Rhode IslandS27872026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- ESTABLISHMENT OF CHARTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS .

Sponsored By: Melissa A. Murray (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.

Half of charters for at-risk students

At least half of all charter schools are reserved for applications that expand opportunities for educationally disadvantaged, at‑risk students. This aims to increase access to charter seats for those pupils across the state.

Charter growth paused and capped through 2029

The state caps total charter schools at 25. The council cannot approve new or expanded charters that would start in school years 2026–27, 2027–28, or 2028–29. For those years, the state also will not fund any new charter or expansion unless it was approved before July 1, 2025. This limits new charter seats during those years.

Rules for students at mayoral academies

Mayoral academy applications must include an education plan with a clear mission and measurable goals. Schools must provide at least 180 instructional days each year and explain how student learning will be measured. They must describe health and safety procedures, enrollment rules with outreach to build a diverse student body, and student discipline policies. Each year, they must report to parents, the community, sending districts, and the commissioner on progress toward charter goals.

Mayoral academy governance and finances

Mayoral academy proposals are due to the commissioner by December 1 of the prior school year. Applications must show how the school will be governed, include bylaws, and identify the building and its terms. They must list services from sending districts and third‑party vendors, spell out any laws or rules they seek variances from, and provide a multi‑year budget with annual financial and administrative audits and fund‑handling plans. They must also give parents and teachers a formal way to legally challenge board actions that break the charter. Expansion is defined as adding students, grades, or districts.

More local say on network charters

A network charter must get written support from each sending district’s town or city council after a public hearing. Where state law requires it, applications must include those local council approvals. Existing charters operating on July 13, 2016 do not need local written support to expand or renew. If some districts do not support the plan, the applicant can drop those districts and move forward with the rest if all rules are met.

Pay and retirement options for staff

Teachers and administrators in mayoral academies must be state‑certified, and applications must explain job terms. A mayoral academy can elect in writing to provide prevailing public‑school wages and benefits, let staff join the state teachers’ retirement system, and count that work for service credit. If your academy makes that election, you may get pay and retirement benefits like other public‑school staff.

Stronger oversight and five-year terms

Charter approvals last up to five years, then must be reviewed. The state can revoke a charter for major violations, weak results, fiscal failures, legal breaches, or not being high‑performing after three straight years. These rules aim to protect students and public funds.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Melissa A. Murray
Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

Jacob Bissaillon
Democratic • Senate
Frank A. Ciccone, III
Democratic • Senate
Mark P. McKenney
Democratic • Senate
Todd M. Patalano
Democratic • Senate
Ryan W. Pearson
Democratic • Senate
Brian J. Thompson
Democratic • Senate
Lori Urso
Democratic • Senate
Samuel D. Zurier
Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 64 • No: 8

Senate vote • 6/4/2026

OF CHARTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS Approval of Amendment Passage

Yes: 33 • No: 2