2025 -- S 1156

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE RETURN

OF CENTRAL FALLS SCHOOLS TO LOCAL GOVERNANCE

     Introduced By: Senator Jonathon Acosta

     Date Introduced: June 16, 2025

     Referred To: Senate Finance

     WHEREAS, The City of Central Falls does not currently have operational or fiscal

responsibility over its public schools; and

     WHEREAS, The City of Central Falls, through resolution of the City Council, expressed

unanimous support in possessing operational and fiscal responsibility over its public schools; and

     WHEREAS, The responsibility over local concerns are best understood and addressed by

the elected and appointed officials of a given locality; and

     WHEREAS, The residents of the City of Central Falls are uniquely qualified to

administer the public education of their children; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That a special joint legislative study commission be and the same is hereby

created consisting of seven (7) members: one of whom shall be the President of the Senate, or

designee; one of whom shall be the Speaker of the House of Representatives, or designee; one of

whom shall be the Governor of the State of Rhode Island, or designee; one of whom shall be the

Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, or designee; one of whom shall be the

Mayor of the City of Central Falls, or designee; one of whom shall be a designee of the Rhode

Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals, to be appointed upon an agreement

reached between the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, and the

Governor; and one of whom shall be the a financial leader, to be appointed upon an agreement

reached between the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, and the

Governor.

     The purpose of said commission shall be to prepare a final report to include:

     • A sustainable financial pathway and timeline for the City of Central Falls to

contribute their local share of foundation education aid; and

     • A comprehensive plan for the transfer of operational and fiscal responsibility

from the State to the City of Central Falls, with an effective implementation date of July 1, 2026.

     The President of the Senate shall designate the chair of the commission, and at the call of

the chair, shall meet not later than August 31, 2025.

     The commission shall meet regularly and may solicit input from stakeholders, including

community members, educators, and financial experts, and the Department of Education and

Secondary Education shall provide administrative and technical support, as needed; and be it

further

     RESOLVED, That the commission shall submit a final report of its findings and

recommendations to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the

President of the Senate no later than March 3, 2026, and said commission shall expire on July 1,

2026, unless extended further by the General Assembly; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the required reports may be submitted electronically, and must be

posted on the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's website in a publicly

accessible place.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE RETURN

OF CENTRAL FALLS SCHOOLS TO LOCAL GOVERNANCE

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     This resolution would create a seven (7) member joint legislative commission to study

and prepare a report on the return of Central Falls schools to local governance.

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