2025 -- S 0746

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LC001468

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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A N   A C T

     RELATING TO EDUCATION -- FOUNDATION LEVEL SCHOOL SUPPORT

     Introduced By: Senator Samuel D. Zurier

     Date Introduced: March 07, 2025

     Referred To: Senate Labor & Gaming

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 16-7-29 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-7 entitled "Foundation

Level School Support [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is

hereby amended to read as follows:

     16-7-29. Minimum salary schedule.

     (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, every Every municipality and

regional school district shall establish and put into full effect by appropriate action of its school

committee in a municipality or regional school district where the school committee is elected, or

by appropriate action of the chief executive officer, in a municipality where the school committee

is appointed, a salary schedule recognizing years of service, experience, and training for all certified

personnel regularly employed in the public schools and having no more than twelve (12) annual

steps. The term “school year” as applied to the salary schedule means the ten (10) calendar months

beginning in September and ending the following June.

     (b) In the Providence public school district only, the parties may negotiate alternative salary

schedules that do not include the provisions of section (a) of this section, and which may include

other bases for increased compensation including, but not limited to, bonuses for teachers willing

to take on greater responsibilities.

     (b)(c) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a freeze or reduction of the monetary value of

the steps in the salary schedule through the collective bargaining process.

     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 -- FOUNDATION LEVEL SCHOOL SUPPORT

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     This act would allow a different minimum salary schedule for Providence public school

teachers whereby such teachers would be entitled to certain bonus and/or increased compensation

for taking on greater responsibilities.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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