[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6612705,"mediaKeyId","2888885-f3128ad3e80b776c44327a4e35d2cedf","parentId",2888885,"title","Senate hears bill to create school‑level councils for local decision making; committee holds S.B. 634","audioSeconds",295,"startMs",134000,"endMs",429000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2888885-f3128ad3e80b776c44327a4e35d2cedf&start=134&end=429","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2888885-f3128ad3e80b776c44327a4e35d2cedf/thumbnail_134000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6612705/Rhode-Island/Senate-hears-bill-to-create-schoollevel-councils-for-local-decision-making-committee-holds-SB-634","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612705-6c31761b52ef7c6a7929143e8c911be6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140506&Signature=LoS0qpxcwUW62Y2xG1I-M~858Oz6hML87NNxVVwO0qybk8juLSsFifNaEEgEjpjS6tn8K4tD~qOY9Wae4FLptybrXUmG0FxgRmWISPhz4TW1MTi~QRbt3-6TZcol-PWtDkrjmrDHgctop0rfqp7FGTUdgThLOeWPWWpB0~dH4FGGSSSvrZj16SdrfOpVAP8-Ojqj1LMfbjyYFU5ToWH6vGoIfnN0EFcJsMQnZ0wqYAsC4kP6GgSRN4uIzgTr2XfQMg5BS1MmqfvStdJNAej7JtCgFYpvJWsFtNepiZckv05TasZLwQAAKrFNjWP7PqLtKnel7UEQKGzkf79qN9Fzig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State of Rhode Island","date","2025-04-02T00:00:00Z","article","Senate Bill 634, introduced by Senator Mack and described as the Paul W. Crowley Rhode Island Student Investment Initiative, drew testimony about site‑based management and parent/community engagement in Providence and elsewhere.

Senator Mack said the bill was drafted with Providence families in mind and would create more \"hyper local\" decision‑making, such as school‑based councils that operate in ways similar to parent‑teacher organizations and provide schools with greater autonomy. Senator Zuri (recorded in the transcript as a senator who previously served on the Providence School Board) commended Mack and said site‑based management concepts in the bill were promising but might need additional work.

Tim Duffy, testifying to the committee, noted that Rhode Island previously passed the Education Accountability Act (cited in testimony as sections \"16 53 1 through 16 53 1.3\" in the transcript) in 2019, which already created some elements of site‑based management and delegated certain authorities to principals and school improvement teams. Duffy recommended the committee consider how S.B. 634 fits into the existing statutory scheme and suggested revisiting the Education Accountability Act to resolve overlaps.

The chair asked for a motion to hold S.B. 634; the committee moved and seconded the motion and held the bill for further consideration. The transcript does not show further amendments or a date for resubmission.

Key clarifications recorded in testimony
• The Education Accountability Act (2019) already delegates additional authority to principals and school improvement teams; S.B. 634 may expand or clarify that authority. The transcript cites statutory sections as 16 53 1–16 53 1.3 when discussing site‑based roles.
• Sponsor framed S.B. 634 as experimental and \"not necessarily the most practical bill,\" but intended to encourage local innovation in decision making.

Committee action
The committee voted to hold S.B. 634; the hearing record does not show final roll‑call numbers or named mover/second for the hold motion.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Committee on Education: 4-2-2025","oneSentenceSummary","S.B. 634, proposing school‑level councils to expand local decision‑making, was presented and held for further work after committee members and witnesses discussed how it intersects with existing site‑based authority under the 2019 Education Accountability Act.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature RI, Rhode Island","taxId",77689,"location","Rhode Island","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6612716,"Committee hears testimony on Providence receivership bills; sponsors say they are part of study commission package",2491,446000,2937000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2888885-f3128ad3e80b776c44327a4e35d2cedf&start=446&end=2937","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2888885-f3128ad3e80b776c44327a4e35d2cedf/thumbnail_446000.jpg","/articles/6612716/Rhode-Island/Committee-hears-testimony-on-Providence-receivership-bills-sponsors-say-they-are-part-of-study-commission-package","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612716-00876e1d8e2107b9d462cfb259dfb5ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140506&Signature=UQHrwwjUZh1LcZWlTr7EYlMbVpYWlO~Uwf7kii0A8aeC9ReA3GnPIOp1tJI9MkVDkK8wLLBhN5cabwJL25LaxJ7nwIZG8gEHp5-LGmJPkMbGTAA7DUpD7SINSuFQjMK2swrSrvPep3fNbpsCPzNxD1bSPzJG-h11Gbi29o6sYxVeoceVNXiTAZihv1hwMjti~9ZV1TQyWVtbq2DkIgoVpHePknWNo53s01s8x5NAaJhkPO1r53hYdZr9FK9OoGWaPNrpd7FPufZmLOw0tCe9jABaC9MN89O5S2ubHDmIVzrQ2RNXv0TDB-gEZokoPbgO8ZxRzPhpQhzcGMJCZFRG1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate bills 8‑60 and 8‑61, introduced as part of a four‑bill package recommended by the Senate Study Commission on the Providence Public Schools, received an extended hearing in the Senate Education Committee. The bills would establish a receivership process for a possible state takeover of Providence public schools and set out roles, powers and requirements for turnaround plans.

