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3/31/2025
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Media Advisory: Senate Education Committee to consider URI Board appointments, right to adequate education, pre-K
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STATE HOUSE – The Senate Education Committee will meet tomorrow to consider several reappointments to the University of Rhode Island Board of Trustees, and Wednesday for votes on bills seeking expanded access to pre-kindergarten programs and a constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right to an adequate education.
The committee meets tomorrow, Tuesday, April 1, at 3 p.m. in the Senate Lounge on the second floor of the State House to consider the reappointments of Maria Ducharme, Cornelius Kerwin, Matthew Lenz, Roby Luna, David Martirano and Yahaira (Jay) Placencia to the University of Rhode Island Board of Trustees, all for terms ending Feb. 1, 2028.
The committee meets again Wednesday, April 2, at 4 p.m. in Room 313 on the third floor of the State House. The committee is scheduled to vote on:
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2025-S 0177— Sponsored by Sen. Jonathon Acosta (D-Dist. 16, Central Falls, Pawtucket), this bill would put before voters a constitutional amendment to guarantee Rhode Island residents equal opportunity to receive an education that is adequate, equitable and meaningful, with judicial enforcement of this provision.
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2025-S 0394 — Sponsored by Senate Education Committee Chairwoman Hanna M. Gallo (D-Dist. 27, Cranston, West Warwick), this bill would establish guidelines for the expansion of high-quality public prekindergarten education programs for children ages 3 and 4 to increase children’s school readiness.
The committee will also hear several bills, including:
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2025-S 0861 — Sponsored by Sen. Samuel D. Zurier (D-Dist. 3, Providence) this bill allows, when authorized by the Board of Regents, the education commissioner to designate a receiver for a school district with all the powers of the superintendent and school committee.
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2025-S 0922 — This bill sponsored by Sen. Jacob E. Bissaillon (D-Dist. 1, Providence) requires the Board of Regents to adopt support and intervention strategies consistent with Comprehensive Education Strategy and SALT in one district at a time.
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2025-S 0397 — Sponsored by Sen. Linda L. Ujifusa (D-Dist. 11, Portsmouth, Bristol), this bill would reduce the course time required to become a school bus driver for applicants who have a valid commercial driver’s license.
The meeting will be televised by Capitol Television on Cox channels 15 and 61 for high definition; i3Broadband (Formerly Full Channel) channel 15; and Verizon channel 34. Senate committee hearings may also air on Channel 75 for Cox Subscribers. Livestreaming is available at https://capitoltvri.cablecast.tv
Any written testimony must be emailed to SLegislation@rilegislature.gov prior to 2 p.m. Tuesday for the URI appointments, and 3 p.m. Wednesday for the bills being heard that day in order for it to be provided to the members of the committee at the hearing and to be included in the meeting records.
For more information, contact:
Greg Pare, Director of Communications for the Senate
State House Room 112
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 276-5558
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