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

HB 7024 would have restructured governance for Rhode Island's Urban Collaborative, a partnership of school districts including Providence, Pawtucket, East Providence, and Central Falls. The bill would have required the collaborative to be governed by a 5-member board of trustees (featuring superintendents from participating districts and appointed members) instead of its previous structure. It also outlined specific funding mechanisms, directing state education aid to flow directly to the collaborative and requiring local districts to transfer funds to support its operations. The bill was introduced in January 2026 but withdrawn at the sponsor's request and never took effect.