§ 16-3-3.1 - Creation of regional school district planning board. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 16-3-3.1

   § 16-3-3.1  Creation of regional schooldistrict planning board. – (a) The commissioner of elementary and secondary education shall order thecreation of a regional school district planning board for the purpose ofconducting a study of the feasibility of regionalization or other cooperativeventures if any of the following conditions are found to exist:

   (1) High school enrollments are below or are projected to beless than one hundred (100) per grade;

   (2) Per pupil spending is sixty-six percent (66%) or less ofthe statewide average for three (3) consecutive years;

   (3) The appropriating authority finds that the community doesnot have the fiscal and economic capacity to provide educational programsconsistent with law and regulations, based on factors included but not limitedto per pupil assessed valuation, and personal income;

   (4) The commissioner of elementary and secondary educationdetermines that a school district does not have the capacity to comply with theBasic Education Program (BEP).

   (b) In ordering the creation of a regional school districtplanning board the commissioner shall determine which cities or towns will berequired to participate.

   (c) In mandating a regionalization study, the commissionershould make certain that the study address the following questions:

   (1) Will regionalization allow the cities or towns to offer acomplete K through 12 educational program (in particular, if the town or citycurrently "tuitions out" some of its students)?

   (2) Will regionalization allow the school system to offer amore comprehensive and/or diversified program for high school students (i.e.,advanced language, mathematics, etc., specialized and/or remedial courses)?

   (3) Will regionalization, by its size alone, allow savingsthrough "economies of scale"?

   (4) What effect will regionalization have on transportationcosts for the school district and transportation times for students?

   (5) What effect will regionalization have on class size andwill that be beneficial or detrimental to the students' classroom performance,socialization skills, and/or participation in school activities?

   (6) How will "spending per pupil" change with regionalization?

   (7) Are there weaknesses in the curriculum or programs withina district that can be remedied by regionalization with a district withcompensating strengths?

   (8) What effect will existing labor contracts and bargainingagreements have on regionalization efforts?

   (9) What new or diverse facility requirements will be neededif regionalization occurs and what are the costs of these facilities?

   (10) What effect will regionalization have on disadvantagedand special populations within the districts?

   (11) Will extracurricular activities and/or the studentsupport services (guidance, library, etc.) be enhanced by regionalization?

   (12) Will regionalization permit sufficient "local control"for all districts involved to assure parents that they have some influence onthe education of their children?

   (13) Will regionalization take into effect the uniquesocio-economic and cultural heritage of the participating cities and/or towns?

   (14) Will regionalization have any effect on the vocationaleducation program?

   (15) Do comparative studies of regionalization in similarareas show improved school quality? and

   (16) Do the regionalization plans take into effect projecteddemographic trends?

   (d) The regional school district planning board shall reportits findings within eighteen (18) months of its creation.