Chapter 270

2013 -- H 6022

Enacted 07/15/13

A N A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - COOPERATIVE SERVICE AMONG SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Introduced By: Representative Joseph M. McNamara

Date Introduced: April 24, 2013

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 16-3.1-11 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-3.1 entitled

"Cooperative Service Among School Districts" is hereby amended to read as follows:

16-3.1-11. Urban collaborative. -- Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or

special law to the contrary, the school committees of the cities of Providence, Pawtucket, East

Providence, Central Falls and other Rhode Island school districts as may be approved for

inclusion by existing member districts in accordance with collaborative bylaws are authorized and

empowered to continue and/or initiate cooperative efforts to provide alternate education programs

and/or diagnostic services required by law or regulation for students achieving limited success in

traditional settings and to do all things necessary including, but not limited to utilization of

technology, including television, all on a collaborative basis. The various school committees may

assign and delegate to their respective school committee chairs or designee or superintendents of

schools or designee, acting as a regional board any duties, responsibilities, and powers that the

committees may deem necessary for the conduct, administration, and management of the urban

collaborative. Beginning on July 1, 2013 the urban collaborative shall be funded pursuant to the

provisions of section 16-7.2-3. The state share of the permanent foundation education aid shall be

paid directly to the urban collaborative pursuant to the provisions of section 16-7.2-7. The local

school district shall transfer the difference between the calculated state share of the permanent

foundation education aid and the amount calculated pursuant to the provisions of section 16-7.2-7

to the urban collaborative, until the transition of the state share is complete. In addition, the local

school district shall pay the local share of education funding to the urban collaborative as outlined

in section 16-7.2-5.

The urban collaborative shall be eligible to receive other aids, grants, Medicaid revenue,

and any other revenue according to Rhode Island law, as though it were a school district. Federal

aid received by the state shall be used to benefit students in the urban collaborative, if the school

qualifies for the aid, as though it were a school district.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC02395

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