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SB 2208

AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- COOPERATIVE SERVICE AMONG SCHOOL DISTRICTS

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Sam Bell and 7 co-sponsors

Creates a board-governed urban collaborative across multiple districts with state-fund alignment, proportional representation, and protections during Providence intervention.

05/08/2026 Referred to House Education
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Bill Summary · SB 2208

Summary of SB 2208 ( Rhode Island, 2026 )

AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- COOPERATIVE SERVICE AMONG SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Purpose and intent

  • The bill modifies the structure and governance of the urban collaborative (an inter-district partnership) that serves Providence and other Rhode Island districts.
  • It aims to formalize the urban collaborative as a board-governed entity (board of trustees) and clarifies the Providence public schools’ participation during periods of state intervention, ensuring specific protections and procedures are followed.

Key provisions and changes

Section 1: Urban collaborative governance and operations

  • The urban collaborative may include the school committees of Providence, Pawtucket, East Providence, Central Falls, and other districts approved for inclusion by existing member districts, provided they follow collaborative bylaws.
  • The school committees may delegate duties to:
    • The urban collaborative board (composed of designated chairs/designees or superintendents acting regionally).
  • Representation on the urban collaborative board:
    • Each member district must appoint one board member.
    • For every 30 students from a member district attending the urban collaborative, the district must appoint an additional board member.
    • If vacancies occur, the urban collaborative can provide a non-binding list of suggested candidates; the member district must give due consideration to that list.
  • Funding and fiscal arrangements:
    • Beginning July 1, 2013, the urban collaborative is funded under the permanent foundation education aid framework.
    • The state share of aid is paid directly to the urban collaborative under the referenced statutes.
    • Local districts transfer the difference between the calculated state share and the amount determined for the urban collaborative, plus the local share, to the urban collaborative until the transition is complete.
    • The urban collaborative is eligible to receive other aids, grants, Medicaid revenue, and other revenue as if it were a school district.
    • Federal aid to the state can be used to benefit students in the urban collaborative if the group qualifies for the aid, as if it were a district.

Section 1: Additional governance notes

  • The act does not authorize the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to exercise control over the powers of a school committee under this section.

Section 1: Providence during state intervention (overarching safeguards)

  • While Providence is under state intervention and takeover related to budget, program, or personnel:
    1. No decision to terminate Providence’s participation in the urban collaborative is valid without the Providence school board’s approval (any prior decisions remain void until approved).
    2. No decision to withdraw Providence students from the urban collaborative is valid without Providence school board approval.
    3. Providence students denied matriculation in the urban collaborative may apply directly to the urban collaborative for matriculation.
    4. The Providence public schools must not reduce funding to the urban collaborative below fiscal year 2025 levels, adjusted for any state-wide increases in total school aid (i.e., must maintain at least the 2025 funding level plus proportional increases).

Section 2: Effective date

  • The act takes effect upon passage.

Who/what is affected

  • Affected entities:
    • Providence Public School District (notably during state intervention periods).
    • Other Rhode Island districts participating in or eligible for inclusion in the urban collaborative (e.g., Pawtucket, East Providence, Central Falls, and others as approved).
  • Administrative bodies:
    • The urban collaborative board (new governing body established by the act, consisting of representatives from member districts).
    • Local school committees and superintendents/district leaders acting as or with the urban collaborative board.
  • Funding streams:
    • State and local funding allocations to the urban collaborative.
    • Eligibility for state aids, Medicaid, and other revenues as if the urban collaborative were a standalone district.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • The act references funding and governance starting from July 1, 2013 for certain funding mechanics, with ongoing applicability to current operations.
  • Section 1 includes transitional protections tied to Providence’s state intervention, including requirements for Providence school board approval for certain actions related to the urban collaborative.
  • Effective date is immediate upon passage.

Potential impact

  • Creates a formal, board-governed urban collaborative model that consolidates or coordinates services (education programs, diagnostic services, and technology-enabled delivery) across multiple districts.
  • Aims to stabilize financing by aligning funding with existing state-aid structures and ensuring predictable funding levels for the urban collaborative, even during district-level interventions.
  • Enhances district representation within the urban collaborative through appointment-based governance proportional to student participation.
  • Provides procedural safeguards during Providence’s state intervention to protect continuity of services for students and maintain funding levels.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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