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1/30/2023
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Rep. O’Brien thanks North Providence School District for supporting retired teachers bill
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STATE HOUSE – Rep. William W. O’Brien (D-Dist. 54, North Providence) is thanking the North Providence School Committee and School Department for publicly supporting legislation (2023-H 5040) he sponsored that would permit retired teachers to substitute teach in a school for up to 120 days in a school year, without any loss, forfeiture, or reduction in retirement benefits.
On January 25, the North Providence School Committee voted to express their public support for Representative O’Brien’s bill. Dr. Frank Pallotta, Chair of the School Committee, and Joseph Goho, Superintendent of North Providence Schools, wrote to Representative O’Brien stating that “both the School Committee and the School Department view this bill as an essential component to ensure delivery of educational services to our students, families and staff.”
“I thank Dr. Pallotta, his fellow committee members and Superintendent Goho for their support of this crucial legislation. Our state’s teacher shortage poses a real threat to the quality of education offered to our students and this bill will allow experienced retired teachers to help more in the classroom, ensuring that our kids receive the quality education they deserve. I welcome the support of the North Providence School District and I look forward to working with them to advocate for the passage of this bill” said Representative O’Brien.
Representative O’Brien notes that Tim Ryan of the Rhode Island School Superintendents Association also supports the legislation.
Currently, retired teachers are only allowed to substitute teach up to 90 days without jeopardizing their retirement benefits.
The bill’s extended time period would be from the effective date of passage of the act until June 30, 2025.
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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