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3/2/2021
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Rep. O’Brien introduces charter school moratorium bill
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 STATE HOUSE – Rep. William W. O’Brien (D-Dist. 54, North Providence) has introduced legislation (2021-H 5193) to place a three-year moratorium on the expansion or creation of charter schools in Rhode Island.
The bill would institute a moratorium upon the creation or expansion of any district, independent or mayoral charter school for the 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24 school years. It provides that the state would not appropriate funding for any such school in fiscal years 2022, 2023 and 2024.
“The purpose of this legislation is to halt the decisions of unelected bureaucrats that will devastate the municipal budgets of North Providence and Providence while hurting the education of a majority of our students for the benefit of a few. While I am sympathetic to those that charter schools have helped, this decision by unelected officials at the state level will have a negative financial impact to each and every resident of North Providence, regardless if they have children in the school system or not. This bill will shift the decision making back to the elected officials who are accountable to the voters and who must weigh the impacts to all constituents, not just those lucky enough to be selected into charter schools,” said Representative O’Brien.
“Another reason for a pause would be to allow a close examination of the formula used to fund charter schools and mayoral academies. According to the O'Grady Commission, special education constitutes, on average, 23 percent of a school district's per-pupil costs. Students with Individual Education Plans are underrepresented in charter schools and mayoral academies, but these schools receive the full per-pupil funding. Charters are educating less challenging students with more money,” said Tim Duffy, Executive Director of the RI Association of School Committees.
The bill is designed to apply to current proposals for three new charter schools and the expansion of three existing ones in Providence, in addition to any new proposals. The 5,835 proposed new charter seats would drain more than $92 million in funding from traditional schools. Sending districts would be charged $25.4 million, on top of losing approximately $66.9 million in state aid, at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is already straining schools.
“Without this legislation, North Providence will be forced to pay an additional $1.5 million and will be left with no other option than to issue tax increases to cover for the lost state aid and that is truly not fair to the majority of our residents. This moratorium is necessary for the betterment of all,” concluded Representative O’Brien.
The legislation has been referred to the House Finance Committee.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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