07-R188

2007 -- H 5121 SUBSTITUTE A

Enacted 04/25/07

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL HOUSE COMMISSION TO STUDY REGIONALIZING AND/OR COMBINING ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER FUNCTIONS OF THE NEWPORT, PORTSMOUTH AND MIDDLETOWN SCHOOL SYSTEMS

Introduced By: Representatives Rice, Crowley, and Jackson

Date Introduced: January 18, 2007

     RESOLVED, That a special house commission be and the same is hereby created

consisting of nine (9) members: four (4) of whom shall be members of the House of

Representatives or designees, not more than three (3) from the same political party, of which

three (3) of whom shall represent either the Town of Portsmouth, the City of Newport, or the

Town of Middletown, to be appointed by the Speaker; one (1) of whom shall be the President of

the RINEA, or designee; one (1) of whom shall be the Executive Director of the RI Association

of School Committees, or designee; one (1) of whom shall be the Executive Director of the

League of Cities and Towns, or designee; and two (2) of whom shall be members of the public,

residing in either Portsmouth, Middletown, or Newport, to be appointed by the Speaker.

      The purpose of said commission shall be to make a comprehensive study of

implementing a regional school system for the City of Newport, the Town of Portsmouth and the

Town of Middletown. The committee shall also examine the potential impact of combining

school department functions, including, but not limited to: administration, transportation,

purchasing, and insurance, dental and medical coverage.

      Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at

the call of the Speaker of the House and organize and shall select, from among the legislators, a

chairperson. Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original

appointment.

      The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.

      All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,

documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or

desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.

      The Speaker of the House is hereby authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters

for said commission; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the

House of Representatives no later than February 15, 2009 and said commission shall expire on

April 15, 2009.

=======

LC00664/SUB A

========