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5/6/2025
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Senate approves DiMario bill to make teacher and student representatives on Board of Education voting members
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 STATE HOUSE — The Senate today passed a bill sponsored by Sen. Alana M. DiMario that would make the Rhode Island teacher of the year and the chair of the student advisory council full voting members of the state’s Council on Elementary and Secondary Education.
“Educating our kids requires a real team effort. As policy makers, we should be partnering with students and educators to ensure our kids are getting the education they deserve,” said Senator DiMario (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown, New Shoreham). “Currently, no voting members of the Board of Education work or learn in a classroom every day. This bill will elevate the voices of a high-quality classroom teacher and a student leader to better inform our education policies and improve the decision-making process to better serve our students.”
Currently, the most recent Rhode Island teacher of the year and the chair of the student advisory council serve as nonvoting members on the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education. Senator DiMario’s bill (2025-S 0774) would make both these positions full voting seats.
“This bill is grounded in a core belief that those closest to the classroom — students and teachers — must have a seat at the table when it comes to shaping policies that directly impact teaching, learning, and equity in our schools,” said Paige Parks, executive director of Rhode Island KIDS COUNT. “Engaging young people and educators in board decisions allows their unique perspectives to influence policies that shape the education system and future opportunities for all Rhode Island students. Rhode Island KIDS COUNT thanks Senator DiMario for her leadership and the Senate Education Committee for sending this bill to the Senate floor for a vote.”
The bill now heads to the House for consideration where Rep. David Morales (D-Dist. 7, Providence) has introduced companion legislation (2025-H 5839).
Senator DiMario also sponsored the legislation (2023-S 0182A, 2023-H 6052A) that first added the Rhode Island teacher of the year to the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education as a nonvoting member in 2023.
For more information, contact:
Tristan Grau, Publicist
State House Room B20
Providence, RI 02903
401.222.4935
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