Senator (as listed in the transcript) Zuri Zuriya, who presented the bills, told the committee the package was recommended by the study commission and that the bills are intended to enact structural reforms exclusively for the Providence Public Schools. He described the package as a framework to support shared accountability and a culture of collaboration and attached the commission report and supporting exhibits to the committee record.

Susan Lucy, former superintendent of Providence Public Schools (2011–2015) and ex officio member of the study commission, testified in support, saying the bills would \"remove legislative barriers to improvement\" and create legal clarity around the state's authority in interventions. Helen Anthony, finance chair of the Providence City Council, testified in strong support and said the current Crowley Act and the prior takeover lacked sufficient process, measurable turnaround benchmarks, transparency and stable leadership.

Drew Eccleston, Deputy Commissioner for System Transformation at the Rhode Island Department of Education, also testified in support of the two bills' design, saying the proposed model would provide a receiver the powers needed to facilitate change and would set out strategic planning elements and metrics that align with research on turnaround leadership.

Jeremy Sencer (recorded in the transcript as \"Jeremy Sensor/Sencer\"), representing the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers, criticized the idea of receivership and warned against reasserting state takeover authority. He said community members across constituencies \"loathe\" the 2019 takeover and urged the committee to focus on building trust and community engagement rather than enabling future takeovers by statute.

Witnesses described national examples the commission relied on, including the Springfield, Massachusetts Empowerment Zone and instances in Baltimore and Lawrence, Massachusetts. Testimony and the commission report compare outcomes and models and debate whether the threat of receivership can be used as leverage to secure voluntary, collaborative reforms.

After testimony and questions, the committee received a motion to hold S.B. 860; the motion was moved and seconded and carried. S.B. 861 was also held. The transcript shows the bills were held for further consideration; specific amendments and next steps were not specified in the hearing record.

Key points from testimony
• Supporters (Susan Lucy; Drew Eccleston; Helen Anthony) said the bills would clarify state authority, require measurable turnaround plans, increase transparency, and invest in leadership development.
• Opponents or skeptical witnesses (Jeremy Sencer) said past state intervention in Providence damaged trust, marginalized communities, and that legislative changes should focus on preventing harmful takeovers rather than enabling them.
• The study commission report and exhibits were submitted to the committee record and referenced frequently by the sponsor as the basis for the bills.

Committee action
A motion to hold S.B. 860 was made and seconded; the chair put the motion and the committee held S.B. 860 and S.B. 861 for further work. No roll‑call vote tallies or named movers/seconders were recorded in the public transcript for the hold motions.","Committee members heard extensive testimony for and against S.B. 8‑60 and S.B. 8‑61, a receivership and turnaround framework for Providence Public Schools drawn from a Senate study commission package, then voted to hold both bills for further consideration.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6612722,"Senate committee approves constitutional education amendment and a prekindergarten expansion bill",2209,2310000,101000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2888885-f3128ad3e80b776c44327a4e35d2cedf&start=2310&end=101","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2888885-f3128ad3e80b776c44327a4e35d2cedf/thumbnail_2310000.jpg","/articles/6612722/Rhode-Island/Senate-committee-approves-constitutional-education-amendment-and-a-prekindergarten-expansion-bill","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612722-f160e303568742138f489845894e4932/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140506&Signature=VLXS-RFb01J18zM9mfO0o7lA8A2spSFGLROmlxtc8uvmy-w3ColiYmX2oFvGjW0h25HEvA5OegBUyuhXpcqb78N9t325bTT2GCyqjMnbM289rpMES3CpWY6ka4P9V5Li~13JPla2kicgvmk8EDf59A6xBx59aLx2QzRGDu0E-AKO3EtVMgCQQTb04MsS4eBkdttIgBBrZlPm5iiCxH5Cww~d8-twSUanEuGQjDCd7ppHTddbM~Z3SPXh1ymypoD4KqlIGXTyfbHleCDtiqxHoJEKy7Qdb0a~oRQkkPeinQqd9sJB061ymijDAXnfTA1Op0d8lFlNAaWCsq-xWlMlkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rhode Island Senate Education Committee voted to approve Senate Resolution 177, a joint resolution to place an amendment on the ballot to establish a constitutional right to an adequate education, and then advanced Senate Bill 394, the Rhode Island Pre‑kindergarten Education Act.

