2022 -- S 2877

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LC005764

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND SUPERINTENDENTS

     Introduced By: Senators Goodwin, Bell, Mack, and Ciccone

     Date Introduced: April 14, 2022

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

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

Act]" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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

members -- Vacancies.

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

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

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

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

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

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

the end of four (4) years from the dates of their respective elections. In cities or towns having

quadrennial elections the committees' terms of office shall expire on their cities' and towns' election

days and in choosing them, the vote shall be taken for the whole number of members of the

committee at the same time. As the office of each class shall become vacant, the vacancy or

vacancies shall be filled by the city or town at its regular city or town meeting for the election of

state or city or town officers, or by the city or town council at its next meeting after this. In case of

a vacancy by death, resignation, or otherwise than as is provided in this section, the vacancy shall

be filled by the city or town council until the next regular city or town meeting for the election of

state or city or town officers, when it shall be filled for the unexpired term as is provided in this

section. This section shall not apply to the cities of Providence, Central Falls, Woonsocket, or the

Town of North Smithfield city of Central Falls.

     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 EDUCATION - SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND SUPERINTENDENTS

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     This act would require that for cities and towns holding elections every four (4) years, the

terms of the members of the school committee would expire on election day and the vote would be

taken for the whole number of members on the same date, except for the city of Central Falls.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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