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Rhode IslandH62552025 Regular SessionHouse

AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND SUPERINTENDENTS -- CENTRAL FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT .

Sponsored By: Joshua J. Giraldo (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

State help paying school police costs

The law provides state funding for half of qualifying school police officers’ salaries and benefits for fiscal year 2019 and the next three years. Districts or municipalities choose whether to employ these officers. Eligible positions must have been established on or after July 1, 2018. Officers must have sworn law-enforcement authority and complete at least 40 hours of accredited school-policing training before assignment. Each officer must serve one school. Schools with fewer than 1,200 students qualify for reimbursement for one officer; schools with at least 1,200 qualify for two. Extra officers do not qualify, and schools cannot qualify by eliminating existing positions and creating replacements under this program. Funding follows the law’s transition plan for these school aid programs.

New limits on regional school bonuses

Effective upon passage, the law ends regionalization bonuses in the third fiscal year. Chariho’s bonus must count toward the state share of permanent foundation education aid for its member towns. When approved bonus costs exceed the yearly appropriation, the state education department must reduce payments proportionally among eligible regional districts.

Central Falls school control and funding

Beginning January 1, 2026, Central Falls can create a local school board by city ordinance or home rule charter. It replaces the prior state-run structure, meets at least monthly, and can receive pay set by the city. The board sets school policy, approves employment contracts, and runs a transparent yearly budget process. It appoints and evaluates the superintendent, whose first term cannot exceed three years. The superintendent serves at the board’s pleasure, and the mayor must approve employment terms. The superintendent manages daily operations, staff, purchases, and budget preparation, and reports on school progress and finances. Employee collective bargaining rights remain protected; state intervention remains limited by law. The school stabilization fund covers the gap between the district’s foundation amount and state formula aid, plus education costs outside that formula. Its calculation uses the latest published school spending data, adjusted for inflation and changes in resident student enrollment. The city must contribute an amount equal to its annual state revenue distribution under the cited revenue-sharing law. The law also sets stabilization-fund allocation rules for Davies and the Met Center.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Joshua J. Giraldo

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Karen Alzate

    Democratic • House

  • Nathan W. Biah

    Democratic • House

  • Julie A. Casimiro

    Democratic • House

  • Cherie L. Cruz

    Democratic • House

  • Leonela Felix

    Democratic • House

  • David Morales

    Democratic • House

  • Robert D. Phillips

    Democratic • House

  • Mary Ann Shallcross Smith

    Democratic • House

  • Brandon T. Voas

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 106 • No: 0

Senate vote • 6/21/2025

CREATE SPECIAL JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMM. STUDY CENTRAL FALLS SCHOOL In Concurrence Passage

Yes: 35 • No: 0

House vote • 6/18/2025

COMM. / CENTRAL FALLS SCHOOLS PASSAGE

Yes: 71 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor

    6/26/2025Governor

  2. Transmitted to Governor

    6/23/2025Governor

  3. Senate passed Sub A in concurrence

    6/21/2025Senate

  4. Placed on Senate Calendar (06/20/2025)

    6/19/2025Senate

  5. House passed Sub A

    6/18/2025House

  6. Placed on House Calendar (06/18/2025)

    6/17/2025House

  7. Committee recommends passage of Sub A

    6/17/2025

  8. Proposed Substitute

    6/15/2025

  9. Scheduled for consideration (06/17/2025)

    6/15/2025

  10. Committee recommended measure be held for further study

    5/15/2025

  11. Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/15/2025)

    5/9/2025

  12. Introduced, referred to House Finance

    4/23/2025House

Bill Text

  • H6255 - As Introduced

    4/23/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • H6255 - Substitute

    4/23/2025

    HTMLPDF

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