Creating a Special Legislative Commission to Study and Provide Recommendations Relating to Shared Services Between Rhode Island School Districts

RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission be and the same is hereby created consisting of fourteen (14) members: three (3) of whom shall be members of the House, not more than two (2) from the same political party, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be a member of the public with extensive business consolidation and shared services experience, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be a student from a Rhode Island public high school facing funding challenges, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be the President or chief executive officer of the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council, or designee; one of whom shall be the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, or designee; one of whom shall be the President of the National Education Association of Rhode Island, or designee; one of whom shall the President of the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals, or designee; one of whom shall be the president of the Rhode Island School Superintendents Association, or designee; one of whom shall be the President of the Rhode Island Association of School Committees, or designee; one of whom shall be the President of the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council (RIPEC), or designee; one of whom shall be the President or chief executive office of the Rhode Island Manufacturer’s Association, or designee; and one of whom shall be the President of the Rhode Island Association of School Principals, or designee. In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a permanent advisory commission, a legislative study commission, or any commission created by a General Assembly resolution, the appointing authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu of a legislator; provided that, the majority leader or the minority leader of the political party which is entitled to the appointment consents to the appointment of the member of the general public. The purpose of said commission shall be to make a comprehensive study and provide recommendations on the issues relating to exploring a shared services model between Rhode Island school districts facing funding and operational challenges. Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at the call of the Speaker of the House and shall organize and select a chairperson from among the legislators. Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment. The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services. All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information, documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution. The Speaker of the House is hereby authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters for said commission; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives no later than April 30, 2027, and said commission shall expire on June 24, 2027.