Rhode Island 2025 Regular Session

Rhode Island Senate Bill S0336

Introduced
2/21/25  
Refer
2/21/25  
Report Pass
6/5/25  

Caption

Allows an individual school district that can utilize its own buses or vendors at a lower cost than the statewide system, to obtain reimbursement for these costs from state funds.

Impact

The implementation of S0336 could significantly alter the existing framework of school transportation in Rhode Island, empowering local school committees to opt-out of the statewide transportation system when more economical options are available to them. This flexibility may lead to substantial fiscal benefits for these districts and ensure that transportation services are more tailored to the specific needs of their students. Additionally, the bill emphasizes shorter ride times and improved service efficiency, potentially enhancing the overall student experience.

Summary

Senate Bill S0336 aims to amend the Rhode Island General Laws regarding the transportation of school pupils beyond city and town limits. The bill allows individual school districts to utilize their own buses or vendors for transportation services if they can demonstrate that these alternatives are less costly than the statewide school transportation system. Such districts would be eligible to receive reimbursement for their transportation costs from state funds, promoting cost savings and efficiency in the transportation of students.

Contention

While proponents of S0336 argue that it fosters local control and cost savings, critics may raise concerns regarding the consistency and quality of transportation services provided by individual districts. If each district implements diverse transportation solutions, this could lead to discrepancies in service standards, safety protocols, and overall reliability compared to the unified statewide approach. Further discourse may address how this bill could impact smaller districts that may have limited resources to effectively manage their own transportation services.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

RI H7687

Allows an individual school district that can utilize its own buses or vendors at a lower cost than the statewide system, to obtain reimbursement for these costs from state funds.

RI H7250

Amends the term "extraordinary costs" for the purposes of excess costs associated with special education students. The new definition of extraordinary costs would be educational costs that are over 3 times the average statewide special education cost.

RI H7206

Ensures that transportation categorical funds between the state and regional school districts would be fully funded.

RI H5473

Health And Safety Of Pupils

RI S0980

Authorizing The Town Of Barrington To Finance The Construction, Improvement, Renovation, Alteration, Furnishing And Equipping Of Public Schools And School Facilities In The Town And All Expenses Incident Thereto Including, But Not Limited To, Costs Of Design, Athletic Fields, Playgrounds, Landscaping, Parking And Costs Of Financing And To Issue Not More Than $250,000,000 Bonds And/or Notes Therefor, Subject To Approval Of State Housing Aid At A Reimbursement Rate Or State Share Ratio Of Not Less Than 35 Percent At The Time Of Issuance And Provided That The Authorization Shall Be Reduced By The Amount Of Certain Grants Received From State Bond Proceeds, From The Rhode Island Department Of Education Or From The Rhode Island School Building Authority

RI H6404

Authorizing The Town Of Barrington To Finance The Construction, Improvement, Renovation, Alteration, Furnishing And Equipping Of Public Schools And School Facilities In The Town And All Expenses Incident Thereto Including, But Not Limited To, Costs Of Design, Athletic Fields, Playgrounds, Landscaping, Parking And Costs Of Financing And To Issue Not More Than $250,000,000 Bonds And/or Notes Therefor, Subject To Approval Of State Housing Aid At A Reimbursement Rate Or State Share Ratio Of Not Less Than 35 Percent At The Time Of Issuance And Provided That The Authorization Shall Be Reduced By The Amount Of Certain Grants Received From State Bond Proceeds, From The Rhode Island Department Of Education Or From The Rhode Island School Building Authority

RI H8313

AUTHORIZING THE CHARIHO REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT TO FINANCE IMPROVEMENTS, FURNISHING, AND EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENTS AT THE SWITCH ROAD CAMPUS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, COSTS OF DEMOLITION, DESIGN, HEALTH AND SAFETY PROJECTS, ROOFING, PLAYGROUNDS, LANDSCAPING, PAVING AND ALL EXPENSES INCIDENTAL THERETO BY THE ISSUANCE OF NOT MORE THAN $15,000,000 BONDS AND/OR NOTES THEREFOR, SUBJECT TO APPROVAL OF STATE HOUSING AID AT A REIMBURSEMENT RATE OR STATE SHARE RATIO OF NOT LESS THAN 61% AT THE TIME OF ISSUANCE, WHICH RATE OR RATIO MAY INCREASE TO 65% AT PROJECT COMPLETION

RI S3117

AUTHORIZING THE CHARIHO REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT TO FINANCE IMPROVEMENTS, FURNISHING, AND EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENTS AT THE SWITCH ROAD CAMPUS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, COSTS OF DEMOLITION, DESIGN, HEALTH AND SAFETY PROJECTS, ROOFING, PLAYGROUNDS, LANDSCAPING, PAVING AND ALL EXPENSES INCIDENTAL THERETO BY THE ISSUANCE OF NOT MORE THAN $15,000,000 BONDS AND/OR NOTES THEREFOR, SUBJECT TO APPROVAL OF STATE HOUSING AID AT A REIMBURSEMENT RATE OR STATE SHARE RATIO OF NOT LESS THAN 61% AT THE TIME OF ISSUANCE, WHICH RATE OR RATIO MAY INCREASE TO 65% AT PROJECT COMPLETION

RI S2053

Establishes a new educational program that allows students to enroll public and private schools of their choice.

RI H6296

Authorizing The Town Of Coventry To Issue Not More Than $25,000,000 Bonds And Notes To Finance Construction, Renovation, Rehabilitation, Repair, Improvement, Furnishing And/or Equipping Of And/or Additions To Schools And School Facilities Throughout The Town, Subject To Approval Of State School Housing Aid At A Reimbursement Rate Or State Share Ratio Of Not Less Than 49.2 % For Expenditures Eligible For Reimbursement

Similar Bills

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RI H7687

Allows an individual school district that can utilize its own buses or vendors at a lower cost than the statewide system, to obtain reimbursement for these costs from state funds.

RI H5204

Allows an individual school district that can utilize its own buses or vendors at a lower cost than the statewide system, to obtain reimbursement for these costs from state funds.

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