RIASC plays a leading role in setting the Rhode Island education legislative agenda. RIASC Board members participate in the National School Boards Association Federal Relations Networking Conference annually. They also meet with the Rhode Island delegation in Washington regarding the national education agenda. On the local level, Tim Duffy, Executive Director, serves as lobbyist for the Association and maintains an active presence at the State House during the legislative sessions.
FY 2023 Education Legislative Summary & FY 2024 Aid Summary
FY 24 Article-008-SUB-A Education
FY 2024 Total Education Aid for Districts
2019 Legislative Wrap-Up
2019 Legislative Wrap Up
2018 LEGISLATIVE WRAP-UP
2018 LEGISLATIVE WRAP-UP
TEACHER LAYOFF NOTICES
RIASC was successful with changing the March 1 deadline by which school districts must notify teachers who have been laid off. The new deadline is June 1. This change gives school committees time to set their budgets before sending pink slips.
BINDING ARBITRATION AND CONTRACT CONTINUATION
In anticipation of legislation calling for binding arbitration and teacher contract continuation to become law in Rhode Island, RIASC has developed a petitition for your signature opposing these initiatives. Please sign the petition and return it to the Governor and the Senate and House leaders.
File for download: Binding Arbitration Petition
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING ADVERTISING REQUIREMENT ELIMINATED
The requirement for school districts to publish school committee meetings in their local newspapers has been eliminated. School districts must continue to post on the State site and must post meeting notices on bulletin boards.
STUDENT TRANSPORTATION
RIASC won passage of legislation allowing districts to transport students, outside of their boundaries, in smaller busses or special outfitted SUV’s, as opposed to full size school busses.
INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL
RIASC won passage of statutory language reversing a Rhode Island Supreme Court decision that prohibited school districts from retaining independent legal counsel. Prior to enactment of the legislation, municipalities could require school districts to utilize city solicitors as their legal counsel.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPRESENTATION ON COLLABORATIVE BOARDS
RIASC was instrumental in passing legislation that allows school committee members to serve as Chairs of their respective Collaborative Boards.
OPEN MEETINGS
During the 1998 session, RIASC lobbied for changes to the open meetings law. The result – school committees no longer have to advertise subcommittee meetings.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
2010 S2777 Requires school committee members to annually undertake six (6) hours of professional development administered by the Rhode Island Association of School Committees.
RIASC was successful in passing their Professional Development bill. Now school committee members who complete voluntary training will receive RI Board of Education recognition after achieving 15 hours of professional development. For more information, please see the Professional Development page.
STATE-LOCAL RELATIONS COMMISSION
RIASC was successful in adding school committee representation to the State-Local Relations Commission.
LEGISLATIVE ALERTS
Watch your e-mail for legislative alerts from RIASC. We will keep you informed of hearings you should attend or upcoming legislation that has a direct impact on your district.