SR 177 was introduced to the committee as a proposal to publish and submit to electors a constitutional amendment establishing the right to an adequate education. A motion to approve was made and seconded; the committee proceeded by voice vote and the chair announced approval.

The committee then considered Senate Bill 394, described by the member presenting it as an act \"relating to education, Rhode Island Pre‑kindergarten Education Act,\" which establishes guidelines for expansion of high‑quality public prekindergarten programs for children ages 3 and 4 to increase school readiness. That motion was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

The committee record at the hearing shows the measures were approved on voice votes but does not include a roll‑call tally or named movers and seconders for the motions as read at the time of the meeting. The committee chair announced that SR 177 \"passes\" and then announced that S.B. 394 \"passes.\"

Both items were brief on the committee agenda: SR 177 had previously been heard by the committee and was submitted for a committee vote; the prekindergarten bill was introduced and moved without extended debate. No additional amendments or referrals were recorded in the hearing transcript.

Votes at a glance
SR 177 — Joint resolution to submit a constitutional amendment on the right to an adequate education: motion and second recorded; approved by voice vote (roll‑call tally not specified in the transcript).
S.B. 394 — Rhode Island Pre‑kindergarten Education Act: motion and second recorded; approved by voice vote (roll‑call tally not specified in the transcript).

Next steps noted at the end of the committee session were limited to the committee announcements; the transcript does not record scheduling information about floor action or additional committee steps.","The Rhode Island Senate Education Committee voted to approve a constitutional amendment measure on the right to an adequate education and to advance a law expanding prekindergarten education for 3‑ and 4‑year‑olds.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6612712,"Committee hears bill to limit state interventions to one school at a time; unions support targeted interventions",375,2957000,3332000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2888885-f3128ad3e80b776c44327a4e35d2cedf&start=2957&end=3332","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2888885-f3128ad3e80b776c44327a4e35d2cedf/thumbnail_2957000.jpg","/articles/6612712/Rhode-Island/Committee-hears-bill-to-limit-state-interventions-to-one-school-at-a-time-unions-support-targeted-interventions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612712-f88b5fb35a38abc73619dc4e2ccc49cc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140506&Signature=JKBPSoWwrxHY~5iWG5FOkxvo3vzrYTM8YcikJhNB0Tm8QbpR9ApmEu2PjThwf67GF1ckNCWYlLTlpJTxXJkse3Sjab6PBPlvIYTwCE57XFuUKIXdVR8p9EVxZX-U7rhfv0BeTSvL-p9PdwjFfmJ83xI-CtlhoI9~UKCx2RP-MazYKvkdmQg6dye7uAX9s1PtUNg8SK93Czaz6j4N5~A932vfM7KufwZUItyi559V6o3cM9QjeH~-v~tdz2MsUHQYNvpBMll3pwMnje-YiLLSfMg0v0fPwOvOzXMfAYfce8RudD7neJ-YI0IbY7ephCpnsBsrBIFACMIZhOYxJ4VipA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 922, introduced to limit state intervention to a single school at a time within a district, was presented to the Senate Education Committee and drew supportive testimony from union representatives and education stakeholders.

Senator Bisslen (as recorded in the transcript) explained that the bill aims to restrict takeovers to one school at a time, citing Mount Hope High School as an example of a school‑level intervention that some witnesses viewed as successful. He described the Crowley Act as broad and ambiguous and said the takeover in Providence illustrated a lack of accountability and transparency.

Jeremy Sencer, representing the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers, and Eric Hasselhurst of the National Education Association Rhode Island testified in support. They said targeted, school‑level interventions with state support — rather than district‑wide takeovers — are a more effective and trust‑building approach. Eric Hasselhurst suggested clarifying language so the statute expressly means \"one school within a school district at a time.\" The committee moved to hold the bill for further drafting and review.

Committee action
A motion to hold S.B. 922 was made and seconded and the committee held the bill; the transcript does not record a roll‑call tally or the mover/second by name.

