2024 -- S 2287

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LC003477

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- COUNCIL ON ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY

EDUCATION

     Introduced By: Senators Lawson, DiMario, Cano, Lauria, Gallo, Murray, Valverde, Gu,
Mack, and Bissaillon

     Date Introduced: February 12, 2024

     Referred To: Senate Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 16-60-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-60 entitled "Council on

Elementary and Secondary Education [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of

Education Act]" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     16-60-2. Appointment of board members.

     (a) The governor shall establish the council on elementary and secondary education by

appointing eight (8) members of the board of education established pursuant to chapter 97 of this

title to serve as members of the council until the expiration of their term and appointment of their

successor as a member of the board of education. The chair of the board of education shall serve

on the council in a voting, ex-officio capacity. Five (5) voting members of the council shall

constitute a quorum and the vote of the majority of those present and voting shall be required for

action. The governor shall appoint the chair of the council on an annual basis from among the eight

(8) council members.

     (b) In addition to the eight (8) members appointed by the governor, the Rhode Island

teacher of the year shall serve on the council on elementary and secondary education pursuant to §

16-97-1(c) and (d).

     (c) No person shall be eligible for appointment to the board after the effective date of this

act [March 24, 2006] unless he or she is a resident of this state, with the exception of the individual

serving in the ex officio seat as Rhode Island teacher of the year.

     (d) There is hereby established a student advisory council to the council on elementary and

secondary education, consisting of one elected high school student representative from each public

secondary school in the state of Rhode Island.

     (1) Each public secondary school shall hold elections for its representative to the student

advisory council no earlier than the first (1st) day of March and no later than the end of the second

(2nd) full week of April. Each school shall elect only one representative. Elected members shall be

notified of their election on or before the Friday of the third (3rd) week of April of the year of their

election. No person shall be eligible to be elected to the student advisory council unless at the time

of his or her election he or she is enrolled as a student in a secondary school between the grades of

nine (9) and eleven (11) within the state of Rhode Island. No person shall be allowed to vote if they

are not currently enrolled in a Rhode Island public secondary school between the grades of nine (9)

and eleven (11). If at any time during his or her term of office a member of the student advisory

council ceases to be so enrolled, his or her membership shall be terminated and his or her position

shall be deemed vacant. This vacancy shall be filled by the public secondary school within thirty

(30) school days of the opening of the vacancy.

     (2) The student advisory council will serve from the first (1st) day of May of the year it is

elected until the last day of April of the following year. A student may serve no more than three (3)

terms.

     (3) Said student advisory council shall meet from time to time quarterly, at a minimum,

and shall consider such matters as it deems appropriate.

     (4) Prior to the first (1st) day of June of each annual session the student advisory council

shall adopt a set of bylaws.

     (5) Members of the council shall not be compensated for service in attending meetings

except that they shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in traveling to and from

meetings.

     (6) The members of said student advisory council shall, by majority vote prior to the first

(1st) day of June in each year, elect from their members a chairperson who shall serve for a term

of one year beginning on the first (1st) day of June. Said chairperson shall serve as an ex officio

and nonvoting voting member of the council for a term of one year, unless the student advisory

council removes said chairperson from his or her position in a manner described within the bylaws

of that council.

     (7) If a student is under the age of eighteen (18) years, they shall be exempt from any senate

advise and consent requirements.

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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 EDUCATION -- COUNCIL ON ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY

EDUCATION

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     This act would require the student advisory council to meet at least quarterly, and provide

the chairperson with equal voting powers as adult members on the council. If a student is under

eighteen (18) years of age, they shall be exempt from the senate advise and consent process.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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