The bill proposes amendments to the General Laws in Chapter 16-60 and Chapter 16-97, specifically concerning the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education and the Rhode Island Board of Education. The bill introduces new language to include the Rhode Island Teacher of the Year as an ex officio member of the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education. This addition is reflected in the insertion of new subsections (b) in Section 16-60-2, which allows the Teacher of the Year to serve on the council pursuant to §16-97-1(c) and (d). Furthermore, the bill stipulates that the Teacher of the Year is exempt from the residency requirement for council appointment.

Additionally, the bill amends Section 16-97-1 of the Rhode Island Board of Education Act to include the Rhode Island Teacher of the Year as a non-voting, ex officio member of the board. A new subsection (d) is inserted, detailing that the Teacher of the Year will serve on the board for one year after their term has expired. If the current Teacher of the Year is unable or unwilling to serve, a former Teacher of the Year who is still teaching in Rhode Island public schools may be selected by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education. The bill is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
182  SUB A: 16-60-2, 16-97-1
182: 16-60-2, 16-97-1