Amends the composition of school bus districts within the state to provide transportation to students in grades kindergarten through 12.
Impact
The legislation's implications on state laws primarily involve changes to the transportation framework governing how students receive transportation beyond city and town limits. The bill introduces more regionalized districts which will hopefully streamline the transportation process for students in both public and approved non-public schools. Additionally, it guarantees that students currently receiving transportation will maintain their service under the previous regional structure until 2029, allowing for a gradual transition to the new system without disrupting existing services.
Summary
S0972 is an education-related bill aimed at amending the composition of school bus districts in Rhode Island. The bill proposes to increase the number of school bus districts from five to nine in order to improve efficiency, cost savings, and reduce the time students spend commuting on school buses. The new districts will serve students in kindergarten through 12th grade, addressing public safety, health, and welfare concerns by facilitating more organized transportation of students to various educational institutions, including vocational and special education programs.
Contention
Notably, the bill also addresses funding mechanisms for transportation-related costs. It establishes a baseline for categorical aid for transporting students to out-of-district non-public schools, ensuring that funding will not be lower than the amounts allocated in the previous two fiscal years. Furthermore, it stipulates that any unused funds from transportation costs can be redirected to create a subsidy for vulnerable student populations such as those experiencing homelessness, in foster care, or with high special needs. This provision aims to enhance equity in student transportation services but may lead to discussions regarding budget allocations and priorities within the education sector.
Provides for an appropriation by the general assembly in the amount of two million dollars ($2,000,000) to the various school districts and municipalities to employ additional social workers.
Provides for an appropriation by the general assembly in the amount of two million dollars ($2,000,000) to the various school districts and municipalities to employ additional social workers.
Amends chapter 80 of the public laws of 1965 with respect to the composition of the regional district school building committee, apportionment of construction and operating costs and amendments to the agreement.
Makes revisions to the number, timing, and procedures to be followed when schools grades K through 12 implement fire drills, evacuation drills, and crisis response drills, designed to protect the health and safety of students.
Establishes nonpublic school transportation program to provide funding to consortiums of nonpublic schools that will assume responsibility for mandated nonpublic school busing.
Establishes nonpublic school transportation program to provide funding to consortiums of nonpublic schools that will assume responsibility for mandated nonpublic school busing.
Establishes nonpublic school transportation program to provide funding to consortiums of nonpublic schools that will assume responsibility for mandated nonpublic school busing.
Establishes nonpublic school transportation program to provide funding to consortiums of nonpublic schools that will assume responsibility for mandated nonpublic school busing.
Alters date by which school districts notify parents of nonpublic school students of eligibility for bus transportation or aid in-lieu-of transportation payment from August 1 to July 15.