2021 -- S 0085

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LC000369

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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 EDUCATION

     Introduced By: Senators Seveney, Quezada, Pearson, Cano, and DiPalma

     Date Introduced: January 26, 2021

     Referred To: Senate Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 16-7.2-8 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-7.2 entitled "The

Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     16-7.2-8. Accountability.

     (a) Pursuant to §§ 16-7.1-3 and 16-7.1-5, the department of elementary and secondary

education (the "department") shall use the uniform chart of accounts to maintain fiscal

accountability for education expenditures that comply with applicable laws and regulations,

including but not limited to the basic education program. This data shall be used to develop criteria,

and priorities, and benchmarks specific to each local education agency ("LEA") to improve for cost

controls, efficiencies, and program effectiveness. The department of elementary and secondary

education shall present this the LEA-specific information in the form of an annual report to the

LEA to which it applies, and provide a summary of all LEA reports to the governor and the general

assembly annually, beginning on August 1, 2022.

     (b) The department of elementary and secondary education shall establish and/or

implement program programs standards to be used in the oversight of the use of foundation aid

calculated pursuant to § 16-7.2-3. The department shall propose an incentive fund structure to the

general assembly by December 1, 2022 that provides for the state to share in an LEA's non-core

costs provided that the LEA meets benchmarks developed by the department pursuant to subsection

(a) of this section. Such oversight will be carried out for all LEAs including those receiving in

accordance with the progressive support and intervention protocols established in chapter 7.1 of

this title.

     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

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     This act would require that benchmarks specific to each local education authority (LEA)

be developed by the department of education to improve cost controls, efficiencies and program

effectiveness. Further, this act would require that the department propose an incentive fund

structure to provide for the state to share in an LEA's non-core costs.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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