AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- ESTABLISHMENT OF REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS

This bill amends state laws to include shared services as a factor when deciding whether to create regional school districts in Rhode Island. It requires the state education commissioner to form planning boards that study how combining resources could improve school quality, reduce costs, and address issues like small enrollment numbers or funding gaps. The study must examine specific impacts on student programs, transportation, class sizes, and local community needs before any regionalization occurs. Additionally, the legislation allows existing districts to opt out of state regulations by becoming autonomous districts, though these districts would no longer receive state education funding.