Context and next steps
Proponents said school‑level intervention can be replicated at scale when successful and avoids the community distrust that followed the 2019 Providence takeover. Opponents were not prominent in the hearing record for this bill; committee staff and members indicated the bill requires technical clarifications in drafting before further action.","S.B. 922, which would limit state receivership interventions to one school at a time, received supportive testimony from teacher and higher‑education associations and was held for further consideration by the Senate Education Committee.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6612701,"Committee considers two school‑transportation bills; both held after testimony on driver shortage and cost savings",887,3345000,4232000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2888885-f3128ad3e80b776c44327a4e35d2cedf&start=3345&end=4232","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2888885-f3128ad3e80b776c44327a4e35d2cedf/thumbnail_3345000.jpg","/articles/6612701/Rhode-Island/Committee-considers-two-schooltransportation-bills-both-held-after-testimony-on-driver-shortage-and-cost-savings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612701-e6b9e805d977a86cfb60488364d3a524/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140506&Signature=ZsTqk3sBUlitDMLLWG1cnbGwa3drwW~I8kBMk9vqiR~7DsoyB17lo576ecvJdC1rOtkFNuy35O6~EuoKohQTRGpp~DuffO0heaY1l5ncJ3Z9qcVNeWpRUi4OdIA9ORlTvUqmH6gPd4tXkHN0LiTDS9uEUxmoAjzPfsptWXt8rAeXMrUSuEHi1ugnVNY7DmxO2lXN1ltxucIGgZjxWL4KbfLFG8za2oWlO3j1I-ycroU2oaCBnLKUZaGlJngoIGHvXIoahHN4g0htS4ruNRD8Lztnao~boBuNk7BEyeVkvyrO2HywSJJ~MNNQ9uZXEfp-X9lAaZcbWrkAAnWo~sgorA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Education Committee heard two bills addressing student transportation: S.B. 397, which would reduce course time for bus‑driver applicants who already hold a valid commercial driver's credential from another state, and S.B. 636, which would allow vans used for student transport to carry up to 10 passengers (currently limited to 8) — aligning Rhode Island with Massachusetts practice.

Senator Ujafusa described the bills as outcomes of a joint legislative commission studying student transportation. He told the committee that Rhode Island's uniform 10‑hour bus driver course has limited competition, contributing to route‑bid shortages and higher costs. He said an abbreviated three‑hour course for experienced Massachusetts and Connecticut drivers would let neighboring drivers operate in Rhode Island without requiring the full course again. The sponsor noted that, had the bill been in place this year, statewide transportation could have saved about $1,500,000 by enabling more competitive bids.

Witnesses including Paul McDonald (transportation operator), Tim Duffy and RIDE representatives supported S.B. 397, citing an incident where an out‑of‑state vendor was not able to operate because drivers lacked temporary certification and students missed service at the start of a school year. Paul McDonald and others said the shortened reciprocity training would ease hiring and reduce disruptions.

On S.B. 636, witnesses including Andy Andrade (Rhode Island Department of Education), Rudy Houser (former school bus driver and trainer) and district representatives said allowing 10‑passenger vans would reduce operating costs, allow consolidation of routes, and help mitigate the driver shortage because such vans do not require a commercial (CDL) license and are easier for vendors to staff. The sponsor estimated converting 30 minibuses to 10‑passenger vans could save approximately $780,000 per year based on current ridership.

Committee action
Both S.B. 397 and S.B. 636 were moved, seconded and held by the committee for further consideration; the transcript records the holds but does not provide a roll‑call tally or named movers for the hold motions.

Clarifying details recorded in testimony
• S.B. 397 would create an abbreviated 3‑hour course for Massachusetts and Connecticut drivers who previously completed another state's required training, and permit temporary certification to prevent service disruptions.
• S.B. 636 would increase allowable passengers in a van from 8 to 10, matching Massachusetts law, and the sponsor and witnesses reported an estimated potential annual statewide savings of about $780,000 from converting certain routes and vehicles.

The committee adjourned after holding both bills.","S.B. 397 would shorten required training for out‑of‑state school bus drivers with valid commercial credentials; S.B. 636 would raise passenger limit in vans from 8 to 10 to mirror Massachusetts. Witnesses said both would save money and help address driver shortages; the committee held both bills.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate hears bill to create school‑level councils for local decision making; committee holds S.B. 634

Committee hears testimony on Providence receivership bills; sponsors say they are part of study commission package

Senate committee approves constitutional education amendment and a prekindergarten expansion bill

Committee hears bill to limit state interventions to one school at a time; unions support targeted interventions

Committee considers two school‑transportation bills; both held after testimony on driver shortage and cost savings