Chapter 186

2005 -- S 1153

Enacted 07/07/05

A N A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

Introduced By: Senators Gallo, P Fogarty, C Levesque, Roberts, and Felag

Date Introduced: June 02, 2005

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 16-7.2-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-7.2 entitled "The

Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:

16-7.2-2. Joint legislative committee to establish a permanent education foundation

aid formula for Rhode Island. -- (a) There is hereby established a joint legislative committee to

develop a basic foundation support program and an appropriate transition plan to fully implement

a new funding system.

The committee shall consist of ten (10) members, five (5) of which shall be appointed by

the speaker of the house, one (1) of which shall be from the minority party, and five (5) members

appointed by the president of the senate, one (1) of which shall be from the minority party. The

speaker of the house and president of the senate shall each appoint a committee co-chair.

The joint legislative committee is directed to consider the following framework in

developing a new education foundation support program:

(1) A state education funding formula that is student population and needs driven.

Student counts should include enrollments, students eligible for free and reduced lunch, those

participating in language assistance programs, and special education. Provisions should be made

for those school districts that experience declining enrollments.

(2) The accounting for "extraordinary special education expenditures" in special

education spending for one child in a given fiscal year.

(3) A per pupil foundation amount to be used in the calculation of school funding. The

per pupil foundation amount should be based on what the cost is to provide an equitable and

adequate education, and consider various cost factors, such as pupil-teacher ratios, teacher and

staff compensation, technology investments, educational supplies, teacher training and

professional development, student performance assessments, curriculum offerings and support

services and other costs associated with the delivery of educational services.

(4) Per pupil cost, based on a least cost option plan to provide purchase of service

contracts in areas such as equipment, repair, benefits, transportation, general purchasing, capital

construction, data processing and health and other insurance programs. In addition, the

department of education should assist regional collaboratives in identifying opportunities to

maximize multiple school district participation for "high cost" programs.

(5) Various methods of funding the system.

(6) A transition education funding plan.

(b) The speaker of the house and president of the senate, in consultation with the

committee co-chairs, are hereby directed to appoint a foundation aid technical advisory group,

and a property tax relief technical advisory group.

recommending foundation aid amounts by:

(1) Identifying specific resources and least cost options to provide every child the

opportunity to necessary educational opportunities to meet education performance standards; and

(2) Systematically calculating the amount of per pupil funding necessary to support an

effective and efficient educational system. The group may create task forces to consider the needs

of special populations, comprehensive education programs, and noneducational support activities,

composed of experts in these areas. In developing a foundation aid amount, the group shall

consider, among other factors, pupil-teacher ratios, compensation, collective bargaining practices,

technology investments, educational supplies, teacher training and professional development,

student performance assessments, curriculum offerings and support services and all other costs

and needs associated with the delivery of educational services.

(d) The property tax relief technical advisory group shall advise and assist the committee

in identifying the options and the impact of replacing existing local education property tax levies

that support the funding of elementary and secondary education with other resources.

(e) The joint committee shall issue a report outlining its findings and recommendations

no later than ~~October 1, 2005.~~ March 15, 2006.

All state agencies and departments shall be directed to cooperate with and provide all

necessary information to the joint legislative committee.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

=======

LC03425

=======