This bill amends the Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act to provide state funding for various education programs, including special education, career and technical education, pre-kindergarten programs, stabilization funds for certain schools, transportation costs for non-public schools and regional school districts, and a regionalization bonus for regionalized school districts. The bill also establishes guidelines for the hiring of school resource officers and site-based reading and mathematics specialists, with state support provided for the costs associated with employing these individuals. The bill aims to ensure that all students have access to high-quality education and that the costs associated with providing these services are adequately funded.

This bill amends current law to provide state support for school resource officers and site-based reading and mathematics specialists in Rhode Island. The bill specifies that school districts or municipalities that choose to employ school resource officers at public middle and high schools will receive direct state support for the costs associated with employing such officers. The bill also establishes guidelines for the hiring of reading and mathematics specialists, including specific ratios based on school enrollment. Local education agencies (LEAs) that hire these specialists will receive state reimbursement for a period of three years. The bill also includes provisions regarding eligibility for reimbursement and the sharing of specialists between schools within the same LEA.

Statutes affected:
69: 16-7.2-6