2021 -- H 5689

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LC001557

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND SUPERINTENDENTS

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Casey, S Lima, and Phillips

     Date Introduced: February 24, 2021

     Referred To: House Municipal Government & Housing

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

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

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Act]" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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

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members -- Vacancies.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Central Falls, Woonsocket, or the Town of North Smithfield.

 

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND SUPERINTENDENTS

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     This act would eliminate the exception the current law gives to Woonsocket regarding the

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composition of city or town school committees.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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