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:

     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. 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.

     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

***

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

composition of city or town school committees.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC001557

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