TITLE 16

Education

CHAPTER 16-97

The Rhode Island Board of Education Act

SECTION 16-97-1



   § 16-97-1  Rhode Island board of education

established. –

(a) Effective January 1, 2013, there is created a board of education that shall

be responsible for and shall exercise the purposes, powers, and duties of, this

chapter and chapters 59 and 60 of this title. The board is responsible for the

coordination of education from pre-k through higher education and shall set

goals and policies for the effective coordination of these public education

systems.



   (b) The board of education shall consist of seventeen (17)

public members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the

senate, eight (8) of whom shall be designated to serve on the council for

elementary and secondary education and eight (8) of whom shall be designated to

serve on the council for postsecondary education. The chairperson of the board

shall serve as a member of both councils. Six (6) of the members initially

appointed pursuant to this section shall serve terms of three (3) years; six

(6) members initially appointed pursuant to this section shall serve terms of

two (2) years; and, four (4) members initially appointed pursuant to this

section shall serve terms of one year. To the greatest extent possible, the

initial staggered terms shall be equitably divided among the councils so as to

protect against sudden changes in membership and reversal of policy.

Thereafter, all members appointed pursuant to this section shall serve terms of

three (3) years. At the expiration of their terms, members shall remain and

continue in their official capacity until their successor is appointed and

qualified. Members shall not be appointed to more than three (3), successive

three-year (3) terms each; provided that the chair of the board shall have no

term and shall serve at the pleasure of the governor. Any vacancy among the

members of the board shall be filled by appointment of the governor for the

remainder of the unexpired term. In the selection and appointment of the

board, the governor shall seek persons who best serve the needs of the entire

state. No person shall be eligible for appointment to the board after the

effective date of this act unless a resident of this state. Members of the

board shall not be compensated for their service in attending board or council

meetings.



   (c) The chair of the Governor's Workforce Board, or designee,

and the chair of the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, or designee, shall

serve as non-voting, ex-officio members of the board.



   (d) The governor shall select from the appointed members a

chairperson and vice chairperson. A quorum shall consist of nine (9) members of

the board. A majority vote of those present shall be required for action.



   (e) Except as provided by subsection (b) of this section,

members of the board shall be removable by the governor for cause only. Removal

solely for partisan or personal reasons unrelated to performance, capacity, or

fitness for the office shall be unlawful.



   (f) The statutory responsibilities of the department of

elementary and secondary education, the commissioner of elementary and

secondary education, and the commissioner of postsecondary education shall

remain unchanged.



   (g) The chair of the board of education shall consult with

the chairs of the council on elementary and secondary education, the council on

postsecondary education, the commissioner of elementary and secondary

education, and the commissioner of postsecondary education in developing

agendas, goals, policies, and strategic plans for the board.



History of Section.

(P.L. 2012, ch. 241, art. 4, § 3; P.L. 2014, ch. 145, art. 20, § 8;

P.L. 2014, ch. 369, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 381, § 1.)