointed school committee, effective July 1, 2026.

     This act would take effect only upon approval of this act by a majority of the qualified

electors of the said city of Providence voting at a general or special election, which election, if held,

would be held prior to July 1, 2026.

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